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Young people face an unfair stigma in the media and we aren’t always listened to or valued. As a National Youth Voice Ambassador for Ingeus, my passion is to be a tireless champion for young people, to celebrate the amazing things we can do, and bring about positive change. 

 

I discovered Ingeus by happy accident, through my voluntary work with St John Ambulance as a cadet first aider. I’ve delivered first aid at events across the East Midlands and beyond, even covering the London Marathon, and was thrilled to be named Derbyshire Cadet of the Year. I regularly post online to promote the great work of the cadets, and while scrolling through St John Ambulance’s social media pages I saw a link asking people to apply to become a National Youth Voice Ambassador with Ingeus.  

 

Youth Voice is a central advisory board, representing the views of younger participants to help shape and develop Ingeus services. Ambassadors provide input and feedback on all aspects of services and offer a young person’s viewpoint. I thought this would be a great opportunity to pursue. 

 

I enjoy working with young people and have done a fair bit of teaching through St John Ambulance, giving demonstrations and helping to run the cadet first aid course for my unit. I was also selected from hundreds of cadets to deliver an equality, diversity and inclusion e-learning project, and this fuelled my passion for activism. I realised that joining Ingeus would be a great way of continuing to make a difference, so I applied for the ambassador role. I didn’t think I’d get anywhere so I couldn’t believe it when Ingeus told me I’d been selected. I’d just come through the stress of my GCSEs so it was an amazing surprise! 

 

They say everything happens for a reason. When I applied to Ingeus, I was a display team gymnast. It was my ambition to perform at international level, but then I received an injury which meant I had to stop. Although I felt sad at the time, it gave me the chance to put all my focus into activism. Volunteering as a National Youth Voice Ambassador gives me a massive sense of gratitude and looks really good on my CV. It’s boosted my confidence and I know it will help when I’m looking for employment. As an ambassador, I can influence policy to ensure young people are given a voice.  

 

The Ingeus Justice team recently did a young offenders programme and wanted to create e-learning and staff training to show how a young person sees the world differently. I was in a team of five from Ingeus and three rehabilitated young offenders who presented ideas and held discussions about being young, and the stigma faced by young people. It was a really good initiative and I was proud to be part of it. 

 

I can also take credit for a partnership being formed between Ingeus Youth Voice and St John Ambulance. Together we can now promote the young responders and the National Citizen Service, a programme in which Ingeus delivers residential trips and experiences for young people to boost their confidence and develop life skills. 

 

I’m learning valuable new skills as a National Youth Voice Ambassador. I have completed a training course to become a mental health first aider. I’ve been trained to pick up on the signs of struggling, such as depression, anxiety, or a general decline in mental wellbeing. It’s really nice to be able to offer support and help to anyone who needs it. 

 

All ambassadors take part in a social action project, and I am putting together a major multi-service event in the centre of Nottingham. I am project manager for the event, Elevate 24, which will bring together the emergency services and various charities close to my heart to help young people understand what support is available to them. There will be a focus on reducing knife crime, and demonstrations will be given on how to apply a tourniquet and perform CPR. I have encouraged the media to come along and I’m really excited – I can’t wait!  

 

Finally, if any other young people would like to get involved in activism, I recommend finding your passion first and take it from there. That way, you can make a difference to society while doing something you love.