News

The Children and Young People’s Mental Health Service (CYPMHS) at the North London NHS Foundation Trust is proud to be celebrating the one-year anniversary of its Youth Board. What began as a small group of four passionate individuals has become a dynamic team of 16 brilliant young people, all dedicated to shaping the future of mental health services.

The Board is a safe and supportive space for young people who have been discharged from services and allows them to stay involved as experts by experience.

 

Over the past year, the Youth Board has embraced co-production, working right alongside our teams to ensure that the voices of young people are at the heart of service design and delivery.

 

Achievements this year

The Youth Board has made a significant impact at all levels of service development. Their input has shaped and improved our CYPMHS services. Here are some highlights:

 

Neurodevelopment Service (NDS) tri-borough pathway

The Youth Board provided vital insights that helped shape the NDS pathway across three boroughs. Their contributions ensured the service can be more responsive to, and inclusive of, neurodivergent young people.

 

Digital solutions in RiO (merging partnership)

By co-producing digital solutions for the RIO system, the young people have helped make it more accessible and user-friendly for our service users.

 

North Central London (NCL) waiting room design

The Youth Board played a central role in designing the NCL waiting room, ensuring it was as welcoming for young people as possible. Their insights have ensured that young service users can come and feel supported from when they arrive in the service.

 

Naming the Barnet Enhanced Support Team (BEST) and wellbeing hub

The Youth Board demonstrated creativity and understanding by co-producing the names of these services, ensuring that they resonate with the youth they serve and reflect the service values of inclusivity and support.

 

Empowering young people

Beyond making service improvements, the Youth Board’s greatest achievement is how it empowers its members. The young people on the board receive training to develop the skills they need to make meaningful contributions as members. The board is a safe and supportive space for young people who have been discharged from services and allows them to stay involved as experts by experience.

 

The forward view

The Youth Board is already looking to the future and planning exciting new initiatives to continue their impact:

 

Youth-led podcast

In the coming year, the Board will launch a podcast where members can share their lived experiences, discuss mental health topics, and invite professionals to provide expert insights. This platform will key in furthering education and reducing stigma around mental health.

 

Parents’ and Carers’ Board

A new Parents’ and Carers’ Board will complement the work of the Youth Board, ensuring that mental health care takes the perspectives of whole families into account.

The journey of the Youth Board so far is testament to the power of youth engagement and the value of co-production. Their contributions have enriched our services, and their influence will continue to shape the future of mental health care.

 

As we celebrate this milestone, we reaffirm our commitment to listening to and empowering young people, fostering a culture of inclusion, and ensuring that their voices remain at the centre of all we do.

 

Here’s to another year of growth, innovation, and meaningful change!