Impact

Making a difference, one young mind at a time.

At the heart of everything we do is a single, powerful question: “Is this actually helping young people thrive?”
That question guides our work, shapes our decisions, and drives how we measure success. Impact, for us, isn’t just about numbers—it’s about people, relationships, and lasting change.

Listening First: The Power of Lived Experience

Our impact begins with listening. Young people, families, and communities are not passive recipients of support—they are active co-creators of it.

From the earliest stages of idea development, we involve young people through focus groups, workshops, surveys, and our Youth Advisory Network. Their voices help us challenge outdated assumptions and build interventions that feel relatable, respectful, and relevant.

This collaborative model has led to significant improvements in trust, engagement, and uptake across the projects we support.

“I didn’t feel like a patient—I felt like part of the team. That changed everything for me.”
— Young co-researcher, age 16

Innovation That Works

We are committed to developing and testing fresh, evidence-informed approaches to children and young people’s mental health. Our impact is visible in the diversity of interventions we’ve helped shape:

  • Digital & Gaming-Based Tools
    We’ve co-designed social skills programmes that use games like Minecraft and LEGO to support autistic children in mainstream classrooms. These tools offer fun, non-clinical spaces where young people can build confidence and communication skills without the pressure of traditional therapy.

  • Nature-Based Interventions
    Our Grow Together initiative pairs children with ADHD and their families with green spaces, allotments, and outdoor activities. Participants report improved emotional regulation, better sleep, and stronger family bonds after just 6–8 weeks.

  • Creative Therapies
    We’ve piloted group storytelling and animation projects with young people recovering from anxiety and low mood. These programmes give young voices a platform and encourage emotional expression through art.

Each of these projects is developed in close collaboration with mental health professionals, researchers, educators, and—most importantly—young people themselves.

Measuring What Matters

We use both quantitative and qualitative methods to assess our impact. That means we pay attention to:

  • Clinical measures (e.g., anxiety and depression scores before and after an intervention)

  • Attendance, retention, and referral rates

  • Young person–reported outcomes and satisfaction

  • Parental feedback and family wellbeing indicators

  • School-based observations and educator reports

  • Long-term follow-up where possible

In 2024 alone:

  • 87% of participants said they would recommend our programmes to a friend

  • 73% reported a positive change in how they manage stress and emotions

  • 90% of educators said our tools were easier to implement than expected

Case Example: The Brick Project

A mainstream primary school in Yorkshire introduced our Brick Project—a social intervention using LEGO play—to a group of 8–10-year-olds with mild to moderate communication challenges. Within 10 weeks:

  • Teachers observed a 35% improvement in peer interaction

  • Parents reported fewer emotional outbursts at home

  • One participant, previously silent in class, began initiating conversations for the first time

What began as a simple pilot has now been scaled to five additional schools across the region.

Changing the System, Not Just the Symptoms

Beyond individual outcomes, we aim to influence broader systems—how mental health support is delivered, who is involved, and how success is defined.

We regularly share findings with NHS Trusts, schools, local authorities, and national research bodies. Our open-access reports, toolkits, and webinars are designed to help professionals apply innovative ideas in real settings.

We are also proud to support young people as researchers, trainers and advocates—offering paid roles, mentoring, and skill-building opportunities that extend far beyond a single project.

A Ripple Effect

Impact is rarely linear. A single programme may lead to better school engagement. A shared idea may inspire a new tool in another region. A conversation in a focus group might plant the seed for tomorrow’s policy shift.

The ripple effect of youth-led innovation is powerful—and growing.

Looking Ahead

Our vision for the future includes:

  • More co-designed digital resources

  • Expansion of youth-led training for professionals

  • Continued focus on underserved groups (e.g. Deaf youth, LGBTQ+ young people, refugee families)

  • Stronger links between research, practice, and lived experience

Final Word

Our impact isn’t just measured in data—it’s measured in moments:

  • A young person feeling safe enough to speak in a group

  • A parent realising they’re not alone

  • A school finding new ways to support emotional wellbeing

These moments matter. They build confidence, connection, and change that lasts.

Together, we’re not just supporting young people—we’re building a future that supports them.

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