Youth Panel at Pub in the Park

Last weekend, Youth Talk had a stall at St Albans' Pub in the Park, a vibrant celebration of food, drink, and music. ?

We were delighted to welcome Holly who recently contacted Youth Talk. Pub in the Park was one of the first events she kindly volunteered at and she loved it!?

As the sun briefly shone down and the rain poured, our Youth Panel members, Gabriella and Mia also volunteered at our stall, helping us raise awareness of Youth Talk’s counselling service and offering insight into what it means to be part of the team.

Gabriella shared that being part of Youth Talk gives her the opportunity to have a direct say in how the charity operates.

"What I really appreciate is that we're around the same age as the young people we're helping. That makes our input even more important because we understand the challenges our peers face first-hand," she said.

For Gabriella, joining the Youth Panel was a chance to give back to the organisation that had supported her.

"Volunteering gave me the opportunity to help others in the same way I was helped."

She also highlighted the connections she’s made through the panel. "You meet so many new people who share the same passion, and it’s incredible to be involved in shaping the future of the charity across a variety of projects."

Mia loves the problem-solving aspect of the panel. "My favourite part of being on the Youth Panel is leading the charge in tackling some of the issues we face, like figuring out how to improve our branding or how to encourage more people to attend our events and meetings," she said. For her, the collaborative nature of the panel is key.

"We solve those issues as a group, and it’s really rewarding to see that our suggestions have a real, positive impact."

Mia’s favourite memory as a Youth Panel member involves attending formal events where she’s been able to meet people from different walks of life. "Dressing up, speaking to people, and dancing the night away at events is always fun. And, of course, good food is always a nice bonus!" she laughed.

It’s clear from their stories that the Youth Panel is not only shaping the future of Youth Talk but also offering invaluable experiences for those involved. From meeting new people and making a tangible impact to having a dance at the end of a very wet Sunday afternoon, the panel offers a unique opportunity for young people to contribute to a cause they care about, while having fun along the way. We’re grateful to have such dedicated and passionate young people supporting us.

Interested in getting involved? Reach out to us at Youth Talk, and let’s make a difference together.