YoungMinds and its coalition partners are delivering a Welcome Trust-funded program designed to support young people aged 18–25 to take part in a meaningful, skills-based journey into mental health advocacy and influencing.
Part of the Head On campaign, the program responds to the urgent need to build stronger public and political pressure for improved mental health provision, by supporting young people most affected by current narratives to engage confidently with decision-makers and wider audiences.
The program will bring young people together to co ‑ produce and shape a youth advocacy pathway, followed by a structured training offer and opportunities to apply their learning in practice.
Participants will explore and use a range of public engagement approaches—including media, creative campaigning and direct engagement with MPs—to design and deliver advocacy activity at constituency and national level. Through a blend of co ‑ production sessions, training workshops and real-world activity, young people will develop the skills, confidence and connections needed to influence change.
The Senior Youth Participation Officer will play a key role in coordinating delivery across all phases of the program, ensuring activity is well-organised, inclusive and rooted in strong youth participation practice. Acting as the primary point of contact for young people, you will support their engagement, wellbeing and experience, while ensuring their voices shape program development. Working closely with internal teams and partners, you will support the transition from co ‑ production into delivery and real-world advocacy, helping to create a safe, empowering environment and embedding anti ‑ oppressive approaches throughout.
We are currently working with a hybrid working model, where there is the option of working from home combined with 4-12 days a month of working in the office.
About this role
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead the coordination of co‑production activity, including planning and organising sessions, managing logistics (venues, travel, access needs), and ensuring clear and timely participant communications.
- Act as the central point of contact for all young people involved in co‑production, providing consistent support, check-ins and ensuring their experiences and feedback are heard and responded to.
- Work closely with the Safeguarding team to ensure that all activity is delivered safely, with appropriate processes, consents and risk assessments in place.
- Coordinate and bring together internal stakeholders and external partners, ensuring contributions are aligned, deadlines are met, and sessions are effectively planned and delivered.
- Capture learning from co‑production activity and support the development of programme updates and reporting for internal stakeholders and funders.
- Gather, synthesise and apply feedback from young people, partners and colleagues to support continuous improvement and refinement of the programme.
- Act as the activity delivery lead across the programme, ensuring plans are implemented effectively and delivery remains on track.
- Maintain clear and accurate project documentation, including plans, trackers, feedback and participant engagement records.
- Embed youth participation and AJEDI best practice, ensuring that young people’s voices, lived experience and ideas are central to programme delivery.
- Apply YoungMinds safeguarding policies and processes to support safe working practices across all activity.
- Work collaboratively within a matrix management structure, building strong relationships across teams and contributing to joined-up delivery.
About you
Candidates will be shortlisted on the basis of meeting the following criteria to a satisfactory level:
- Relevant experience of youth participation, co‑production, or engagement with young people with lived experience of ill mental health
- Experience of coordinating projects or programmes, including planning, logistics, and delivery to deadlines
- Experience of acting as a main point of contact for participants, supporting engagement and responding to accessibility, wellbeing and or safeguarding needs
- Experience of facilitating sessions, workshops or group activities and using feedback to improve session delivery
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Head On - Senior Youth Participation Officer employer: Youngminds
At YoungMinds, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of young people and their families. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth through ongoing training and development opportunities, while our hybrid working model offers flexibility that promotes work-life balance. Join us in a role where your passion for helping others can truly shine, and be part of a team that celebrates diversity and inclusivity.
