This section provides answers to the following questions:

• What does the NCVYS network do?

• What are the benefits of membership?

• How can I got more information?

What does the NCVYS network do?

NCVYS brings together organisations working for the personal and social development of young people. The network is made up of a wide range of organisations – from household names like The Scout Association and The Prince’s Trust to small specialised projects working in local communities.

We support organisations so they can:

• make the most of the knowledge, skills, structures and resources available to them

• engage young people in their activities and decision-making on an equal basis

• provide safe working environments in which young people can grow with confidence

• provide opportunities and services to a diverse range of young people

• recruit, train, develop and retain an effective workforce

• influence the development and delivery of government initiatives that respond to the needs of all young people.

Full membership of NCVYS is open to voluntary and community organisations in England that provide social and educational opportunities for young people aged 11–25.

It is also open to the coordinating regional and local networks of those organisations. Voluntary or community organisations with a department or section that works with young people can join us by affiliating that particular department or section to NCVYS.

What are the benefits of membership?

As members of the NCVYS network, organisations benefit from:

Information:

• free subscriptions to our quarterly newspaper, which provides information on and analysis of key policy issues as well as practical advice;

• weekly policy bulletins providing up-to-date details of policy and parliamentary developments that impact on young people and the organisations that work with them;

• monthly e-bulletins updating you on events, publications and practice issues from around the network;

• regular policy briefings containing analysis and clarification of key initiatives and government consultations that impact on the sector;

• discounted copies of NCVYS publications – from good practice guides to research reports;

• a named NCVYS link staff member who will act as a regular contact point for your organisation.

Influence:

• opportunities to influence government policy on issues that affect the work of the voluntary and community youth sector;

• opportunities to feed into government consultations;

• opportunities to participate in NCVYS campaigns and dialogue with policy makers and funders.

Events and networking:

• opportunities to participate in NCVYS events, including bi-annual peer support residentials for workers in local networks and quarterly meetings of chief officers of national voluntary youth organisations

• discounts on all NCVYS events

• opportunities for staff and volunteers to participate in any number of communities of interest groups. The level of service received will vary and may include the receipt of information on topics of relevance to that interest group, invitations to special events and a chance to initiate dialogue with other members who share that interest

• opportunities for joint working with and by member organisations.

Advice, training and development services:

• tailored advice and development services on a range of issues, including organisational and network development; safeguarding and child protection; youth participation; diversity; workforce development; and sport and physical activity

• up to 50% discount on NCVYS training courses

• NCVYS staff to speak at members’ conferences and AGMs on a range of policy and practice issues (subject to availability).

Promotional opportunities/profile raising:

• discounted advertising rates in NCVYS' newspaper and exhibitions at events

• promotion and marketing of the network and inclusion on any public lists of NCVYS membership

• promotion of members' resources and events through email and online communications including the monthly e-bulletin.

Opportunities for involvement:

• the right to nominate two representatives with full voting rights at the NCVYS AGM

• the opportunity to stand for election to the NCVYS Trustee Board

• the opportunity to nominate individuals associated with the organisation to participate in NCVYS task groups and other forums

• the opportunity for young people in member organisations to join the NCVYS national youth forum, ENVOY (Enthusiastic National Voice of Youth).

More Information

Please follow the links for further information on:

• Communities of interest

• Membership criteria

• Voting

• How to apply for membership

You can also download the Membership Booklet or call us to request one via post on 020 7278 1041 and ask to speak to the Membership Team.

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