Core Connectors are young people aged 16–25 who help other young people have their voices heard.
Core Connectors listen to young people’s experiences of health and social care and by capturing and sharing what is working and what isn’t, they can help make a difference to local services.
Core Connectors have been a key part of Healthwatch York’s work over the last two years and have helped us to raise issues and concerns with those who have the power to make change happen.
Core Connectors have been:
- Going out to talk to young people at their schools, colleges, groups and other places
- Taking part in planned engagement activities with other Core Connectors and Healthwatch York staff
- Helping to conduct surveys and consultations in the local community
- Producing case studies to highlight people’s experiences
- Sharing information on social media.
- Finding new ways to hear what young people think.
The Core Connectors published their report and presented it to the City of York Council’s Health & Wellbeing Board in March.
Core Connectors project work for 2025-26
One of the major themes that came out of last year's survey was about access to mental health services. As a result, the Core Connectors have published a new survey which looks at young people’s experience of mental health services in York.
If you are aged 16-25 and have experience of mental health services in York that you would like to share you can find the survey here.
