Youth In Mind Conference

For those who don't know, the Youth In Mind Conference is almost as brand new as we are, having run for the first time in March 2019. When I attended last year, the Oxfordshire Discovery College was just a little idea germinating in my brain, but I set myself the goal that next year I wouldn't just be an attendee. Next year I would be a stall-holder.

So I was delighted, this year, to be getting up at the crack of dawn on a chilly February morning, loading the car with my crate of eye-catching materials and slinging my new banner over my shoulder.

Despite the fact that I spilled coffee all over my white shirt just as all the delegates started to arrive, it was a fantastic day. There were interesting talks and panel discussions, I filled up two pages with peoples' details for a mailing list, and had valuable conversations with some new potential allies.

Whilst last year there was almost a sense of surprise that we were all there because we were invested in youth mental health ("what, all of us?!"), this year it felt like there was a wealth of validation and a very healthy appetite to actually do something about it. There was a feeling that, yes, we know that the prevalence is rising and people need our help, and yes, the wider world is beginning to notice that too. But what do we, an experienced and skilled and passionate collective propose to do about it. I can't speak to the outcomes that will result from the day, but I can say that I witnessed a huge amount of connection-making, and that collaboration has to be the first step in moving us forward.

Next year's goal? To run a workshop. Oxfordshire Youth, hit me up!