Helping young people to help themselves
"It takes a lot going to Off Centre, being able to trust yourself enough to understand things aren't right, then talking over your problems, but it helps you understand your own views, which makes you a more complete person." Ex Off Centre client.
"It was odd at first but I found that painting pictures was another way to talk about things that really hurt me. What's great about Off Centre is that they help you find your own way of helping yourself." Creative Therapy client aged 13.
Each year we strive to improve the counselling, therapy, advice and information services that we offer young people, by responding to the needs they present to us. Our development and newly introduced services reflect our belief that with the right support young people can reach an understanding of what has happened to them and find the strength to make changes in their lives.
Secure home, secure life
Our service aims to break the vicious cycle of homelessness, deprivation and mental ill health. We work in partnership with the "Kipper Project's East End focus", providing supported accommodation and have appointed our own housing outreach worker to improve our service for young men.
Since October 1998, we have been able to find supported accommodation for over 100 young people - leading to permanent accommodation and safer, more settled lives.
Safe from self-harm
We have increased and widened our support for young people who self-harm, by establishing our "fast track" response for 13 to 17 year olds. Through the work of our "fast track" counsellor we aim to intervene within 48 hours of a suicide attempt.
Listening to young people
We take young people seriously, respect them, and do not judge them. We offer them support through counselling, creative therapy, advice, information and advocacy. Off Centre provides a service for young people in distress, which does not stigmatise them.
Creative Therapy
If young people find it difficult to talk about their experiences we also offer creative therapy sessions, such as art and drama to allow people to express their feelings. This service is particularly useful to young people who have learning disabilities, or who may be developing mental health problems.
Strength in numbers
Our group work in schools has enabled more young people to become familiar with talking about self-esteem, confidence and relationships. It allows them to share their problems with their peers and learn to give each other support.
Coincidentally, as a result of this work, more young people get to know about Off Centre and use our counselling, housing, advice and information services.
More time for young people
Skilled listening lies at the heart of Off Centre's work with young people. By developing skills in brief methods of counselling and increasing the number of volunteers we continue to increase the number of counselling sessions we can offer.
In 1999, 1200 young people sought advice and information from us; 500 used the counselling and therapy services; and over 300 benefited from the group work service.
- Adapted from the Off Centre annual review 1999