SOSE Youth Advisory Forum
We think that young people’s voices should be at the heart of planning for our region’s future. This is your region and your future, so we are here to help you use your voice to shape it.
What is the SOSE Youth Advisory Forum?
We launched the Forum in 2023, and it is a supportive, inclusive space for young people aged 16 – 25 years old to influence real decisions that shape our region’s future.
So far, the Forum have had the opportunity to play a key role in shaping the work of SOSE, as well as regional and national project consultations, and the Forum members have loved all the opportunities that they’ve had the chance to get involved in.
Some of their highlights so far include:
- Sharing insights with the Crichton Foundation to improve access to Further and Higher Education for rural young people.
- Supporting local projects like Rosefield Mills and Midsteeple Quarter and collaborating with the Open University in Scotland on the European Lunar Symposium.
- Our work Influenced SOSE’s national Food and Drink Transition Strategy, helping reshape messaging on local food chains.
- Contributing to the Regional Economic Partnership’s performance framework and advising on policy for Community Benefits tied to onshore windfarms.
Find out more about the Forum
What else do I get to do as part of the Forum?
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Training & Qualifications
As a member, you can join relevant training sessions on topics that matter to you and earn your SCQF Level 5 Participative Democracy Certificate, delivered by SOSE in partnership with YouthLink Scotland, which recognises and develops communication and negotiation skills through active involvement in group decision-making.
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Mentoring
Through the Forum, you will receive one to one mentoring to help you develop your confidence and your networks. You can also be matched with someone within SOSE who has subject specific knowledge, allowing you the opportunity to learn from them and their experience in the specific industry.
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Networking
Not only will you get to network with other members and listen to and discuss new ideas, but there will also be the opportunity to attend external events and meet new people right across Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders that will help you build a professional network at the start of your career.
How Do I Get Involved?
Even if we’re not recruiting, you can register interest, keep up to date with us on social media. Get in touch today if you want to have a chat: youthadvisoryforum@sose.scot
You really feel like there is something coming out of it. You can see where things are happening because of things that you’ve mentioned, and we’re always fed back the information as well. And any opportunities that are there for future development are really really great so I would 100% recommend this for people.
Jake, Forum Member