Liverpool teenager is the nation’s best young community champ
Two years ago Faith McCabe stopped looking for a role model…and became one.
Like many other teenagers, the 17 year-old felt her voice wasn’t being heard. At the time she lacked confidence and didn’t know who to turn to if she needed support.
Fast-forward to 2018 and Faith, who hails from West Derby is a real ambassador for young people across the city.
As one of Liverpool Safeguarding Children Board’s Young Advisors she champions the cause of young people in the city and makes sure they are included in every aspect of community life and the decision-making process.
She regularly meets with other young people, encourages them to speak out about the issues that affect them and she is a mentor to the city’s 18-strong team of Young Advisors.
Faith’s really good at what she does. So good in fact that she’s just been hailed as the best in the country.
Recently Faith and her colleagues attended the Young Advisors’ Annual General Meeting in Sheffield. And she was delighted to walk away from the event with the title: National Young Advisor of the Year.
Faith said: “It was a great moment. I couldn’t believe it at first because there were so many talented young people at the event and involved with the project. It was a real honour to be recognised in this way.”
The Young Advisors project is part of a national charity which works with people aged between 15 and 24.
The organisation aims to bring the thoughts, voices and input of young people to a host of sectors and public services, including business, health, local authorities, justice and charities.
In Liverpool, the scheme is backed by Liverpool City Council and managed by the city’s Safeguarding Children Board.
Liverpool Young Advisor Lead Jacquelyn Taylor said: “The Liverpool team has Young Advisors who have lots of different skills in everything from data analysis to design and presentation. Most importantly they all have the ability to communicate well. The team works with both children and young people and a range of organisations on subjects such as the how safe young people feel, arts and cultural activities, physical activity, domestic abuse, health and wellbeing and promoting opportunities for young people.”
“Members of the team take part in activities such as facilitating focus groups with children and young people, delivering training, writing reports, speaking at conferences and designing documents.”
Jacqueline added: “Faith has been a great mentor to the team and a fantastic ambassador for our city. We are all really proud of her.”
Faith, who is currently studying at Sixth Form, has aspirations to become a graphic designer.
When she’s not working as a Young Advisor she’s also one of the city’s newly appointed Young Heritage Champions and spends her spare time supporting local charities.
She said: “I have learned so much during my time with the Young Advisors. It’s improved my confidence and has made me realise that my views and opinions are important.
“Young people have so much to offer. They can look at issues from a different angle and bring a fresh perspective to the table. It’s really important that Liverpool provides this forum for young people because they are the future of our city.”
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: “We are all extremely proud on Faith for her fantastic achievement. Young people like Faith, who give up their free time to help others and get involved are making a real difference. They are credit to their communities and a credit to the city. In Liverpool we believe that everyone has something to offer and everyone has something to say and once again our young people are leading the way. Thanks to people like Faith and her colleagues it’s clear to see that the future of our city is in safe hands.”
- For more information about Liverpool’s Young Advisors and how to get involved, visit: youngadvisors.org.uk/liverpool/
