Being a youth ambassador for the Charlie Waller Trust

TG: How long have you been a youth ambassador for the charity?

TP: I became a Youth Ambassador for the Charlie Waller Trust in January 2023.

TG: And what motivated you to apply for the role?

TP: After graduating with a degree in Social Policy and drawing partly on my own lived experience of depression, I was eager to explore opportunities in the mental health charity sector.

The Youth Ambassador role stood out because of its flexibility—it allowed me to focus on my specific interests while gaining broad exposure across the Trust. 

TG: What have you been involved with at the Trust since becoming an ambassador?

TP: I’ve had the opportunity to get involved in a wide variety of projects! These include delivering workshops both internally and to external partners, reviewing resources with a focus on policy, and designing a podcast episode. Additionally, I contributed to an Oxford University research project, BReal, as a member of its Advisory board, where I helped shape student-facing content and provided insights into key discussions.

TG: What have been your highlights?

TP: One of the biggest highlights has been connecting with the other Youth Ambassadors during our virtual meetings every six weeks. These sessions provide a fun opportunity to share updates, collaborate, and stay informed about developments within the wider Trust. 

Another key highlight was delivering a co-production workshop at a recent King’s College London student mental health conference. It was really rewarding to showcase the work of our Ambassador group to key figures across the sector, while engaging in honest conversations about the challenges and realities of co-production in practice.

TG: How has it impacted you personally?

TP: This role has helped me develop practical skills, such as workshop facilitation and podcast production, often pushing me outside of my comfort zone.

I’ve also gained a deeper understanding of how charitable organisations operate, which has been incredibly valuable when applying for my first full-time role in the sector.

Most importantly, it’s shown me the power of combining my knowledge, education, and experiences to drive positive change. 

Along the way, I’ve made great friends and grown both personally and professionally.

TG: And finally, what would you say to someone thinking of applying to be a CWT youth ambassador?

TP: Go for it! The role is incredibly flexible, allowing you to tailor it to your interests and fit it around other commitments. The team at CWT is genuinely supportive and always open to new ideas, giving you the opportunity to take initiative and have a real influence. It’s a fantastic chance to be part of something that’s making a real impact within the Trust and beyond!

Find out more and apply