Youth Advisory Group bring young people together to share their experience of services, and co-design solutions to challenges young people are facing. 

Our Youth Advisory Group (YAG) provide us with invaluable insights into services and current program gaps within the community and help us improve service delivery for young people. YAG are regularly involved with consultations on issues that directly impact young people (both at Youth Projects and in the broader local community).

This is a forum for young people to also develop their confidence, social connections, and leadership skills, whilst playing a key role in planning and delivering youth-led events and activities throughout the year.

YAG meet fortnightly to share their ideas and are provided with frequent opportunities to have their voice heard within the community. Involvement in YAG contributes to ongoing community participation and engagement and gives young people a platform to share their views and have their voice heard.

What’s involved?

Last year our crew were super busy getting up to all of this:

• Planning and delivering three flagship events for Youth Week 2020
• Facilitated virtual workshops for young people throughout lockdown
• Met with Senator Jordon Steele-John to discuss issues impacting young people
• Invited to participate in panel discussions as youth representatives
• Official submission to the Victorian Government’s Youth Matters Strategy
• Co-designed service delivery and programs at Youth Projects
• Participated in a Youth Mental Health Forum
• Regular consultations on issues that directly impact young people in the broader community
• Youth-specific surveys and research
• Facilitated events for IDAHOBIT, Halloween and community barbeque

And for the year ahead? Well, this is just a start…

YAG are set to launch a series of life skills workshops focussed on “things young people need to know” and explores the physical, mental and social health of young people. PLUS a whole host of other exciting initiatives. Earlier this year, YAG put forward a grant application so they could deliver a series of events for young people.

Workshop & Youth-led Panel

Youth Advisory Group delivered a workshop and youth-led panel, that focussed on the theme of 'Mental Health Awareness and Access' which provided young people with relevant information on accessing mental health supports in their community, and strategies to manage anxiety and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Youth workers and young people were joined by industry professionals (including BeyondBlue) to share and learn helpful strategies on how to:

• Get and navigate a Mental Health Care Plan with a health professional
• Access local support services that are available to you (including virtual)
• Strategies for maintaining mental health
• How to manage stress and anxiety during COVID-19
• Breaking down misconceptions surrounding mental health

Visual Art Competition

As part of Victorian Youth Week 2021, Youth Projects and our Youth Advisory Group hosted a Visual Art Competition. This provided a platform for young Victorians to have their voice heard within the community, express their ideas and promote the real, lived experience of young people over the past year.

The Visual Art Competition showcased the achievements, creativity, and diverse talents of young people whilst shifting the narrative and representation of youth in the media and greater community. Youth Advisory Group awarded $500 in prizes to five incredibly talented young people and you can read all about the winners of the 2021 Visual Art Competition here.

Join our Youth Advisory Group

What’s in it for me?

Well, lot’s really! Here’s just a few of the things you might get out of the experience:

• Opportunities to have your voice heard!
• Gain experience planning and facilitating youth-led workshops
• Increased confidence and self-esteem
• Creating social networks and meeting new people
• Develop your decision-making and leadership skills
• Contribute to ongoing community participation and engagement
• Build interpersonal communication skills
• Resume building (looks great on your CV!)
• Access to an amazing support network
• Creating social change and improving service delivery
• Increased knowledge of issues that impact your local community
• Volunteering experience in Youth Work / Community Services
• Creating a sense of purpose and value within your community

Can I participate?

We are looking for passionate young people aged between 14 and 25 years old that want to use their voice to empower others, create real social change and have their say on issues that directly impact them. Participation is voluntary and it is strongly encouraged that participants be available to meet fortnightly (Mondays) at our Youth Hub in Glenroy (there’s usually pizza and snacks involved…!)

Register your interest now!

For more information on the Youth Advisory Group, please contact:

Nikita Hall (she/her) Call (03) 9304 9100 [email protected]

Julia Pieters (she/her) Call/text 0459 779 712 [email protected]