With conventional services overstretched, teenagers in the Cumbria coastal town of Maryport teamed up to assist their peers. Frustrated by the waiting times for mental health services, they formed a group, We Will, to campaign for more understanding and skilled support for young people suffering mental ill health.
The group of teens knew they would need help to plan and organise their campaign, so a year ago they approached Kate Whitmarsh, development worker at the community group Ewanrigg Big Local, which has a mandate to grow grassroots initiatives proposed by anyone resident in the area.