There aren’t many young people who have a tattoo to remember the support they’ve received from us – but that’s exactly what one young woman from Brighton did.
Soph, 21, got a tattoo of a purple heart as a memento of her time as a volunteer for our e-wellbeing service – a youth-led digital service and participation group for young people. “E-wellbeing is important to me and I wanted to have the tattoo as a reminder that I can do lots of things.”
In addition to volunteering for e-wellbeing, she is one of our Youth Ambassadors who volunteer their time and expertise to help develop Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) workshops and resources across Brighton and Hove. She said: “I have seen first-hand the difference it makes when young people are genuinely listened to and our views respected.
“I’ve helped come up with ideas to include in the charity’s e-wellbeing website content for children and young people and for their social media posts. Our group suggested covering myth-busting posts around different mental health topics and I was keen to see posts on neurodivergence. I have autism and ADHD and I’m passionate about spreading awareness of how that impacts someone.
“As a former Patcham High School and Varndean College student in Brighton, it was great to go back to both with other youth ambassadors to speak about mental health – something I have struggled with myself. It was clear to me that the students were happy to talk with other young people rather than older adults. The teachers also came up to me and told me how proud they were of me which was lovely!
“Twice now I have attended the schools Mental Health Champions celebration events and it was great to see how the students’ new ideas on improving wellbeing at school have taken off.”
Soph also attends our Youth Advice Centre (YAC) in Brighton. “I come every week to YAC. I’ve had a lot of trauma in my past and that led me to have a lot of mental health struggles.
“Earlier this year I had a crisis, took an overdose and ended up in hospital. The community mental health team told me I could get one-to-one support at YAC and I started seeing [Support and Advice Worker] Jo [Jarvis]. She has been really good and actively listens to me. YAC is my favourite place to come.
“If it wasn’t for Jo, I don’t think I would still be here. That sounds depressing but I didn’t feel fobbed off at YAC. Unlike my experience with some other services, I felt seen as a regular person. She has got to know me to the point she can tell when I say I’m fine but I’m not.”
She added: “Everyone I’ve met at YMCA DownsLink Group – through e-wellbeing, Youth Ambassadors and YAC – has made me feel safe, supported, listened to and respected.”
Looking to the future, Soph can see herself working in mental health.
“After everything I’ve been through and what I’ve learnt, I’d like to help others. I’ve always had lots of pets and my dream job would be to help people with a support animal.”
