Children and young people across Kent, Surrey and Sussex have been stepping into the role of researchers, advocates and changemakers in mental health through the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey and Sussex (ARC KSS) Youth Research Partnerships.
Funded by ARC KSS, this series of youth-led initiatives have been reshaping how mental health services are designed and delivered, placing young voices at the heart of research and policy.
e-wellbeing Youth Research Project
Led by YMCA DownsLink Group in partnership with West Sussex Mind and West Sussex County Council, the 'e-wellbeing Youth Research Project' empowers young people to lead research into the mental health issues that matter most to them. Participants aged 13–25 received academic research training from organisations to design and deliver their own projects.
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In Our Own Words
The 'In Our Own Words' pilot programme, hosted by Surrey County Council, is a peer-led research initiative focusing on neurodivergent young people. It provided training and support for young people to act as lived experience experts, conducting research that reflected their unique perspectives.
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Youth researcher recommendations
Kent Youth Research Network (KYRN)
Hosted by Kent County Council, the KYRN is a vibrant and growing platform for young people aged 11–17 to conduct their own research into health and social care topics. Participants received training from the University of Kent and were supported to develop and carry out their own projects.
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These initiatives reflect a powerful shift in how mental health research is conducted—moving from research on young people to research with and by young people. By equipping them with the tools, training and platforms to lead, Kent, Surrey and Sussex are setting a national example for youth empowerment in mental health.
