About us...

"I found at Off Centre if you give yourself the time of day to talk about your problems and resolve your own issues, then after a while they no longer seem as bad as they once were." Ex Off Centre client

Last year we celebrated our 25th anniversary. In 1974 just 13 people used Off Centre. Now around 1200 of Hackney's young people seek our support each year - for counselling, advice, information and advocacy.

Back in 1974 Patsy Paice first ran Off Centre from London Fields, in a derelict house that was flooded throughout and had a stripped off roof.

Things have moved on since then… for the past 21 years we have been at 25 Hackney Grove. In 1994 we acquired No 27 which meant we could expand and improve the service and facilities for young people.

"There was outright hostility from some people in the borough at first," explained Patsy. "But we had a good response from schools and from the young people themselves - who were mostly girls and determined to find better lives for themselves. They just needed the support."

Off Centre continues to provide this support. We have always provided counselling and have learned over the years that young people come to us with a range of issues -

• Those related to growing up
• Those particular to inner-city life in Hackney - poverty, deprivation, unemployment
• Those surrounding leaving care - risk of sexual abuse, homelessness and self-harm

For 13-25 year olds in Hackney, homelessness and finding a safe, secure living space have always been huge problems.

At Off Centre we strive to respond to young people's changing needs. We continue to work to find new ways of helping those who come to us. We are committed to changing and growing as a service dedicated to the mental health and well-being of Hackney's young people.

"I was going through some rough stages in my life and became homeless. A friend told me about Off Centre. I went and got myself counselling with Nigel, who helped me feel a lot better about myself and also made me realise I was getting somewhere in life, which I have - because he helped me get a flat and settle in."   Stephen, aged 21

• Adapted from the Off Centre annual review 1999