Isabelle Brant (Issy)

Hi everyone my name is Issy. I have been apart of Changing Young Lives, for nearly 2 years. I do lots of things such as co-chair the My Life My Dreams meeting, which is working on the new Whole of Life service. I love keeping the professionals in check, and sometimes I even get to boss them around!.

I am a paid auditor, and I often go out and check services for young people with a range of disabilities and make sure they are getting the best service.

I meet regularly with Barbara Peacock and Helen Smith to tell her what great work we have been doing and keep them updated.

I have been apart of Take Over day, which is when a young person takes over the job of professional. I took over Janine Browns job, who was, at the time, the Joint Director of Partnership and Commissioning. If you want to see what I got up to have a look!!. My Voice21 Article

Gemma Caffrey

Hiya!. My name is Gemma and I am always busy with Changing Young Lives, when I am not a college! I do a lot of the Right Squad training and last year I was really busy training all the year 11 students at Bristnall Hall.

I love training, and take it in my stride even though I had to train 65 teachers at once!.

The feedback I got was full of positive praise!. I also sit on the My Life My Dreams group, and I represent the views of young people in Sandwell. Sometimes professionals use hard words, so I tell them to put that word in the bin!.

I work all across the borough talking about the work that Changing Young Lives does. I was invited to deliver some training about the history of people with learning disabilities at the SENCO meeting last year, and again this year!.

Last year I was nominated for Connexions Young Achiever award, which was apart of the Sandwell Stars Award 2011. I was a runner up.

I have just leant how to independently use the bus, so there is no stopping me now!

Gina Patel

My name is Gina, but I was recently the Chief Executive of Sandwell Council, as part of the Take Over day 2011.

I started work with Changing Young Lives in 2010, when I did my work experience with Changing Our Lives, and have never left!.

I too am apart of the Rights Squad training team, but my skills are best used in audits. I have a really good eye for detail and really enjoy checking to see if the provider is offering young people a good service.

The downside is sometimes I have to audit out in the cold!, like when I audited football club in the evening during the winter!. I sit with Gemma and Sarah on the My Life My Dreams group, and sometimes when Issy is away I co-chair it.

I have joined my peers to present to the council scrutiny panel for young people, and we were so good they invited us to a full parliament meeting. I also have a current leadership role setting up Employment Parliament for people with learning disabilitites in Dudley and Walsall.

I am apart of the young voices network, and I am in charge of the minutes, which I blog on our Facebook page!

Sarah Bentley

I have been with Changing Young Lives for nearly 6 years and I started as one of the original members of young voices.

I love coming to young voices, and being a champion for young peoples rights!. I also love the pizza and quizzes we have!.

We have done lots of work around employment, health, and developed the Whole of Life Standards. Young voices won an award at the 2011 Sandwell Stars Award.

I am apart of the Quality Crew, which is really enjoyed. I especially like it when providers listen to our recommendations and make the changes happen.

I like auditing the services for young people, as I love little children. I sit on the My Life my dreams group meeting.

I really enjoy this meeting, as I feel that professionals listen to me and are working hard to ensure that people with disabilities are treated as equal citizens.

Matt Purcell

Hi, my name is matt. The work I do mainly with Changing Young Lives is Young Voices.

I have been apart of young voices for about 5 years now, and really enjoy it. I like especially all the changes that have happened, because of the work young voices has done.

I really love art and design so I enjoyed designing the accessible employment charter, which looked at the rights of young people around paid employment.

I am part of the Rights Squad training team, and last year I trained some students about the history of people with learning disabilities. This is important, as people need to understand what people can achieve today, with the right support.

My work with the quality crew has taken me to after school sport clubs and youth group. I like the audits, even though sometimes they are hard work, people listen to me, and make the changes to improve young peoples lives!!

Samee

Hi I'm Samee and I'm 12 years old.  I'm in Year 7 at St. Michael's High School and have been going to Young Voices since 2011.  At Young Voices I am meeting so many new people and having lots of fun.  In 2011 I was involved in putting together the Whole of Life standards as I believe that everyone should be equal and young people with disabilities should have the same rights as everyone else.  Everyone has the right to be supported to speak up for themselves.

In the future I'd like to study to become a computer programmer.  I'm good with computers and have the confidence to do it.  To do this I will need people to see me first, not my disability.

Colleen Johnson

My name is Colleen and I have been working with Changing Our Lives for 18 months. I have been involved in auditing services to make sure that young people with disabilities have services that are right for them.

I have performed 2 times at Sandwell's Got Talent and in 2010 I won the competition with my group 'Girlz Allowed'.  I go to Young Voices meetings and  I love Changing Our Lives as it has changed my life by meeting lots of new people, getting the chance to lead on different types of work and getting good support from staff.

In the future I would like to continue going to Young Voices meetings and continue to do paid work with Changing OUr lIves.

Sian

Hi, I am Sian.  I have been part of Changing Our LIves for 2 months.  As I am a newcomer, I feel this is a great place to socialise with new people and have fun.  I am a 16 year old girl.  I am a fun, bubbly person who loves a great laugh.  I like being part of Young Voives to change the future of children with disabilitites and the way they feel.  In the future I would like to become a worker at Changing Our Lives.

Matt Doleman

Hi, I am 14 years old and have recently joined the Young Voices Network.  I would recommend Changing Our Lives as I have met new friends and gained confidence in myself.  I have recently taken to the stage at Spotlight Open Mic Night with my comedy act.

Shyellla

Hello, my name is Shyella. I have been part of young voices for nearly 2 months now. I think it is important for young people to raise their issues, and have an equal voice.

Danny

My name is Danny, i have just become a new young leader. I have been involved in some work with Changing Our Lives at my school. I love art, especially drawing and consider myself to be very artistic.