My name is Cliona Kennedy and I live in Edinburgh, although I grew up Girlguiding and Scouting in Aberdeenshire in the northeast of Scotland. I am currently an Assistant Beaver Leader while also working full-time, which means that I have been involved in Scouting in some capacity for almost twenty years!

Having just been appointed as a UK Youth Advocate for Scouts, I am excited to share what this role involves and explain how I can use my position to support young people in Scouting, including you!

What is a UK Youth Advocate?

Scouts Youth Advocates are part of a dynamic team of around 10 individuals under the age of 25. We actively engage with national decision-makers to drive positive policy changes. By meeting with MPs, attending conferences and holding discussions with various organisations, we aim to create a better world for young people.

This role focuses on creating a unified youth voice. Our goal is to place both Scouts and our ambitions at the forefront of the minds of those in a position to drive change.  We aim to establish active and consistent relationships for a more connected and long-term impact through engaging in conversations with politicians and the wider public. In our efforts to advocate for change, we bring personal stories and lived experiences to meetings and events, giving life to the policies we support.

What do we do?

Our role as advocates involves identifying current sector challenges and suggesting policies to address them. Our diverse voices and opinions, representing different corners of the UK, provide valuable insights into local issues. Through our shared ambition, we seek to amplify our voices – making them clearer, larger, and louder!

By working with the government, attending conferences, and teaming up with other organisations such as Girlguiding, St Johns Ambulance, and UK Youth, we help more young people create lasting adventurous memories and have a say in their future.