Get Your Voice Heard
In Wrexham, Wales and elsewhere in the UK, children and young people have a right to make their views known and influence decisions that affect them. In many other parts of the world, children and young people do not have a voice. If you would like to make your views known, discuss issues that affect you, or make your views on world issues known, check out:
Local Contacts
Second Voice Advocacy Service
Sometimes we all need help to get our voices heard. Advocacy is when someone else helps you to have your say, helping put right something that’s wrong, like making a complaint or putting your side of the story across in situations where you feel you are unable to. This might be in school, at home, in court - well anywhere really where having your say is important to you!
Second Voice is an advocacy project that has been set up to help make sure that when you need some help to explain or complain about things that are important to you, there is a trained advocate available to support you.
An advocate is someone who will
- listen to you
- help you look at your options
- support you in making a decision
- help you have your say
An advocate will not
- judge you
- tell you what to do
- talk to anyone else without your permission
Advocates have supported young people to get their voice heard
- in school
- at home
- in care
- in hospital
- in housing
Second Voice Advocacy Services young people's group 'Choice' meet weekly at INFO. If you are aged 11-16 and would like to get involved in the planning and development of this service for young people please contact Second Voice on 0800 0322630.
If you need some help to get you voice heard or you would like to join the group on a Thursday then drop in to the INFO Shop or contact:
Second Voice
INFO
2 North Arcade
Chester Street
Wrexham
LL13 8BB
FREEPHONE 0800 032 2360
National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS)
This is a child and young person's rights and advocacy service which gives help to those who receive services from Wrexham County Borough Council. They will help sort out your problems in the best and quickest way.
If you're unhappy with an answer you've received from your Social Worker or member of staff, NYAS will help you make a complaint this is called advocacy. The advocate will talk to you, work out what you want to say and will talk on your behalf.
Children's Rights Officer
NYAS
84 High Street
Mold
Flintshire
CH7 1AW
Helpline: 0800 616101
nyascymru@nyas.net
National Contacts
Children’s Commissioner for Wales
A Children's Commissioner is sometimes described as a children’s champion and an independent human rights institution for children. Exactly what a Children's Commissioner does, and how they do it, varies from country to country - but they always have the interests of children and young people at heart.
If you think your rights - or those of a child or young person you're concerned about - aren’t being respected, you can contact the Children's Commissioner. Maybe we can help you - or at least point you in the direction of someone who can.
Children's Commissioner for Wales
Penrhos Manor
Oak Drive
Colwyn Bay
Conwy
LL29 7YW
01492 523333
Fax: 01492 523336
post@childcomwales.org.uk
Funky Dragon
Funky Dragon is the Children & Young People’s Assembly for Wales. Its main tasks are to make sure that the views of children and young people are heard, particularly by the Welsh Assembly Government, and to support participation in decision-making at national level.
HeadsUp
HeadsUp is a place where young people can debate political issues and current affairs. But it's not just about talking, it's about getting something done.
British Youth Council
The National Youth Council of the UK, aims to support all young people in the UK to exercise their rights to participate in decisions which affect them and to have a voice on issues about which they have a strong opinion.
Petition the UK Government
This site enables you to set up or sign up to petitions that are presented to the Prime Minister. The petitions cover national and local topics on a wide range of topics.
NSPCC
This charity that specialises in child protection runs special campaigns, such as anti-bullying and anti-violence against children.
Save The Children
Check out the young campaigners’ page for ideas and information to help young people get their voices heard - at schools, in their community or by governments.