Youth Social Action Resource Hub

This Mental Health Toolkit was funded by The Mayor of London to support young people’s mental health. The toolkit was co-designed by Volunteering Matters and Young People who champion positive mental health.

The Ukrainian-Russian war has led people all over the world to take action to support Ukrainian refugees who are in need. These young people have all done their bit too and shown how everyone can help make a difference. Eight year old Will donated a teddy to comfort another Ukrainian child, brothers Joseph and Theo from Dundee busked in the city Centre, while Ava-Rose, aged eight, cycled back and forth the Humber Bridge ten times in total!

KIDS, a UK national charity supporting young people with Special Education Needs & Disabilities (SEND), co-created a secret shopper initiative in North London with some SEND young people. As well as choosing a range of local venues to be evaluated against disability-friendly, accessibility and inclusiveness criteria, the project tackled loneliness for this group. The project addressed disability awareness across community organizations in Islington, raised the profile of disabled young people in the area, and made the community more inclusive, benefitting all local disabled people. 32 young people participated.

Made in 2020, 'Like A Person' is a short film, which was created by the LGBTQ+ young people of the Swindon-based Out of the Can youth project. This educational film captures the young people’s experiences in school and at home of allyship from those around them (e.g., teachers, parents, fellow pupils) and the huge difference that this makes in letting them be themselves and thrive. Examples include not misgendering a young person (using their chosen name and pronouns) and setting a positive example by standing up for a young person who was being bullied.

The passport supports the reflection process of #WeWill projects. Passports have been developed as a medium for pupils to record their journey through the social action process. It gives pupils tasks to be completed in class or as part of their home learning process. The passport allows pupils to record what they have learnt, learn more skills, and solve riddles through the use of their problem-solving skills.

The passport supports the reflection process of #WeWill projects. Passports have been developed as a medium for pupils to record their journey through the social action process. It gives pupils tasks to be completed in class or as part of their home learning process. The passport allows pupils to record what they have learnt, learn more skills, and solve riddles through the use of their problem-solving skills.

Race-based hair discrimination has been illegal in the UK since the 2010 Equalities Act, yet it still happens in schools. Black students may internalize Eurocentric beauty standards and be told that their hair textures and hairstyles are inappropriate or unattractive. The Equality & Human Rights Commission is monitoring the situation. However schools and young people can take action, such as signing up to the UK’s first Black hair code, The Halo Collective’s Halo Code. By adopting this, schools are taking a stand to ensure that no member of their community faces barriers or judgements because of their Afro-textured hair.