Young people have been at the centre of everything ReachOut.com does since the first group of young people volunteered with us back in 1998. We call our ongoing volunteers Youth Ambassadors (YAs), and it is their work advocating for ReachOut.com, consulting on projects, facilitating online discussions and spreading the ReachOut.com word in their community that keeps ReachOut.com so relevant and accessible to young Australians.
The YA program is incredibly flexible, allowing for volunteers to pick up opportunities when they have time, and to step back when they are busy, The range of avenues to get involved also means that young people can gain skills and experience in many different areas, including marketing, online content creating, peer support, research and policy development, government relations and general day to day running of a large not-for-profit organisation.
What do YAs do?
YAs are all over Australia and keep in touch with the ReachOut.com staff and the YA community via email and a private forum.
Some examples of recent activities that YAs have done include:
• facilitating and participating in feedback sessions with the Federal Minister for Mental Health
• speaking to and being published in newspapers and other media about their experiences with the ReachOut.com program
• participating in and contributing to research about young people’s mental health and wellbeing
• creating written and video content for the ReachOut.com site
• advising us on the direction of our projects and programs
• presenting at events about the ReachOut.com program and ways young people engage and seek support online.
Want to contribute to the direction and voice of ReachOut.com?
To become a Youth Ambassador you must first get involved in one of ReachOut.com’s Special Projects. Special projects run at various times throughout the year and are advertised through the 'Other volunteer opportunities' section. Head there now to see what opportunities are currently available.