Every year we are asked by our funders to report and let them know how we are impacting the community and the people we work with.  The National Lottery Community Fund that supports the Mental Health Manifesto - Action For Our Future project, has asked us to report on our third year and below is a summary of the report.

“My favourite thing about being a C4C is all the people that can support you”. The Main Themes from our Mental Health Manifesto Project from April - June 2025

When we talk about family, we often picture a nuclear image: two parents, a couple of children, a shared home. But for many young people, that image doesn’t reflect their reality.

That’s what inspired the “What Does Your Family Look Like?” pilot project. At networking events SPW staff noticed how uncomfortable some young people felt when conversations turned to their home life.

“All of the young people were really engaged and seemed too really enjoy themselves.” The Main Themes from our Mental Health Manifesto Project from Jan-March 2025

In honour of Pride this month, James Lindsay (our Youth Action Academy member)  has written an informative blog covering the history and reasons why millions of people around the world stand with people in Pride. 

This Pride Month and ahead of School Diversity Week we speak with Lily from Just Like Us about the incredible resources and services they have for parents, carers, schools and young people.

We created an event co-produced with our young people purely to celebrate Intergenerational Week. The two suggestions were to have some form of competition involving games and the second was to provide a pamper session for those who wanted to relax and take time out.

This blog is to raise awareness of what children from single parent households need to thrive!  Our 2025 Youth Action Academy members (young people from single parent households age 16-24) have shared what they think a child living in a single parent household needs to go on to have a mentally healthy future. These were the 8 core themes running through all of their answers:

Connection with others with shared experience, emotional support, a safe, environment, clear communication, educational support, positive experiences, positive relationships and mental health support.

Inform and influence and build leadership skills.

If you’re interested in working with mental health, single parenting, or children and young people, plus work for a forward thinking, compassionate and empowering social enterprise then this is for you!

Champions 4 Change (C4C) is a youth-led volunteering opportunity for young people who want to make a difference in their community while building their own confidence, skills, and friendships.

“I’m going to ask my mum if I can come every week.”6 Main Themes from our Mental Health Manifesto Project from Oct- Dec 2024

The Big Meet Up’s are designed to bring families together for support, connection, and fun. We offer termly events for young people, with a range of activities. From arts and crafts to sports, providing opportunities for children to explore their interests and develop new skills in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Netflix’s Adolescence has got families talking — about the dangers online, knife crime, toxic influencers and the rise of misogyny both offline and online. The series shines a light on what growing up in a digital world really looks like for young people today. It’s sparked powerful conversations in the Single Parents Wellbeing community about screen time, social media, peer pressure, and how we protect and support our kids in the online world.

Below, we’re sharing real thoughts from single parents and young people, along with practical advice and ideas drawn from their lived experiences. Because when it comes to tech, parenting and adolescence — we’re all learning together.

“We have to top this year on year.” 5 Main Themes From Our Young Person’s Project.

A Thematic Analysis of Field Notes from July-Sept 2024 from the Mental Health Manifesto- Action for Our Future Project.

The Big Meet Up’s are designed to bring families together for support, connection, and fun. We offer termly events for young people, with a range of activities. From arts and crafts to sports, providing opportunities for children to explore their interests and develop new skills in a supportive and inclusive environment.

This Big Meet Up revolved around Christmas. We chose this theme to create a festive and fun environment ahead of Christmas.

Over the past eight months Talia, the Volunteer Manager of the Youth Action Academy (YAA) has been coproducing a ‘Reverse Mentoring’ session.  This involves the young people of the Academy talking to the staff working on the Mental Health Manifesto (MHM) project about their experience of certain topics.  All of the Youth Action Academy members are from single parent households and so have a unique perspective to share with us.  

An exploration of existing literature and research into into the co-production considerations when working with children and young people in mental health and wellbeing services.

“I’m Really Glad I Spoke To You.”

A Thematic Analysis of Field Notes from April- June 2024 from the Mental Health Manifesto- Action for Our Future Project.

What young people need to thrive and in a volunteering role.

Natalie Coombs, Lead service manager talks to us about Platfform, a mental health and social change charity and it’s work on the Power Up Project - providing frontline wellbeing support to young people experiencing challenges with their mental health.

“Look what I created!” 5 Main Themes From Our Young Person’s Project.

A Thematic Analysis of Field Notes from Jan-March 2024 from the Mental Health Manifesto- Action for Our Future Project.