About the Youth Commission
“Why we do what we do”
“I absolutely love it. It’s made me so much more confident in myself and I’m really interested in how we can help other people”
The Youth Commission enables young people, aged between 10 and 25, to inform, support and challenge the work of the Police, Fire and Commissioner, North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
“I am improving my confidence and speaking skills whilst also helping people at the same time. I feel that I have life experience which may be valuable to share with others”
Comprising of up to 35 young people, they are a diverse group who broadly reflect the make-up of the local population, including those who may have direct experience of the police and the criminal justice system.
“I am part of the Youth Commission to help young people learn how to live in acceptable ways”
What does a member of the Youth Commission do?
- Take part in Youth Commission members’ meetings:
Members participate in regular Youth Commission members’ meetings which are either at a central location, for all to attend, or smaller local meetings. At these meetings, members discuss and set objectives for the project, they develop skills and come up with creative ideas for approaches that will reflect, and review the progress of the project. - Deliver Campaign Activities:
Members lead or co-facilitate workshops and presentations around our key priorities. Members represent themselves, the wider Youth Commission group and the Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner. - Advise the police force:
Members have the opportunity to advise North Yorkshire Police about issues affecting young people and to inform the development of their youth strategy. - Advise the fire service:
Members have the opportunity to advise North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service about issues affecting young people and to inform the development of their youth strategy. - Work on special topics:
Members work together on priorities set by a process of peer research including mental health, abusive relationships, hate crime, drug and alcohol abuse, missing young people and exploitation, and the relationship between young people and the police. - Gather the views of other young people:
Members are given support to carry out peer research sessions with other young people in schools, colleges, universities and youth groups. - Plan events:
Members work in a team to design and plan events to engage other young people in their area. - Report back to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner:
Members contribute towards the analysis of information gathered from young people in their area, and present their conclusions to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner. - Host the Youth Commission Conference at the end of the year:
Members present the Youth Commission’s results and recommendations at an end of year conference and get involved in discussions with the police, professionals and other young people.
Keep up to date with the activities of the North Yorkshire Youth Commissions by searching for #YouthCommission #KYMSGAME on Twitter.
Youth Commission Events:
Upcoming & Past Events
- Wednesday 18 October – NYFRS LIFE Course- Discrimination workshop
- Monday 23 October – Bentham Youth Group- Discrimination workshop
- Wednesday 25 October – York College white rose center- Discrimination workshop
- W/C 6 November– Multiple workshops with Scalby school (Relationships with Police & Gender Violence)
Past Events:
- 24 July 2023- NYYC members visiting Fulford Police Station for a tour and to discuss treatment of young people in custody
- 7 July 2023 – Discrimination workshops with All Saints School
- Late June 2023 – Workshops at SELFA
- 26 June 2023- NYYC Members Meeting (Youth IAG with NYP & meeting the Public health team at NYCC to discuss young people’s drug and alcohol services)
- 13 June 2023 LIFE Course – Youth Commission will be at Colburn Fire Station delivering a peer-led workshop to young people who are on the fire LIFE course.
- 20 May 2023 Youth Commission Members Meeting – Youth Commission members will be designing peer-to-peer campaigns on our key priorities & meeting with North Yorkshire Police Communications Team to advise on how police can better engage with young people on social media.
- Late May 2023 Mental Health Workshops – Youth Commission will be at Scalby School in Scarborough delivering Mental Health Workshops.
- 29 April 2023: Youth Commission launch – The first youth commission meeting with the new members. The group took part in training, they reviewed their key priorities and met up with North Yorkshire Police and a local author to review a county lines drug story designed to educate secondary schools.
- 21 February 2023 Police training filming day – Youth Commission member starred in a North Yorkshire Police officer training film designed to train officers on how to respond when a young person goes missing from home.
- 20 February 2023 Youth IAG (Independent Advisory Group) Virtual Meeting -Youth Commission met with North Yorkshire police to hear about how police use their powers, asked questions and gave feedback on behalf of young people.
- 1 February 2023 North Yorkshire Youth Commission Conference – Members shared what they learned after speaking to over 1400 other young people. They also shared their recommendations for change on the 6 key priorities to over 50 professionals in different fields of work.
- 3 December 2022 Youth Commission Members Meeting – Youth commission met to analyse data from speaking to over 1400 young people across north Yorkshire. They looked at what issues/subjects came up repeatedly in conversation and designed their ‘recommendations for change’. At this meeting, they also began to prepare for their conference in the coming year.
Interested? Please contact:
Emily Blavins
e: [email protected]
