Raleigh launches new Youth Forum

Whilst young people across the country enjoyed the final few weeks of their summer holiday, several young Raleigh alumni ventured to London to attend the charity's first ever Youth Forum.

Raleigh set up its Youth Forum to provide an official channel to engage with young people and to ensure that their ideas and suggestions are heard. Focusing on how the charity can improve the expedition experience for participants, the Forum which now has eight members, will also discuss opportunities for alumni to volunteer on return from their expedition.

The Forum will equip members with new skills, such as the ability to chair meetings, set agendas and research new ideas; and the opportunity to work with people from different backgrounds and at different professional levels. Youth Forum member, Angharad Jones, who went on expedition with Raleigh to Namibia in 2007, said: "The Youth Forum is an excellent way for past venturers to continue to promote the Raleigh ethos and to continue the good work back at home. Raleigh means so many different things. I see Raleigh as an opportunity to meet, befriend and work with people from backgrounds and cultures a world away from your own. What really embodies Raleigh and makes it special for me, is everyone's positive attitude, energy, and genuine desire to see the fun and the best in everyone and everything. There is no failure, only work in progress. Do something well and everyone is happy for you, and proud because they all helped you get there. Fall short, and congratulations - you've found a foundation on which you can build something new."

Stacey Adams, Raleigh's Chief Executive, said: "We are passionate about creating a community of global citizens. Young people learn so much on a Raleigh expedition and come home buzzing with new ideas and a sense of purpose. We want to harness this energy and feed it back into our organisation. The Youth Forum is a great way for young people to have a say in how we develop as a charity. It enables us to learn from young people and ensure that we can build on their enthusiasm and ideas."