How do we build better mental health services for young people? By asking them to lead the way.
On 29 May, Surrey Youth Voice hosted a celebration event. It marked the graduation of its second cohort of In Our Own Words (IOOW) youth researchers. This was a wonderful chance to show their families, friends and professionals all their hard work.
About the IOOW programme
As part of Surrey Youth Voice, this unique project explores new ways to involve youth voice. It is designed to engage with young people who are less often heard. The project empowers young people aged 14 to 18 to become youth researchers. This includes young adults up to age 25 who have additional needs or disabilities. The core idea is simple: we do research with young people, instead of about them. Youth researchers investigate the issues that matter most to them and their peers. To keep the project true to this mission, a small group of youth advisors helped to co-design IOOW. They helped to shape how the programme was designed and delivered.
The impact of IOOW
- turning real experiences into real evidence. Young people’s personal stories become strong data. This data can influence major decisions and change systems
- helping adults understand young people’s lives. The research shows decision-makers what it is really like growing up today. It highlights the challenges, the barriers, and what actually works
- shaping better services. We share what young people have told us with schools, mental health teams, decision makers and support services
- amplifying unheard voices. IOOW offers a safe space for young people who are too often overlooked. Many of our Youth Researchers are young carers, LGBTQ+ youth or neurodivergent individuals
This year's research focus
IOOW welcomed eight youth researchers, aged 16 to 19, to the 2025/2026 project. The group included neurodiverse youth and others who have faced mental health challenges.
Since joining in October 2025, the youth researchers have trained at the University of Surrey. They learned professional social research methods. This gave them the tools to design, lead, and collect data for their own projects. Some of our youth researchers completed individual projects, whilst others combined ideas and worked together. The youth led studies combined academic research with personal passion. The researchers dove deep into a number of interesting topics:
- how staff workload impacts the ability to support students
- life experiences and their impact on psychological wellbeing
- how does early support affect emotional regulation and wellbeing for autistic girls and people assigned female at birth (AFAB)
- school experience related to stress
- understanding and treating autistic burnout in young people
- experience of young carers balancing life, school, and caring
Turning research into real world action
This work goes far beyond the classroom. Youth researchers will share findings with health services and senior leaders across Surrey. They will use their real, lived experiences to drive positive change in the community. We look forward to seeing how these vital insights will improve support for young people in Surrey.
Find out more
The full research findings and recommendation are available on the project web page.
Read the report recommendations
For more information or to get involved, please email the team at user.voice@surreycc.gov.uk.
A massive congratulations to our incredible youth researchers! Also, a huge thank you goes to the families of the youth researchers, partnership colleagues, and the University of Surrey. This brilliant project would not have been possible without their support.