Joint Youth Forum hears the voices of young people

Young people in North Ayrshire met on Friday 27 March to have their voices heard.

Bringing 28 young people aged between 12-18 together, the bi-annual Joint Youth Forum event at Ardeer Community Centre was a chance for young people to join the council’s Community Learning and Development team to network, share their ideas and influence local decision-making.

Delivered by North Ayrshire Youth Services and their team of Youth Work Modern Apprentices, the afternoon session provided lunch, conversation workshops and a host of learning modules.

Youth groups and representatives in attendance included North Ayrshire Active Schools (NASA) team, North Ayrshire’s Council’s Child Poverty Strategy team, Irvine Youth Forum, North Ayrshire Young Carers Champions Board (Carers Gateway), Garnock Valley Youth Forum, the Council’s Youth Executive (with pupils from across North Ayrshire secondary schools), Garnock Valley Youth Synergy, The Umbrella Club and Members of Scottish Youth Parliament.

A key strand of North Ayrshire’s Youth Participation and Citizenship Strategy, the day also had a series of workshops including:

• how to support meaningful participation in our communities
• ongoing development of a Pupil Council (Youth Voice) Toolkit
• understanding financial struggles, welfare rights and support
• identifying key priorities for a new Youth Participation and Citizenship Strategy
• upcoming recruitment of Scottish Youth Parliament members
• events planning for Arran Pride and other summer activities with North Ayrshire Active Schools

Part of the session also encouraged young people to decide upon future themes for youth participation events happening such as the upcoming Joint Cabinet in Autumn 2026 which brings together pupils from all North Ayrshire secondary schools and the Council’s lead officers.

Youth Work Modern Apprentice Jake shared: “Our latest Joint Youth Forum offered an exciting opportunity for young people interested in local democracy to discuss upcoming agenda items such as the Youth Voice Toolkit, the issues young people face, financial support during the Cost of Living crisis and shaping local government strategies and policy-making.

“It was also a worthwhile opportunity to network with other young people and understand what areas need to be addressed in their own locality and how we can continue to amplify their voices and speak truth to power. Well done to everyone who participated and had the courage to speak up on behalf of their communities.”

The knowledge gained will be shared as feedback to the Council’s Executive Leadership team to shape supportive policies and strategies going forward.

Rhonda Leith added: “The valuable feedback gained will continue the important work we are doing to ensure that young people have the equal opportunity to influence and contribute towards the Council’s decision-making on matters affecting them. As a child-centred Council, we will continue to raise awareness across all of our services to ensure that all North Ayrshire Council staff understand the role we all have to play to protect the rights of our children and young people and ensure their voices are heard.”

Young people attending the event shared:

“I just recently joined a Youth Forum so this is my first time coming together with other groups like this. It was really nice getting to know everyone.”

“This was a busy day and we talked about lots of important topics. I am glad to have the chance to have my say and actually be listened to.”

“I am proud to be part of something that will make a difference to young people in my area.”

The event was also a key engagement opportunity to discuss with the young people what key areas of focus are required as North Ayrshire Council sets out it’s renewed Youth Participation and Citizenship strategy.

The themes discussed included:

• care-experienced young people’s transitions
• climate anxiety and future uncertainty
• employability and skills gaps
• inclusion, equality and safety (including LGBTQ+ and protected characteristics), mental health and trauma-informed support
• risk taking behaviour and substance use
• tackling poverty and the Cost-of-Living crisis
• youth participation and rights-based policy making

Stay tuned for updates on this…

If you would like to get involved in future #youthparticipation events – register your interest at youthwork@north-ayrshire.gov.uk

Published: 07 April 2026