This year a core group of eight Youth Ambassadors, aged between 14 and 18, have met on a regular basis and been involved in a number of pieces of work with the ICB and our partner organisations.
The council not only gives young people aged 12 to 19, living in Hertfordshire and west Essex, the opportunity to be heard, it also make sure they are part of the decision-making process around services they use.
This year meetings have been held online on a monthly basis. These have been flexible to fit around holidays and exam periods.
And for every meeting attended during the year, each young person has been sent a £20 voucher, culminating in a final one-off thank you to celebrate the end of the year.
They have also each been presented with a special certificate of achievement, commemorating the achievements of the group which include:
- advising on a campaign to help prevent young people from taking up vaping
- giving valuable feedback on communications being created to help young people in mental health crisis
- taking part in the NHS Change Consultation to help shape the NHS over the next 10 years, offering crucial insight into what would make services better for them
- working with teams producing materials online resources to encourage young people in to non-clinical health and care roles.
Lyra, who is 15, has completed her second year as a Youth Ambassador and said of the past year:
“This year I feel like I have been able to develop my knowledge on the work of the NHS, and directly influence change for issues within it by being given the opportunity to speak with workers and those connected via the ICB.
“I particularly enjoyed hearing about mental health topics as I felt it was very informative.”
Kiera, also 15, plans to continue her role next year and also enjoyed hearing about mental health topics.
She said: “This year I feel like I have been able to develop my knowledge of the work of the NHS, and directly influence change for issues within it by being given the opportunity to speak with workers and those connected via the ICB.”
We are now looking to recruit new members of the Youth Council, to join those already planning to continue into the next academic year.
Volunteering within the community can be hugely rewarding and can also be included on university applications, CVs and as part of the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.
If you, or anyone you know, who is aged between 12 and 19 would like to join the Youth Council, you can find out more on the ICB website or email Lauren Oldershaw in the Communications and Engagement team.