About us
Youth Voice Bucks is managed by a team in Buckinghamshire Council.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
If you are worried about something, please visit our Help and Support page.
What we do
Youth Voice Bucks has been created by Buckinghamshire Council.
It brings together opportunities for young people to have their say, information for professionals, and examples of good participation work.
Our mission for young people is clear: we will listen to you, act on your views and then tell you what difference you have made.
Who we are
Youth Voice Bucks has a core staff team that work for Buckinghamshire Council.
The team works with other professionals in Buckinghamshire Council and partner organisations to create, deliver, and join up opportunities for young people to share their voice.
Angel
As a youth worker, I make sure that your thoughts, feeling, and opinions are heard and that you get a chance to be part of improving services and support for all children and young people. I want to make sure that as many children and young people as possible feel cared for, supported, and empowered throughout their lives journey. I run fun day trips out and group activities.
I love listening to music and drinking iced coffee!
Sam
My role is leading on our Shout Out for SEND programme. It’s my job to make sure that all young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are heard at the council, and I love my job! In Shout Out for SEND we run monthly groups for all young people (aged 12-25) with SEND, so if you’re interested in having your voice heard please reach out to me!
In my spare time, my favourite things to do are playing sports, travelling and watching stand-up comedy.
Lucy
I facilitate the Youth Voice Executive Committee and the Councillor Shadowing Scheme! My role is about making sure you and other young people have their voices heard on topics which are important to you and other young people. I’m passionate about creating a safe and supportive environment for young people to thrive in.
Outside of work I love spending time with friends, going to the cinema, listening to podcasts, visiting cities and spending lots of time with my cat!
Krissie
I manage the Youth Voice Bucks programme and look after our team – I’m pretty sure I have the best job in the world!
My role is all about making sure our projects for young people are as fun and effective as they can be, and that we work collaboratively to help as many professionals as possible to listen, act on, and really respond to young people’s views.
I have a lovely rescue dog called Honey, who’s just as sweet as her name, and I love playing on roller derby -a fast, intense sport on roller skates.
Sarah
I manage our digital communications, including this website! I’m also involved with many of our engagement and participation activities, like Youth Interview Panel training and the Youth Summit. I love showcasing the brilliant work our team and young people are doing, finding new ways to collaborate, communicate, and share information. Outside of work, I have two lovely daughters, a sappy dog named Monty, and a cat called Stampy (yes, after the Minecraft YouTuber!). We also have a pond full of toads and newts that I’m always rescuing from the cat!
The Youth Participation Strategy
In May 2022, Buckinghamshire Council launched its first Youth Participation Strategy.
You can read the Youth Participation Strategy by clicking on the buttons below. There is a main version and a version for young people.
View the Youth Participation Strategy
View the Young People’s Version of the Youth Participation Strategy
The mission of the strategy is for everyone working with young people in Buckinghamshire to listen, act and respond to young people’s views.
Listen
We will listen to your views, making sure we offer inclusive and creative opportunities.
Act
We will act on your feedback and ideas to make sure the opportunities, services and support we offer work for young people.
Respond
We will respond to your views and be transparent about what we have done as a result.
Repeat
We commit to offering you participation and involvement opportunities as part of a continual process, not just a one-off event.
Our 3 rules of engagement
Youth Voice Bucks and the Youth Participation Strategy set out 3 rules of engagement for professionals to follow.
The 3 rules ensure we engage with young people ethically and authentically.
Rule 1
We will not ask you to do something we would not do ourselves.
Rule 2
When we ask you to help develop services, we give you tools and skills to make sure you can do so to the best of your ability.
Rule 3
We only engage with you when we have a clear plan about how we will listen to you, act on what you have told us, and then tell you what difference you have made.
The Youth Voice Champions
The Youth Voice Bucks team works very closely with the Youth Voice Champions.
Youth Voice Champions are colleagues from the Council and other organisations who lead on youth participation for their teams. They find opportunities for young people to help make things better and commit to offering these opportunities to young people. You can find out more by visiting our page on the Youth Voice Champions.
Our statement of purpose
We want you to share your views, ideas and thoughts with us because we believe that your voices will help us make Buckinghamshire the best place for young people to live. We are committed to creating and coordinating opportunities for you to have your say that are fun, well-organised, and meaningful.
Our vision is that ‘all young people can realise their potential, whatever their starting point is’. When we say all young people, we really mean it. If you have a disability, need more support with your education, or are experiencing any kind of difficulty, we aim to offer you inclusive opportunities and support so you can have your voice heard.
Get support and contact us
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
If you are worried about something, please visit our Help and Support page.