How it all started...

In 2016, Kingston and Richmond Youth Council (KRYC) was engaged by Healthwatch Kingston and Richmond to undertake peer research into young people’s knowledge and understanding of emotional health and well-being issues. Young people said: 

“We are not able to connect with professionals at mental health services and we feel we have not been listened to or taken seriously”

Healthwatch’s research highlighted the need for a process that would enable young people to play an active role in informing local health and care priorities. 

In April 2018, building upon the Healthwatch Kingston established Task Group model, they met with Healthwatch Richmond and other key stakeholders to explore setting up a Youth Health Task Group. Young people at Kingston and Richmond Youth Council initially renamed the group to Youth Health Task Force, before finally settling on Youth Out Loud! (or YOL!).

 Who are 'Youth Out Loud!' ?

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YOL! has brought together young people aged 13-17 years from across Kingston and Richmond and they collaborate with Healthwatch to scrutinise local health and social care services through mystery shopping and ‘Enter & View’ visits.

“We are interested in how the local health system works, we are looking to understand what children and young people think about it and improve its services.”
Launching Youth Out Loud! 
The ‘Youth Out Loud!’ launch event took place on the 8th of April 2019 at Heatham House. 

At the event, we heard from Youth Out Loud! members and watched the new short film that the group worked on.
The making of this video was supported by:
How can Youth Out Loud! improve services  
for young people?

Through our links to Healthwatch Kingston and other partners, Youth Out Loud! has access to Healthwatch research, service evaluation skills and communication capacity. 

YOL! make films, run surveys to gauge young people's opinions and use Healthwatch Kingston’s powers to enter & review health and social care services. We scrutinise how services could or should improve for children and young people in Kingston and also make formal recommendations to providers and commissioners of those services. So we really do make a difference to young peoples experiences of health services in Kingston! 

Read more about our projects or join us! 

Who are Healthwatch Kingston? 



Healthwatch are the independent champion for people who use health and social care services, here to make sure that those running services, put people at the heart of care. Their sole purpose is to understand the needs, experiences and concerns of people who use health and social care services and to speak out on their behalf. Healthwatch focus on ensuring that people’s worries and concerns about current services are addressed and work to get services right for the future.
Youth Out Loud! work with the Healthwatch Kingston to engage with, review, and feedback to, services for young people living in Kingston.
 
How Healthwatch Kingston work

Healthwatch are there to listen to what you like about services and what you think could be improved. No matter how big or small the issue, they want to hear about it.
Where possible, Healthwatch will let you know when changes are planned to services in our community and help you have a say. They will also encourage those in charge of local care to involve you when changes are being planned to services.
You can also speak to Healthwatch Kingston to find information about health and social care services available locally.

Healthwatch Kingston's approach

People's views come first - especially those who find it hardest to be heard.
We champion what matters to you and work with others to find ideas that work. We are independent and committed to making the biggest difference to you.

You can find out more about Healthwatch Kingston, their ongoing work and opportunities by selecting the button below:
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