How Student Mental Health Ambassadors at JLC Are Making a Real Difference

There are days at John Leggott College that stay with you, and the Ambassador Celebration event was absolutely one of them. Today we welcomed With Me In Mind along with children and staff from 24 primary schools for a day that was full of energy, creativity and genuine heart.

It was a powerful reminder of what young people can achieve when they are given the platform to lead, and a brilliant example of what mental health awareness looks like when it is brought to life in a real, meaningful way.

What Is With Me In Mind?

With Me In Mind is a Mental Health Support Team working across North Lincolnshire, supporting children and young people aged 5 to 19 in schools and colleges. 

Their focus is on early intervention and prevention, helping young people develop the tools and resilience they need to look after their emotional wellbeing.

Their partnership with John Leggott College has helped shape a culture where mental health is spoken about openly, supported actively and championed by the students themselves. Today's event was a celebration of that work in action.

Our Mental Health Ambassadors Take the Stage

At the heart of the day were our own JLC mental health ambassadors, who delivered a presentation to the primary school children in attendance. Standing up in front of a room full of young faces and talking about something as personal and important as mental health takes real courage and real conviction, and our ambassadors delivered it with both.

They spoke with warmth and confidence, helping to normalise conversations around wellbeing and showing younger children that it is okay to talk about how you feel. Seeing sixth form students take on that role is incredibly powerful, particularly for primary school children who are at an age where those messages can really take root.

Primary schools in attendance went even further, bringing along their own mental health ambassadors to support the day. Having young ambassadors from both primary and sixth form level in the same room created something special, a community of young advocates all working toward the same goal of making mental health feel less scary and more supported.

How Our Ambassadors Brought Mental Health to Life

The Ambassador Celebration was not just a talking event. The day was packed with hands-on activities designed to help children explore mental health in ways that felt fun, creative and accessible.

Children took part in a team building challenge, working together to build the tallest tower they could using nothing but spaghetti and marshmallows. It sounds simple, but it is a brilliant exercise in communication, problem-solving and learning to work with others under a little bit of pressure.

There was also time to create a mental health poster, giving children the chance to express what mental health means to them and what they can do to look after themselves and the people around them. Alongside that, a yoga session offered a quieter moment of calm, introducing children to mindfulness and movement as tools for managing stress and anxiety.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was making their own stress balls from rice and a balloon, a satisfying, tactile activity that sent every single child home with something they could actually use. It would be fair to say that every child who attended left with a smile on their face, and that says everything about the kind of day it was.

What Does a Mental Health Ambassador Do at JLC?

Mental health ambassadors at John Leggott College are students who volunteer to champion wellbeing across the college community. They play an active role in raising awareness, supporting events and helping to create an environment where students feel comfortable talking about how they are feeling.

Becoming an ambassador involves taking part in training, contributing to awareness campaigns and representing the student voice on mental health and wellbeing matters. It is a role that asks students to show empathy, responsibility and a genuine commitment to others, and it is one that gives back in equal measure.

How to Become a Mental Health Ambassador

If you are a student at JLC and want to get involved, the best starting point is to speak to a member of the wellbeing team. Ambassador opportunities are open to students across the college, and no prior experience is needed. What matters most is a willingness to learn, listen and make a positive difference.

The role is flexible and fits around your studies, making it something any student can take on regardless of what they are studying or how busy their timetable looks.

Why Being an Ambassador Looks Great on a UCAS Application or CV

Taking on a role like mental health ambassador is exactly the kind of experience that strengthens a UCAS personal statement or CV. Universities and employers are not only looking at grades. They want to see evidence of character, initiative and the ability to contribute to something beyond yourself.

Being a mental health ambassador demonstrates a whole range of transferable skills that are genuinely valued across almost every field, including communication, leadership, empathy, event organisation and public speaking. It shows that you are the kind of person who does not just talk about making a difference but actually goes and does it.

For students applying to courses in psychology, health and social care, education, nursing or any of the caring professions, the experience is particularly relevant. But even for students heading into business, law, sport or the arts, being able to point to a meaningful volunteering role and explain what you learned from it is a real advantage.

A Thank You to Everyone Who Made It Happen

Today was a truly special occasion and it would not have happened without the incredible work of With Me In Mind, the dedication of our student ambassadors, the enthusiasm of the primary school ambassadors who came along, and the warmth of every school that sent their children to take part.

Twenty-four schools, one shared mission and a room full of children who left feeling a little more understood, a little more empowered and with a handmade stress ball tucked under their arm. That is a brilliant day by anyone's measure.

If you are interested in getting involved in the ambassador programme or want to find out more about student wellbeing at JLC, visit our wellbeing pages or find out more about life at John Leggott College.

FAQ Section

What is With Me In Mind?

With Me In Mind is a Mental Health Support Team working across North Lincolnshire, supporting children and young people aged 5 to 19 in schools and colleges. They focus on early intervention, helping young people build the tools and resilience to look after their emotional wellbeing. You can find out more at withmeinmind.co.uk.

What does a mental health ambassador do at JLC?

Mental health ambassadors at John Leggott College volunteer to champion wellbeing across the college. They raise awareness, support events, deliver presentations and help create an environment where students feel comfortable talking about mental health. The role involves training, participation in awareness campaigns and representing the student voice on wellbeing matters.

How do I become a mental health ambassador at JLC?

Speak to a member of the wellbeing team to find out about current ambassador opportunities. The role is open to all students at the college and fits around your studies. No prior experience is required, just a willingness to get involved and help others.

How does being a mental health ambassador help my UCAS personal statement?

Being a mental health ambassador gives you real evidence of skills universities value, including communication, leadership, empathy and community contribution. It strengthens your UCAS personal statement by showing you have taken on meaningful responsibility outside of your studies, which is particularly valuable for courses in health, education, psychology and the social sciences.

Can being a student ambassador help my CV?

Yes. The transferable skills you develop as a mental health ambassador, including public speaking, event support, active listening and working as part of a team, are valued across a wide range of industries and roles. It demonstrates initiative and a commitment to making a positive difference, which stands out to employers in any sector.