Youth engagement means that young people influence the work of Brisbane Youth Service (BYS) and beyond. The Youth Engagement Framework and the Principles of Youth Engagement guide how BYS does this. They set out a youth-friendly, trauma-informed approach so that taking part in youth engagement at BYS is a safe, appropriate, and positive experience for young people.
Youth engagement has two areas of focus. The first of these is young people being involved in decision-making at BYS. This often involves young people working with BYS to design new programs and frameworks, or strengthening the services that BYS already offers. It can also involve designing physical spaces, such as the BYS Youth Support Centre in Fortitude Valley.
Past projects have included the Youth Engagement Framework; the BYS Youth Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence Practice Framework; the Safe and Connected Futures Program; and the participatory evaluation of multiple BYS programs.
The other area of youth engagement focuses on elevating young people’s voices. The BYS Storytellers initiative supports young people to tell their personal stories and share these in the media, in written publications, and through public speaking. This raises awareness of young people’s needs and the work that BYS does. It can also help inspire other young people.
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- If you are a young person supported by BYS and would like to be involved in youth engagement, please talk to your key worker for more information.
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- If you are an organisation and would like to talk about engaging with young people, or if you would like to engage a BYS Storyteller to share their lived experience, please contact us at: youthengagement@brisyouth.org.
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- For all media enquiries about engaging with a BYS Storyteller, please contact the Fundraising, Marketing, and Communications Team at marketing@brisyouth.org, or by calling 07 3620 2466.