Young People at the Heart of Lancaster District Young People’s Foundation

For too long young people have been excluded from decision making spaces. At Lancaster District Young People’s Foundation we believe that young people should always have a seat at the table.

A huge thanks go to Lancaster University students Zoe and Ariana who have spent time shaping our work through writing policies which will impact young people across the Lancaster district.

Zoe took the time to write about her experience helping to develop policy for the Foundation during a placement hosted by Lancaster District CVS:

Hi! My name is Zoe, and I’ve had the privilege of being part of Lancaster CVS for the past month, contributing to policy work for the Lancaster District Young People’s Foundation. I am currently a third-year student at Lancaster University, studying History and International Relations, with aspirations to pursue a career in policy after graduation.

I’m incredibly interested in social policy and so the work I have done with Lancaster District Young People’s Foundation has greatly aligned with this. This experience has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m proud to have contributed to initiatives that serve the Lancaster community.

Although my time at CVS was brief, I gained valuable insight into the organisation’s essential role in connecting, supporting, and strengthening the local community. The research I conducted around policy and young people and working alongside Catherine and the rest of the team has been a fantastic learning opportunity. I’ve had the chance to engage with various aspects of the organisation and contribute to a project that will support the sustainability of the Young People’s Foundation. This was my first experience writing real policy for a real organisation, and it has been an invaluable learning journey- one that I have truly loved!

Beyond the work itself, one of the highlights of my time at Lancaster CVS has been collaborating with the team. Their knowledge, dedication, and passion for their work have been truly inspiring. The open and supportive environment made my role both engaging and fulfilling, and I am incredibly grateful for the experience.

A huge thank you to everyone at Lancaster CVS for the warm welcome and for making this experience so meaningful. I will definitely take the skills and experience I have gained in my policy journey!