The phrase “youth voice” gets used a lot in mental health and community work. But what does it really mean to involve young people in shaping services, resources, and systems? More importantly—how do we ensure it’s meaningful, and not just a tick-box exercise?
We’ve all seen it: the token youth consultation, squeezed into the final stage of a nearly finished project. A one-hour focus group. A few post-it notes. A polite thank-you and little follow-up.
That’s not co-production.
Co-production, when done properly, is something much richer, messier, and more powerful. It means building with, not just designing for. It means sharing power, being flexible, and staying open to being challenged.
If you’re looking to borrow money for a short period, take a look at Pounds to Pocket. They offer fast cash loans for any purpose.
Here’s what we’ve learned about what real co-production looks like—and why it matters.
1. Start Before You Think You’re Ready
If you want young people to genuinely shape something, they need to be involved before the idea is fully formed. That means involving them at the very beginning—when you’re still asking, “What do we need?” not “Do you like what we’ve made?”
We’ve learned to invite youth input before we’ve finalised goals, themes, or delivery methods. Sometimes this slows things down—but it almost always results in something better.
When young people are in the room early, the end product is more relevant, accessible, and creative.
2. Go Beyond the “Usual Suspects”
It’s easy to build a group of confident, articulate, eager young people who are already familiar with consultation work. But if we only listen to those voices, we risk designing support that doesn’t reflect the full range of lived experiences.
Real co-production requires extra effort to reach:
-
Neurodivergent young people
-
Those with disabilities or communication differences
-
Care-experienced youth
-
LGBTQ+ young people
-
Those from minoritised communities
-
Young people who don’t trust services—or have been harmed by them
That means offering different formats (e.g. one-to-ones, creative sessions, asynchronous input), reducing barriers (like travel or jargon), and creating emotionally safe spaces where trust can grow.
3. Make It Worth Their Time
Co-production should never rely on goodwill alone. If young people are giving their time, energy, and insight—they deserve something back.
That could be:
-
Payment or vouchers
-
Skills development
-
Certificates and references
-
Food, travel cover, or flexible formats
-
Genuine gratitude and regular updates on how their input is used
We ask ourselves: Would I expect an adult colleague to do this for free? If the answer is no, then we make sure our youth contributors are equally recognised.
4. Share the Steering Wheel
It can feel risky to give young people influence over real decisions—but that’s the point. Co-production means sharing control, not just gathering feedback.
Recently, a group of young people challenged us on the imagery in one of our emotional wellbeing toolkits. They said it felt clinical and distant. Rather than defending the original choices, we invited them to rework it with us. The result was a warmer, more inclusive design—and a better resource overall.
You have to be open to doing things differently. Co-production isn’t about approval—it’s about transformation.
5. Reflect. Learn. Improve.
We don’t always get it right. Sometimes, we’ve tried a co-production model that felt rushed or too structured. Sometimes, young people have told us they didn’t feel fully heard. We’ve learned to see that feedback as a gift, not a criticism.
We now build in reflection points:
-
What worked about this session?
-
Who wasn’t in the room?
-
What might we change next time?
Co-production is a process, not a performance. It should always be evolving.
Why It Matters
When young people are meaningfully involved, the difference is clear. The work becomes more honest, more effective, and more likely to be used. But perhaps most importantly, it creates connection and confidence.
For a young person who’s been dismissed, misunderstood, or let down by systems, co-production can be a powerful reminder: My voice matters. I can change things.
And for the adults involved? It’s a reminder to let go of assumptions, to make space—and to listen, properly.