Southwark Young Advisors

Empowering Young People Changing Communities

Founded in 2006 the Southwark Young Advisors sit within Southwark Council’s Community Safety Team and are a diverse group of young, trained professionals aged 16 to 23 years old - all sharing one aspiration - to create change within the local community. The Southwark Young Advisors work locally, pan London and nationally (Under the national Young Advisors Charity) to share good practice and to learn from others.

With the motto ‘The voices of today making changes for tomorrow’ the Southwark young advisors:

Help organisations 'youth proof' their practices, policies, strategies and commissioning

Support and encourage young people to play an active part in their communities to tackle disaffection, increase civic engagement, encourage inter-generational communication and respond to concerns felt by other young people

Speak out for young people, making sure their thoughts and feelings are considered and provide young people with the opportunity to influence government strategy and policy on issues that affect them

Facilitate ongoing and meaningful dialogue between government, organisations and charities + young and old on the experience of being a young person.

Help deliver research and consultations to ensure findings relate to the needs of young people;

Assist with ‘building bridges’ and ‘breaking down barriers’ between young people and those in authority.

Develop and maintain strong partnerships and to help key partners attract and maintain the interests of young people.

Address youth crime and anti social behaviour (ASB), Inequality (Homophobia, racism and ‘difference’), improve cohesion, confidence and well being, and improve access to opportunity.

Support young people in developing confidence and skills to assist them in making appropriate contributions to the development of their communities.

Help set up and deliver Events and training for all ages