VOXY - Voice of Oxfordshire's Youth

VOXY’s Vision, Objectives & Meetings

Background

VOXY was the idea of a young person, who felt we need to reach out to more children and young people than we have ever done before, especially the most vulnerable and seldom heard, to hear their views and opinions.  They also thought this would be best achieved by working in partnership with lots of organisations across Oxfordshire.

Contact VOXY@oxfordshire.gov.uk to find out more and how to join!

Be Supported Questionnaire

Every year VOXY and the Children’s Trust Board collect feedback from children and young people in Oxfordshire, about how supported they feel by the services they use.

 

Feedback from 2019

• www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/besupportedsummary
• www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/keymessages
• www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/besupportedreport

Feedback from 2020

• Read the summary for 2020
• Read the full report for 2020
• Read the You Said, We Did Flyer for 2020

Feedback from 2021

• Read the full report from 2021

Feedback from 2022

• Read the full report from 2022

VOXY’s Vision

VOXY’s Vision is: “To provide a voice for young people in Oxfordshire to make decisions about matters that affect them, and influence change.”

VOXY’s Objectives and Terms of Reference

VOXY’s ten objectives are:

1. To give a voice to young people across Oxfordshire
2. To ensure all young people have the opportunity to be included
3. To influence active and positive changes from issues raised by young people
4. To hold public bodies to account
5. To commit to working with partner organisations to achieve set goals
6. To influence actions of partner organisations
7. To be inclusive of existing and new groups
8. To commit to an equal and democratic process
9. To promote understanding of young people's and Children’s Rights
10. To create a safe, open environment for young people to talk freely

Following a lot of discussion, meetings and hard work, the VOXY Vision and Objectives were created and agreed by VOXY Council members at the 2017 VOXY Residential, along with the VOXY Terms of Reference.

If you would like to read the VOXY Terms of Reference in full please contact VOXY@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

Want to get involved? Contact VOXY by email: VOXY@oxfordshire.gov.uk 

VOXY General Meetings

VOXY aims to hold two General Meetings annually (during school holidays), which any young person in Oxfordshire aged 11-18 (and up to 25 for those with additional needs) can attend.  The theme for each meeting is chosen by young people at the previous meeting. 

At these meetings young people are given the chance to hear from the experts in Oxfordshire, as well as to take part in discussions and workshops with other young people and professionals - your anonymous feedback will be shared after the event and may result in real change.

These meetings are always free, refreshments, snacks and a nice lunch are provided, and there’s a chance to win a fantastic Prize Draw.  We will reimburse young people’s bus/train fares on the day, but if anyone has any transport issues, they should contact the VOXY Co-ordinator Rosie Boyes via email: rosie.boyes@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Take Action: Any young people living in Oxfordshire aged 11-18 (and up to 25 for those with additional needs) can express an interest in attending the next meeting. Young people or their workers should to e-mail details to: VOXY@oxfordshire.gov.uk

VOXY Council and VOXY Council meetings

The VOXY Council (VOXY’s steering group which makes all the decisions) is made of up to 20 young people who lead on everything VOXY – including planning and running VOXY General meetings.  Young people are encouraged and supported to lead discussions and become decision-makers, and to all have a say.

All members are offered ongoing learning and development to increase leadership and other skills and some VOXY Council members also hold elected roles, which include: VOXY Chair, VOXY Vice-Chair, Secretary, Publicity Officers and Children’s Trust Board member.

There are 4 VOXY Council meetings a year, plus a residential (free of charge to all VOXY Council members) and extra planning meetings are also sometimes held.

Other VOXY opportunities to have your say

VOXY also provides additional opportunities for young people to have their say and give feedback on a range of topics (including virtually/online) in between VOXY General meetings. 

Once you have attended a VOXY General meeting or joined VOXY online, you will be contacted about getting involved each time something new is being explored by VOXY.

Take action: Any young person in Oxfordshire aged 11-18 (and up to 25 for those with additional needs) who lives or studies in Oxfordshire can join VOXY. If you are interested in joining VOXY and making your voice heard, or if you would like to find out more, please contact the VOXY Co-Ordinator, Rosie Boyes via email: Rosie.Boyes@Oxfordshire.gov.uk

Previous news from VOXY

VOXY held a Climate Event, as part of their ‘Environmental Impact Campaign’. The event, which was planned by young people (from the VOXY Council) was a great success, with 30 young people attending to voice their opinions and concerns in relation to the environment, climate change, and the future. The event included workshops and presentations, as well as discussion activities, which were planned and delivered by the VOXY Council. 

VOXY’s Partners and working relationships

VOXY Partners

VOXY is supported to run by three Management Partners – Oxfordshire County Council, Oxfordshire Youth and Oxford University Hospitals.  Management Partners meet 6 times a year, and these meetings include the VOXY Chair and Vice-Chair. 

You can find out more about these organisations here:

• Oxfordshire County Council
• Oxfordshire Youth
• Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust

Approximately 30 other organisations are also VOXY partners, who have committed to working with and supporting VOXY.

VOXY has especially strong working relationships with Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board (OSCB)  and the Children’s Trust Board which VOXY is part of. 

Two VOXY Council members attend every Children’s Trust Board meeting - of which there are 4 a year – and VOXY has an ongoing slot on the Agenda to discuss VOXY business.

Children and Young People Plan

VOXY worked with other Children’s Trust Board members throughout 2017-18 to develop the Children and Young People’s Plan, which sets the strategic direction and priorities for services for children, young people and families in Oxfordshire.

Read the Oxfordshire Children and Young people's Plan 2018-2021.

Have your say, experiences of VOXY members & how to join

Have your say

Most groups which work with children or young people have ways you can get involved in making decisions and shaping the organisation, activity or service. Examples of this are:

• Youth Forums
• School Councils
• Youth Councils

If you are involved in any groups like these, you can still be involved in larger groups like VOXY. Getting involved in decision-making is an exciting experience. You can make a real difference.

Take Action: To find out more about how your organisation or youth group can get involved contact the VOXY Co-Ordinator, Rosie Boyes via e-mail Rosie.Boyes@Oxfordshire.gov.uk

Experience of VOXY Council members

Here's what three VOXY Council members have to say about their experience with VOXY:

“Taking responsibility is a very important thing for young people to do and I’m so glad we have the opportunity to make decisions.” - James

 

“VOXY makes a difference – people hear us, listen to what we say and take it on board. Young people don’t always have this opportunity, but at VOXY we do.” - Angel

 

“Since joining VOXY it’s helped me develop my skills within a professional environment and helped to develop my resilience, and commit to outside of school projects.” - Jenny

How to join VOXY and find out more

Any young person aged 11 – 18 (and up to 25 with additional needs) who lives or studies in Oxfordshire can join VOXY.

If you are interested in joining VOXY and making your voice heard, or if you would like to find out more, please contact the VOXY Co-Ordinator, Rosie Boyes via e-mail Rosie.Boyes@Oxfordshire.gov.uk or email VOXY@oxfordshire.gov.uk