The Citizens Advice Youth Forum was created in September 2006 when seven volunteers from across the country met for the first time in London to support Citizens Advice in developing volunteering projects for young people.
Since then meetings of the Youth Forum have taken place between every three to four months with opportunities to become involved in other work in between these meetings.
What has the Youth Forum achieved so far…
- formed a consultation group to decide what youth projects Citizens Advice should be running – this is how the v projects started
- have formed focus groups to tell us how to recruit young people as volunteers – from this we had our first training day in June 2007. We have attended Pride events and music festivals over the summer, forum members are meeting members of the Citizens Advice Communications team to tell us how to improve our website and posters
- attended our March Youth Volunteering Celebration event in London where they met with MPs and staff from across the country
- launched the ‘Hands competition’ to link volunteers across the country
- sat on the selection panel to choose the CAB which CAB would take part in the v project
- accessed exclusive training opportunities such as Marketing and PR
- attended national events such as conferences, Pride events, Mela and music festivals.
All this was achieved in just under a year and is only the beginning.
Who can be part of the Youth Forum?
- Anyone – it is open to all volunteers aged between 16 - 25 years of age.
- We will arrange central meetings that are located to be closest to the majority of Forum members.
- We will also pay your travel expenses!
What will I be doing at the meetings?
The contents of the meeting are always changing. It may be that you are helping to decide on new leaflets, it could be that you are preparing our next celebration event or that you are designing a website. The role of the members of the forum is to make sure that Citizens Advice is doing things right so the meetings are your chance to have your say.
What’s in it for you?
- You get to put on your CV that you were a member of, and set up, a national Youth Forum representing young volunteers in bureaux across the regions.
- The hours you dedicate to the Youth Forum will be counted towards your hours for the v scheme.
- A great opportunity to promote the work of the bureau and share ideas.
- Meet other volunteers and make friends.
What if I don’t have the time to attend the meetings?
If you would like to take part in the Youth Forum but are unable to commit the time required you can join us online at the networking site Facebook  https://register.facebook.com
This group is open to all CAB volunteers and through it we will keep you updated on activities and provide you with opportunities to still become involved in decisions that are made.
Simply search for “Citizens Advice” in the Groups section and there we are!
Great, how do I join?
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