100 Voices, One Room: What Gravesham’s Youth Just Told Us About Mental Health, Work, and Social Media

Today, the energy in Gravesham was electric - as well as the incredible temperatures on what is the one of the hottest days on record.

We brought together roughly 100 incredible young people for a massive, honest conversation about what it’s actually like to grow up in Kent today.

The day was led by young people. With students facilitating three different themed discussions with the aim to learn, and gather the hard data to prove what they are going through.

Through a mix of live, anonymous polling and open workshops, we dove deep into three massive topics. And because wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do, we also, naturally talked about how each area impacted mental health.

Here is a snapshot of what went down, while the temperature today went up!

1. Social Media & Me

It’s no secret that life online is complicated. Today’s workshops went beyond the usual "screen time is bad" narrative. The youth opened up about the pressure to be constantly available, the subtle hits to their self-esteem, and how algorithmic loops affect their daily anxiety levels.

2. Youth Spaces & Community

Where do young people go when they aren't at school or at home? The overwhelming consensus? We need better, safer physical spaces. Loneliness is a silent crisis, and our polls highlighted a massive demand for community hubs where young people can just be without pressure or cost.

3. School and the World of Work

The jump from the classroom to the workplace feels wider than ever. The anxiety surrounding the current economy, job stability, and whether school genuinely prepares them for real-world stress was a massive talking point.

So what next?

Young people facilitating the event brought together the data and lived experiences of their peers to give a presentation at the end of the day to 100 young participants and adult decision makers including teachers and local councillors.

They each decided this was just the beginning with the aim to take these findings and work to make positive changes; approaching Government officials, contributing to National research and policy.

Importantly the group called for more youth provision - a space for them to meet, feel safe, have fun and revise.

From Gravesham to Whitehall: Why This Data Matters

We aren't letting these insights sit on a shelf. The quantitative percentages from our live polls and the powerful qualitative stories told in our workshops are being packaged up immediately.

We are incredibly proud to share these findings with several external organisations including:

• Alan Milburn, to inform his vital paper on the youth crisis and the economy.

• A national think tank specifically looking into young men’s mental health.

• Key research groups fighting for systemic change across the UK.
  
  
  NOTE: full paper with results to be published and made available to the public in the coming 10 days
  
  
  Want to know more?
  Contact hello@thegrand.org.uk or call 01474 320123