Our approach to tackling youth mental health
What we do
In Brighton & Hove young females face acute mental health challenges.
Our research found 57% of 97 surveyed (aged 8–19) said their mental health affects them, with higher rates of self-harm and low access to treatment.
At Project Female, we combine youth work and dance to amplify young female voices through social action projects.
We deliver our youth work in underserved neighborhoods in Sussex. Neighbourhoods with high levels of socio-economic deprivation, health deprivation and high levels of physical activity need.
our Approach
Working with the University of Canterbury, we are grounding our approach in academic research. We are investigating how dance can improve girls’ mental health and wellbeing.
The study combines the 10Cs model of Positive Youth Development (Pickard, 2025) with Self-Determination Theory (SDT).
The 10Cs model outlines ten key strengths that help young people thrive, including confidence, connection, creativity, and coping.
SDT identifies three core needs for wellbeing and motivation: autonomy (choice), competence (capability), and relatedness (connection).
Together, these frameworks provide a robust foundation to understand how and why dance can support positive development.
Four pathways
Project Female’s unique approach combines youthwork, mental health support and social action in an inclusive dance setting.
01
Delivering a youth-led co-creative process that highlights issues impacting the lives of young people and facilitating their call for social change.
02
Dance Ambassadors is a leadership course for young females who face barriers to employment, education and training.
03
Youth Organising Projects for young females
Delivering a youth-led co-creative process that highlights issues impacting the lives of young people and facilitating their call for social change.
04
Providing safe and inclusive spaces to reach young females not served by external mental health services. Project Female provides support from trained youth workers which any young female can access on their own terms.
What sets us appart
Safe ADULTS
Our programme helps youg females build strong, supportive relationships with trusted adults throughout their teenage years.
We have created our own training programme to support this. It equips dance teachers with the basics of trauma-informed youth work, so they can better understand and support the young females they work with.
Co-creation in safe, youth-led spaces
Our youth-led creative process invites young females to co‑create dance and social action projects that reflect their experiences and interests.
Through this process, they are supported to take risks, build agency, and learn how to navigate different types of relationships. This helps them develop a strong sense of self and the skills they need to thrive.
Trauma-informed support
Many of our young females face challenges with education and learning for a range of reasons.
A Wellbeing Officer is always available to provide pastoral support and make supported referrals, helping them better access and engage with existing services.
How we evaluate our impact
Questionnaires to better understand young females’ needs before a new production.
Project Female participant numbers, attendance and demographic data
Provide creative opportunities for young females to give ongoing feedback to shape the direction of the production.
Post production reflection with all young females using both creative and traditional evaluative methods, evidencing outcomes relating to autonomy, belonging and competence.
Knowledge sharing through community presentations, accessible reports/ infographics,
and creative outputs co-designed with participants.
OUr Impact
To improve their mental health and sense of belonging
90% said they had developed valued friendships outside of school
81% said they felt connected to other members of the Project Female Community
71% said they felt valued and proud
Grow their autonomy to reach their potential
100% said they felt more empowered after being part of Project Female
68% feel their sense of agency has increased during their time at Project Female
56% said they felt they had been given space to express themselves
Increased competancy to affect change in society
100% said they had developed key skills for community organising
93% said they felt their voice had been heard
88% report greater confidence and agency in settings outside of Project Female
“Project female was one of the few place i felt safe and i felt so incredibly suppoted by the adults around me.
I doubt without project female i would’ve been able to move forward the way i have.”
— Dancer
Where Ideas Take Shape
Take a peek at Project Protect, a female safety conference for young people, designed by young people.