Have you ever thought, this job has literally been written for me?

My interests, skills, passions and job environment just laid out there on an A4 page waiting for me.

One day I was casually reading through the Lancashire Wildlife Trust website when I thought I’d just check the job vacancies, out of curiosity… just see what’s out there and bam! Closing today the position of Youth Advocacy Officer. After frantically applying - long story short – here I am 4 weeks in, countless opportunities to organise, emails to answer, people to meet, and loving every second of it.

Most of you will wonder – “What exactly is a Youth Advocacy Officer” well my role will hopefully take on many forms. The primary is supporting the development of our Youth Council which is now in its third year.

The Youth Council is a group of inspiring 13-24 year olds who are dedicating their time to focus on helping nature’s recovery, combatting climate change and ensuring young people’s voices are included in key discussions throughout Lancashire Wildlife Trust.  

You can find out more about our inspiring Youth Council by visiting our Youth Council page.

How are the Youth Council getting involved?

Despite getting off to a difficult start due to COVID-19 and restrictions, the Youth Council are raring to go. Here are some campaigns and events already happening:

• Instagram Takeovers from different Youth Council members each month
• A short video on ‘What are young people’s biggest local environmental concerns’. Featured as part of BBC North West Tonight
• Shadowing of our CEO Tom Burditt
• No Mow May – writing to their local areas to take part and save our insects
• Blog writing for Mental Health Awareness Week - Read Kirstie's blog

And so much more! Stay tuned.

Youth Campaigning Group

Another key aspect of my job will be the creation and management of a new Youth Campaigning Group open to anyone between 11-24 across the North West launching the end of May. This group aims to encourage diversity and inclusion of all young people in being a part of a wider movement to learn, protect & advocate for our environment. The group will mostly be online with some in person events, breaking down location barriers and saving travel emissions. This is very exciting as this group could open nature’s door and project the voices to those not yet heard in our efforts to reduce global climate change.

How will my role aid Lancashire Wildlife Trust goals?

With a wide range of experiences under my belt from volunteering in community based conservation and studying Environmental Science (BSc/MSc) at University. Through to working on sustainability campaigns and large scale renewable energy projects, I will harness my skillset and enthusiasm to ensure that the Youth Council members and LWT work collaboratively for a brighter future. By engaging with all aspects of the Trust and advocating for young people to take part in volunteering, campaigning and decision making, and have fun while doing it. 

The Future

The future looks hopeful! The Lancashire Wildlife Trust are pioneering the way with the enthusiastic inclusion of the Youth Council and can hopefully be a role model to all Wildlife Trusts in the importance and benefits of having so many passionate, knowledgeable and hardworking young people advocating for the Trust and its work.

Have you got an opportunity you would like the Youth Council to be involved in? Get in touch!