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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

The Young Leaders group (formerly known as the Children in Care Council) welcomes new members. They meet once a month to have their say about services and systems that affect them.

A poster asking young people to join the young leaders group. Search " Young Leaders Council Leeds " on Google for more info.

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Young people in Leeds told us mental health support needed to change. Their feedback led to: - Better signposting - Improved hub environments - Clearer information Young people's voices changed services. #HealthBill #Leeds #IndependentVoice #YouthwatchLeeds

Image of two youthwatch volunteers at the Time for Young People service. The text below this reads: Youthwatch: Time for Young People. Tick - better signposting; tick - improved hub environments; tick - clearer communication and information

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

It is GCSE Results Day! To all our Youthwatch Leeds volunteers - whatever the outcome, take a moment to celebrate your effort, progress and achievements. A new chapter begins here. #GCSEResultsDay #GCSE #YouthwatchLeeds #HealthwatchLeeds

A GCSE Results Day graphic from Healthwatch Leeds and Youthwatch Leeds on a white background. Text reads: GCSE Results Day - Congratulations to everyone receiving their results today. Take a moment to celebrate your effort, progress and achievements. A new chapter begins here.

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

It is A-Level Results Day! To all our Youthwatch and Healthwatch Leeds volunteers collecting results today - whatever is in that envelope, grades do not define your worth or your future. You have shown incredible resilience. #ALevels2026 #ResultsDay #YouthwatchLeeds #HealthwatchLeeds

An A-Level Results Day graphic from Healthwatch Leeds and Youthwatch Leeds. Text reads: A-Level Results Day - Your Results. Your Next Move. Four options are shown: University, Apprenticeship, Employment, and Gap Year. A yellow banner reads: There is more than one way to move forward. A purple box contains the quote: Grades do not define you or your future - your character does.

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

A solar eclipse is taking place this evening. Watch it safely - wear certified eclipse glasses, never look directly at the Sun, or use a colander or pinhole projector to view it. Enjoy it safely, Leeds. #HealthwatchLeeds #SolarEclipse #EclipseSafety

A solar eclipse safety graphic with the Healthwatch Leeds and Youthwatch Leeds logos at the top. A dramatic orange and yellow sun burst background surrounds a black circle representing an eclipse. Text reads: Solar Eclipse - Enjoy the Experience Safely. Three safety tips are shown at the bottom: Wear certified eclipse glasses; Never look directly at the Sun; Never use a camera without a solar filter.

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Our annual report for 2025 to 2026 is here. It is packed with great stories. It shows that when people share their experiences and an independent organisation listens, services act. Read the full report on our website. healthwatchleeds.co.uk/reports-recommendations/2026/annual-report-2025-26/

healthwatchleeds.co.uk

Annual report 2025-26 - Your Healthwatch Leeds

Read the Healthwatch Leeds Annual Report 2025 to 2026. Find out how people's voices shaped NHS and social care services in Leeds this year.

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Inside the Cage is now open for referrals to our Community MMA Program! Over the coming weeks, they hope to begin offering support for young lads across South Leeds and Morley. Make a referral: forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...

Two young male MMA fighters with their coach.

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Yesterday we went to the launch of Inside the Cage (with The Mental Shift)—set up after the suicide of a young MMA fighter in Tingley. Founder Kai is partnering with MMA gyms in Leeds to provide early, consistent support for young men. More: thementalshift.org/inside-the-c...

A man presenting to an audience of young people. Beside him are banners for Inside the Cage and The Mental Shift.

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Leeds young people 👀 The future of the organisation that speaks up about health & care is changing… and we’re not letting adults make all the decisions without you. Drop your ideas here 👉 www.surveymonkey.com/r/FutureOfHWL

9 young people standing together, smiling.

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

Too many young people face barriers when trying to access mental health support. These barriers can make reaching out feel difficult, overwhelming, or impossible. We want mental health support to be easier to reach and more welcoming for young people.

Lowering the barriers: Youthwatch's top tips for mental health support young people can access.
Youthwatch Leeds is a self-led group of Healthwatch Leeds volunteers, aged 13 to 25. We make sure that young people’s voices are heard by health
and care services. Too many young people face barriers when trying to access mental health support. These barriers can make reaching out feel difficult,
overwhelming, or impossible. We want mental health support to be easier to reach and more welcoming for young people. To develop these tips, we visited spaces where young people receive mental health support and listened closely to what helps and what gets in the way. The following 11 tips are based on young people’s experiences and set out practical ways services can reduce barriers and improve access.

1) FRIENDLY SUPPORTIVE STAFF. The right staff makes all the difference. Having friendly, non-judgmental staff was voted as the most important factor in deciding whether young people would access a service. TOP TIP: add a ‘meet the team’ section to your social media or website!
2) CREATING A WELCOMING SPACE. Think carefully about the space you are creating. Make it calm, colourful, and non-clinical. Use warm, low lighting (lamps and fairy lights), comfortable seating, calming background music, and interesting posters and artwork. TOP TIP: display artwork created by staff and service users to make it personal.
3) PRIVATE SPACES. Privacy is key for young people sharing sensitive information. Offer private spaces proactively, so they don’t ask for them. TOP TIP: Private spaces can double up as a quiet room for people that need a low-sensory
4) LOCATION-ACCESSIBLE AND SAFE SPACES. Spaces should be easy to find, well-connected by public transport, and in areas that are well-lit. Avoid locations down alleys, and use bright signage visible from the street to clearly show where the service is. TOP TIP: think about what locations look like after dark.
5) MAKE ARRIVING,WAITING, AND SETTLING IN EASY. Provide low-pressure, comfortable spaces that young people can arrive and settle in nicely. Have a
staff member greet arrivals, offer teas and snacks, and provide activities or games to reduce the focus on waiting.
TOP TIP: ensure games and activities are easily reachable so young people can use them without needing to ask.
6) BUILD ACCESSIBILITY IN FROM THE START. Accessibility matters in terms of physical access, sensory needs, language, and information formats. Make sure accessibility features (like interpreters, step free access and more) are visible and offered to everyone from the very beginning. TOP TIP: accessibility helps everyone feel welcome.

I tickbox page that says I pledge to youthwatch Leeds.
1. We will provide friendly, supportive staff
2. We will create welcoming, non-clinical spaces
3. We will offer private spaces without being asked
4. We will choose locations that feel safe and accessible
5. We will give clear information before a first visit
6. We will build accessibility in from the start
7. We will make arriving and waiting easy
8. We will be flexible in how we offer support
9. We will create a sense of community
10. We will keep first contact simple and respect privacy
11. We will involve young people in shaping our service

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

We shared our 11 top tips to make mental health support easier to reach at the Child Friendly Leeds #Takeover2026 event and had meetings with website developers from @childrenssociety.bsky.social, commissioners at West Yorkshire, and MindMate Leeds, sharing young people’s voices.

Four Youthwatch volunteers at an event sat around a round table. Volunteers hold up the top tips document, one volunteer holds a photo poster saying ‘Youthwatch Leeds, Our Voice Counts’

Eight people in a video call meeting. All people are smiling.

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Day 1 of #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek 💛 We’re supporting @place2becharity.bsky.social and this year’s theme, ‘This is my place’, all about belonging and inclusive spaces. This really links to our Youthwatch work on making mental health support easier for young people to reach. More to come this week 👀

Proud to support Place2Be's Childrens Mental Health Week and this year's theme, This is my place, to create inclusive and nurturing environments, where children and young people feel they belong.

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Youthwatch has been working with The Children's Society to share young people’s views and improve their website and mental health drop-in service. Services work best when young people help shape them. Great to influence support that helps young people get the help they need. #YouthwatchLeeds

“As a strategic leader it is vital we hear directly from groups such as Youthwatch to inform/influence our service delivery. Youthwatch have been fantastic to work with and have provided us with so much more support that we could have hoped for. Their feedback has consistently placed young people at the heart of it which has helped us make effective decisions regarding service delivery. They have been a brilliant support and I'd really recommend utilising their expertise!”

Ellie Fairgrieve (she/her)
Head of Young People’s Services - Northern England
The Children’s Society

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

4 in 5 18-24 year olds would be willing to get the #HPV vaccination knowing it helped prevent 6 types of cancer. If you’re under 25 & missed the vaccination at school, you can get it from your GP. Find out more for #CervicalCancerPreventionWeek eveappeal.org.uk

#CervicalCancerPreventionWeek
4 in 5 18-24 year olds would say yes to the HPV vaccine knowing it reduced the risk of six cancers. Source: The Eve Appeal (YouGov). The Eve Appeal - the gynaecological cancers charity

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

Happy New Year to all of our volunteers, staff, board directors and followers. We look forward to our upcoming project this new year and making sure everyone's voices are heard.

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Youthwatch volunteers will be visiting time for young people services within Leeds to see where the services succeeds and needs improving on. After giving feedback, we will continue working with the service to help them improve to make it more accessible for young people.

A poster with a picture of youthwatch volunteers. On the poster there's text that reads,"Youthwatch on the road:Time2talk Making mental health support easier to reach."

A poster explaining the project that youthwatch volunteers are doing involving the service time for young people.

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

It's Loneliness Awareness Week. Marmalade Trust is here to help in finding ways to connect and combat loneliness in our communities. Visit www.lonelinessawarenessweek.org/meeting-lone... to find out more. #LonelinessAwarenessWeek #MarmaladeTrust #ConnectToSupport

A Loneliness Awareness Week poster that says "Meeting Loneliness Together" 9th-15th June 2025

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

We have published a report looking at how young people want to interact with the WellWave Sexual Wellbeing Service. We discovered how young people find information, which social media platforms they use, and what they would find useful. healthwatchleeds.co.uk/reports-reco...

Wellwave youth sexual wellness. Friendly, non-judgmental, information and support around sex and relationships.

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

Hayley, a Podiatrist, is inviting adults who have experienced diabetic foot ulceration to participate in a short anonymous survey. This research aims to enhance the cardiovascular health of individuals with diabetic foot ulcers. southampton.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_... #Diabetes

Diabetic foot ulcers. Have you or someone you know experienced them?
My name is Hayley and I'm a Podiatrist conducting research through the University of Southampton. I am interested in hearing your experience via a survey. More information about the survey can be accessed by scanning the QR code or using the link below. Please feel free to share with anyone that may be willing to contribute. Results will help improve the health of people living with diabetic foot ulcers in the future. Survey closes at midday on 15th June 2025. Thank you.

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Good luck to all our volunteers who started their GCSE exams this week and to our A-level students whose exams begin next week 🍀 We know how much hard work, time, and commitment you have put into preparing for them, so now it’s your time to shine! Good luck! #ExamSeason #GoodLuck

Good luck with your exams from Helathwatch Leeds.

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

May Youthwatch Leeds meeting completed! We had a great meeting planning for future Youthwatch projects... We spoke about: 🌟 myth busting mental health 🌟 school's role in supporting young people's mental health 🌟 challenges supporting their parents with limited English 🌟 the area you live in

Youthwatch volunteers standing together.

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Last week, we went to a social sciences career event for students at Roundhay Sixth Form. We told them about @healthwatchleeds.bsky.social and how people’s voices are creating positive change in health and care. Big shoutout to our volunteer, Yusuf, for repping Youthwatch and Roundhay like a pro! 🙌

Yusuf talking to a group of students at the healthwatch leeds table.

Yusuf and Craig standing with the Healthwatch Leeds banner.

leaves with young peoples feedback written on them.

Paper leaves with feedback written on them.

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Calling all young people. Help us improve mental health crisis service access for children and young people in Leeds👍 Did you know that NHS 111 has a mental health option? If you have contacted 111 for your mental health, how was it? How could it be better? www.surveymonkey.com/r/NHS111CrisisSM

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

Youthwatch volunteer, Sidra, smashed it today by presenting about the work we have been doing in collaboration with WellWave, a new sexual health support service in Leeds. Well done, Sidra! 👏 👏 👏 #WellWave #SexualHealth #Volunteer

Sidra and Annie holding the WellWave social media report.

Sidra is gesturing a thumbs up in front of her presentation, which is projected onto a wall behind her.

Sidra looking at the people on a screen in an online meeting.

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Meet Annie – our new YouthWatch worker at Healthwatch Leeds! She’s taken over from Rameesah and we’re excited to see what’s next. Want to get involved? 📧 info@healthwatchleeds.co.uk 📞 0113 898 0035 🌐 healthwatchleeds.co.uk/youthwatch/ #FallTransition #YoungVoices #YouthWatchLeeds #Leeds

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Did you know that 8 in 10 autistic people experience mental health issues such as anxiety or depression? #WAAM25 #Autism #MentalHealth

8 in 10 of autistic people experience mental health issues.

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

We are supporting #WorldAutismAcceptanceMonth because we want to ensure that autistic children and young people's voices are heard and to raise awareness for parents, carers, other young people and health and social care staff to better understand autism. @autisticsociety.bsky.social

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

Today we say farewell to Rameesah, our amazing Community Project Worker & YouthWatch Lead. From volunteering in 2014 to leading YouthWatch in 2023, she’s inspired so many & made a huge impact, especially through the Oral Health report. We’ll miss her greatly! Wishing you all the best! #ThankYou

A collage of many photos of Rameesah with the text in the middle "Goodbye Rameesah"

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

GEN Z - we want to hear from you! If you are... a young person who lives and/ or studies in Leeds, aged 13-24 years old, happy to spare no more than 5 mins - we want to hear your opinions! Help us transform social media accounts related to sexual healh for young people in our city! Be part of the

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Big up Rameesah, our Community Project Worker and YouthWatch Lead, spoke on @channel4news.bsky.social about what children and young people have told us about their mental health after the announcement about age limit to disability support. #MentalHealth #YoungVoices

Rameesah smiling in the Channel 4 studio. The presenter is checking her notes and Rameesah is sitting next to Anastasia.

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Reposted by YouthWatch Leeds

Healthwatch Leeds @healthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

It's #StudentVolunteerWeek. Matty is one of our student volunteers and our youngest board director. He represents the work of @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social and values seeing the difference he can make. If you want to make a difference, you can do this with the flexibility of our volunteer roles.

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Reposted by YouthWatch Leeds

Healthwatch Leeds @healthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

Day 2 of #StudentVolunteerWeek. Wumi has been volunteering with @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social for a while now, to gain experience in the mental health sector and to ready herself for the working world once graduating. Set yourself apart from others by volunteering for us. #LeedsStudent

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Reposted by YouthWatch Leeds

Healthwatch Leeds @healthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Happy student volunteer week. Our @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social volunteer, Katie, would like to tell you what she enjoys about volunteering with us and how this has helped her as a student. If you are a student, get in touch to start your volunteer journey today. #StudentVolunteerWeek #LeedsStudent

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Last week was the first YouthWatch meeting of 2025. We had guests Dominique from the West Yorkshire Provider Collaborative and Sylvia from the Children's Society. Volunteers gave valuable feedback about how to be more young people-friendly. We look forward to seeing the difference they made. #Youth

Youthwatch volunteers with Silvia and Dominique stood together for the picture.

Dominique presenting to the YouthWatch volunteers.

Volunteers making notes around a drawing of a stickman.

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YouthWatch Leeds @youthwatchleeds.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Hello, We have made the move to BlueSky. Follow us to find out about how YouthWatch is making a difference in children's and young people's experiences of health and care services. Working with @healthwatchleeds.bsky.social we make sure everyone's voice is heard, including young people. #YWLeeds

Youthwatch volunteers standing together as a group, smiling and holding up a peace sign.

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