Young Women in Mind programme

The Young Women in Mind programme was established to help improve the mental health of women aged 16-25 in the UK. The Pilgrim Trust has committed £5 million in funding over five years (2021-2026). Grants support organisations that increase young women's access to high quality, age and gender specific mental health services in North East England and Yorkshire and the Humber. The programme addresses the sharp rise in mental ill health among young women, with over 25% experiencing mental health problems. Social factors and structural inequalities exacerbate these problems and make it difficult for them to access resources and services. The 16 to 25 age group experiences many life challenges, with most mental health problems revealing themselves before age 24. Grants range from £60,000 to £100,000 spread over three years and cover project costs, staff costs and fees, advocacy, learning and evaluation costs. Eligible organisations must directly engage with young women aged 16-25, offer age, gender and trauma informed mental health services, provide safe women-only services and spaces, involve those with lived experience in service design, and create fully integrated 'wrap around' programmes of mental health support. The programme requires grantees to form a cohort throughout the 3-year grant period to explore best practice and advocate for wider change, creating impact that reaches beyond immediate beneficiaries.