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Co-designing solutions to mental health challenges

Most mental health issues start before the age of 25.

Through the Kailo programme, we are working with young people and communities to understand the root causes and co-design solutions.

Working with an exciting collaboration of partners including UCL and Dartington Service Design Labs, we have supported communities to lead change, built a clearer picture of local mental health needs, used research and data to guide action, and identified where real change is possible.

Youth groups and community organisations have worked with us on the impact of violence and crime and making youth clubs more inclusive and less stigmatised.

Young people in our Kailo focus groups

In Newham, young people have used creative storytelling to champion youth spaces on social media. We have teamed up with the local authority and Newham Youth Partnership to plan a youth-led event exploring the barriers to accessing life skills training in the borough.

Next, we are expanding into Camden and Havering to test how local authorities can lead Kailo’s community-driven approach.

It gives us as young people an opportunity to have a voice and see what we’re passionate about. I’ve enjoyed knowing we are making a positive change in our own area.

Young person from the Kailo small circles