Our Good for Girls programme offers young women and girls from Black, Asian and/or from minority ethnic communities access to relevant, holistic early intervention mental health support in trusted grassroots community youth spaces.   

The need 

Young people’s mental health is in crisis, with a growing number—particularly young women from disadvantaged backgrounds—struggling and in need of support. According to the King’s Trust Youth Index 2025, more than half of young women (58 per cent) feel anxious on a daily basis about their future, compared to 49 per cent of young men. In addition, one in four young women (24 per cent) are not confident that they will be able to achieve their life goals, compared to 18 per cent of young men. Despite the pressure they are under, young people are working towards a positive future for themselves and their communities. Having access to the right support is something that many feel could help them to succeed. 

The situation is even more concerning for those from Black, ethnic and minoritised communities, who are more likely to experience mental health issues but less likely to access support—and when they do, they often receive poorer outcomes (Race and Mental Health,’ The Unmistakables Report for Mind 2022). These inequalities make it clear that tailored, inclusive mental health support is more important than ever. 

“Good for Girls gave this young person confidence when discussing their emotions, something they had struggled with in the past. Good for Girls gave them an opportunity to take up a leadership role in shaping the social action project and become included amongst their peers. The young person, continued attending the sessions throughout the school year and began to form friendships in the youth club that made her feel more stable and less reliant on staff reassurance” – Youth Practitioner, Marys Youth Club   

Applications for Good for Girls are now closed.

At a glance

Good for Girls aims to support young women from Black, Asian and/or from minority ethnic communities to be able to turn to their youth worker for vital, early mental wellbeing intervention support.  

• Receive up to £5,500 per project

• Upskill at least 2 trusted youth practitioners through a bespoke training programme, building their ability to support girls’ wellbeing and mental health. 

• Recruit 15 young women and girls (aged 10–14) from Black, Asian or minority ethnic communities to take part in positive sport, movement and arts activities, and regular Talking Circles (you will receive training on facilitating these wellbeing conversations). 

• Support 5 of these young women and girls to lead and deliver a social action project focused on mental health and wellbeing 

• Recruit 5 young women (16+) as peer mentors, who will attend training sessions and apply their learning within their youth organisations 

Programme Timeline

Good for Girls will be delivered between September 2025 and July 2026. 

Young People Delivery 

• Sports, movement and arts and talking circle delivery: October 2025 – June 2026  

• Social Action Pitch Event: February Half Term 2026 

• Social action delivery: March 2026 – June 2026  

• Celebration Event: May Half Term 2026 

Peer Mentor Delivery 

• Peer Mentoring training:  January 2026 – February 2026 (1 session x 6 hours) 

• Peer Mentor Reflection Session: During Celebration Event in May Half Term 2026 

Youth Practitioner Delivery 

• Mandatory training: October 2025 – February 2026 (24 hours) 

Get in Touch 

If you have any questions about the programme, please email [email protected].

Funders and partners 

Good for Girls is funded by the Dukes Foundation and Kate Spade New York’s Global Fund for Women’s Mental Health, delivered in partnership with Haptivate, Teen Yoga Foundation, Partnership for Young London and PureGym.