Youth Advisory Board Updates
Who are we?
The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) are a group of young people from across the entire UK who meet weekly to ensure GamCare’s work is relevant and meets the needs of young people.
We offer our advice and opinion on every area of the organisation. We have chosen our main priorities for the year, which you can see below.
Priorities for 2022-23
- Working alongside staff and directors regularly.
- Reviewing and editing the BigDeal website.
- Developing social media content and blogs.
- Being part of GamCare’s recruitment process.
- Raising awareness by holding events and public speaking.
- Helping GamCare to connect with young people in an effective and engaging way.
Did you know?
350,000 children aged 11-16 gamble each week?
That’s more than those who smoke cigarettes or take illegal drugs. We offer free workshops for young people, free CPD-accredited training for professionals and workshops for parents and carers which cover gambling and how it can become harmful, how to keep yourself safe if you choose to gamble, and gaming. Workshops for young people are interactive and fun, and a safe space to talk about everything and anything you want to know about gambling.
YAB Code of Conduct
Click below to view our YAB’s Code of Conduct developed by the Youth Advisors themselves.
“The YAB is very relaxed and there is no pressure to complete the activities. Feels like a community rather than a forced activity.”
Youth Advisor, April 2022
Our Impacts
Our Opinion on Gambling Ad Rules
We held a group discussion on the Committee for Advertising Practice (CAP) recent announcement of the introduction of new rules for gambling ads as part of their commitment to safeguarding young people and vulnerable audiences.
Please find our report based on our opinions as a group to the new rules coming into place in October 2022.
Reviewing the BigDeal Website
In our first weeks we decided to review the BigDeal website as it is one of the first places young people will see when needing information or support.
Our review has been sent to GamCare’s Youth Leadership team for consideration and changes are already underway.
Find our review and changes made in the report below.
Assisting with Recruitment
A massive part of embedding a youth voice in GamCare is having an influence on who is recruited to work there.
Members of are YAB are currently developing questions, tasks and activities for job applicants as well as reviewing job descriptions. Nominated Youth Advisors will then sit on interview panels as vital part of the assessment.
Find out which jobs we have helped recruit for below.
Social Media Influence and Creation
We hold regular group discussions around important topics that affect young people around gambling. Our views as a group help shape some of the social media communications that go out on GamCare’s channels.
This year we are planning to have a Social Media Takeover raising awareness of gambling harms in young people.
Follow our social media channels below to see some of our work.
Duke of Edinburgh
Our YAB is an Approved Activity Provider for the volunteering section of the DofE Award. This means our Youth Advisory Board is already approved to help our Youth Advisors achieve either the Bronze, Silver or Gold DofE Award.
If you are doing or thinking of doing your DofE Award, we can offer lots of ways to get involved that help you achieve your award.
Follow the link below to find out more.
If you would like to know more about how you can join the Youth Advisory Board follow the link below.