ABOUT
The Ampersand Project is an Edinburgh-based non-profit social enterprise working on a local, national, and international level to improve the mental wellbeing of young adults, with a specific focus on university and college students.
We are the first generation to be told we should talk about our mental health. But the systems don’t connect. Policy’s impact often isn’t felt, students aren’t aware of the support they can access, and people don’t know where to signpost friends who ask for help. Resources & service users. Students & universities. Policy & young adults. Something needs to make the connection.
We work with an incredibly diverse community – young people of all backgrounds, genders, races, and sexualities. Creatives, students, governments, educational institutions, and other third sector organisations.
We aim to connect these disparate groups and spaces; to leverage our platform in order to affect change and help real voices be heard by those working on mental health policies and research; to combine research and academic knowledge with day-to-day experiences from our community; to connect research and real life.
What we do
magazine
We believe that creativity is self-care, and a way to heal, understand, and connect with one another. Ampersand magazine is a platform to share stories. We hope to make young adults feel less alone and provide them with information and tools to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
digital
We want to create communities where young adults can access useful tools and connect with others who have experiences they can identify with. Our social and digital media deliver practical tips and positive interventions while providing a space for young adults to engage and interact.
research
With its ability to have lasting impact and inspire positive change, we use research to connect organisations with the individuals they serve, inform the world about the challenges faced by young adults, and to provide a platform for them to influence long-term systemic change.
our team
Leadership
Cordelia Sampson
Chief Executive Officer
Voluntary Board
of Directors
Sam Abrahams
Non-Executive Director
Manira Ahmad
Non-Executive Director
Emma Penney
Non-Executive Director
Pauline Sutton
Non-Executive Director
Research
Ed Blake
Research Manager
Matthew Burnsell
Research Officer
Gordon Rennie
Research Officer
Operations
Lauren Nickodemus
operations manager
Lucia Jackson
Digital Media OFFICER
Editorial
Ellen Desmond
Managing Editor
Dan Buchanan
Editor
Phoebe Willison
graphic designer
Mairi Campbell-Jack
Writer In Residence
Lauren Drinkwater
Artist In Residence
Our Partners
Our project (The Mental Health Challenges of Young Adults) is financed by the European Social Fund and Scottish Government. The project is supported by the Growing the Social Economy Programme as part of the Fairer Scotland Action Plan to tackle poverty and inequality through the Social Innovation Fund. This is a partnership with the University of Edinburgh to develop and test new ideas and roll out successful models that will address social problems in Scotland. We are extremely grateful to have the support of the Scottish Government, European Union, and our project partners, The University of Edinburgh.
