The new site has been a labour of love on our quest to amplify our support for members and improve the experiences of young people across the UK, and we cannot wait for you to see it.
It is no secret that our Service Directory is our most visited page, garnering thousands of views a month. The directory is an essential tool for young people trying to find appropriate help and so upgrading this space was a no-brainer.
Thanks to in-depth consultations with young people we have been able to upgrade the space. Young people said they wanted a dedicated 'find help' section with improved searchability and functionality. The new directory does exactly that and even allows full members background access to update their own directory listing.
Alongside a new and improved Service Directory that better serves young people, we wanted to ensure that the new site better served our members. We wanted to create a website that is an invaluable tool for members to utilise. So, we asked you, our members, what a site designed to meet your needs should look like.
You told us that you wanted...
- opportunities to network with fellow services so you feel that part of something bigger
- spaces for you and your work to be showcased
- good practice and learning to be shared
- a clearer and better understanding of the Youth Access membership
So, we...
- produced an online forum space for full members to network
- added member profiles to our homepage to showcase your work
- have given full members more autonomy to update Service Directory listings
- created a dedicated members-only area teeming with tools and resources
- added a membership benefits section with what you can expect from us
After several months the new site is now in its final testing stages and almost ready for you to enjoy! We’d like to again thank all of the young people and members who have helped shape the new website. We’d love to hear your feedback on the new site, so please keep an eye out for future feedback surveys.
Effective digital spaces such as this one allows the network to thrive and supports young people to find the services they need, when and where they need them. If you'd like to find out more about the new site please get in touch at admin@youthaccess.org.uk.
The new website will be available at the current URL so add www.youthaccess.org.uk to your favourites now and get excited.