As a youth led organisation, Roots always strives to make sure young people have their say and have an open space to voice their opinions.
The main aim of our Youth Panel is to be the voice for all young people who access Roots, and work alongside the trustees to ensure youth voice is heard throughout the organisation.
Our Youth Panel board has four members for 2025 – Aaron, Laura, Faith and Tia.
Introducing the Youth Panel:
Aaron
Hey! I’m Aaron! I’ve been going to Roots for almost 3 years now. In that time I have seen and heard a lot, and I’ve got to know the young people who attend Roots. The Roots Foundation Wales should be a place where the young people can feel safe, respected and valued. It should also be somewhere that the young people can go to enjoy themselves, socialise and learn new skills that are important for independent living.
Faith
Yo I’m Faith, I’m 15, I’m a very understanding person so if anyone comes to me about their thoughts I could help them out and put them in the right direction. I can easily get on with new people so when new young people join roots I can help them feel welcome. I’ve been coming to the Roots Foundation Wales coming up two years in February.
I wanted to be on the youth panel because I get on with everyone at Roots and some people could be too nervous to tell the staff what needs to be changed and their thoughts and they could feel more safe coming to a young person for us to tell the staff. I also have ideas that may help to improve Roots in certain aspects.
Laura
Hi I’m Laura. I’m 16 years old and I live at Roots. I started coming to the youth club in 2022 and I moved in in August 2024. I wanted to be on the youth panel so I can speak for other young people about things they and I feel should be changed / improved about the supported accommodation.
I would also like to be the voice for the young people who may struggle to talk to adults about what they think and feel. I am a good listener and suggest anything they think could be better.
Tia
Hi I’m Tia, I’ve been coming to Roots on and off for 8 years. I love coming to Roots because it’s like a family. I want to be on the youth panel because I think I’ll be good at it! I’m excited to share my experiences with the younger generation at Roots and help them to understand more about their own experiences. I want to help to make changes and see Roots get better and better, I think this will help even more young people.
I’m excited to be on the panel to speak to the trustees and share what’s important to me and everyone else at Roots. As a youth panel we can talk to the trustees about what happens at Roots and work together to make Roots the best it can be!
Our Roots
What happens at Roots
How we involve young people
