YOUTH COMMITTEE
Why a Youth Committee Will Work for ACTS Scotland
Developing a Youth Committee is a natural and important next step for ACTS Scotland. It builds directly on the strengths of the current programme and reflects the organisation’s commitment to person-centred, inclusive, and empowering delivery. By placing young people at the heart of decision-making, the Youth Committee will enhance outcomes not only for participants, but also for ACTS and its wider network of partners.
Supporting Young People to Lead
At its core, the Youth Committee is about giving young people a voice and the opportunity to take ownership of their journey. Through this approach, young people will develop leadership and decision-making skills by actively contributing to the design of sessions, activities, and future programmes. They will take on real responsibility—planning events, leading discussions, and representing ACTS—while building confidence and communication skills in a meaningful, practical way.
Participation will also provide valuable volunteering and leadership experience, strengthening CVs and improving future employability prospects. Most importantly, young people will feel heard, valued, and respected, which is key to increasing engagement, motivation, and long-term commitment. Building on the success of interactive and peer-led learning already embedded within ACTS delivery, the Youth Committee will move participants from being involved to being influential—shifting from participants to co-creators.
Strengthening ACTS Scotland’s Approach
For ACTS Scotland, the introduction of a Youth Committee will strengthen both programme delivery and strategic development. It will provide authentic lived experience input, ensuring that services continue to reflect the real needs, interests, and challenges faced by young people.
This approach will support stronger engagement and retention, as participants feel part of something meaningful and ongoing. It also creates a clear progression pathway—from participant to volunteer to leader—demonstrating long-term impact and sustainability. In addition, the Youth Committee will provide strong evidence of co-production in action, supporting reporting to funders and Local Employability Partnerships.
Young people involved in the committee can also act as ambassadors for ACTS, supporting outreach, engagement, and peer recruitment. This reinforces ACTS Scotland’s commitment not just to supporting young people, but to empowering them to lead and shape services.
Enhancing Partnerships and Employer Engagement
For partner organisations and employers, the Youth Committee offers valuable opportunities for deeper and more meaningful collaboration. Partners will benefit from direct insight into young people’s experiences, needs, and barriers, allowing for more informed and responsive service design.
It will also create opportunities to co-design sessions and initiatives alongside young people, ensuring that provision remains relevant and impactful. Employers, in particular, will benefit from engaging with confident, work-ready young people who have developed leadership skills and real-world experience.
This approach strengthens engagement at events, workshops, and employer-led sessions, while also helping organisations better understand how to attract, support, and retain young talent. It shifts the relationship from offering opportunities to actively shaping the future workforce.
A Sustainable and Impactful Approach
The Youth Committee is not an additional feature—it is a natural extension of ACTS Scotland’s existing model. It will strengthen current delivery, embed lived experience at the heart of the programme, and create a sustainable cycle of engagement and progression.
In practice, this means:
- Young people gain confidence, skills, and leadership experience
- ACTS Scotland strengthens its impact, delivery, and engagement
- Partners and employers benefit from deeper insight and stronger connections
By investing in a Youth Committee, ACTS Scotland is continuing to build a programme that not only supports young people, but empowers them to shape their own futures.