One of the key strategic aims of Cumbria Youth Alliance is to represent our members interests and to lobby on their behalf at a local, regional and national level, ensuring at all times that the interests of our member organisations are brought to the forefront. This ensures that all our members can have a voice and can make their voice heard in a variety of arenas. 

It also ensures that where ever possible the membership is kept up to date with timely, accurate and relevant information which will help them develop their services and build effective partnerships to ensure their long term sustainability. This is especially effective for our smaller member organisations who find with limited staff, volunteers and resources they simply cannot attend all the local and county wide meetings and can ask us to represent their interests at these meetings. All members have an equal voice in Cumbria Youth Alliance.

The key challenge for CYA is to develop effective two way communication channels. This requires our members to communicate with us as well as CYA communicating with our members. We can only represent your views and needs if we know what they are!

All member organisations and key partners have an opportunity to develop the strategic aims of the Alliance through being part of our annual strategic planning conference and responding to various questionnaires throughout the year. This ensures that we only deliver programmes that meet the needs of the membership.

 
Cumbria Youth Alliance currently undertakes representation on behalf of the sector at a range of tables at both operational and strategic levels. The function is mostly carried out by our Chief Officer but other staff members support the representation and lobbying function of the organisation

 
CYA are currently present at the following:

• Children and Young Peoples Voluntary Sector Reference Group
• Children and Young Peoples Strategic Forum – elected through the Voluntary Sector reference group
• Risk Taking Behaviour Board – elected through the Voluntary Sector Reference Group
• IYSS Board – elected through the Voluntary Sector Reference Group
• Executive Infrastructure Forum for Cumbria
• North West Council for Voluntary Youth Services
• National Council for Voluntary Youth Services
• Regional Youth Work Unit Training and Development Unit
• Local Youth Work Provider Forums

• Involvement of young people

• Building of effective relationships

• Volunteers and volunteering

• Proactivity and creativity

• Informal education

• Continuous improvement