Alfie Watts named YoungMinds ambassador
Race Across the World winner will work with leading charity to support and champion young people’s mental health
Alfie Watts is the latest Ambassador for YoungMinds, the UK’s leading charity for children and young people’s mental health.
Photo courtesy of YoungMinds.
The 21 year-old from St Albans became a TV star earlier this year when he took part in – and won – the latest series of Race Across the World. Millions watched football referee Alfie and his childhood friend Owen Wood, a trainee pilot, compete against four other pairs of contestants to be the first to reach Indonesia from Japan, making the 15,000 km journey without using air travel.
In the series, Alfie talked candidly about the impact on his life and mental health of the death of his mother when he was very young. He found school particularly difficult until he was given the opportunity to become a European football scout – which then became his passion.
This experience will be of value in his new role. Working with YoungMinds, Alfie hopes to share the message with young men that they are not alone and that help is available. That’s important, says the charity, because young men in particular face stigma around their mental health.
Alfie Watts says: ‘I am really excited to work with YoungMinds. I know how hard it is for young people today, arguably harder than ever. The pressure to be knowledgeable, to make a change and fit into a certain category means the mental pressure on young people has never been higher. I hope that through sharing my story, young men won’t feel ashamed to speak out about their mental health. But more importantly, I hope that young men won’t feel the need to feel what I felt I did when I was at my lowest.’
Laura Bunt, Chief Executive of YoungMinds, adds: ‘We’re super excited to welcome Alfie Watts as a YoungMinds Ambassador. His journey is truly inspiring, and the way he shares his own mental health experiences makes him a relatable role model for so many. More young people than ever before are in need of support. While we have important work ahead, we believe that, alongside Alfie, we can advocate for a brighter future for all young people.’
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