YOUNG CHANGEMAKERS: A SPACE TO BE ME

Since 2021, the Young Changemakers Programme — a collaboration between UK Youth, Centre for Mental Health, and The Diana Award, and funded by players of the People's Postcode Lottery, Comic Relief and Kokoro Change— has been a platform for young Black and Black mixed-race changemakers to address racial inequalities in mental health services.

Throughout this time, the programme has worked with young people, organisations and decision-makers to influence policy to create sustained positive change in the lives of Black and Black mixed-race heritage young people. These efforts culminated in the Young Changemakers: ‘A Space To Be Me’ celebration event.

Young Changemakers: ‘A Space To Be Me’ Celebration Event

Taking place on 23 October at St Martin-in-the-Fields, this event brought together young people from across the programme with key stakeholders involved in the planning, development and execution of the programme since its launch in 2021. It provided a space to come together and hear from the inspirational young people that are working tirelessly to create sustained positive change for all Black and Black mixed-race heritage young people across the UK.

We asked what some of the young people thought about their time on the Young Changemakers Programme. Here’s what some of them had to say:

How did the Young Changemakers Programme provide you with ‘A Space To Be Me’?

Iola, Co-Producer on the Young Changemakers Programme says:

I joined the Changemakers programme shortly after making the legal decision to change my surname from a traditionally English surname to my Zimbabwean surname. I had regretted it at first, as people warned me of the prejudice having a non-English surname would come with but this programme confirmed I made the right decision. I grew up in my three years on the project and I saw that I didn't have to conform and could be who I truly am, while being respected. I am glad I changed my surname and that it now is published on the resources we created. The programme genuinely did create a space to be me.

Naomi, Co-Producer on the Young Changemakers Programme says:

Through mentorship and opportunities to co-produce and lead in projects. All ideas were welcomed, and it never felt judgemental. It was a space to be authentically you!

Mariama, Co-Producer on the Young Changemakers Programme says:

I was surrounded with likeminded people who shared the same goals of creating sustainable change. The staff also gave me a space to let them know of any thoughts and concerns I had.

Young Changemakers: ‘A Space To Be Me’ Report

For the past three years, we’ve been working with Young Changemakers to reimagine mental health support for Black and Black mixed-race heritage young people. Through social action projects, the Young Changemakers on this ground-breaking programme have been bringing their ideas to life and creating the change they want to see in mental health.

Alongside the celebration event, we’ve published insights gathered throughout the programme in the ‘A Space To Be Me’ report. Throughout the development of the report, we worked together with Peer Researchers as we believe it is crucial to involve Black and Black mixed-race heritage young people in the design of mental health services and policies so they can make support more effective, break down barriers, and reduce mental health stigma.

We're calling on the mental health sector and the government to work collaboratively with Black and Black mixed-race heritage young people to tackle the issues that the the Young Changemakers have identified through this programme and report. We need to do more to tackle racism and work with Black and Black mixed-race heritage young people to deliver mental health support that meets their needs.

READ THE YOUNG CHANGEMAKERS: 'A SPACE TO BE ME' REPORT HERE