More than thirty young people, who have all trained as Youth Advocates, took part in an evening hosted by the Hertfordshire Children’s Trust Partnership. The importance of the event was underlined by the guest list, which included senior politicians and officials including Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Devine, Chair of the Police Authority Ian Laidlaw Dickson and Director of Children’s Services John Harris.

Jane Pitman, Lead Member for Children’s Services, presented Youth Advocates with their AQA accreditation certificates, a qualification in consulting and representing others that they achieved during recent residential training sessions across Hertfordshire. Already there are over 50 trained Youth Advocates representing the ten districts in the county and a further twenty due to attend a training event in December. The Youth Advocates are a diverse group of young people from many different backgrounds ─ they span many political viewpoints, social groups and skill sets ─ but what they have in common is the desire to make a difference to the lives of young people in their communities.

Jane Pitman also announced the names of those Youth Advocates who had been elected by their peers to represent their district on the Hertfordshire Children’s Trust County Youth Shadow Board. This panel is made up of two Youth Advocates per district, and its members’ role will be to bring critical issues and concerns of their peers to the attention of county decision makers. The Youth Shadow Board will in turn be represented on the Hertfordshire Children’s Trust Partnership Board, ensuring that the voice of young people is heard at the highest levels.

If you know a young person who might be interested in becoming a Youth Advocate, or if you would like to find out more about this initiative, call Jonathan Jack, Youth Engagement Manager on 07825 522567 or 01992 531976.