BLOG: Jaide – ‘The YAB has made me feel that I’ve had a purpose to commit to’
2023 and 2024 member, Jaide shares her views on the importance of community action and her time on the Youth Advisory Board (YAB).
Why do you think community action is important?
Community action allows people from different backgrounds to come together, including ethnicity, gender, disability or neurodiversity. It gives people a sense of community and togetherness and it avoids discrimination against these protected characteristics.
Can you share any examples of when you have been involved in community action, either with Groundwork or another organisation?
I have been an advocate for Investing in Children since I was 10 years old. They promote the rights of young people and children locally, focusing on improving education, health, social care and transport around County Durham. The organisation holds a special place in my heart.
I’m also an assembly member for Scope, which means that I try to help the organisation improve. I support their work on the disability price tag and have advised on employment issues for disabled people, such as sharing ideas on how they can reduce costs to empower disabled people to work.
With Groundwork, my work with the Youth Advisory Board’s focuses on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). I attend EDI meetings as well as taking part of other Groundwork sessions and steering groups. I have been an active part of the YAB for two years now and would highly recommend it to anyone who wants the experience of getting into work.
What barriers to undertaking community action have you experienced?
I’ve experienced several obstacles to accessibility, including wheelchair accessibility, accessible transport or public transport links, disabled parking spaces, and disabled toilets. Expenses are another barrier. Travel, for example, which is expensive for disabled people in particular, as many of us have to rely on taxis or people driving us. Public transport isn’t the best option for many disabled people like me. There are also lots of considerations for neurodiversity that organisations easily overlook.
Groundwork often hosts virtual events or has an online joining platform. Zoom and Teams facilitates involvement as there are no issues with arranging transport. Virtual spaces allow people to come together
If you had all of the money and power in the world, what would you do to get more people involved in community action?
When I was younger, I attended a Girl Guiding Jamboree in Finland, and I had a ball! It was one of the best things I have ever taken part in. With all the money and power in the world, I would create a large event like the Jamboree to bring together all of the like-minded people working in community spaces
I would also advocate for more disabled people involved in community action, and organisations would be better at making reasonable adjustments to enable everyone to participate.
What would you say to anyone who is considering joining the Youth Advisory Board?
I’d say to go for it! It’s something everyone should consider. You don’t need a university background or any qualifications, just a willingness to learn.
What has been your best memory since joining the Youth Advisory Board?
I have enjoyed the away days the most as I got to spend time with other members, and this allowed me to connect with members face-to-face that I have met online with. I’m happy I’ve met people from different backgrounds through the YAB.
How has being a member of the Youth Advisory Board made you feel?
The YAB has made me feel that I’ve had a purpose to commit to and I feel very honoured and grateful to be part of this group. I’ve loved every minute of it! Groundwork has always taken on board my feedback which has contributed to how positively I feel.
Can you lend your voice to Groundwork and help to create a fair and green future in which people, places, and nature thrive?
Applications for Groundwork’s Youth Advisory Board 2025 are now open.