Amplify
Amplify is a group of young people aged 16-25 who work closely with the Mindworks Board and attend board meetings to share their perspectives and be part of decision-making.
Amplify chooses 1-2 projects each year on topics that interest them, and has also held several events to promote Mindworks and engage with young people and families.
Surrey Youth Voice
Surrey Youth Voice is a collaboration between young people and staff and aims to bring abo
ut positive change in services for young people aged 8 to 25.
They do this by listening to young people via participation groups - hearing what works well and what needs to improve. They take feedback from departments in the council and other organisations across Surrey and influence development.
CYA - The Consulting Youth Advisors (CYA) are a group of young people aged 14 to 25. CYA is a supportive group, where you can meet new friends with similar experiences. CYA is passionate about improving emotional wellbeing and mental health services and often has visitors from Mindworks to hear their views on important topics. For more information: user.voice@surreycc.gov.uk.
This includes ‘Recruit Crew’, an opportunity for children and young people in Surrey to have a say on the recruitment of staff in child-based services. Young people sit on interview panels and their views are included in choosing who gets the job! Young people can earn money, build skills, and include their experience on their CV. For more information: user.voice@surreycc.gov.uk.
Young Researchers
“In Our Own Words” is a new project to train and support young people to become paid researchers and lead their own social research projects about young people’s experiences of mental health and support. The project is running from March – October 2024 and there are hopes to be able to extend it.
Using their research, young people will present findings and make suggestions to leaders in Surrey. For more information, please contact Lucy from the User Voice and Participation team: user.voice@surreycc.gov.uk
Family Voice Surrey
Family Voice is a parent/carer forum to share knowledge and empowerment to improve opportunities for our children. Family Voice Surrey champions the needs and rights of SEND families in Surrey: families with children or young adults up to the age of 25 who have special educational needs, and chronic illnesses, including mental health conditions, or disabilities.
Parents and carers do not need diagnosis and all staff at Family Voice Surrey are parents or carers themselves. They hold events, and forums and use action cards to respond to feedback and raise feedback with services.
Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum
Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum represents the needs and aspirations of a growing ethnic minority population in Surrey. Their mission is to ‘engage and empower minoritised communities to work together to actively find solutions to the social and economic challenges they face’ and voice the views of their members to services.
Healthwatch
Healthwatch Surrey champions the voice of local people to shape, improve, and get the 
best from NHS, health, and social care services. As an independent statutory body, they have the power to make sure decision-makers listen to your feedback. Their Helpdesk also provides reliable and trustworthy information and signposting about local health and social care services to help you get the support you need.
Surrey Coalition
Surrey Coalition is run and managed by Disabled People for Disabled People. Their aim is to campaign an
d promote the rights of Disabled people to have equality of opportunity and live independently. Their work focuses on 6 areas, 1 being mental health.
Mindworks opportunities
Many of the organisations in Mindworks have groups where young people or parents/carers can share t
heir views and experiences and meet other young people and families with similar experiences. Please get in touch with your local current organisation to see how you may be able to get involved!