Welcome to the Young Changemakers Programme
Supporting young people from Black and Black mixed-race communities to channel their lived experiences into tackling racial injustices in mental health support and services.
Led by Young Changemakers, this project, aimed at 12-25 year olds, is reimagining mental health support that works for young people racialised communities, with the support of their local youth organisations to design and deliver their own social action projects to create a lasting impact.
We want young people from Black and Black mixed-heritage across the UK to have increased opportunities to participate in social action and decision making in mental health for their communities.
Hear from the Young Changemakers themselves, as they share their experiences of mental health support and why their social action projects are so important.
About Young Changemakers
Young Changemakers is a 3+ year programme, which began in April 2021, and was funded by People’s Postcode Lottery and Comic Relief. UK Youth run this programme in partnership with The Diana Award and Centre For Mental Health.
We work with local youth organisations to provide training and support so that they are equipped to empower their Young Changemakers to make their social action ideas a reality.
Read about some of the youth organisations supporting Young Changemakers on exciting social action projects:
Integrate UK
Group 1 – Held an event to raise awareness of Mental Health for racialised communities
Group 2 – Recorded a three-part podcast series that hosted conversations with experts in supporting Black and racialised communities struggling with mental health
Getaway Girls – Leeds
Staged three images in their local salon and directed a short film, both of which will be used in a social media campaign to highlight challenging situations young Black women may experience.
CEF Lyncx – London
Highlighting the inequalities in access to safe spaces and facilities for young people from racialised comunities and its impact on Mental Health and wellbeing.
Amenia Centre – Luton
Recorded a podcast series exploring various issues and stigma surrounding Mental Health in the Black Community.
Young Changemakers Blog Posts
Working together to ensure young people from racialised communities can access appropriate mental health support
Existing systemic inequalities have driven the disproportionately damaging impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on young people’s mental wellbeing and healthcare from racialised communities. Change needs to happen. UK Youth, Centre for Mental Health and The Diana Award are excited to announce a new collaboration that aims to reimagine mental health support for young people from […]
Teachers and GPs need extra training on racism and discrimination to boost young Black people’s mental health, say Young Changemakers
Young Black people’s mental health has been overlooked and undervalued for too long, says a new report published by Centre for Mental Health. A voice for change is produced jointly with a group of Young Changemakers who are leading four social action projects as part of an initiative created by UK Youth, The Diana Award and […]