URV Youth Voice – Union Romani Voice

URV Youth Voice

The Youth Platform of Union Romani Voice

The Youth Platform

of Union Romani Voice

Your Voice.

Your Future.

Your Change.

Your Voice.

Your Future.

Your Change.

URV Youth Voice is the dedicated youth platform of Union Romani Voice, created to empower young people aged 10–25 through leadership, education, volunteering, participation and community action.

We believe that young people should have a meaningful voice in shaping their communities, influencing decisions and creating positive change.

About Us

Union Romani Voice is a Roma-led charity based in Ipswich, Suffolk, supporting communities since 2021 through advocacy, education, safeguarding, health access, community development and youth engagement.

URV Youth Voice builds on years of experience working with children, young people and families and provides a dedicated space where young people can develop skills, confidence and leadership opportunities.

Our Mission

We work with young people to:

Build confidence and self-esteem
Develop leadership and communication skills
Promote volunteering and active citizenship
Improve educational aspirations and achievement
Support wellbeing and resilience
Celebrate culture, identity and diversity
Increase participation in community life and decision-making
Create opportunities for young people to influence positive change

Our Vision

To create a generation of confident, resilient and empowered young people who have the skills, opportunities and support to become leaders in their communities.

Our Youth Work Journey

Building Youth Leadership Through Experience

For many years, Roma young people have been at the heart of our community work.

Long before the launch of URV Youth Voice, trustees, volunteers and community leaders connected to Union Romani Voice were actively supporting Roma young people through leadership programmes, youth gatherings, educational activities, wellbeing initiatives and residential camps.

These activities provided safe spaces where young people could build confidence, develop leadership skills, strengthen their cultural identity and create positive support networks.

Through this work, hundreds of Roma young people have participated in activities designed to encourage personal growth, community engagement and positive aspirations for the future.

2021 – Educational Engagement Project

Our youth engagement journey began in 2021 when our CEO, Simona Lazăr, was working as EAL Lead at Stoke High School in Ipswich.

During this period, she led a youth-focused initiative supported by the University of Suffolk aimed at improving educational engagement, aspirations and inclusion for Roma and Romanian young people.

The project helped strengthen relationships between schools, families and local communities while addressing barriers such as language challenges, low confidence and educational inequalities.

2024 – Community Safety and Anti-Bullying Programme

In 2024, Union Romani Voice delivered a series of youth engagement sessions at Westbourne Academy, Ipswich, through a project supported by the Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

The sessions focused on:

Bullying awareness and prevention
Community safety
Positive choices and decision-making
Respect and inclusion
Building confidence and resilience
Strengthening relationships between young people, schools and local services

2024–2026 – EAL Aspirations Conference

Union Romani Voice has played a leading role in supporting and participating in the EAL Aspirations Conference, bringing together students, schools, parents, professionals and community organisations.

The conference promotes:

Educational achievement
Leadership development
Youth participation
Aspirations and future opportunities
Equality and inclusion

Youth Camps and Residential Programmes

A significant part of our youth work has involved leadership camps, residential weekends and community retreats bringing together Roma young people from different backgrounds and communities.

These programmes have provided opportunities for young people to:

Develop leadership and communication skills
Participate in group workshops and discussions
Build friendships and support networks
Explore their identity and culture
Improve teamwork and problem-solving skills
Increase confidence and self-esteem
Take part in outdoor learning and recreational activities

Many participants describe these experiences as life-changing opportunities that helped them develop a stronger sense of belonging, purpose and ambition.

Youth Participation and Community Activities

Our work has also included:

Roma History Month activities
Roma Fashion Show
Children’s Day community events
School engagement activities
Community volunteering opportunities
Family support and advocacy
Cultural and educational events

Additional Youth Engagement Activities

Our wider youth engagement work has also included:

Peer mentoring and support initiatives
Leadership development activities
Sports and recreational activities
Outdoor learning experiences
Team-building programmes
Wellbeing-focused youth gatherings
Youth leadership and participation events

What We Do

Education and Aspirations

Supporting young people to achieve their educational goals and future ambitions.

Youth Leadership

Developing confident young leaders through training, mentoring and participation opportunities.

Volunteering and Social Action

Helping young people make a positive difference in their communities.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Creating safe spaces where young people can build resilience and confidence.

Weekly Youth Engagement and Wellbeing Activities

Through regular youth gatherings, group discussions and wellbeing-focused activities, young people are encouraged to:

Talk openly about mental health and wellbeing
Build confidence and resilience
Develop positive relationships
Share experiences and support one another
Learn practical life skills
Participate in community activities and volunteering

These sessions create trusted environments where young people feel heard, respected and valued.

Arts, Culture and Identity

Celebrating Roma heritage, culture and diversity.

Community Participation

Ensuring young people have a voice in decisions that affect their lives.

Supporting Roma Girls and Young Women

We are particularly committed to supporting Roma girls and young women to achieve their full potential.

Through mentoring, leadership opportunities and positive role models, we encourage girls to:

Remain engaged in education
Develop confidence and independence
Explore future career opportunities
Participate in community leadership
Become ambassadors and role models for younger generations

We recognise that some Roma girls face additional barriers and we are committed to creating opportunities that promote aspiration, achievement and empowerment.

Youth Advisory Board

The Youth Advisory Board is at the heart of URV Youth Voice.

Members help:

Shape activities and services
Organise events and campaigns
Share ideas and feedback
Represent the views of young people
Influence future projects and priorities

Youth Ambassadors

Youth Ambassadors are young volunteers who help inspire others and promote positive change.

Benefits include:

Leadership development
Volunteering experience
Community engagement
Training opportunities
Certificates and references

Ambassadors for Positive Representation

Youth Ambassadors also play an important role in promoting positive representation of Roma communities, challenging stereotypes and inspiring future generations through leadership, volunteering and community engagement.

URV Youth Delegation

The URV Youth Delegation represents young people at local, regional, national and international events.

Delegates may participate in:

Conferences and consultation
Community forums
Youth leadership events
Policy discussions
National and international opportunities

Our Commitment

Nothing About Young People Without Young People

We believe young people should not simply participate in activities—they should help shape the decisions that affect their lives, communities and futures.

Young people are at the centre of everything we do.

Our Impact

Through our youth work, many young people have:

Developed confidence and self-esteem
Built resilience and leadership skills
Improved communication and teamwork abilities
Increased educational aspirations
Strengthened their cultural identity and pride
Become volunteers, ambassadors and positive role models within their communities
Developed a stronger sense of belonging, purpose and ambition

The Future of URV Youth Voice

The experiences, relationships and learning developed through years of youth engagement have directly shaped the creation of URV Youth Voice.

URV Youth Voice is a youth-led platform that aims to empower the next generation of Roma leaders, volunteers and ambassadors.

Our vision is to create opportunities for Roma young people to:

Lead change within their communities
Influence decisions that affect their lives
Develop leadership and advocacy skills
Promote positive representation of Roma communities
Inspire future generations

Through URV Youth Voice, we are building a stronger, more confident and empowered generation of Roma young people who are ready to shape the future of their communities and wider society.

Our Impact in Pictures

Over the years, young people have participated in:

Leadership camps and residential programmes
Youth conferences and community gatherings
Wellbeing and mental health activities
Educational workshops
Team-building exercises
Outdoor activities
Cultural events and celebrations
Peer mentoring and youth leadership initiatives

The photographs below capture some of the many activities that have helped shape our youth engagement journey and inspired the development of URV Youth Voice.