"The only problem with children's mental health services is that it's run by adults"

Charlotte, Youth Voice Volunteer

What is Youth Voice?

Youth Voice is a group of young people from different schools and colleges volunteering to come together from across Kirklees to collaborate ideas on improving mental health services.

Northorpe Hall and Thriving Kirklees is a children's mental health service run by adults but we're working on making our voices heard. Our voices make Northorpe Hall and Thriving Kirklees a better place.

We share our thoughts and experiences on everything Northorpe Hall do as a charity. Whether that's sitting in on an interview panel to telling them what we think of the letters Northorpe Hall send out; our opinions matter.

Youth Voice meet every first Monday of the month (unless it's a bank holiday) 5-7pm at The Northorpe Barn, Mirfield.

Youth Voice has helped me meet new people and share my ideas on mental health.

Sticky note with words: Youth voice has helped me meet new people and share my opinions and ideas on mental health.

It's a fun escape where your voice gets heard.

Youth Voice Aims

Youth Voice aims to improve the stigma around mental health in young people by giving ideas and opinions on different ways to move forward with new plans for those who may need support.

Youth Voice makes Northorpe Hall a better place with our views.

I like it because we are helping the younger generations.

Stickynote with words: I like it because we are helping the young generations

Youth Voice gives me a sense of importance and makes me feel heard.

Stickynote with words: Youth voice gives me a sense of importance and

Our logo

We recently did some work on designing a logo for our group. We wanted the logo to be inclusive and link in to the Northorpe Hall colours.

The microphone is central to the logo design as we felt our voices are important and heard by Northorpe Hall. We wanted bright colours to be used for the logo to stand out but also the colour needs to be gender neutral so as to be inclusive. The three dots represent people; everyone is welcome at the group and everyone gets a say. The dot colours are the Northorpe Hall logo colours as we wanted a tie in to Northorpe Hall.

Youth Voice makes me feel like I'm influencing services that people like me will need.

Stickynote with words: You voice makes me feel like I'm influencing services that people like me will need

Youth Voice aims to make Northorpe Hall a better place with our views.

Stickynote with words: Youth voice aims to make Northorpe a better place with our views

Children's Mental Health Week

This year's #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek theme is "Let's Connect". Our Youth Voice Group have put together a playlist of their favourite "pick me up" songs on Spotify.

Stress Awareness Month

We were asked what messages we would like to send anyone feeling stressed or anxious for Stress Awareness Month. These are our responses, we all agreed that no one should feel alone.

Don't bottle up how you feel.
You're not alone
Talk to someone
Don't avoid what makes you feel stressed. If I avoid something it makes it worse.