Participation Volunteers

Location All Wales

The Role

We are looking for young people throughout Wales who have experiences of being in care, to become Participation Volunteers and join one of our friendly Participation Groups:

Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG) - Established to consult about changes to NYAS services, policy, and recruitment, with members contributing to the evaluation of good practice. A further function of the group is to influence wider policy and practice in Wales and to ensure that services are run and developed with and for care experienced young people.
Bright Sparks Group – The Participation Group for Children and Young People who are currently or have previously been looked After by Cardiff Local Authority. The group provide their voice in the planning, development and evaluation of services that effect members and their peers. Engagement in the wider community, peer support and recreational activities are additional elements of Bright Sparks.

Further Information:

Specific skills are not required and you will have experience of being in care.
You will receive accredited training in Peer Mentoring and/or Peer Advocacy.
Your voice will be listened to and heard and you will have your say on services that affect you.
You will enjoy meeting with others in a similar situation.
You will receive all the support and training you need to make the most of your role.
Volunteers will be supported in their own professional development and you will gain experience that could help in your future career goals.
Expenses will be reimbursed.

About NYAS

As an established leading rights-based charity, NYAS (National Youth Advocacy Service) is well positioned to ensure that children, young people, and adults across England and Wales are fully respected, represented, and supported in expressing their views and having their rights upheld.

We work with care-experienced children, young people, and adults who are often reliant on statutory services suffering the negative impact of the cuts in public expenditure. Our combination of social care and legal services places us in a unique position to ensure that they receive the services they need and that their voices are heard.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment which means NYAS welcomes applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or belief, or any other protected characteristic.

NYAS is proud to share that we are a Disability Confident Employer and we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies.

Work with us to help change young lives.

The Benefits

Make a difference

Meet new people

Learn new skills

Gain valuable work experience

Have fun

Mission, Vision & Values

At NYAS we listen to what children and young people want, care about what they say, and empower them to get their voice heard.

We ensure their wishes and feelings are expressed and acted upon to improve their situation and help them build a better future. We will never stop in our efforts to influence, lobby, and campaign to bring about positive changes and ensure children's and young people's rights are upheld.

Every child and young person has the right to be heard.
Every child has a right to feel safe.
Every child has the right to be involved in decisions made about them.

Collaborative

We work closely with colleagues and partners to deliver an outstanding service to the children and young people who need us.

Accountable

We are open, transparent, and accountable, taking responsibility for what we do.

Respectful

We value and respect each other and the people we work with, embracing diversity and nurturing trust.

Empowering

We listen to children and young people when they are not being heard, inform them of their rights and empower them to change their lives for the better.