Your life is shaped by more than you.
The people you know, the places you spend time, and the services and decisions around you can all influence what growing up feels like.
Some things help you feel confident, supported and included. Others might make everyday life harder. You don't need to understand how everything works—or figure it all out alone.
Who's around you—and what do they do?
Some people help you directly. Others make decisions that affect your life even if you've never met them. Choose a part of everyday life to explore.
One situation. Different kinds of help.
When life feels complicated, several people may be able to help in different ways. Select a situation, then explore who might play a part.
Sometimes the problem isn't you.
Sometimes support exists but isn't explained. Sometimes the journey to an activity costs too much. Sometimes one service doesn't know what another is doing.
“Hard to reach”
What if the opportunity is far away, expensive, inaccessible or never clearly advertised?
A better question:How could this opportunity become easier to find and access?
“Not engaging”
What if the young person doesn't feel welcome, safe, understood or able to take part?
A better question:What would make taking part possible and worthwhile?
“Not asking for help”
What if it's unclear who to ask, what will happen next or whether someone will listen?
A better question:How can adults make help easier to understand and reach?
Who could I talk to?
You don't need to explain everything perfectly. This optional tool helps you put together a few questions for a conversation with an adult or service.
Nothing is sent or saved by this page. Your answers stay in this browser page temporarily and may disappear when you refresh or leave. Skip anything you don't want to answer.
You can take this at your own pace.
Understanding the people and places around you can make it easier to ask questions, explore opportunities and recognise what support you should be able to expect. You don't need to explore everything today.
Map your journey
Reflect privately on experiences, relationships, opportunities and what you might need next.
Explore the mapWhat I wish adults understood
Turn your thoughts into notes, a letter or an email if you want to share them.
Explore the writing toolFind out more
Explore the youth-facing resources and the wider thinking behind NAYD.
Visit the resource libraryThis is an educational resource, not a live support or referral service. If you need urgent help or feel unsafe, speak to a trusted adult or appropriate emergency service.
NAYD is part of YOUTHOOD. Links to other NAYD pages are placeholders until their published Squarespace URLs are confirmed.