I was delighted to read the story of ‘Young Person of the Year’ Aidan McNulty who set up the website TalkEasy that enables young people suffering from stress to find ways of coping with their problems. 18 year old Aidan was motivated to use his own experiences to help other young people, based on the fact that he knew exactly how they were feeling. He knows what services and advice are required to help other young people overcome their problems.

Mental Health issues are common talk today though it seems like there is an endless quest to find an appropriate service or counsel for young people. No doubt the experience of professional adults is both required and valued in the long term, though we shouldn’t fully disregard the notion that they are unable to understand certain issues based on the ever changing nature of today’s society, and the difference now compared to growing up say, thirty or forty years ago.

Aidan is relatable for young people as he has endured, at least to some extent, what they are trying to overcome. Young people like Aidan are an example to others to share the experiences of their younger years because as we all know, not all wisdom comes from older generations. The fact that Aidan’s website has trained young people offering advice further cements this idea.

Congratulations to Aidan and we wish him all best in the future.


Harry Shepherd

Jack Petchey Foundation
‘Supporting and recognising the achievements of young people since 1999’