For Youth Mental Health Day 2026, Zoe Green, Project Manager at Connect Alloa, shares how creating safe spaces, building connections and giving young people opportunities can help them take steps towards the future they want.

At Connect Alloa, we want young people to have a space where they feel welcome, supported and able to be themselves. As part of the youth mental health support available in Clackmannanshire, Connect offers a welcoming space where young people can access guidance and advice, learn new skills and build positive connections. Whether they need guidance and advice, want to learn something new, or simply want somewhere to connect with other people, Connect offers opportunities to build skills, confidence and positive relationships.

This year’s Youth Mental Health Day theme is #BuildFutureYou. For me, this is about helping the young people I work with see their potential and supporting them to take active steps towards creating the future they want.

That might mean trying something completely new, developing a skill they already have, or simply having the confidence to take that first step.

We offer lots of different activities to help young people do this. There are team-building games, Dungeons & Dragons sessions where young people have to think strategically and work together, and life-skills sessions covering things like cooking, health and hygiene, ironing and more.

We also want young people to see that there are different ways to learn, develop and gain recognition for their achievements. Through Connect, they can explore opportunities such as volunteering, Saltire Awards, Hi5 and Dynamic Youth Awards, as well as learning skills such as British Sign Language (BSL).

Youth mental health support in Clackmannanshire

Many young people can experience anxiety, low self-esteem or feeling overwhelmed about their future. Uncertainty around education, careers or personal goals can make it difficult to know what direction to take.

Having somewhere safe, supportive and welcoming can make a huge difference. It gives young people a place where they feel understood and accepted, helping to reduce isolation and making it easier to open up, ask for help and explore what comes next.

We’ve also thought about the physical environment at Connect and how it can support young people’s wellbeing. Our unit has a sensory room where anyone can go if they need to decompress or take a moment to themselves. Throughout the space, we also have things such as fidget toys, journals, snacks and drinks to help young people regulate and feel comfortable.

Sometimes, having somewhere to take a breather is just as important as having somewhere to learn.

The importance of connection

Friendships, relationships and a sense of community all play an important role in young people’s wellbeing. Having people around you who understand and support you can create a sense of belonging, while shared experiences provide opportunities to learn from one another.

That is exactly what we want young people to gain from their time at Connect.

Through workshops, mentoring, group projects and activities, young people can try new things, develop their talents and take ownership of their personal growth. It can be amazing to see how something that starts as a small opportunity can grow into something much bigger.

I’ve seen a young person gain confidence simply by taking part in a workshop and developing new skills. Later, they went on to take a lead role in a project, showing a real growth in their independence and self-belief.

It’s a great reminder that positive change doesn’t always happen all at once. Sometimes it starts with one opportunity, one conversation or one thing that a young person decides to try.

Your future doesn’t have to be figured out yet

If a young person feels unsure about what their future looks like, I would tell them that it’s okay not to have everything figured out right now.

Building your future is a journey, and every step you take (no matter how small) is progress. Trying different things and exploring different options can help you discover what you enjoy, what you’re good at and what you might want to do next.

I also wish more young people knew that asking for support is a sign of strength, not weakness. Reaching out shows that you care about your wellbeing and are willing to take positive steps to improve your situation.

My advice to any young person trying to #BuildFutureYou is to be patient with yourself, stay open to new experiences and remember that support is available.

Your future is built one step at a time, and every effort counts.