Young people in Reading need safe spaces for mental health support
Report by mental health charity say they want to be able to meet in person
Last updated 14th Jan 2022
A local snapshot of the voices of young people, reflective of the national picture about mental health, early intervention, and knife crime, has been published in a report by Reading-based No5 Young People.
The 'Restart Youth' project was devised and delivered by young, lived experience leaders from No5 alongside under-represented groups of young people who took part in trusting and transparent conversations about their needs. The report was also compiled and written by young people.
The findings of this project sit alongside No5’s Young Ambassadors ‘The Impact of COVID-19: The Voice of Young People’ report, compiled in September 2020.
No5 says the report provides simple and actionable solutions to the increasingly serious mental health challenges faced by young people especially in relation to loneliness, gang membership and knife crime.
The young people who took part in this study were consistently clear on what solutions for early intervention and prevention they need. These are safe spaces, support, confidentiality and community.
Carly Newman, No5’s Operations and Relationships Manager who delivered on the project, and compiled the report, alongside No5’s Projects Coordinator, Abbie Trussler, said:
“the voices of local young people are always at the centre of our service development, delivery and training. This project has allowed us to reach young people from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences, and we feel positive that the commitments and next steps outlined in this report are reflective of the wide-ranging needs of young people in Greater Reading.”
“The young people we have worked with are a testament to the power of young people’s voices. We hope this report will inspire and drive us all to have young people alongside us in all decisions made about the services we offer.”
The report is free to download here