So, what exactly is a Youth Advisory Group?

Think of it as a space where you can tell us what you actually think.

As part of the YAG, you might:

• give feedback on new programs and ideas
• help us make services feel more relevant and accessible
• share what you think is missing from youth mental health support
• review resources, content or campaigns
• help shape new projects and technology
• bring forward ideas we haven't thought of yet

Sometimes we’ll bring something to the group and ask, “Does this work?”

Other times, we want you to tell us, “You should be doing this instead.”

 

Why are we doing this?

Because youth services should be shaped with young people, not just for them.

At Voix, we work with young people every day, but that doesn’t mean we should assume we know everything about what young people want or need.

Your lived experience gives you knowledge that can't come from a textbook, qualification or meeting room.

The YAG helps us stay relevant, inclusive and connected to what young people are actually experiencing.

And when we create something new, we want youth voices helping lead the way.

 

Who are we looking for?

You don’t need a fancy résumé.

You don’t need to be an expert in mental health.

And you definitely don’t need to have all the answers.

We’re looking for young people aged 16–29 who are interested in things like:

• Neurodiversity
• Mental health
• Youth wellbeing
• Technology
• New ideas
• Making services better

We welcome people from different backgrounds, identities, experiences and neurotypes.

You might have your own lived experience of neurodivergence or mental health challenges, have supported someone else, or simply care about improving things for young people.

What matters most is that you're willing to share your perspective, listen to others and contribute to the conversation.

Quiet people welcome too. You don't have to be the loudest person in the room to have something worth saying.

What does being involved look like?

We want this to be meaningful without taking over your life.

The group meets approximately once every two months for 60–90 minutes.

ch session is facilitated by Zack Cook, our Voix Youth Facilitator, who helps keep the conversation relaxed, inclusive and focused on making sure everyone has a chance to contribute.

You can join us in person at Voix or online, depending on what works for you.

Meetings will usually involve a mix of discussion, feedback, brainstorming and working together on something happening at Voix.

No corporate boardroom energy required.

 

What do you get?

First: pizza and snacks. Obviously.

But you'll also get the opportunity to:

• have a genuine say in youth mental health and neurodiversity services
• meet other young people with different experiences and perspectives
• contribute to real projects and ideas
• build experience in collaboration, advocacy and service design
• see the impact of your ideas in practice

To recognise your time, you'll also be able to choose between volunteer hours or a small gift card for each meeting you attend.

 

Your experience matters.

• Maybe you've had an amazing experience with a youth service.
• Maybe you've had a terrible one.
• Maybe you've spent years thinking, “Why don't they just…?”
• We want to hear it.

You don't need to represent every young person. You only need to bring your own perspective.

Because the more different voices we have around the table, the better we can make what comes next.

 

Want to be part of it?

If you're aged 16–29 and this sounds like something you'd enjoy, we'd love to hear from you.