Volunteer Opportunity: Take part in a youth panel for Transport Scotland

We’re looking for young people aged 11-18 to take part in a co-design panel that will inform a new free bikes programme for young people due to rollout across Scotland next year. We’re especially interested in hearing from young people with diverse experiences and backgrounds including those from lower SIMD areas, care experienced, young carers, living rurally or living with disabilities.

No previous experience is necessary, and you don’t need to be a bike enthusiast to apply! We currently have 16 enthusiastic and friendly young people on the panel but we’re looking for a few more to help make it more representative of Scottish young people.

What’s involved?

The role of the panel is to explore Transport Scotland’s pilot scheme currently running that offers free bikes to eligible young people under 18. As a group, you’ll be supported to identify ways this scheme could be improved and test out these ideas along the way before producing a final report of your ideas at the end of the project.

Dedicated Young Scot staff will be on-hand to support you throughout the project too. We’re also happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable all young people to take part, and there will be an opportunity when you apply to tell us about any support or adjustments you need to contribute fully.

Project information

🎂 11-18 years old

📅 November 2022 – April 2023 with a mix of online Zoom calls and in person workshops.

⏰ The next workshop is planned for Saturday 3^rd December in-person at Caledonian Exchange, central Edinburgh from 10.30-4pm.

🚌 Travel, Food and Accommodation are paid for when taking part in any project activity. Digital support is also available to take part.

How to apply

If you know a young person who would be interested in getting involved, please invite them to complete the following online form to apply online via Alchemer.

👉🏼Apply for the Free Bikes Programme Co-design Panel

This application form is also available as a word document and we will also accept verbal applications made using video or voice recording over the phone. Please contact YSHive@young.scot to arrange this.

Next steps 

After you’ve applied, we will invite you to meet with a couple of Young Scot staff via Zoom for an informal chat. This will last roughly around 15 minutes and will be a chance for us to get to know you and tell you more about the project.

Questions? 

Email us on YSHive@young.scot if you have any questions or would like to know more about this project – we’re happy to help!

More information

We’ll ensure this session is a safe and trusted place for you to participate. We do not accept any form of discrimination or prejudice against anyone on our projects based on your life experience, background, culture, or identity. This includes age, disability, gender identity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Find out more about #YSHive.

Check out our #YSHive Frequently Asked Questions.

Find more opportunities to get involved.

Free Bikes Programme Co-Design Panel Application Form