The annual Big Conversation, led by HeadStart Kent and Kent Youth County Council (KYCC) took place on 27th March 2019. This year’s event received 150 young people from schools across the county, providing them with workshops and an opportunity to ask a panel of experts questions around emotional wellbeing and resilience.

The day was facilitated by young people from HeadStart Kent and KYCC, with Eleanor Burnaby-Rouse, Chair of KYCC, taking to the stage in the morning to introduce what young people both in Kent and countrywide are doing to raise awareness of mental health and support change. This was followed by workshops provided by Addaction, Maidstone and Mid Kent Mind, Porchlight’s Be You Project, the Self Esteem Team, Tree Light Yoga and young people with the HeadStart Kent team.

Whilst young people attended these sessions, staff from schools and services attending with marketplace stalls were provided with the opportunity to attend an Introduction to Co-production workshop delivered by young people from KYCC and HeadStart Kent.

The afternoon Q and A session featured a panel of experts including Matt Dunkley, Corporate Director of Children and Young People’s Services, representatives from NELFT who deliver the CAMHS service in Kent, School Nursing and Open Access Early Help as well as Jess Griffiths. Jess is now a young facilitator for Youth Voice, which is the combined meeting for HeadStart’s SpeakOut and KYCC, but has previously been a member of both groups and has represented young people at meetings countrywide, including at parliament, speaking about the importance of supporting young people’s mental health.

A video providing an overview of the day can also be viewed here.