Get involved with My Say Matters
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How you can get involved by joining one of our forums
We have a participation group to suit everyone! Below are details of some of our more established forums, most of which are for ages 11 to 18 years, to find out more click on the related links section of this page. Each of our forums are supported by our Participation Officers and young people who attend get to learn about the workings of the council, build new skills (for example public speaking and event planning) as well as the chance to socialise with those with similar interests.
Youth Board
This group meets monthly and gives advice to the council and other services about plans and policies to make sure that they reflect the needs and ideas of young people. Recent topics discussed have included responding to climate change, delivering services for young people with mental health needs, covid and equality. Feedback from young people has influenced policy documents and the way services are offered.
Youth Assembly
This group is linked to the councils democratic decision making process and gives young people a chance to share their views with local Councillors. It meets monthly and might suit someone who wants to get involved in civic life at a local or regional level.
Further information on Youth Assembly
Youth Parliament and Youth Ambassadors
We have recently elected our 2 members of Youth Parliament and Youth Ambassadors – 7,700 Barnet schoolchildren elect their new Youth Ambassadors and Youth Parliament Members
We are opening the election process for a new cycle of MYPs and Youth Ambassadors for 2024 -26.
This process starts on 15 December 2023. To find out how you can take part in this exciting opportunity use the links below.
We welcome applications from young people aged 11-16 from all backgrounds and communities. This could be you!
More on Youth Parliament and Youth Ambassadors
Barnet on Point (#BOP): our Children in Care Council
This forum is for our children in care. Young people meet regularly to feedback about the services they use, to plan events and to socialise and have fun. BOP members have shared their views with staff about what makes a good social worker, contributed to child friendly documents and delivered training for foster carers.
More information on BOP.
Young People and Mental Health: Barnet Integrated Clinical Services (BICS)
Barnet Integrated Clinical Services (BICS) provide services to children and young people with mild to moderate mental health needs in Barnet. BICS offer a range of evidence-based interventions, including individual therapy, family therapy, groups, and workshops.
We care about what children, young people, and families have to say either about using these services or the support you want to see for those with a mental health need. Young people can participate in lots of activities to support other young people’s mental health - this includes creating podcasts and online content, participating in focus groups, having a say on who we hire and much more!
If you would like to get involved, or have any questions, please visit https://www.barnet.gov.uk/bics or email BICS@barnet.gov.uk
Other ways to get involved
Sexual Health and Wellbeing – Give your views if using Brook Services
Brook is the UK's leading sexual health and wellbeing charity for young people. We offer young people and adults lots of ways to participate in Brook’s work, to help us to ensure our work is the best it can be for people in local areas and across the UK. For more information and for opportunities please visit: https://www.brook.org.uk/get-involved/participation/
North Central London Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Lived Experience Community
This health service project is a paid opportunity for CAMHS service users, ex service users, parents, carers and people who haven’t been able to access CAMHS to join North Central London’s Lived Experience Community.
We meet once a month in the evening to voice your opinions, implement changes in existing services and co-produce new CAMHS services alongside the co-production team. Co-production is transformational and gives power to the service users and their community.
Please email Hahmed@tavi-port.nhs.uk if you are interested.
We are looking for youth advisors
Are you aged 12 to 16 and living in Barnet?
Join us for a 1 hour workshop (online or in person) so we can hear your thoughts and ideas on our new youth led social action initiative. £10 voucher for each participant.
The workshops are on Wednesday 22 March, online/zoom and Thursday 23 March at the Unitas Youth Zone.
Contact aoife@youthrealities.co.uk or 07708382333 to sign up.
Contact us
If you would like to get involved or find out more information please email us: mysaymatters@barnet.gov.uk