The Isle of Wight Youth Trust is seeking young people on the island, aged 11-24, to join the Island Youth Mental Health taskforce as Island Youth Mental Health Ambassadors.
As a Mental Health Ambassador, you’ll be working with likeminded young people, together with the Youth Trust to raise awareness of youth mental health issues. Your views will also help to guide and advise the Youth Trust’s work to ensure that the needs of young people are being met on the island.
Youth Trust Director, Mairead Healy commented that young Islanders can feel that their voices are not being heard:
“In our recent Mental Health Census, a strong theme emerged that young people did not feel valued or listened to within the community. We want to help our young people stand-up on mental health and take the lead in important conversations and in decisions that affect them.
“That’s why we are seeking young people from all backgrounds to join our Youth Mental Health Taskforce. You could have direct experience of engaging with mental health services, or you might not, we want all young people who are passionate about making a difference to the experiences of young Islanders to consider putting themselves forward- so that together we can best meet the needs of all young people on the island.”
The Youth mental health taskforce will meet monthly and will engage in awareness raising activities that challenge the Island Community to think differently about youth mental health. The taskforce will be supported to develop their own ideas which might include producing and directing a play on youth mental health issues or putting together engaging materials on youth mental health. They will also work with the Youth Trust team to develop innovative programmes which will best meet the needs of young people.
All taskforce members will receive training and ongoing support, have loads of fun and have the opportunity make an impact in improving perceptions of mental health on the island and making a difference for all young people.
If you are interested, or know a young person who may be, you can apply by completing a short online application here or by visiting www.iowyouthtrust.co.uk/ambassadors before Friday 28th July.
