Activists are young volunteers who are passionate about mental health or have experienced challenges related to mental health in their lives. They campaign to create positive change, and help shape and influence the work we do.
Our Activists come from a range of backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, sexualities and religions – everyone’s welcome and the diversity of our Activists is part of what makes the programme so exciting.
The Activist programme will be relaunching in September 2026. Check back here soon for details of how to apply.
About the Activist programme
The Activist programme is designed to support young people to:
- connect with their activism
- learn new skills
- get involved in campaigning for change
- try new things
- discover new interests and talents
Take a look at some of the skills and experiences our Activists gain on the programme.
- Meet and connect with new young people and professionals.
- Explore activism in fun, creative spaces.
- Access skill-building opportunities.
- Learn more about mental health and social justice issues.
- Build media and presenting skills.
- Share your story and use your voice to create change.
- Inspire others to get involved in social action.
- Learn and grow in a community that cares about each other.
- Build skills that will help inspire social action in other young people.
- Share your story and encourage other young people to find the courage to talk about mental health.
- Use your experiences to inspire change.
- Use your voice to talk about the things that impact mental health in different spaces and places.
- Speak up for change as part of a collective of campaigners.
- Explore how mental health issues impact people and communities in different ways.
- Work together with lots of different people to dream up big solutions to the big issues that impact young people’s mental health.
- Work with teams across YoungMinds to raise awareness of the issues impacting young people’s mental health today.
- Work with YoungMinds to improve the experience of young people with mental health struggles on a national level through advocacy and influencing.
- Co-design resources for young people, parents, carers, and professionals.
- Co-produce campaigns with us.
- Speak out about young people's mental health in the media and events and conferences.
- Co-create social media content.
- Work with our policy team to ensure youth voice shapes all our policy.
- Keep young voices at the centre of decisions and conversations about mental health.
- Influence YoungMinds' campaigns and services to ensure that we’re driving to improve the issues that young people care about the most.
What do Activists do on the programme?
Our Activists commit to a two-year programme designed to take them from learning the basics to running a major, real-world campaign. Along the way, they will connect with an amazing community of peers, work closely with our staff, build transferable life skills, and get equipped to lead activism and campaigning in their own local communities if they wish.
Here is a breakdown of what Activists do and the toolkits they build across the two years:
Year One Building the foundations and designing the campaign
In the first year, Activists learn all the skills needed to understand how to create a campaign. During this year, the cohort works together to design and create their very own campaign from scratch.
Year Two
In the second year, Activists move from planning to action and deliver the campaign they designed in Year One. This could involve raising awareness of youth mental health, calling for policy change by the government, or creating tangible changes in their own local areas.
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Campaign delivery and advocacy
The cohort brings their campaign to life by leading the public launch, rolling out social media toolkits, speaking to the press, and meeting face-to-face with MPs and senior leaders to demand real change.
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Community activism training
Activists get practical training on how to write grants and manage budgets. These skills are designed to help them become independent activists and campaign for change within their own local communities long after the programme ends.
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Graduation and celebration
At the end of the two years, the cohort takes part in a graduation ceremony. This is a special space for the young people to come together, reflect on their journey, and celebrate everything they have achieved over the past two years.
Activist commitments
To make sure the cohort thrives as a team, Activists are asked to commit to a few core things across the two years:
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Committing to the full two years
Staying with the programme for the entire two-year cycle to get the most out of the experience and see the campaign through from start to finish.
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Maintaining 75% attendance
Aiming for at least 75% attendance across the core programme, which works out to attending at least 6 out of the 8 online sessions. We hold an online session in the evening every fortnight.
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Prioritising in-person days
Attending the vital in-person induction day in September or October, and making every effort to join the other in-person days, which happen about once every three months.
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Helping build and run the campaign
Bringing their energy to the planning sessions in Year One, and helping lead the action in Year Two.
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Making time for 1:1s
Jumping on a monthly catch-up call with their allocated team member to touch base on how they are doing.
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Sharing feedback
Providing honest reflections to staff on what is working and what needs to change. This programme is for the young people, so the team wants to know if something isn't working, while also making time to celebrate the wins!
The team completely understands that life gets busy and things happen. The programme entirely pauses during May and June for exam season, so anyone focusing on revision can do so without any extra distractions or programme commitments. If an Activist ever needs to step away or take a temporary timeout from the programme for any other reason, staff will always work with them to make sure they are supported.
Whenever the cohort meets up in person, travel expenses are always covered, and plenty of good food and refreshments are provided.
More opportunities for young people
Take a look at some of the other ways you can get involved as a young person with our work.
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Youth Advisors work alongside YoungMinds staff, making sure that everything we do is done in partnership with young people.
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Our Youth Panel discuss the big picture questions about our organisation and shape the future of our work.
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Take a look at the opportunities we have to share your mental health story by writing for YoungMinds.