Wellbeing
Challenge Days
Youth Focus: North East
Youth Focus North East is a charity which works across the
region to improve the lives of young people.
We work to connect young people with the organisations and
professionals who support them.
We pride ourselves on our practice of Co-Creating programmes
with young people to overcome challenges and meet their needs
and interests.
Passionate about young people having a voice and being
heard.
 Three main areas – Delivery, Strategic and Development.
Wellbeing Challenge Days
Wellbeing Challenge Days
Wellbeing Challenge Days
Process:
Simple 3-step process which is completed at a time to suit the different
groups, ranging from one week to six weeks in total.
Step 1: The groups meet for the first time and take part in a variety of
teamwork and communication activities designed to make them an
effective team.
Step 2: The groups then work together to plan a project based around
one, or all, aspects of the 5-a-day for Wellbeing tool. They pitch their idea
at a community panel to gain funds for their project and have to show a
clear rationale and budget for the delivery of the project.
Step 3: The project is delivered within the community to engage with as
many people as possible to promote awareness of mental health.
Wellbeing Challenge Days
In Numbers:
Overall Project Steering Group
7 Young People (Aged 13 – 18)
Individual Project Steering Groups (x 7)
126 (81 YP & 45 Adults)
Overall participants in events (x 7)
1,795
Wellbeing Challenge Days
Locations:
• Newcastle
• Gateshead
• Northumberland
• South Tyneside
• Teesside
Partners:
• North East Mental Health Development Unit
• Forward Assist
• Thrive
• Thirteen Care and Support
• Bluewatch Youth Centre
• Royal British Legion
• Felling Youth Group
• Stockton Youth Services
• Bluewatch Youth Centre
• NHS South Tyneside Nurse Cadets
• Stockton TA Cadets
Wellbeing Challenge Days
Roles:
Young people learned about the key themes to maintain and improve
mental health.
Took on the responsibility to promote this message to a wider audience.
Took a lead role in planning the events and gained a range of skills and
new experiences.
Through Wellbeing Challenge Days they:
• improved communication and planning skills;
• took responsibility for managing the budgets;
• formed new friendships;
• learned how to share and promote positive messages;
• gained new knowledge and empathy for others; and
• obtained leadership skills.
Wellbeing Challenge Days
Outcomes
C Improved mental wellbeing
C1 Improved mental wellbeing for individuals
C2 Increased awareness and improved attitudes towards mental
wellbeing for individuals
A3 Increased awareness and improved attitudes towards mental
wellbeing for families and carers
C4 Increased confidence and competence in employers to support
mental wellbeing promote good mental health and address the
stigma of mental illness.
C5 Increased capacity, skills and confidence in local communities to
promote mental well-being
C6 Prevention of exclusion of people with mental health problems
from the wider community
Projected
80
580
Actuals
251
1,504
450
1,795
7
2
580
1,504
80
251
Wellbeing Challenge Days
6 Step up to Serve Principles of Youth Social Action.
Challenging Challenge and overcome generational barriers.
Youth Led
Socially
Impactful
Lead role in planning the projects and responsibility for managing budgets.
Participants and communities benefit from new friendships, new
knowledge and empathy for others; ultimately raised awareness of
positive mental health.
Embedded 126 volunteers = 1,512 hours. Many have remained in contact and are
continuing to volunteer within their communities.
Progressive Each of the groups is tasked with proposing and delivering a project that
will impact and have a legacy on the local community.
Reflective Participants complete an impact measurement tool to identify personal
development achieved around six key themes:
• Confidence,• Communication,• Decision-making,
• Planning,• Knowledge, • Teamwork
Wellbeing Challenge Days
Outcomes
“Our collaboration with Youth Focus: North East has enabled us to deliver
meaningful outdoor activities to disengaged young people, whilst utilising
our veterans’ leadership and transferrable skills to improve the mental
health and physical wellbeing of all involved.”
Tony Wright, Chief Executive, Forward Assist.
“The Wellbeing Challenge Days are fun, exciting and engaging. I’ve
enjoyed taking part because it’s got me more involved in the community
and has also got me out of the house.”
Kurt Atkins, WCD steering group, aged 14.
Wellbeing Challenge Days
Barriers/Challenges
A lack of trust.
Poor info about how to get involved and benefits.
Insufficient time.
Access.
Lack of confidence.
Insufficient resources.
Negative attitudes and stereotyping.
Priorities.
Turnover of staff and volunteers.
Wellbeing Challenge Days
Wellbeing Challenge Days
Wellbeing Challenge Days
Final Thought
We believe that the term ‘Hard to Reach’ is a contradiction and creates a
barrier in itself when it comes to engagement.
It is more likely young people find it ‘Hard to be Heard’ as they, OR
ADULTS, either lack the skills, knowledge and confidence to engage.