Everyturn - Youth Participation Pilot

The young people who struggle most with their mental health are often the last to seek help and the least heard when services are designed. In Newcastle, young people will be trained as advisers, peer researchers and mentors – and a dedicated log will show what services do with their advice. Kavli Trust is giving NOK 1.25 million to an 18-month pilot.

About the project

Everyturn Mental Health will recruit 15–25 young people aged 13 to 18 from groups that are seldom heard: care-experienced young people, young people not in education, employment or training, young carers, LGBTQ+ young people, young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and young people from marginalised communities. They will be trained in peer support, active listening, boundaries, safeguarding, research methods, communication and leadership, and can take an accredited Level 2 qualification in advice and guidance.

In the first year, the young people lead 25 outreach sessions in schools, youth groups and local communities, reaching 600–900 of their peers. They carry out their own insight research and present at least four concrete recommendations. Each recommendation is entered in a “You Said, We Did” log showing what the service did in response, and at least four will be implemented. In the final six months, young people and staff will co-design and test peer support in Everyturn’s children and young people’s services. The pilot is phase one of two and will be evaluated at 12 and 18 months.

How will Kavli Trust’s funding be used

The grant covers a part-time Youth Participation Coordinator and a part-time Outreach Support Worker. It also covers travel, food, access support and payment for the young people’s time, training – including an accredited Level 2 qualification in advice and guidance – supervision and professional support, outreach activities and evaluation.

About the Everyturn Mental Health

Everyturn Mental Health is a national UK charity that has worked in mental health for almost 40 years. It delivers services commissioned by the NHS and local authorities, including NHS Talking Therapies, crisis support and dedicated services for children and young people. In Newcastle, Everyturn runs the open-access service Streetwise and the Nook crisis service, among others. This is the first time Everyturn has received funding from Kavli Trust.