Roundhouse Youth Advisory Board

An important aspect of the Roundhouse Studios is its involvement of young people in the development of the organisation.

The Roundhouse Youth Advisory Board was recruited during autumn 2001 and first met in January 2002. The Advisory Board represents young people in two age bands, 13 – 16 years (School Years 8 – 11) and 16 – 25 years (school-leavers and above). Board members can serve for between one and three years.

The aims of the Roundhouse Youth Advisory Board:

  1. To advise the Roundhouse team on the development of the Roundhouse Studios in order to ensure that young people's views, ideas and perceptions inform decisions about:
    • the ethos of the project and the programme
    • the way the Studios are managed and run
    • marketing and development strategies
  2. To enable young people to have an effective voice within the Roundhouse and to be powerful advocates of the project to the wider community.

The Youth Advisors have the opportunity to interact with all departments at the Roundhouse — Development and Marketing, PR and events, building management and administration. As they enter a new phase with the opening of the building RYAB's recruitment and operation will be reviewed over the next year to make sure that members are represented across the broad range of their interests. It is important that RYAB are clear about their role and remit and that they can see real and tangible outcomes as a result of their contribution. The Advisory Board are given training and support so that they are well informed, confident and effective in their role.

Youth Advisory Board members are ambassadors for the Roundhouse. They are able to promote the project to their peers as well as to funders, politicians and businesses. We are working towards a representative of RYAB being part of the Roundhouse Board of Trustees in the near future.

What does it involve?

  • Meetings minimum of 6 times/year
  • Involvement in other Roundhouse work e.g. newsletter, website, press launches, conferences, fund-raising events
  • Training opportunities such as public speaking, marketing, telephone skills, group work
  • Accreditation — in-house certificate which acknowledges hours volunteered and types of contribution after one year plus Duke of Edinburgh etc.