#WeHearYou

#WeHearYou is an invitation to help empower adults with children and young people in their lives to have the confidence to 'lean in' when they notice something that concerns them. It helps to provide communication and listening skills and tips to help support their child or young person.

These resources also provide support and tips for young people to support their peers, if they notice something that worries them.

#WeHearYou is about remembering and recognising that we all get it wrong sometimes.

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Tips for children and young people communicating and listening to support their peers

"I just want someone to listen to me and not judge or ask questions."
"Provide reassurance - everything will be okay."
"Research different places, online or in-person, where you can get support from."
"Provide reassurance - everything will be okay."
"Talk to other people or someone you feel safe and trust to talk to."
"It is easy to feel lost, this is okay. Try to get involved or get support from a trusted adult."
"I understand and know not everyone has 'someone', but you're not alone."
"I can relate. More people than you think can relate."

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"Give reassurance, listen and make them feel safe."
"It can depend, read and know your child. Be flexible with them and work with them."
"It is not your fault."
"Build a connection and talk to them."
"Listen to them, don't compare your experiences to theirs."
"Provide reassurance - everything will be okay."
"Talk to them. You need to understand and show interest in finding out what is going on behind their behaviour."

Validation – Parents / Carers

Our families have told us that learning about validation can be a game changer in terms of building understanding, trust, and emotional connection.

It involves acknowledging and accepting another person’s thoughts and feelings as valid and understandable. Adults can sometimes move too swiftly to problem solving.

Spending time demonstrating that you “get it” helps the young person feel valued, understood, and respected. This is a skill that can be practised and developed.

#WeHearYou

Tips for children and young people communicating and listening to support their peers

"Give reassurance, listen and make them feel safe."

"It can depend, read and know your child. Be flexible with them and work with them."

"It is not your fault."

"Build a connection and talk to them."

"Listen to them, don't compare your experiences to theirs."

"Provide reassurance - everything will be okay."

"Talk to them. You need to understand and show interest in finding out what is going on behind their behaviour."

Validation – Parents / Carers

Our families have told us that learning about validation can be a game changer in terms of building understanding, trust, and emotional connection.

It involves acknowledging and accepting another person’s thoughts and feelings as valid and understandable. Adults can sometimes move too swiftly to problem solving.

Spending time demonstrating that you “get it” helps the young person feel valued, understood, and respected. This is a skill that can be practised and developed.

Useful Resources - Parents / Carers

NHS This May Help - How to help your child through the teenage years

NHS This May Help - A parent’s guide to understanding teenagers

Anna Freud – Parent/Carer tips for talking to their child

Anna Freud – Parent/Carer tips for talking to a young person at secondary school

Useful Resources - Children and Young People, Peer-To-Peer

Helping Someone Else – Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families

Mental Health Foundation

Young Minds – Supporting a Friend / How to Talk to a Friend

Further support Parents/Carers

The following have top tips regarding successful communication with young people:

MindfulTeen

Family Lives

Unicef

NHS

Young Minds

Voices of Youth

This May Help

Mind – Friends and Family

Mind – Helping Someone Seek Help

Mind – Making Yourself Heard

This May Help – Supporting your Child

Family Lives – Spending Time with Your Teen

Family Lives – The Importance of Communicating with your Teenager

#WeHearYou

Tips for children and young people communicating and listening to support their peers

Tips for parents/carers in ‘hearing’ and supporting their child or young person

"Give reassurance, listen and make them feel safe."

"It can depend, read and know your child. Be flexible with them and work with them."

"It is not your fault."

"Build a connection and talk to them."

"Listen to them, don't compare your experiences to theirs."

"Provide reassurance - everything will be okay."

"Talk to them. You need to understand and show interest in finding out what is going on behind their behaviour."

Validation – Parents / Carers

Our families have told us that learning about validation can be a game changer in terms of building understanding, trust, and emotional connection.

It involves acknowledging and accepting another person’s thoughts and feelings as valid and understandable. Adults can sometimes move too swiftly to problem solving.

Spending time demonstrating that you “get it” helps the young person feel valued, understood, and respected. This is a skill that can be practised and developed.

Useful Resources - Parents / Carers

Useful Resources - Children and Young People, Peer-To-Peer

Young Minds – Supporting a Friend / How to Talk to a Friend

Further support Parents/Carers

The following have top tips regarding successful communication with young people:

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