Hampshire’s police and crime commissioner for Hampshire is appealing for volunteers aged 14-25 to help give young people a voice on the crime and policing issues that matter to them most.

Recruitment for new members of the award-winning Hampshire and Isle of Wight Youth Commission is open.

The commission gives young people the chance to support and inform the work of PCC Michael Lane.

Members identify the issues young people are worried about most and gather opinions on what the specific concerns are and ideas on how to tackle them. They also work to raise awareness and educate young people via campaigns, such as this year’s #GoFISH cyber safety campaign.

They also run workshops, speak at events, and take part in a range of other activities.

Members gain a variety of skills, meet and work with a range of people, learn about different issues that are relevant to them and their peers and get to be part of some great youth orientated events. This year, members have attended festivals, youth conferences, and summer activity schemes.

Mr Lane said: “The youth commission gives young people an opportunity to have an independent and strong voice on societal issues that affect them. The youth commission works so well because it is about young people talking to, and hearing the voices of, other young people. It is important to me that we listen and take on board the views of young people because it is very much about their future.”

Commission member Alison, 18, said: “It has given me the opportunity to take the things young people may not be a fan of and work to actually change them. We have been able to talk to and represent young people, listen to their valuable insight into their everyday problems (them being the experts on that subject), then directly and effectively inform professionals who often make the decision our behalf.”

• Application forms are available online at www.hampshire-pcc.gov.uk/ youth-commission. The deadline for applications is Friday, November 3.