NAYD for Young People · Your words
What I wish adults understood.
Sometimes you know something matters, but finding the words is difficult. You don't need the perfect explanation before your experiences deserve to be heard.
This is a place to explore what you'd like adults to understand—about you, your experiences or what could work better. You can keep your thoughts private, write about general issues or prepare something to share. It's your choice.
01 · Before you begin
Your story is yours to share.
You can leave things out.
Write as much or as little as you like. You don't need to share personal or painful experiences to make a point.
You can speak generally.
You might want adults to understand something about young people as a whole, without talking about yourself.
You can change your mind.
Writing something here doesn't mean you have to send or show it to anyone.
Adults still have responsibilities.
Your job isn't to solve every problem. Adults should listen, explain what they can do and follow through responsibly.
This tool works in your browser. It doesn't send your writing to YOUTHOOD, save it to an account or automatically share it. Refreshing or closing the page may remove your words. Only copy or send something when you choose to.
02 · Find your starting point
There's no single right thing to say.
People may misunderstand how support feels, what makes a place welcoming or why an opportunity isn't easy to access. You could write about a small everyday moment or a bigger change you'd like to see.
Me, identity & belonging
What you want adults to notice, respect or understand about who you are.
Help, wellbeing & change
What makes support easier, harder or more useful when life changes.
Barriers & opportunities
What can get in the way of taking part, or what would make things fairer.
Voice, services & decisions
What adults should do differently when young people speak or decisions affect them.
The writing tool includes all 13 themes from the accompanying NAYD expression resource. You can pick just one.
Open the writing tool →03 · Put it into words
Your words. Your way.
Choose a topic, write anything that feels useful, and decide whether you want notes, a letter or an email. Only topics you write in will appear in your final message.
1. Choose what to write about
2. Choose the format
Your draft
Email drafts are copied as text; nothing is sent or opened automatically. Review any message before sharing.
04 · If you decide to share
Being heard should lead to a response.
You might choose to share your words in a conversation, meeting, message or anonymous feedback. You can also decide not to share them.
Before
Ask who will see your words, what can change and whether someone you trust can be with you.
During
You can ask questions, take a break, correct something or say you don't want to answer.
After
Adults should explain what they understood, what they can do, what they cannot do and what happens next.
If sharing feels unsafe
You could talk with a trusted adult or advocate first, use another feedback route or wait until you feel safer. You do not have to share details to prove your experiences matter.
If you are worried about your safety or someone else's, this writing tool is not a support or emergency service. Seek help from a trusted adult or appropriate local support service.
05 · Keep exploring
Your thoughts matter—even if you keep them to yourself.
There is no deadline for understanding yourself or finding the words you want to use. You can return to these ideas whenever you're ready.
Growing Up, Your Way
Explore what youthhood, support and development mean in everyday life.
Return to the introduction ↗My Youthhood Map
Explore your experiences, support, opportunities and turning points in a private workbook.
Explore the map ↗The NAYD Resource Library
Find the original downloadable What I Wish Adults Understood resource and other young people's guides.
Explore resources ↗Developed by YOUTHOOD
NAYD is developed by YOUTHOOD to strengthen understanding and support for young people's development.
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