The Hampshire & IOW Office of The Police & Crime Commissioner’s Youth Commission are recruiting for new members!

The Youth Commission is a diverse group of young people aged 14 to 25, from across Hampshire and the IOW, who represent the voice of young people on police and crime matters. They gather and represent the views of young people at a number of local and national strategic level meetings, attend events, create youth led campaigns and projects and help to shape policing in the area. Each year they hold The Big Conversation Survey and they present these recommendations to the Police and Crime Commissioner, The Constabulary and other partners, to support positive change for young people.

The Youth Commission allows young people aged 14 to 25 to act as a conduit between their peer group and the Police and Crime Commissioner, exploring
real experiences on policing and crime, coupled with finding solutions for those issues. Each year a new cohort of members is recruited, trained, and volunteer to make their communities a safer place to live. For 2023 we had an astonishing 45 members, both a mix of new members and members
who chose to stay involved from previous years. They were tasked with:

• Talking with young people in their communities to understand their policing and criminal justice concerns, via The Big Conversation
• Providing opportunities for young people to inform, support and challenge the Police and Crime Commissioner’s work
• Identifying the root causes of problems, making recommendations for change and working on solutions

Members are from Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton and come from diverse backgrounds, including some who may have had direct experience of the police and justice systems. We actively encourage applications from young people with these life experiences and our diversity is expanding.

“Above all we want to amplify the voice of young people on these issues, but further than just getting our voice, and by the extension of young people’s voices being heard, we want to achieve real action and real change through the adoption of all of our recommendations.” Xander – YC member since 2022

Applications close 28th February 2025!