YAPS project video - I don't let mental health define me

Last year we wrote about the Young Adult Peer Support project (YAPS) at Ponthafren Association in North Powys, and interviewed Zoe Greenslade, one of the members. YAPS offers peer support mentoring to young people (16 - 25 years old) who experience mental health issues, by helping to give them a voice of their own in the development of services.

Robin Green
YAPS Admin Assistant

The first phase of the project has involved recruiting, training and supporting Youth Peer Mentors and coordinating activities and opportunities for them to advocate for the needs of young people who experience mental health issues.

In Autumn 2014 the group decided they wanted to make a music video using music over still photographs. Previously the group had set up various workshops on song writing, music, photography and mental health awareness. 

Inspired by all their learning the young people worked with the YAPS Administrative Assistant, Robin Green, to achieve their aims, and the video has just been published on YouTube. It addresses the theme of stigma, challenging some of the commonly held myths around mental health issues which particularly relate to young people. 

The YAPS group remains a small but passionate group but those involved would like to encourage more people to join them to develop future projects. These include a public relations event and an audio play.

Meetings are held at Ponthafren Association in Newtown for two hours each week, and anyone aged between 16 - 25 is welcome to join the group. You can find out more by calling 01686 621586 or 07792 346 519 or email: yaps.project@ponthafren.org.uk

So, watch the group's first video and let us know what you think.

YAPS is one of six projects funded by the Big Lottery Fund as part of the One Powys Connecting Voices programme managed by Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations.

You can find out more about Ponthafren Association here.