![Member of VRU's Young People's Action Group speaking at Youth Takeover Day](/sites/default/files/styles/page_header_sm/public/2023-01/e46471f1-400e-4b83-a86d-99ef0fba19e4.jpg?h=6194a727&itok=MGOZKaIs)
Join the Young People's Action Group (YPAG)
Are you passionate about wanting to help make London a better and safer place for young people?
Can you represent the views and experiences of London's young people to those who make decisions about how London is run?
Will you be living, working or studying in a London Borough for the next two years?
Are you between the ages of 15 and 24?
If you answered yes to these questions, you can apply to become a member of the Violence Reduction Unit's Young People’s Action Group (YPAG).
About the recruitment process
London's Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) is recruiting young Londoners to join the Young People’s Action Group (YPAG) to work alongside the unit to:
- reduce and stabilise violence across London
- increase feelings of safety
- promote opportunities for young Londoners
- put young people at the heart of the VRU’s work.
Listening to, and promoting, the voices of young people is one of the VRU’s core values. The unit wants to ensure that young people have a stake in shaping decisions that affect them whilst also empowering each individual member to lead with hope.
We want to reflect the diversity of young Londoners and welcome applications from all young people across London who have a passion for reducing violence. You will join a dynamic team of young Londoners who are all at different life stages, with a range of experiences.
Frequently asked questions
- The YPAG is a two-year personal development programme. Throughout your time on the programme, you will share your views and experiences with VRU senior managers and external partners to help shape how we fund programmes, manage campaigns and influence policies.
- You will attend the core group meetings online 3 times a week (currently Mondays, Wednesday and Thursdays) from 5:30-6:30pm. There are also in person training and events at least once a month (usually on a Saturday) as well as further events during school holidays.
- You will be an ambassador of hope, advocating for real opportunities for young people whilst informing your peers and other young people about projects and opportunities available to them.
- You will lead on projects that matter most to you, in alignment with VRU objectives.
- You will engage with London's diverse communities and communicate what we do at the VRU in a dynamic and creative way.
- We will help you develop personal skills that support you to be fully equipped and confident within your role.
- You will be part of a team of young Londoners from all parts of London, working together to improve outcomes for all young people.
- We will pay you the London Living Wage at £13.15 per hour.
- We will make sure you have the right equipment including laptops, phones and other required equipment to make sure you can meaningfully engage in what we do.
- We will expose you to a wide range of unique experiences and networks that will contribute to your personal, professional and educational pathways to further enhance your experience and knowledge.
- We will ensure you are supported and safeguarded to get the most out of this experience.
- We will give you the space to offload and develop your personal ambitions.
- Young people who can engage local communities and their peer circles in a dynamic, creative and culturally sensitive way, to create meaningful engagement in our efforts to reduce violence.
- Young people who are passionate about addressing violence affecting young people and who can talk comfortably about solutions to issues young people are facing.
- A willingness to take part in activities in an open and respectful way.
- An ability to work as part of a team with other young people.
- An ability to come out of your comfort zone.
- An ability to commit 100% to the Young People's Action Group timetable.
Register for an open day
Come along to an open day to hear more about the work of YPAG, meet some of our current members or get support to complete your application.
If you're a young person, join our YPAG open day at City hall on Tuesday 13 February. Register for the young Londoner session.
If you're a parent, carer, youth worker or teacher supporting a young person, join our Trusted Adults session on Monday 12 February from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. Register for the Trusted Adult session.
Apply to join the YPAG
Applications for this role must be submitted using our online application form by Friday 23 February at 5pm. We will be unable to read applications received after the deadline.
Please ensure you fill in all your details for your application to be considered. We run a ‘blind’ recruitment process so these details will not be shared with the shortlisting panel to ensure the process is fair and transparent.
Interview dates
Interviews will take place:
- In person on Saturday 23 March
- Online from Monday 25 March to Wednesday 27 March, between 9am and 5pm.
We will send interview invitations via email the week before, so please check your email carefully to avoid missing your interview slot.