“We want every young person to be able to talk about their mental health and have the support they need to do so.”

‘Together Encouraging Change’ is a Systems Change co-design project. We talked to young people across Newport about their barriers to accessing support for their mental health. They told us that they need more people within their community that they can talk to about how they feel. An important theme was feeling represented.

We are now recruiting Youth Engagement Volunteers to represent young people from BAME and LGBTQIA+ communities, and those from deprived backgrounds.

Our Youth Engagement Volunteers help promote conversations about mental health with young people through activities and signposting at local community organisations.

We strive for all young people, no matter their background, to always be able to answer the question ‘are you ok’ honestly.

We have involved young people across Newport aged between 10 and 25 to design this project alongside us. Our research led us towards youth spaces in Newport, and we are always looking for more youth focused organisations to partner with us. If you are an organisation interested in having your own Youth Engagement Volunteer, please contact us at changeit@newportmind.org

Volunteers who get involved with our project can develop their skills and establish supportive relationships with the local community. With guidance from the Together Encouraging Change team, our Youth Engagement Volunteers have access to training opportunities and become part of our volunteer community.

If you are aged between 14 and 25 and are interested in becoming a Youth Engagement Volunteer, please scroll down for our downloadable application form. Once completed, please email it to us at changeit@newportmind.org

Keep an eye on our social media pages to see more about the project in action!