Listening to Young Voices: The impact of the ‘My Perspective’ Programme.

Recently, Luke Newman, founder of ‘For Men To Talk’, joined forces with ‘Parallel Lives’ to deliver a new pilot programme called ‘My Perspective’. This project was rolled out in a local school, working closely with Year 9 students.

The aim of the programme was simple — to listen. Too often, young people feel unheard. One thing we kept hearing over and over was: “No one listens to us.” That’s a powerful message, and one we must take seriously.

The ‘My Perspective’ workshops focused on mental health and gave students a safe space to talk openly about their struggles. These students, aged just 13 and 14, are going through a time of big change. They’re not little kids anymore, but they’re not fully grown either. This stage in life brings a lot of emotional, physical, and social challenges.

The sessions helped the students explore what was troubling them — both at home and in school. They spoke about family issues like divorce or money worries. Some shared that they felt left out or overshadowed by brothers and sisters. Others talked about how hard it was to feel confident or happy with who they are.

In school, the challenges were just as real. Many talked about the pressure to get good grades, the fear of speaking in class, or feeling like they weren’t smart enough. Others opened up about friendship problems, bullying, and how hard it can be to fit in. Some said they didn’t feel understood by teachers or didn’t know how to ask for help.

For the staff involved, the experience was emotional. It was also eye-opening. We realised that when we stop and listen, young people are very clear about what they need. They want support. They want to feel seen. They want adults to understand, not just tell them what to do.

Luke Newman summed it up well: “Young people are crying out to be heard. We need to stop talking at them and start listening to them.”

The ‘My Perspective’ pilot wasn’t just a mental health workshop — it was a conversation. A chance for young people to be honest about their world. And a reminder to all of us that these conversations matter.

We are proud of the students who took part. They spoke bravely. They supported each other. And they helped us learn what life looks like from their point of view.

Our hope is to take this pilot forward, reaching even more young people. Because if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s this: young people have a voice. It’s time we started listening.