Kai Leighton

Kai Leighton is the Founder and Chief Executive of The Mental Shift CIC. Having experienced significant mental health challenges as a teenager, including depression, anxiety and a near-fatal suicide attempt at the age of 15, Kai is passionate about ensuring that no young person has to face similar struggles alone.

Since founding The Mental Shift CIC in 2022, Kai has led the organisation to support over 4,100 boys and young men through mentoring, mental health education and community wellbeing programmes. Since it’s inception, Kai has expanded this vision and since created Leeds Wellbeing Project CIC is to bring that same proven, lived experience approach to communities across Leeds.

Alongside leading the organisation, Kai works directly with young people as a Youth Development Officer, delivering mentoring, workshops and early intervention support within schools and community settings. He believes that authentic conversations, positive role models and early support can change the course of a young person’s life.

“Every young person deserves someone who believes in them before they believe in themselves.”

I love food… far more than I actually should. I could list 100 cheat meals, I think it depends on what I’m near and how much money I have! My top 3 are buffalo Mac’n’Cheese, a Wingstop, or a Taco Bell.

I love a bit of R’n’B, Hip Hop, Rap, absolutely everything. At the moment, I’m listening to music from the late 2000s and early 2010s, including N-Dubz and Tinie Tempah.

I don’t really need much, some good company goes a long way so I’d probably bring my Fiance (not just because he said the same!) and maybe sneak over a bottle of Dandelion and Burdock.

I am only 21-years-old. A lot of people guess mid to late-20s, but nope. I’m still young!