Get Involved with Student Voice
CENMAC Student Voice is growing, and we want more young people to get involved!
Over the past year, we have been developing the CENMAC Student Voice Programme, creating opportunities for young people supported by CENMAC to share their experiences, contribute their ideas and help shape the future of assistive technology, accessibility and inclusive education.
As the new academic year gets underway, we’re looking for more young people to join us and help shape what comes next.
Join the Changemakers Collective!
An important part of the Student Voice programme is the CENMAC Changemakers Collective, a group of young people who come together to share their lived experiences, discuss the issues that matter to them and help influence positive change.
Being involved in Student Voice doesn’t necessarily mean joining the Changemakers Collective or attending regular meetings.
We are developing different ways for young people to participate, depending on their interests, communication preferences and the opportunities available.
Our aim is to make sure that every young person supported by CENMAC has an opportunity to contribute in a way that works for them.
What have our Changemakers been doing?
Our team of young people have already been involved in some exciting projects and conversations including:
- Helping to discuss the future of SEND and shared our views on the changes we’d like to see in education.
- Working directly with organisations developing new technology. For example, some of our members worked with Vault Learning, testing an inclusive learning game and providing feedback to help shape its future development.
- Attending a parliamentary roundtable for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Assistive and Accessible Technology, where discussions explored the role assistive technology should play within future SEND reforms.
These experiences demonstrate something important: Young people should have the opportunity to help shape the products and services being designed to support them.
Changemakers Collective Meeting
What could you get involved in?
There are lots of ways to participate in CENMAC Student Voice.
Depending on your interests, this could include:
- Sharing your ideas, experiences and opinions
- Joining Changemakers Collective meetings and workshops
- Testing new technology, resources and learning tools
- Taking part in co-production projects
- Attending events and representing young people’s views
- Creating videos, interviews or Student Stories
- Helping raise awareness of accessibility and inclusion
- Developing your confidence, self-advocacy and leadership skills
- Exploring mentoring, work experience and other opportunities
Changemakers attending a parliamentary roundtable for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Assistive and Accessible Technology at Parliament
And there is no expectation that you need to be confident speaking in front of people.
Your voice is your voice, however you communicate it.
We want Student Voice to include young people with different experiences, abilities and communication methods, including those who use AAC and assistive technology to communicate.
Who can get involved?
We would love to hear from children and young people who are supported by CENMAC and would like opportunities to share ideas, experiences and interests.
You don’t need previous experience of Student Voice, leadership or public speaking.
You might already have lots of ideas. You might want to meet other young people with similar experiences. Or you might not know exactly how you would like to get involved yet.
That’s completely fine!
One of the aims of Student Voice is to help young people discover the opportunities that are right for them.
Student Voice Lead Khamani and Changemaker Zion in a mentoring meeting with Advisory Teacher Maureen De Longhi
Interested in becoming a Changemaker?
If you’re a young person supported by CENMAC and you’d like to get involved, speak to your CENMAC Advisory Teacher.
You can also express your interest through our CENMAC Student Voice Expression of Interest Form.
Completing the form doesn’t commit you to taking part.
Once we receive your expression of interest, our Student Voice Lead, Khamani Edwards, will work with your CENMAC Advisory Teacher to arrange an initial conversation, learn more about your interests and aspirations, and explore the opportunities that might suit you.
Whether you’re interested in joining the Changemakers Collective or simply want to find out more about Student Voice, we’d love to hear from you.
> Express an Interest in CENMAC Student Voice
Alternatively, you can contact:
Khamani Edwards
Student Voice Lead
CENMAC
studentvoice@cenmac.com
We can’t wait to welcome more young people into CENMAC Student Voice and support the next generation of Changemakers!
Your Voice. Your Ideas. Your Future.
Student Voice Lead Khamani on stage at Communication Works handing out raffle prizes to the happy winners
Changemakers testing an inclusive learning game developed by Vault Learning and providing feedback to help shape its future development.