What young people say about us
in their own words
I grew up in an educational system where we were laughed at by other kids. We were hidden, that is how some of us felt. So when I came here to do this programme, I felt people were actually listening to me and understood because I was with other people like me. We were talking about our special needs and our experiences. It was quite nice to know I was not alone. We all felt we belonged here, when some of us felt like they had not belonged anywhere.
We learned how to help people with mental health problems. The project gave us a self-esteem boost that we never had. We got qualifications whilst doing the peer education programme, which is great for people like me or people in general who struggle in mainstream education and who just wanted someone to help them, someone they can relate to.
“We all felt we belonged here, when some of us felt like they had not belonged anywhere”
My name is Callum and I joined Fitzrovia Youth in Action in September 2022 at 18 years old. I had recently dropped out of college, with little motivation to further my education. I wasn’t sure what to do so I searched through job listings, but with no previous paid or volunteer work experience, it was difficult to get my foot into the working world.
My sister who was a member of FYA a few years ago noticed that I was struggling and was developing bad habits such as staying indoors and playing video games all day – living an unhealthy lifestyle. She got me in touch with FYA where I met the team and decided to give this a go. The first project I joined was the peer education programme where I learnt how to plan a session, research activities based on the needs of the group, data entry and much more. I also learnt basic filmmaking and photography. During my time at FYA, I have been directly involved with different peer education groups, including groups with special educational needs and behavioural problems.
My involvement with FYA was the spark that reignited my passion to improve myself. It was because of this that I decided to go back into full-time education. My lack of motivation was gone and being involved with FYA made me feel more confident in progressing my education.
As I look back on my time at FYA I am grateful for what everyone has done for me and the friendships I’ve made.
"My involvement with FYA was the spark that reignited my passion"
Participating in the FYA ‘CAMHS to Community’ project was an opportunity that I’ll never forget. It has allowed me to speak on issues that are so stigmatised and advocate for young people who are experiencing difficulties. I hope that in the future, young people who attend this group make the most out of it as it is an experience to cherish and not miss out on - exiting CAMHS is hard as a young person who experiences low mood and other negative emotions that come with it. The transition is debilitating, making you feel as though you’re just being let off into the harsh realities of the world without being eased into it - I know this because I have once been this person.
Now as I am nearing to adulthood, I would like to continue to raise awareness and destigmatise the topic of mental health, especially in young people. The youth that are part of ethnic backgrounds also deserve to have an experience and opportunity like such. Shedding light on diversity and mental health within ethnic minorities is so important to me as a young Arab Muslim woman. I hope that this program will encourage POC participation.
In terms of my own goals, this scheme is incredibly helpful as it allows me to gain an insight on how it is working alongside mental health professionals as an aspiring Clinical Psychologist. I hope that there are more opportunities out there, not only for me, but for other young people who want to get out there and gain some sort of practical experience, and to provide them with a solid understanding on how it feels to network with professionals, while engaging in fun projects that emphasise the impertinence of these issues.
"An opportunity I will never forget"
Before I joined the programme, I had been out of school and was really struggling socially. I did not have many people to talk to and I felt lonely. Working with a social prescriber really helped me to start to feel more confident to join the wider programmes at FYA. This summer has been a period for me to remember. I have been involved with the school attendance programme, helped organise the Warren Cup, and took part in many fun trips. This experience had been so amazing that I brought eight new friends from my new school to join FYA.
“This summer has been a period for me to remember”
My experience with FYA has been positive. I have always been heard and I feel like everyone has been given a chance to share their thoughts on what affects attendance (school attendance project). I learned how to mentor and understand more reasons people might not be coming in and how to be a more empathetic person. Young people find it easier to relate to someone their own age.
“I have always been heard”
My name is Suraya and I began my journey with FYA at the age of 17. My first interaction with FYA was through the peer mentoring programme, where I trained as a mentor for other young people. This experience was inspirational for me in my role as Peer Advocate for the London Borough of Camden.
As part of the project, we produced a film, and this unleashed a creative avenue for me to really capture the lived experiences that I have and amplify the stories of those around me.
My journey at FYA really helped me understand what I would like to pursue particularly at a time where the pandemic just hit, and it was not only difficult to find work but to also find fulfilment in a world that was already challenging to navigate.
Taking up the opportunity with FYA was the start of my career as I was offered work as a sessional worker for FYA. The impact that FYA had on my career, and on my person was instrumental in who I am today. I learnt that being a youth worker and being someone frontline in the community was where my strengths and passion lie. I have since gone on to become a social worker, to stay better connected to the people around me and the community I hold dearest.
I am often recognised as a member of FYA, but also as a young person who has been through an array of services and am now a professional who is able to provide a service to Camden’s young people. My story would not have this ending if it wasn't for the opportunities that I've had access to or the wealth of expertise I’ve gathered from FYA.
“The impact that FYA had on my career, and on my person, was instrumental”
School is not a place where I would think of discussing mental health openly, even though I need a safe outlet since it affects my daily life.
I was not sure about how comfortable I would be in sharing my experiences when FYA was first introduced to me. There was a bit of doubt about the whole idea, however, when I got here, a change occurred. It was not long before I felt a sense of trust and openness within the group.
This created an environment where we felt more at ease discussing mental health, setting the stage for the positive experience that followed.
I now have the ability to understand who we are as people, to not judge a book by its cover, to ask people how they are truly doing, and, overall, have a more positive outlook on life.
When I think of peer mentoring now, I think of an amazing experience, that I have learnt so much from.
“A change occurred”
When I first arrived in the UK from Ghana two years ago, I was overwhelmed with sadness. I didn’t know anyone, and I felt completely lost, missing my friends and family. Depression took over, and I didn’t know how to find my place in this new world.
Everything changed when I was introduced to social prescribing. The support started with one-on-one sessions, where I could open up about how I was feeling. Slowly, I began to feel understood. After a while, I was invited to join a group of people who, like me, were struggling to feel part of this new society. Together, we worked on planning a street party for the community. That was a turning point for me. I finally felt part of something bigger and more connected.
Through the social prescribing programme, I was also helped to enrol in college, which gave me a new sense of purpose. On top of that, I was given access to tutoring services that boosted my confidence and helped me succeed academically. Thanks to all this support, I now feel more like myself again—part of a community, not just a stranger in a new place.
“I now feel more like myself again - part of a community”