top of page
Search

Putting Young People at the Centre: How Youth-Led Voices Can Shape Change

At Cheviot Youth, we believe that the best ideas about what young people need often come from young people themselves. Youth work is not only about providing safe spaces and support; it is also about creating the conditions for young people to influence decisions, shape services, and take ownership of change in their own communities.


Across Scotland, the role of youth-led research has been gaining momentum. For example, YouthLink Scotland’s OPEN Project has empowered young people in Shetland to become peer researchers, exploring local issues such as alcohol and drug use, and reflecting on what really matters in their lives (YouthLink Scotland, 2024). These projects demonstrate the power of listening to young people and equipping them with the tools to investigate and share their own perspectives.


This resonates strongly with our approach at Cheviot Youth. We already have a Youth Steering Group for Insight Youth and our psychological services, where young people are involved in shaping how support is delivered. Their input has been vital in helping us understand the challenges young people face and in guiding the way our services evolve.


Looking ahead, we want to take this even further. At our upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) (soon to be advertised), we will be actively promoting opportunities for young people to join our Board of Trustees. Having trustees with lived youth expe

rience will strengthen our governance and ensure decisions are always made with young people’s voices at the table.

We also see the wider benefits that youth-led projects bring. When a young person designs survey questions, facilitates a focus group, or presents findings to decision-makers, they are not only influencing systems — they are also learning how to lead, communicate, and take responsibility for change.


Cheviot Youth is committed to embedding more opportunities for youth-led enquiry across our work in the Borders. We want our young people not only to benefit from services, but also to help shape them. After all, who better to guide the future of youth work than the young people themselves?


Young people have long played a central role in guiding Cheviot Youth’s services — and we’re always looking for more voices to join in
Young people have long played a central role in guiding Cheviot Youth’s services — and we’re always looking for more voices to join in

Get Involved


If you are a young person in the Borders and want to help shape what we do, there are several ways to get involved:


  • Enquire about joining the Youth Steering Group for Insight Youth and Psychological Services.

  • Enquire about opportunities to become a youth trustee on our Board at the upcoming AGM.

  • Enquire about membership of our Youth Work Services Youth Committee.


To find out more, please enquire here: info@cheviotyouth.co.uk


References


 
 
bottom of page