To ensure we can work towards our vision for Youth Voice, and meet our NCS mission, we have created a Youth Voice Forum (YVF). 

The Forum is made up of young people aged 16-24 from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, who work with us over a 12-month period. 

They provide insights, generate new ideas, challenge our way of thinking, and ensure we are staying connected to the young people we exist to serve.

We are now looking for new Youth Voice Forum members to join us in March 2022.

The Youth Voice Forum exists to:

1. Ensure that the ideas, perspectives, feedback and experiences of young people influence key decision making 
2. Amplify the priorities for young people today ensuring we are successful in creating a country of connected, confident and caring citizens
3. Provide meaningful participation and development opportunities for young people 
4. Represent NCS, amplifying the voices of, and advocating for, other young people

The Youth Voice Forum is a group of diverse young people who work closely and regularly with the NCS Trust to influence and shape key decisions that ultimately affect the experiences of thousands of young people across England through NCS experiences. 

The Forum is made up of young people, who have and have not taken part in an NCS experience, have different personal experiences, and are passionate about ensuring young people are heard and represented. 

The Youth Voice Forum is an integral party of our governance and decision making processes, ensuring we are held accountable and continue to listen to the voices of the young people we exist to serve as a youth organisation. 

Why would you join the NCS Youth Voice Forum? Well, in return for the time and commitment you give to us, we make sure your development and experiences are at the forefront of our minds. 

You can expect to gain:

• Bespoke training 
• Development days and workshops
• Personal mentoring and the opportunity to reverse mentor 
• Paid and unpaid working opportunities
• Insight into professional ways of working 
• Professional development opportunities 
• Opportunities to shadow and visit NCS programmes
• Networking with external stakeholders opportunities 
• Advocating experience for young people and NCS at events
• Access to other sector roles and opportunities 
• Professional and personal references of engagement and impact

As a Youth Voice Forum member you will

• Work closely with our teams to provide feedback and ideas on important projects
• Meet as a Forum every four to six weeks to share feedback and updates
• Meet with the our Senior Leadership Team and Royal Charter Body Board to influence important decisions
• Collaborate and work with the two Co-Chairs of the Forum 
• Speak in workshops and at events as an advocate for young people and NCS

We are looking to bring in new experiences, perspectives and fresh ideas to compliment the knowledge and understanding of our current forum. 

We are looking for passionate and driven individuals, aged 16-24, who do not shy away from sharing new ideas and challenging concepts to ensure that all opportunities for young people are shaped by young people.

Anyone can apply, but some examples of who this opportunity may appeal to are those who: 

• have not been on an NCS experience before and believe in providing positive experiences for young people
• have been on an NCS experience and want to make it even better for others  
• may already sit on a youth board, youth council, forum or steering group
• have never been part of a youth forum or steering group but are passionate and driven
• may be engaged in school or university student groups and networks 
• are not in education, employment, or training and want to influence access for young people
• have experiences relating to key challenges and topics young people continue to face
• are passionate about getting the voices of young people heard and are a positive advocate for others

Here are some of the responsibilities and specifications that come with being a Youth Voice Forum member. 

You do not need to be able to do all of these things, and where you feel you can’t we'll support you to develop in these areas as a Forum member

1. Ability to digest information to help you prepare and engage in conversations 
2. To contribute in calls, meetings and engage in discussions, including at senior and executive levels 
3. Desire to work well with others and be considerate of their experiences and contributions
4. Listen to other young people and advocate on their behalf in key conversations
5. Be passionate about positive change and the impact that young people should have
6. Be accepting of other people’s thoughts and opinions, and challenge ideas where appropriate
7. Ability to ask questions and give feedback to ensure that we are doing what is best for young people
8. Coordinate your time and be punctual to meetings and workshops
9. Respond to email communications and invitations in a timely manner
10. Commit to joining regular drop-in sessions and working groups (shaped around your availability)

Successful candidates will be invited to attend a two-day in-person training event on 12 and 13 March 2022 

It is important you are able to attend as the training will ensure you understand your role as a Youth Voice Forum Member and how you will work with us over the next twelve months. 

It also means you’ll get to meet everyone else and work with some pretty exciting partners

If you like to express yourself through writing, then this may be the way for you to apply. All you have to do is click on the application form, enter your details, and answer the questions directly on the form. 

We would recommend that you type out your answers onto a separate document first so you can save and come back to it later, before submitting your application. We wouldn’t want you to lose any progress that you make!

You may feel that speaking and presenting is your strong point, so why not record and upload a short video? All you you have to do is:

• Set up your phone or other recording device on a stable surface
• When you start recording, introduce yourself
• Answer each question outlined in the form clearly
• Save and upload your video to the application form
• Make sure your video is no longer than three minutes long

If neither of the above options are for you, we can give you a call. We’ll ask you a few questions about yourself and take notes as you answer, it’s as easy as that. All you need to do is:

• Click on the application form and enter your details
• When asked how you would like to apply, tick ‘by phone call’ 
• Wait for us to get in touch with you to coordinate a suitable date and time

Once we have closed the application window we will spend some time reviewing all applications. 

We will then be in touch in February 2022 with next steps. 

If you are chosen to join the Forum, you will be invited to the training event on 12 and 13 March 2022

If you are unsuccessful, don’t worry, we would still love to keep in touch. We will invite you to join our Youth Voice Ambassador Network so you still have access to great opportunities.

If you’re successful, you’ll be invited to the Speak Out training weekend on 12 and 13 March.  

Over the course of the weekend you will learn more about NCS and how the Youth Voice Forum will work with us over the coming 12 months. 

You will also be paired with a buddy to help you settle into the role - this will be a Forum member who knows the ropes already.

If you are not successful in your application we still want to stay connected with you!

We will invite you to join our Youth Voice Ambassadors Network which means you will still get the opportunity to connect with us and take advantage of development opportunities. We will send you regular emails with opportunities for you to work with us, and when the Forum present themselves, you will be invited along.