THE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP NETWORK

By Kayla and Hollie

InVoice: two young people reflect on their experience of their NLN funded leadership project

Over the past year, InVoice (the youth forum for young people mentored by intandem) has been working on a project funded by the National Leadership Network. The group has been working hard to organise events bringing all the young people mentored by intandem together, something they felt passionate about.  The InVoice members have benefited from many development opportunities over the course of the project, including a 2-day residential trip.  Two members of InVoice reflect on their experience of being part of the group and their own development over the past year.

Kayla’s experience

“Through the course of being mentored over the last 18 months, my confidence has improved massively. I talk to a lot more people now and have made more friends because of this.

For example, I have made friends through the InVoice group as part of intandem. Through InVoice, I have been to meetings in Edinburgh, took part in the Who Cares? Scotland Love Rally in Glasgow, been rocking climbing in Perth, and a 2 night residential in Loch Tay. I don’t think I could have done any of this without the support of my mentor and my intandem coordinator. At the Who Cares? Scotland Love Rally, me and another young person did a social media takeover for intandem. We interviewed and filmed members of the public and asked them different questions about young people and the care system, it was so much fun!

On the residential, when we didn’t have activities to do, I played different board games with the other young people and workers, I enjoyed talking and laughing with the other people and shouting at them if they beat me! It was really good to spend lots of time with them.

We also went canoeing where I learned about something called Type 2 fun. During the canoeing, it was rainy and cold and everyone wanted to go back inside! My arms were tired and we stopped at a beach for lunch and hot chocolate and had a team meeting under a big yellow parachute! This is where I learned about Type 2 fun. This is when you feel miserable at the time of doing something, but in reflection you really enjoyed it. This was so true for me as at the time I didn’t enjoy canoeing and I was cold and tired, but when I look back now I realise I had so much fun and I want to do it again! This has always stuck with me and I still talk about it today.”

Hollie’s experience

“I have been part on InVoice since Summer 2023 and it is a great opportunity because you get to do a lot of fun stuff to help young people like me. My all-time favourite memory with InVoice was the residential trip to Loch Tay in April 2024.

During the trip, we did lots of different activities. On the first night we went a night walk up the hills and saw a beautiful waterfall at the end. It was fun to hang out with all my friends from InVoice, although we did complain about our legs getting sore! It was still amazing to have fun with everyone from InVoice. When we got back we had dinner, we all sat together at a giant table and everybody helped cook and get ready for dinner, it was really nice – we had mac and cheese…

The next morning, I had to get up early because I was in charge of cooking breakfast! I was scared of cooking and burning the food! But it was great fun and a good experience – and nobody complained about the food!

In the afternoon we went canoeing. We had so much fun even though I got really cold when it started to rain! We stopped at a lovely beach for lunch and hot chocolate before heading back to base! That night after dinner, we chilled by a campfire and roasted marshmallows. We played music and sung and danced for hours, it was fun singing with my friends and laughing/joking around! We also rescued a baby lamb from the farm – we felt like heroes! Later that night, I stayed up all night with my friends and chatted.

We then went rock climbing the next morning and I felt so proud because I got to the top! It was terrifying but I’m happy I was able to do it – I got really good support from my friends.

Away from activities, we had lots of free time to hang out together. One day, I taught everyone how to play a game I knew on the pool table, and we played board games together as a group.

Because it was a residential, it was so good having lots of time with my friends, rather than only seeing them for an hour or two and then go home! We were able to chill out and get to know each other really well, it was great to meet new friends – some I hadn’t met before!

In the future, I would 100% love to go on another residential trip with InVoice, I had so much fun and I would love to see everyone again. My dream residential would be going to Blackpool!!

Overall, InVoice is awesome and I would always recommend young people to join, it is the best decision I have ever made! I have made new friends, improved my confidence, and I have been involved in important discussions that have been taken to government – it’s an amazing experience.

The InVoice coordinator Christine is also awesome – but I never want to be responsible for her life whilst rock climbing again!!”