WYC Youth Board
Young Voices, Big Impact: How Our Youth Advisory Board Drives Change
At Winchester Youth Counselling, we believe the voices of young people matter. That’s why our Youth Advisory Board, a dynamic group of young people, many with lived experience, shapes everything we do.
Representing Diversity: Our Youth Advisory Board members come from diverse backgrounds, including the LGBTQ+ community, neurodiverse individuals, and those from minority ethnic groups. This ensures we truly understand the needs and challenges faced by young people in our community.
Driving Positive Change: Our Youth Advisory Board plays a crucial role in:
- Understanding young people’s needs and perspectives: They inform our decisions and ensure our programs and services are relevant and engaging.
- Developing and implementing impactful programs: Youth Advisory Board members participate in shaping new initiatives and improving existing ones.
- Advocating for young people’s rights: They champion youth voices at local government and community events, ensuring their concerns are heard.
- Encouraging young people to reach out for support: Youth Advisory Board members actively engage with their peers, breaking down barriers to seeking help.
Actively Engaged: Our Youth Advisory Board meets monthly and participates in various activities, including:
- Providing feedback on our strategy, policies, and processes.
- Shaping the development of new and existing programmes and services.
- Representing WYC at events and fundraising initiatives.
- Advocating for young people’s rights and interests to decision-makers.
The Youth Advisory Board is the heart and soul of Winchester Youth Counselling, ensuring that young people are not just recipients of our services, but active partners in shaping their own well-being and that of their community.
Get Involved: Interested in joining the Youth Advisory Board and making a difference? Learn more about the application process on our website or contact Katy, our Youth Engagement Lead – katy@winchyc.org

Astrid
Hi, I’m Astrid! I’m passionate about making a difference in the mental health system and I have a big interest in psychology. I wanted to join the youth board because I believe in the importance of accessible, support and want to help services to support the needs of many different individuals.
I currently study psychology, sociology, and English literature and work part time in a pharmacy. In my free time I mostly enjoy drawing and spending time with my cat

Charlotte
Hi, I’m Charlotte! I’m 24 and have just completed my Psychology degree. I wanted to join the Youth Board as I care deeply for others and their mental health. Thus, being able to help or influence someone for the better is important to me. I hope that I am able to make a difference to people’s lives and be able to introduce better care and standards for our mental health system, especially for young people. In my spare time, I enjoy socialising with friends, getting to know people, exploring new places and cultures and I also enjoy learning new skills.

Harry
My name is Harry. I have a passion for youth mental health and I am hoping to complete a PhD and become a clinical psychologist in the future. I am also a scout leader in Winchester with both the 3rd and 2nd, the latter of which is an SEN group which is incredibly rewarding. I have decided to join the youth board because I know the services they provide would have made a huge difference to me and others when we were younger. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help Winchester Youth Counselling in any way I can, their work is incredibly important.

Iona
Hi, my name is Iona! I am currently studying A-level Psychology, Philosophy and English Language. I wanted to join the youth board because I care for others and their mental health. I am so happy to have been presented the opportunity to make a difference in a world which can be so difficult to navigate. As someone with lived experience of mental illness, I want to help as many people like me to access the support they need from Winchester Youth Counselling and be able to advocate for themselves in the process.
In my spare time, I love to cook, and this is my biggest passion. I am basically the rat from “Ratatouille” pretending to be a human. It does often feel this way as an autistic person and I hope to show other autistic people that it is okay to be different. I also love stickers!

Katie
Hi! I’m Katie. I’m 20 years old and currently studying Health and Social Care at university, aspiring to become a counsellor or social worker in the future. My personal experiences and understanding of the barriers young people face when seeking mental health support have fuelled my passion for advocacy in this area. I’m committed to making a meaningful difference by helping others to access the care they need and raising awareness of the challenges young people experience.
Joining the WYC Youth Board allows me to contribute to initiatives that promote accessible and inclusive services, reduce stigma, and empower young people to seek help with confidence.
In my free time, I enjoy reading, colouring, and listening to music, which helps me unwind and stay creative.

Kez
Hi! I’m Kez, I am 20 years old, in my second year at university, studying Law with Psychology.
I wanted to join the youth board because I am eager to contribute my energy, experience, and insights to help address issues that matter to myself and the younger generation as a whole.
I’m partially deaf however, it isn’t always obvious. I’m interested in shining more of a light on these types of ‘invisible’ disabilities alongside the rest.
I am a friendly, ambitious, and adventurous person. In my free time, I like to busy myself with catching up with friends & family, playing pool, taking my dog for a walk, and going swimming.

Olivia
Hi, I’m Olivia! I’m 21 and currently studying Law. I’m hoping to become a barrister one day, as I have a massive passion for advocacy. This is one of the reasons I wanted to join the WYC Youth Board. Alongside my own personal experiences with mental health, I’ve learnt the importance of mental health services and having a supportive community.
I spend most of my free time getting involved with university life, I regularly help at Winchester Students Union. When I’m not advocating for others, I’m spending time with my adorable pets!

Tae
I wanted to join the WYC Youth Board because I feel it’s important to have a space where young people have the opportunity to express issues that are important to them such as mental health and self-esteem. I am studying childhood and youth studies as I am interested in the cognitive development of young people. In my spare time I enjoy listening to live music and writing poetry.