YoungMinds Participation Project (VIK)

Our Participation Project consists of a network of young people who have experience of mental health problems or want to support young people with mental health issues who campaign at a national and local level to promote emotional wellbeing, challenge stigma and create better services for young people experiencing mental health difficulties.

The project is made up of VIRs (Very Important Representatives) and VIKs (Very Important Kids group). VIRs are a national network of YoungMinds campaigners.

If you become a VIR you will receive:

  • a monthly newsletter which includes information on both YoungMinds campaigns and policy work and the work of other young people’s organisations who are campaigning with young people to improve services.
  • links to petitions on a variety of issues and campaigning actions you can take.
  • opportunities to input into Government consultations we are writing.
  • the chance to get involved in media work.

VIK is a national panel of 25 children and young people aged 11 to 24 with mental health problems  who represent all the regions of England, they advise YoungMinds on its policy and campaign objectives.The VIK group meets every two months to discuss this work, advising our team on what they want to do and see change. The group facilitates much of the discussion itself, with support from staff.

VIK members are trained and supported to do high-profile work and lobbying. To date VIK have appeared on TV, radio, contributed to government policy reports, attended parliament, facilitated workshops and spoken at national conferences. We recently won the DSC Social Change Award for our influencing skills.

Get involved

Do you want to get involved? You can get involved as much or as little as you like.

Join VIR: Anyone aged 11-24 who is closely affected by mental health issues can become a V.I.R. To get involved, email vikinfo@youngminds.org.uk.

Join VIK: If you are interested in joining the VIK group drop us an email to vikinfo@youngminds.org.uk and we will let you know if we have any spaces.

VIK Website: The aim of the VIK website is to allow young people with an interest in or experience of mental health and emotional wellbeing to talk to each other, share experiences and discuss the work that VIK is doing. Log on and take a look.

You can also join us on Facebook or Twitter @YoungMindsUK.

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