APPG to discuss peer-to-peer support for mental health

Tuesday 26^th April, 5.00pm-7.00pm
Committee Room 10, House of Commons.

Dear colleague,

I am writing to invite you to the next meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Youth Affairs on Tuesday 26^th April  at 5.00pm in Committee Room 10, House of Commons.

The group is holding its third meeting of the year which will be focusing on peer-to-peer support for mental health. The meeting will explore a number of topics around mental health support including how young people themselves can raise awareness of and tackle mental health issues among their peers, and what other help is needed to combat poor mental health.

As you will know, the APPG on Youth Affairs is an unusual group in that young people attend the meetings and there is usually a lively debate between them and the Parliamentarians present. We hope that this meeting will be an interactive and informal forum in which attendees will discuss the issues that matter to young people.

But, to make this a success as a Parliamentary group, we need your help.  Could you please write to your own MP, any other Parliamentarians you work with and those MPs who you feel should be taking an interest in this subject, to encourage them to attend?  You can easily find your own MP (and that of each the young people you bring) here, by entering a postcode:  http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/.  If we don’t all actively reach out to MPs and Peers then the young people we serve are simply not able to enjoy the principal benefit of coming to Parliament, which is to engage with politicians.

Travel Bursaries

The British Youth Council have some funding to cover the costs of young people attending the APPG on Youth Affairs – especially for those who would not otherwise be able to attend. You will be entitled to claim an allowance up to the following amounts per young person aged 14-30, (and an accompanying adult for those aged under 16) depending on the distance travelled. These figures are a maximum, we will pay whichever is lower from the bursary amount or the full travel cost, on production of a valid receipt.

This will be available on a first come first served basis – you can apply by sending an email to francesca.danmole@byc.org.uk. Please note that reimbursements will be issued upon us receiving original receipts and a completed attendance/claim form at the event.

I hope that you and the young people you work with are able to join us to take part in this event. If you have any young people in your organisation who would like to come could you please contact Phillippa Lewis of the group’s secretariat to reserve a space on 020 7186 9551 or via email at appgonyouthaffairs@ymca.org.uk.

Yours sincerely

Liam Preston

Secretariat

All-Party Parliamentary Group on Youth Affairs

Sent by the British Youth Council (BYC), the National Council of Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS) and YMCA England on behalf of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Youth Affairs.