Childline Volunteer Coordinator, Amanda Doherty, YPBC member Markus Smith and Childline Supervisor, Sunneva Callan Bjerkaker in the Childline Foyle base.
Attending political party conferences, representing Northern Ireland at exciting events in Westminster and getting the chance to shape and influence the work of the UK’s leading children’s charity, are not the usual activities for teenagers.
But for Markus Smith from Derry, being part of the NSPCC’s Young People’s Board for Change (YPBC) has given him the opportunity to do just that … and much more.
Markus, 17, along with Maisy Craig, 16, from Bangor has been a member of the YPBC since April 2023.
The Board is made up of a diverse group of 15 young people from across the UK who share their views with the NSPCC about what matters most to children and young people and get involved in lots of opportunities to make their opinions heard and meet like-minded young people who are passionate about making a difference.
Markus, who has a long-term interest in politics, says: “The YPBC is not just box-ticking by the NSPCC. They are genuinely trying to make a change, and I really like that the Board brings together members from diverse backgrounds and regions of the UK.
“A few months after joining the Board, I got to attend the October 2023 Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, which has been the major highlight for me so far.
“Also, three YPBC members and I worked together for an entire day on the Children at the Table campaign run by the Children’s Charities Coalition.”
“Each of us was then able to contribute our ideas. Aspects of what we said were implemented throughout their work.”
The Children at the Table campaign aims to get the Government to put children's needs at the heart of decision-making.
Currently, lobbying for more people to receive free school meals is really important to Markus.
He says: “I don’t think the eligibility criteria is in alignment with inflation, so there’s a lot of families in a position where they really need free school meals but can’t get them.
“The government should invest more into creating a nationwide approach to free school meals as currently many schools need to put their own money towards the service.
“Everyone should have an equal chance for free school meals no matter what school they attend.”
It was through school that Markus first heard about the opportunity to join the YPBC.
He says: “My drama teacher sent me an email and even though I had a pile of homework that night, I knew it was something that I would love to do, so I spent ages on the application form.
“I didn’t tell my parents in case it went down the drain. I didn’t think I would even get invited for an interview, let alone be successful.
“My mum was so proud when I told her I had been accepted. She’s always encouraged me and knew I would really like something like this.
“The fact that I was one of only 15 people across the whole of the UK, she was like, ‘How have you managed to get on there?’” he laughs.
“I want to pursue a career in politics or law and being part of the Board has really helped me with speaking in front of people. And talking to people about how policy and governments work and how we can influence governments has also taught me a lot.
“If I wasn’t a member of YPBC, I don’t know where I would be able to learn this stuff.”
However, the Young People’s Board for Change experience isn’t always super formal.
Markus, who is also a passionate rugby player, remembered when he and other YPBC members asked if they could put music on during one of the meetings and recalled the interesting choices of some of the other members.
“We’re just all sat working away and Kayne West came on which was unexpected,” he laughs.
“I’ve met so many people from different parts of the country that think similarly to me, and we’ve formed friendships with NSPCC staff as well.”
When asked what advice he would give to young people interested in making a change, Markus says: “Immerse yourself and get involved in stuff you're passionate about.
“People will pay attention to that and involve you in the future.”
The NSPCC will be recruiting new members for the next cohort of the YPBC in the next few months. The NSPCC also offers ‘The Collective’, a space for children to inspire and lead. This is the first place the NSPCC will be advertising applications to the next YPBC group. Each member will receive a monthly newsletter with opportunities where they can make a real impact. Anyone can sign up to ‘The Collective’ and they can be involved as much or as little as they like.
For more information on the Young People’s Board for Change and other ways to participate at the NSPCC, visit www.nspcc.org.uk and search Young People’s Participation.
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