Article 39
Article 39 fights for the rights of children and young people in institutional settings such as mental health units, prisons and children’s homes.
Their name comes from Article 39 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which entitles children who have suffered abuse or other rights violations to recover in environments which nurture their health, self-respect and dignity. Their ‘Blooming Change’ group helps empower children and young people with experience of being detained under the Mental Health Act 1983.
With support from our Youth Fund, Article 39, through Blooming Change, has strengthened its activism, enabling young people to use their direct experiences and knowledge of mental health inpatient care to campaign for stronger protections through reform of the Mental Health Act. Blooming Change campaigned to introduce Clause 35 in the House of Lords, which aimed to establish a debriefing process for patients following discharge from a mental health unit. Though the clause was ultimately removed, the process supported young people to develop their campaigning and advocacy skills.
One young person from Blooming Change said:
“For so long our voices and experiences have been ignored, dismissed, devalued and denied…I know that this will send a powerful message that young people from all walks of life are here to make a difference, and that we are more than able to do that.”
Find funding
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Youth Fund
Amount: Up to £150,000
Duration: 3 years
Deadline: Rolling application cycleWe want to fund organisations who work with young people (14–25) to drive change so that future generations of young people can thrive.