All about South Ayrshire Youth Forum

South Ayrshire Youth Forum (SAYF) is a group of young people from all over South Ayrshire that believe every young person should have a voice in the issues which affect them.

SAYF are responsible for sharing the opinions of young people on a local and national level to ensure the issues that young people in South Ayrshire believe are most important are heard and allow decision makers to take those opinions

SAYF also feed the views of young people from South Ayrshire into the Scottish Youth Parliament so that we have an Impact on National Policy.

How does the Youth Forum work?

The Youth Forum is a Completely Youth-led organization, which is supported by South Ayrshire Council.

An Executive Committee is elected at each Annual General Meeting, who organize the day to day running of the organisation, make the important decisions and set up the direction for the Youth Forum.

Executive Committee meetings take place every month and the general meetings tend to be open to all young people in South Ayrshire.

Members of SAYF is made up of a variety of young people across different locations in South Ayrshire including 2 from Young Scot Media Groups and three members of the Scottish Youth Parliament.

Time commitment

Once elected in to the SAYF, you will have a seat for 1 year and are expected to attend the meetings, which are held every 4 weeks.

If you are elected, transport, accommodation and food costs (if required) for meetings are met by South Ayrshire Youth Forum and South Ayrshire Council. Youth workers will be in attendance to support you, if required.

There are lots of opportunities for you as a member of South Ayrshire Youth Forum. Some previous members have been involved in:

• Delivering presentations to local Councillors to MSPs at the Scottish Parliament and to young people at youth conferences, in schools etc.
• Carrying out consultations at community events, local colleges, shopping centres etc.
• Organising fundraising events for charities and the youth forum

You will be offered the chance to complete Youth Achievement Awards, which are recognised on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) and are levelled against standard grades and highers (for example a gold youth achievement award is on the same SCQF level as a higher).

Why join SAYF?

The South Ayrshire Youth Forum is not only fun and a great way to make new friends, but there are loads of benefits for young people who are involved!

There are:

• The chance to gain recognition for your efforts through the Youth Achievement Awards.
• Have your hours recognised and recorded for Saltire awards
• Training opportunities.
• Young Scot Point’s
• The opportunity to meet loads of new people from different backgrounds.
• Something for your CV.
• Knowing that you are making a difference.

For more information on the South Ayrshire Youth Forum you can contact the team.

Contact the SAYF