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ENABLING YOUNG PEOPLE TO HAVE A BETTER FUTURE
IARS is an independent charity with mission to transform young people’s lives by enabling them to have a better future, and participate equally and democratically in civic life. IARS young people learn to inform policies and practices affecting them whether at a local, regional, national or international level.
Through the provision of high quality volunteering opportunities, internships, work placements, training, skills-development programmes, accreditation, peer mentoring and research, IARS young people are given the tools to nurture their talents and become active citizens. Through a youth-led structure, young people from all walks of life learn to influence decision making structures and the law and as role models participate in society and support their peers in creating a safer and more equal society where young people are respected and valued.
IARS has expertise in criminal justice, human rights, equality, citizenship, civic engagement, restorative justice and education policy.
IARS' objectives state that the charity "is set up to promote the development of young people as individuals and members of society by:
- providing training guidance and support to enable those young people to undertake research, study or other activities to investigate the issues which affect them and;
- encouraging young people to use the useful results of that research and learning to increase awareness and understanding of the issues which affect them amongst child and young people welfare professionals, service providers and the public" (IARS Memorandum of Association).
IARS services are youth-led in the sense that they are designed, delivered and scrutinised by young people and Youth Advisory Group.
The charity achieves its aims by:
- providing direct services to young people e.g. high quality volunteering opportunities, tailored training and skills development programmes;
- providing voice and representation of issues affecting young people
- acting as an independent, youth-led consultancy and social policy think-tank;
- carrying out youth-led research to influence and inform policy and practices affecting young people;
- informing strategic decision makers about issues affecting youth-led organisations and youth groups that are easily exposed to discrimination e.g. Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups (BAME), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual (LGB) young people, disabled young people, those out of education and employment, ex-offenders and offenders.
Our work is evidence-based and reflects the passions, concerns and interests of young people particularly those who tend to be excluded. Our activities have a national and international significance, and we are particularly active in London. IARS aims to serve as a model whereby young people, particularly from disadvantaged groups, come together to inform practices and policies that affect their lives, and support youth-led sector organisations and others concerned with issues that involve them. IARS believes in the value of the youth-led sector, and provides representation of the issues affecting it. For further information you can view our Vision & Strategic Aims as well as our Mission & Values
