Being an EFC Youth Advisor

Holly, one of EFC's new Youth Advisors, reports back on the training she attended and what she hopes to get out of her time volunteering with us...

EFC Youth Advisors at the recent training day

A great evening of sweets, chocolate, fruit and lively conversation. For many this was the first time everyone had met the group of people they were going to be spending quality time with once a month.

It was great hearing such a range of opinions and seeing lively debate spark off in regards to some topics that many people find controversial. Knowing that everyone could speak openly about their opinions without fear of being told they were wrong and the general supportive atmosphere meant there was ample opportunity to get your voice heard.

New facts I learned from the training: Canada has no time limit on abortion. In America the nearest clinic can be up to 50 miles away which means it is not easily accessible for many women with unplanned pregnancies. The criteria for a doctor to carry out an abortion in the UK can seem incredibly severe but there is liberal room for interpretation. I feel incredibly lucky to live in a country where the clinics and doctors are easily accessible, though I’m aware that there’s a lot of work to be done about misinformation and the myths that surround abortion.

I look forward to the next meeting for more interesting conversation and to get to know what makes everyone else tick in the group when it comes to abortion.

'Youth For Choice' blog launches today!

Our fabulous young volunteers have been busy working on a social media project and it’s finally here. Introducing the new ‘Youth For Choice’ Tumblr!

Our volunteers decided that it was about time for a youth-led blog in the UK which focuses on sexual health and reproductive rights. Young people giving other young people FACTUAL information about sex, pregnancy, abortion and related topics. All our bloggers are 16-25, and are contributing written blogs, photos and film clips from all over the country.

Here’s Kathryn, 19, on why she got involved with the project:

“I’m a firm believer in women having control over their own bodies and their reproductive rights – through contraception, abortion and other ways. I feel that people need to have choice over what they do with their body, and not be coerced or pressured into doing something because they feel it’s the right thing to do, or that they have no other option. And that’s why I’m excited to be involved in this Tumblr. Because one of the ways you help to give people choice is through sharing information with them, and I think this is especially important for young people, who might have a harder time getting access to quality information about sexual health and all the other stuff that goes with it. We might not be taken seriously, or be told both sides of the story when it comes to reproductive rights and sexual health. And when this happens, how are you supposed to make an informed choice about what’s going on with your own body? This is why I think this blog is going to be so good – it’ll give young people a good source of news and information about stuff that’s really important to us.”

 So please follow the Tumblr and share the link with your friends and colleagues!

EFC Youth Advisory Group - Round Two!

Calling all young people aged 16-21 and living in London! EFC is launching the second version of its Youth Advisory Group from January 2012.

To find out more about the success of this year's project (the group created a short film giving the facts about abortion which is now being viewed on a number of educational sites) read this blog.

And for details of next year's group just click here. We ask that everyone who wants to apply fills out the short application form but this opportunity is open to all regardless of experience.

If you've got any questions about the group just email laura {at} efc.org.uk