Young people are the most powerful advocates for their own needs and have the right to meaningfully participate in shaping the services they access.
The Victorian AYA Cancer Service has developed a Youth Participation Framework drawing on best practice and international guidance to promote impactful youth participation at every level of service development and delivery.
Youth Participation Program
There are two groups of young people with whom you can engage as participants in your work: the Youth Cancer Action Board (YCAB) and Youth Cancer Action Advocates (YCAA). Both groups consist of young people, with a lived experience of cancer, who are passionate about improving the experiences and outcomes for all young people with cancer across the sector.
Young people who are part of YCAB and YCAA receive appropriate education, training and support through the Victorian AYA Cancer Service.
Victorian and Tasmanian Youth Cancer Action Board (YCAB)
Established in 2010, YCAB comprises a diverse group of 12 young people diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15 and 25. It represents the collective voice of young people with cancer by providing advice and guidance on cancer policy, priorities and services affecting Victorian and Tasmanian youth.
Some of YCAB’s advocacy work and achievements to date include:
- Developing position statements to influence policy and service provision in youth-determined areas of need/importance
- Shaping the development of youth-friendly hospital environments and services
- Contributing to the development of practice frameworks and models of care
- Informing priorities and co-designing age-appropriate resources for young people diagnosed with cancer
- Contributing to and advising on the design, development and content of health professional education and training programs
Youth Cancer Action Advocates (YCAA)
Established in 2021 with support from the Victorian Department of Health, YCAA is a network of young people with a diagnosis of cancer with whom the members (aged 15-30 years) can be engaged for a range of initiatives and activities, such as:
- Reviewing or advising on youth cancer-related policies, plans, programs, or environments
- Informing collaborative research priorities
- Participating in research or other opportunities for sharing opinions, views, and experiences
- Participating in formal opportunities, such as panel discussions, committees or working groups, to share their experiences of the healthcare system.
Requests for participation are allocated based on young peoples’ areas of interest and availability.
Interested in engaging young people in your work or project?
We accept requests for youth participation from across the Victorian and Tasmanian cancer sectors.
Complete the Youth Participation Request Form
All requests are triaged to either YCAB or YCAA by the Victorian AYA Cancer Service’s Youth Participation Coordinator.
For more information on our Youth Participation Framework or the above programs:
Contact Ilana Berger, Victorian AYA Cancer Service Team Leader and Youth Participation Coordinator, on (03) 8559 6880 or
