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Healthwatch Rutland involved nearly 1000 young people in secondary schools and head teachers in primary schools in a mental health survey and other activities to understand what ‘a clear voice for young people looked like’. It was clear that the key points were; understanding the issues, identifying solutions and raising awareness. Young people and providers mapped current services and found the gaps and identified how they would like them filled, then ran a “Dragon’s Den” where providers “pitched to fill the gaps”. Rutland County College hosted a pilot to test a range of new approaches together. A short film about the issues where young people described their lives and the pressures they feel; the project was presented nationally. Young people from Rutland popped up all over to champion an improved service and in doing so gained influencing and leadership skills. Working together with young people and across organisations has started to produce solutions. There was a clear call for the destigmatisation of mental health, early intervention to prevent later more serious illness and joined up support with schools, service providers and other local organisations anxious to collaborate together to find solutions. Young people and Healthwatch were invited to work with Health and Social Care Chiefs planning substantial new funding. Healthwatch and the young people of Rutland are pleased their voices have been heard but won’t be completely happy until the stigma of mental health is gone. Funding was secured to enable all the secondary schools in Rutland to participate in the “train the trainer” scheme – delivered by Young Minds - to bring resilience training to the schools. Primary schools were also offered a full programme of training for staff to help improve the emotional health and well-being of pupils.

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