Youth Voice

Led by young people. Shaped by lived experience. Powered by truth.

We believe youth voice is not just something to include—it’s the foundation of everything we do.

Young people are the experts in their own lives. They know what support feels safe, what systems feel broken, and what actually makes a difference. Their insight isn’t an “extra”—it’s essential.

This page is dedicated to the power of youth voice: how we listen, how we act, and how young people help lead real change in mental health.

What We Mean by “Youth Voice”

Youth voice isn’t about asking for a quote at the end of a project. It’s about creating the space—and the structure—for young people to shape things from the beginning.

To us, youth voice means:

  • Real influence, not tokenism

  • Ongoing involvement, not one-off consultation

  • Respect for lived experience as equal to professional knowledge

  • Support and training, so young people can lead with confidence

  • Diversity and representation, ensuring all voices are welcomed—not just the loudest or most comfortable

How We Involve Young People

There are many ways young people take part in shaping what we do. Some stay involved for years; others contribute to a single project. Every voice matters.

💬 Advisory Panels & Focus Groups

We bring together young people aged 11–25 to advise on everything from programme design to accessibility. They give honest feedback, challenge assumptions, and make our work stronger.

🎨 Co-Creation Workshops

Young people help create resources, run sessions, and test new ideas. Whether we’re designing a wellbeing toolkit or planning a digital platform, their insight is at the heart of it.

🎙 Peer Research

We support young people to become researchers in their own right—designing questions, interviewing peers, analysing themes, and shaping recommendations.

🧠 Strategy & Leadership

Some young people join us at a strategic level, sitting on steering groups, grant panels or staff interview boards. They help set priorities and hold us accountable to our values.

“They didn’t just want our opinions—they gave us the power to change things.”
— Youth advisor, age 17

Why Youth Voice Matters

We don’t include youth voice because it looks good on paper—we do it because it works.

When young people lead:

  • Services become more relevant and accessible

  • Programmes are more engaging and better attended

  • Stigma is reduced through peer connection

  • Innovation is driven by real-world experience

  • Trust is built through authenticity and respect

Supporting Young People to Lead

We recognise that speaking up—especially about mental health—isn’t always easy. That’s why we offer support, not pressure.

Young people involved in our work are:

  • Offered training in facilitation, safeguarding, and communication

  • Paid or recognised for their time and skills where appropriate

  • Supported with travel, accessibility needs, and emotional safety

  • Given choice and control over how they participate

No one is expected to share more than they want to. And no experience is too small or too complex to be valued.

Making Space for All Voices

We work actively to include young people from a wide range of backgrounds and identities. That means reaching beyond the usual routes and making sure our spaces are:

  • Neurodiversity-aware

  • LGBTQ+ inclusive

  • Accessible for disabled young people

  • Welcoming to those with lived experience of care, trauma, or marginalisation

  • Culturally responsive and anti-racist

Representation matters—not just in who we listen to, but in who gets to shape the future.

Youth Voice in Action

Here are just a few examples of how youth voice has shaped our work:

  • A group of autistic young people redesigned our emotional regulation toolkit to reflect sensory needs and preferred communication styles

  • Teenagers from inner-city schools helped us adapt a peer support guide to reflect real experiences of exam pressure and social anxiety

  • A care-experienced youth panel co-created a short film about feeling misunderstood in services—and what could be done differently

Each of these changes improved the resource. More importantly, they made young people feel respected, heard, and part of something meaningful.

Want to Get Involved?

If you’re aged 11–25 and want to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

You can:

  • Join one of our advisory groups

  • Help test a new programme or resource

  • Train as a peer researcher or co-facilitator

  • Share your story to help others feel less alone

No experience needed—just your voice.

👉 [Express interest here]
👉 [See upcoming opportunities]

Final Word

Youth voice is not a box to tick. It’s a value, a practice, and a responsibility.

We are here to listen—but more than that, we’re here to follow through.

Because when young people speak, it’s not noise—it’s knowledge. It’s leadership. It’s the future.

Scroll to Top