The aim of this CAWS project was to gain insights from 16-25-year-olds regarding their health needs and their experiences in accessing services. Engagement was via surveys, interviews and focus groups alongside informal insight gathering at events and in local community areas, with additional insights from professionals.
The experiences that our young people shared show increasing barriers to accessing health services. These are driven and compounded by multiple factors including issues around awareness, self-confidence and trust, and increasing generational divides between how the system presents information and how young people access and use it. The report recommended introducing targeted holistic support, an integrated approach, raising awareness, investment in mental health and use of digital platforms.