York young people involved in national advocacy magazine

Thursday, 16 March 2023 11:13

By Alexander Chadwick @thisisyo1

The 2022 Change through Advocacy magazine. Artwork by Alicja, age 15

Care experienced young people in York have helped to create a national magazine to champion the rights of children and young people, highlighting the importance of advocacy and listening to the voice of the young people.

Run by independent charity, Article 39, the magazine launched this year with its first online edition.

York has had a significant contribution into the creation of the magazine – a young person and advocate sat on the project board - and young people from York have submitted articles to the publication.

A young person from York said: "Knowing the impact it’s had on myself, and how much my life has changed for the better having had an advocate growing up in foster care, I think it is very important to express that experience to other young people who are in need of help. To let them know that despite what you're going through there is always a light at the end of the tunnel and the advocate always has your back. Letting others know that you’re not alone is very important and should be shouted from the roof tops. This is my way of doing it."

Cllr Andrew Waller, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “Putting the voice of children and young people at the heart of everything we do is central to our work and the magazine is a fantastic way for young people to come together and ensure their voices are heard. I’m so pleased that people from York were able to get involved with the national publication and look forward to reading articles from local young people in future editions.”

To find out more about advocacy services for children and young people in York visit www.showmethatimatter.com/advocacy-for-children-and-young-people-in-york-copy-3.htm

More information about the publication is available at https://article39.org.uk/change-through-advocacy/