Changing our World
Changing our World is the children and young people’s advisory group for Children in Scotland. Its members are aged between 8-25 and come from a variety of different backgrounds, bringing their own unique perspectives, experiences, and views. They have regular meetings with us to help make the organisation’s work more relevant to children’s lives.
What do group members do?
- They attend regular meetings (online and in-person)
- Have opportunities to talk about their experiences and share opinions on issues that are important to young people
- Have opportunities to think about what they would like to change and how it can be done together
- Work on a range of activities and projects in lots of different ways. There is something that will suit and interest everyone!
- Have opportunities to meet decision makers and make change!
How has Changing our World, changed our world?
- They’ve thought about key hot topics for children and young people, recently this has included developing a paper on Education and Learning. The group is also planning an event on Equalities and Inclusion.
- Worked on vaping to explore the needs of children and young people in this area. The group met with the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, delivered a workshop at Children in Scotland’s annual conference with Fast Forward, and even won a Children’s Health Award.
- Worked with the Children in Scotland Learning and Events and Communications team to plan the annual conference. Members of the group co-chaired the conference in 2024 and 2025.
- Supported interviews for all new staff in the Policy, Projects and Participation department, our Chief Executive Officer, and with members of our Board.
Supported the refresh of Children in Scotland’s values.
What our group members say
The most important things about the group are:
- Meeting new people
- Having fun!
- Developing skills and confidence
- Helping make decisions that will improve the lives of children and young people
Resource library
Changing our World members have published evidence papers and written about their ‘hot topics’. They share their views on a number of subjects in this resource library.
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Exploring our ‘Hot Topics’: Education and Learning (September 2024)
‘Education and Learning’ is one of the ‘Hot Topics’ chosen by Changing our World, reflecting its ongoing importance for children and young people. The group have been interested in this topic over a number of years. Members of the group began work on this topic in September 2023 and have discussed it over a number of online and in-person meetings.
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Changing our World and Children in Scotland: Vaping Evidence Paper (December 2023)
Changing our World members shared their worries about the short- and long-term effects of vaping on children and young people’s health. They recognise that vaping was initially created as a mechanism to help people stop smoking, but members of the group have told us how, in their experience, many young people who have never smoked have started vaping.
Read about our work
Meet our team
Get in touch
To find out more about Changing our World, or how to get involved, please get in touch.