'Change Your Mind About Youths'

15 July 2013, 06:00 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A new project's being launched in the North East to improve the way GPs treat young people with mental health problems

The collaborative project between Tyneside Mind, Changemakers and the Regional Youth Work Unit (North East) will see young people aged between 16 and 24 going into GP practices and making them more youth-friendly.

GPs are often the first port of call for young people experiencing a mental health problem - this project will see them work towards a 'You're Welcome' accreditation - to recognise that they adopt a youth-friendly approach to healthcare.

Stuart Dexter, Chief Executive of Tyneside Mind, told Capital:
"Putting young people at the heart of this organisational change at GP practices will ensure that the GPs learn first-hand how to help all young people, as well as providing those volunteers with a unique opportunity to influence how primary care health services are delivered including informing future commissioning by Clinical Commissioning Groups."

How Does It Work?

Changemakers places a Volunteer Coordinator within a GP surgery who will engage a group of young volunteers.

The Volunteer Coordinator will research and represent the views of young people on the health and wellbeing services provided by their GP surgery.

Participants will be paid by Changemakers for 10 days to support a GP surgery, at a rate of £50 per day.

Alongside Change Your Mind About Young People, the changemaker will participate in The Changemakers Experience, a leadership development programme that will equip young people with the leadership skills needed to undertake their placement.

The Changemakers Experience includes:
* A 2 day / 3 night residential
* Skills development days
* Social action project
* 121 coaching sessions
* Graduation Event

Sessions for The Changemakers Experience will take place in Newcastle, with a national residential and graduation event at the beginning and end of the programme away from the region, whilst participants will be placed within a GP surgery in their local area.

Who Can Be A Changemaker?

* 16-25 year olds who are committed to challenging themselves and being part of a movement of leaders and changemakers.
* Enthusiastic young people with real leadership potential. 

There's more information about The Changemakers Experience and application forms HERE