This summer, our Youth Ambassadors have been at the heart of our mission to amplify young voices and promote mental health awareness for young people. From meetings and workshops to creative projects and community events, they’ve been busy making a real impact, and having fun along the way!

Building Connections & Welcoming New Members

The summer kicked off with regular Youth Ambassador meetings, offering a safe space for ideas to flow. We were excited to welcome new members into the group, bringing fresh energy and perspectives. These sessions were about building a community through quizzes, ice-breakers, and games helping everyone feel connected and supported.

Youth Voice on Key Issues

Our Youth Ambassadors have also been discussing and sharing their views on some of the most important topics affecting young people today including:

• AI in youth work: AI (Artificial Intelligence) may be great for admin tasks, but not a replacement for human connection in therapeutic settings.
• Communication in counselling: Voice notes are preferred over text for their emotional depth and clarity.
• Online safety: Concerns around safeguarding on gaming platforms sparked important conversations.
• Emojis & expression: Exploring how emojis help us communicate feelings on social media.
• Wellbeing & self-care: Honest reflections on staying present, setting routines, and looking after mental health.

Creative Projects: Podcast on Food & Social Media

One of our creative projects this summer was the development of a podcast exploring the impact of food and social media on young people’s mental health. The Ambassadors shared personal insights, discussed trends, and offered thoughtful reflections on how digital culture shapes our relationship with food and body image.

Key takeaways from the session were simple: be kind to yourself, focus on self-love, and don't be afraid to reach out for support if you need it.

Community Events & Workshops

The Youth Ambassadors also took part in a range of community events and creative workshops, including:

• Merky FC, a Croydon-based event with football matches and activities. Youth Ambassadors built relationships with local charities and opened conversations about youth mental health.
• Our Barbershop Collaboration - Trim n Grin - brought mental health conversations into everyday spaces with the theme “Mind My Hair, Hear My Mind.”
• Youth Access Online Creative Workshop enabled Youth Ambassadors to share their experiences of accessing mental health support.

Working alongside the MHST Schools Team

Working alongside our MHST Schools team, our Youth Ambassadors supported a range of creative wellbeing sessions for children and young people, from crocheting and clay-making to crafting and drop-in activities. These events provided hands-on youth work experience and offered meaningful support to both primary and secondary school-aged participants, including young carers in the community.

The activities focused strongly on emotional wellbeing. This collaboration gave our Youth Ambassadors valuable insight into how we support young people, as well as the chance to engage directly with mental health practitioners, asking questions about their roles and participating in activities themselves, such as creating personal identity collages inspired by Social Graces.

Looking Ahead

As we move into autumn, the Youth Ambassadors are gearing up for more exciting work and continuing to help shape our charity’s approach to youth engagement and mental health advocacy.

We’re incredibly proud of everything the Youth Ambassadors have achieved this summer. Their creativity and commitment to making a difference are what make this community so special.

Want to get involved or learn more? Take a look at our Youth Ambassador page here.