Applications are open now for our Youth Ambassador Program
Join the Youth Ambassador Program Today
We're looking for high school students in Years 10 to 12 to join our YAP team to advise us how we can best advocate for improved mental health and wellbeing systems in high school.
What is the Youth Ambassador Program?
UrVoice Australia is currently accepting applications for members of our Youth Ambassador Program. YAP gives high school students in years 10 to 12 the opportunity to speak up on issues affecting student’s mental health and wellbeing in high school.
As a youth-led organisation, we believe it’s important that the voices and experiences of students should be at the centre of everything we do. We’re looking for young people to share their experience, perspectives and wisdom to shape our projects, campaigns and research projects.
If you’re a young person who’s passionate about advocating for better support for student’s mental health and wellbeing, keen to use your lived experience to think of innovative ways to support students in schools, and keen to be part of a movement determined to reform the education system, then this may be the opportunity for you.
This is your chance to create meaningful change to the state of mental health and wellbeing in high school.
What's involved?
This is a 10-week online program for the duration on term 4 2024 which will involve a weekly 2-hour Zoom workshop. Successful applicants will be expected to commit 2-3 hours per week for Zoom workshops and some extra time to work on individual projects. You’ll be expected to join the session weekly to get the most out of the program.
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We’re looking to gain vital insights from students currently enrolled in the education system across the state on how educational wellbeing can be improved. The program will be split into 4 core sections:
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Upskilling: We’ll upskill you in the policy process, advocacy, media and leadership skills so you can be a true ambassador in your community.
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Advising: You’ll have the opportunity to use their lived experience to contribute to UrVoice Australia’s project, mission and campaigns.
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Co-creating: You’ll have the opportunity to put the skills you’ll learn throughout the program into reality and co-create a project with us. This could be a media piece, mental health event in their community or advocacy campaign.
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Mentorship: You will also be split into small groups and paired with a UrVoice team member dedicated to supporting Ambassadors throughout the program to provide them with advice, resources, feedback and support to ensure they have a positive and successful experience.
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Some things that you’ll cover include the opportunity to:
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Be the first to hear about UrVoice Australia’s projects and give feedback on them.
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Inform our policy and advocacy positions.
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An opportunity to share your insights through our TheirVoice blog.
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Be part of media and advocacy campaigns.
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Have a greater understanding of advocacy, media and the policy process.
What you'll get out of the project
The program aims to empower young people to be advocates within their communities, by providing hands-on experience on project design, implementation and evaluation.
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You’ll get the opportunity to:
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Make a difference to the direction and strategy of UrVoice Australia, including our campaigns and programs.
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Work with an amazing team of other young people passionate about ensuring young people can speak up about mental health and wellbeing concerns.
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An opportunity to provide your lived experience to help shape UrVoice policy and projects.
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Be an ambassador in your community for the UrVoice Australia mission and vision, aiming to ensure all students feel comfortable to raise mental health and wellbeing concerns in school.
Along the way, you’ll develop skills in:
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Advocating for issues that matter to you.
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Influencing public policy.
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Researching important issues.
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Public speaking.
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Leadership & management.
This is a voluntary position. All Ambassadors will receive references at the conclusion of the program.
Key dates
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Applications open: Monday, 19 August 2024
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Applications close: Sunday, 15 September 2024
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Outcome of application: Monday, 23 September 2024
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Program begins: Monday, 30 September 2024
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Program concludes: Friday, 6 December 2024
Accessibility
UrVoice Australia is committed to being a child safe and child friendly organisation that recognises, respects and promotes the rights of children, young and vulnerable people.
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We’re keen to hear from young people from all backgrounds and life experiences, including young people who:
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Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
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Are from multicultural backgrounds
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Identify as LGBTQIA+
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Are living with a disability or chronic illness
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Live in a regional, rural or remote community
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Have lived or living experience of mental ill-health or challenges within the education system.
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If you are under 18 years of age you need to seek permission from your parent or guardian to participate in the program.
How to apply
If you’re in year 10, 11 or 12 in high school and go to school in New South Wales you can apply. Applications are now open and close Sunday, 15 September 2024.
Contact
Reach out to Lily Dahl, Outreach and Engagement Lead.
Email: yap@urvoice.com.au
Phone: (02) 4314 6201