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Get involved with the Youth Commission

Are you 10-25 & live in North Yorkshire or the City of York? Have opinions about police, fire & crime?
The Youth Commission Needs YOU!

To start your journey

Contact: Emily Blavins
e: [email protected] 

Application Deadline: Monday 17 April 2023

What we do

Work alongside other young adults to make a change

“I’ve always wanted to take an active role in helping people”

Advise the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and North Yorkshire Police

“I spoke to them about why its important that we speak to young people – we are doing it for a reason and we are passionate about it. They really valued us being there.”

Develop leadership skills and gain valuable experience

“It was exciting, people responded well and we had great discussions”

Lead the campaign on our priority issues

“I got a huge applause from the group at the end. I felt the empathy go across the room”

1. What is the Youth Commission on Police, Fire and Crime?

The Youth Commission allows young people to get involved and have their say about policing, fire and crime where they live.

The North Yorkshire Youth Commission enables young people to support, challenge and inform the work of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. This is a very important role, because it helps the Commissioner, police and fire service to make better decisions to meet the needs of young people.

2. Who can join the North Yorkshire Youth Commission?

We are looking for participants aged 10-25 years from the North Yorkshire policing area – including York, Harrogate, Skipton, Scarborough, Ryedale, Selby, Richmondshire and Hambleton. The role is open to anyone in this age group from one of these areas.

In total, we are seeking to recruit up to 35 young people. We are looking for people who are good team players and willing to get involved with all the activities of the Youth Commission. We are also very keen to ensure that the Youth Commission is made up of a diverse group of young people who broadly reflect the make-up of the local population, including those who may have direct personal experience of the police and the criminal justice system.

3. If I join, what will I have to do?

Youth Commission members will:

  • Take part in Youth Commission meetings: You will participate in 8 Youth Commission meetings. (These normally take place in August, September, November, January, March, June, September, December). At these events, the members of the Youth Commission will come together to discuss and set objectives for the project. In these meetings you will develop skills and come up with creative ideas for the project . You will also reflect and review the progress of the project.
  • Take part in Subgroups to advise North Yorkshire Police: You will have an opportunity to meet with North Yorkshire police officers and staff, advise them about key issues affecting young people and inform the development of their work, including their children and young people’s strategy and delivery plan.
  • Work on special projects and campaigns: You will have the opportunity to work on peer led campaigns that focus on important topics such as: hate crime, abusive relationships, drug and alcohol abuse, mental health & vulnerable young people, and relationships between young people the police and authorities. Find out more about our priorities.
  • Plan and deliver events: You will work in a team to design and plan interactive events to engage other young people and partner agencies in your area on these important topics. You will be asked to run these events wherever possible as long as there is no clash with your school, college commitments. This will include the opportunity to involve other young people in the development of campaigns or projects and to deliver engagement activity to highlight and promote the positive work of the Youth Commission.
  • Report back to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and North Yorkshire Police: You will contribute towards the analysis of information gathered from the work of the project, and help to present back your conclusions to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and North Yorkshire Police.

4. What will I get from being part of the Youth Commission?

  • Discuss issues with decision-makers: You will meet the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, officials from North Yorkshire Police , North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and other partner agencies at Youth Commission events and help them to understand what young people in your area think about police and crime. You will have the opportunity to influence their work.
  • Develop your skills and experience: You will gain valuable skills and experience, which you will be able to use for your CV or applications to Further or Higher Education.
  • Become ambassadors for other young people: You will give a voice to young people in your area by helping them to get their views heard.
  • Meet new people: You will meet a diverse range of other young people from the North Yorkshire policing area, and work alongside professionals from different organisations.

5. If I have a criminal record, can I still apply?

Yes absolutely. We are actively looking for applications from young people with relevant personal experience of policing and the criminal justice system.

Please be aware that all North Yorkshire Youth Commission will go through a volunteer check with North Yorkshire Police once they have been selected.

This process is known as ‘vetting’ and it is done for safeguarding reasons. The purpose of this vetting is not to put up barriers to any young person applying, but to allow us to manage any potential risks.

If you have any questions or concerns about vetting, please do get in touch with us and we’d be very happy to discuss it with you further.

6. How do I apply?

Section 1:

If you are under 18, you must also fill out the section regarding your Parent /Guardian /Carer. All Youth Commission members under the age of 18 will be asked to bring along a signed consent form to the first event.

Privacy:

Your privacy is really important to us. By filling in the North Yorkshire Youth Commission application form, you are consenting to Leaders Unlocked using your personal information to keep in touch with you over the course of the project. If your application is not successful, or you decide to withdraw your application, we will delete your personal data from our files.

If you want to withdraw your consent at any time you can contact the Data Protection officer at [email protected] and if you would like to see our full Privacy Notice you can do so here Leaders-Unlocked-Privacy-Notice

7. What happens next?

Once we receive your application, we will then carry out brief telephone interviews with applicants. All applicants will receive a message to let them know the outcome of their application.

Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions.

Application Deadline: Monday 17 April 2023

Download the application form

Any questions?

Contact: Emily Blavins
e: [email protected]