LOCAL SUPPORT
Centre 33 are here to listen and to help support young people up to the age of 25 living across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough with mental health, caring responsibilities, housing, sexual health and more. They know that sometimes talking to somebody who is not your parent, friend or family member in a confidential and non-judgemental setting can help you to manage the worries and stresses of everyday life better. All of their support is free and confidential*.
If you need someone to talk to, you can get support from Centre 33 two ways and they encourage you to contact them at a time and in a way that works for you:
1.) You can self-refer by contacting their helpline: 0333 4141809 - they can take your call from Monday to Friday 12noon-5pm and from 10am-1pm on Saturdays. The rest of the time you can leave a message and they’ll call back as soon as they can.
Text/whatsapp 07514 783745
email: hello@centre33.org.uk
You can also drop into one of their centres - it's best to check their website here for the times and locations for when you can do this. You can also message them via their website here.
2.) They are part of the YOUnited partnership. This is a group of 4 organisations supporting children and young people with their emotional wellbeing and mental health locally from 1st July 2021. A professional can refer you to get help this way (this could be a teacher, GP, social worker etc.) The partnership has been developed in order to alleviate waiting times, gaps in support and confusion about where to go for support.
YOUnited help – up to the age of 17
YOUnited offers a single referral hub for ALL young people aged up to 17 with the support of a professional who can refer you via YOUnited. You can find out more about the partnership and how to refer here. If you have been on the waiting list to receive services from CHUMS then you will be updated about your next steps.
18 to 25 year olds - Young people aged 18 to 25 can self-refer to Centre 33 and the ways to do this are here.
Do you help to look after someone in your family?
Centre 33's Young Carers Project are there to help.
They work with young carers up to their 19th birthday. They work in schools, groups, one to one and with community groups across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Get in touch if you have questions:
Tel: 0333 4141809
Text/WhatsApp: 07514783745
email: youngcarers@centre33.org.uk
or fill in their online referral form here.
Centre 33 can also help you with sexual health, housing, support with food and with money, jobs, and benefits - details here.
*Note about permission
All of Centre 33's services are confidential. That means they will not tell anyone, without your permission, that you are in contact with them or what you tell them. If you are in the young carers project then your parents or carers and sometimes your college are informed and involved unless it is not appropriate or you don’t want them to be. They can discuss this with you.
That would only change if they thought you or someone else was at risk of serious harm. If they did have to talk to someone else to help keep you safe, they would always try to talk to you about that first. You can read about this and also how they keep your information safe here.
Kooth.com and Qwell.io are commissioned to provide an online wellbeing platform which along with text based counselling also includes helpful articles, forums, activity centre, daily journal and messaging. We provide British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy accredited services and Kooth is available to young people aged 11-18 and Qwell is available from 18+ in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
The service provides a free and non-judgemental place for people to connect with others and they have instant access to self-help materials and moderated discussion forums. People can also contribute written pieces of work reflecting their own experiences, as well as accessing drop-in or booked sessions with professional counsellors, available 365 days a year, 12pm -10pm on weekdays and 6pm-10pm on weekends. Further information about Qwell can be found here and information about Kooth can be found here. More information is available by watching these videos: Qwell Kooth
Text 'HEAR' to 85258 for free, confidential support, 24/7
Offers free specialist support to women and girls across Cambridgeshire who have been impacted by rape and sexual violence, no matter when that abuse happened.
Every year, their confidential, non-judgemental and user-led services support more than one thousand women and girls to not only cope and recover from the impacts of sexual violence but to go on to flourish and thrive.
If you have experienced sexual violence, no matter when the abuse occurred, they are here for you with emotional support, counselling, advocacy support and advice. They want you to know that you are not alone.
They have a helpline number: 01223 245 888 that it is open:
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Wednesday 7pm – 9.30pm
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Thursday 7pm – 9.30pm
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Sunday 10am – 12.30pm
Or if you would prefer to receive support from them by email, you can contact: support@cambridgerapecrisis.org.uk and click here for more information.
Or please contact them via their live chat on Fridays 10am – 12.30pm. Click here for more info.
They also offer counselling - for more info please see here.
The Partnership brings together key agencies across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough with the aim of reducing the harm, risks and costs associated with domestic abuse and sexual violence and to prevent these crimes occurring across Cambridgeshire.
Please visit their website to find information about domestic abuse and sexual violence, including advice leaflets and how to access local services.
If you need help, please click on the logo below to go to The Hideout website
Ormiston Families Stars offer 1:1 pre and post bereavement counselling support to children and young people up to the age of 25 years old, who live in Cambridgeshire, (not currently Peterborough). Referrals can be made by young people if over 16 years of age or they can ask parents, carers, doctor, teacher or any professional involved in their care to refer for them. Our referral form is accessible via our website. Our sessions can be provided the STARS offices in Trumpington in Cambridge or at the child or young person’s school or college. Our aim is it to facilitate counselling support in an environment that feels safe and secure and causes the least disruption to their day.
STARS counsellors also provide telephone guidance and advice if required and can be contacted on 01223 292276 or at talktostars@ormistonfamilies.org.uk
Blue Smile provides arts-based, long term therapy in Cambridgeshire schools, for children aged 3-13 who are struggling with mental and emotional issues. The charity works closely with the school and parents for the best possible outcomes, even for children with the most complex and challenging needs. As well as one to one therapy, they supply staff training and supervision, workshops, group work and parenting programmes. See their website for the costs and details of these services.
It is estimated that up to 300,000 children in the UK are affected by having a parent or close family member in prison. This is more than the number affected by divorce.
Ormiston Families Breaking Barriers is a non-judgemental, early intervention service providing support for children and young people aged 5-19 years old, affected by the imprisonment of a close family member.
Through tailored one to one support Breaking Barriers will help children and young people to reduce any anxiety around prison, improve emotional wellbeing and feel happier, more confident and to believe they can make a difference.
We work with children in schools, family homes, or wherever a young person feels safe.
https://www.ormiston.org/what-we-do/working-with-families-affected-by-offending/breaking-barriers/
The Kite Trust are Cambridgeshire’s leading organisation working with LGBT+ young people. We are proud to promote the health, well-being, and inclusion of LGBT+ young people across Cambridgeshire; raising awareness, supporting, and educating our local communities.
Our counselling service is for anyone, including young people age 11 and above, where issues around e.g. sexual health, HIV, sexuality, sexual identity, sexual relationships, sexual trauma, inappropriate or risky behaviours is affecting their mental health and wellbeing.
Counselling is provided by Lisa Helm-Cowley. Lisa is a fully qualified counsellor, registered with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Lisa has an excellent knowledge and understanding of the above issues and many years’ experience of counselling people with these issues.
We will always follow the most up to date Government guidance for COVID, alongside our own policy and procedures. As routine, we will always provide hand sanitiser for client’s use and we will always sanitise the counselling area after each client.
We can offer up to 12 sessions per individual or couple and sessions take place in a safe, confidential and relaxed environment.
Counselling sessions are free for people living in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough but as a registered charity, donations are always welcome. Although limited, we are able to offer online sessions for people who live outside of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The charge for this is £55 per session.
Cambridge venue: Monday, 10am to 6pm
Peterborough venue: Tuesday, 10am to 6pm
Huntingdon venue: Wednesday, 10am to 6pm
Online: Thursday and Friday, 10am to 5pm
To make or discuss a referral to our counselling service please email counselling@dhiverse.org.uk
DHIVERSE, Office B, Dales Brewery,
Gwydir Street, Cambridge, CB1 2LJ
Tel: 01223 508805
enquiries@dhiverse.org.uk
www.dhiverse.org.uk
H.A.Y. Peterborough! How Are You? We are bringing together everything in Peterborough that promotes positive mental health. From a friendly ‘how are you’, to activity groups and much more – it’s all taking care of our mental wellbeing. Mental health isn’t something that is good or bad; it’s a continuum, a sliding scale, a constantly shifting state for each and every one of us. We all have mental health and so we all need to take care of our mental health – we don’t wait until we’re physically under the weather to do things we know are good for keeping us physically healthy and the same should be true of our mental health. So, let’s put a spotlight on all those things going on in the community that are good for our mental wellbeing. Click here to see their map and links for all the activities available for children and young people in Peterborough.
The Young People’s Counselling Service offers young people the support they need with up to 12 sessions of free counselling. This service currently operates out of three locations in Yaxley, Whittlesey and Ramsey. Young people can refer themselves or be referred by a parent/carer, GP, professional or school. Please see here for more details.
Green Pathways: Peterborough Region Froglife’s Green Pathways project helps vulnerable and disadvantaged young people to take part in positive activities linked to wildlife and conservation in their local community. Peterborough Green Pathways has been running for 12 years, reaching thousands of children and young people across Peterborough and surrounding areas.
Green Pathways sessions are delivered to a diversity of young people, with the main aim of the project to deliver a practical conservation project in the young person’s local area. The project will improve wildlife and conservation knowledge as well as increasing, confidence, social skills and aspirations.
This ecotherapy style project is based on scientific research that suggests being outdoors and connecting with nature, has a hugely positive effect on an individual. It helps improve physical and mental health, as well as having a positive impact on learning, behaviour and social skills for people of all ages and abilities
For more information about the project, or to refer a group, please contact Clare Middleton the Learning Officer for the Peterborough Green Pathways project: clare.middleton@froglife.org
or click here for information about the project in Peterborough.
The Cogwheel Trust provides counselling support for adults and young people in Cambridge and the surrounding areas. Parents can refer their child into the service which is based in Cambridge. The Cogwheel Trust is a charity and it asks for donations towards appointments based on income. To find out more visit their website or call 01223 464385.
At Relate Cambridgeshire we believe that serious mental health issues in children can be prevented with early help. We can offer that help.
We have funding from BBC Children in Need to support the children and young people of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to offer a FREE programme of Counselling.
With this FREE counselling we help children and young people to express their feelings, have an increased sense of self-acceptance, improve their ability to cope with change, and importantly, to be happier.
Please call us on 01302 347866 to register, or email counselling@relatecambridge.org.uk for further information about this service.
SUPPORT FOR YOUNG CARERS
Do you help to look after someone in your family?
You are a young carer and we are here to help.
The Centre 33 Young Carers Project works with young carers up to their 19th birthday.
We work in schools, groups, one to one and with community groups across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
What is a young carer?
A young carer is a child or young person who offers practical or emotional caring support to someone with a mental or physical illness, disability, or is dependent on drugs or alcohol. They carry out significant or substantial caring tasks, taking on a level or responsibility that is inappropriate to their age or development. Are you a young carer? You are not alone! There is plenty of support out there for you.
How to get support?
If you are under 13, you must get your parents’ consent to make the referral. If you are 13 or over, you can self-refer without your parents’ consent.
You can make a referral by:
- Speaking to the young carers’ champions or contact at your school – click here to see which schools we support
- By calling us on 0333 4141809; Text/WhatsApp: 07514783745; email: youngcarers@centre33.org.uk
- fill in our referral form here.
- By speaking to a professional you are already working with, e.g. family worker, social worker, so they can refer you into the service
What support does Centre 33 offer young carers?
Depending on your needs we can help in lots of different ways including:
- Offering you a Young Carers Needs Assessment
- Giving you someone to talk to
- Helping you to meet other young carers in the same situation as you
- Supporting you with life transitions like starting a new school
Note about permission
All of Centre 33's services are confidential. That means they will not tell anyone, without your permission, that you are in contact with them or what you tell them. If you are in the young carers project then your parents or carers and sometimes your college are informed and involved unless it is not appropriate or you don’t want them to be. They can discuss this with you.
That would only change if they thought you or someone else was at risk of serious harm. If they did have to talk to someone else to help keep you safe, they would always try to talk to you about that first. You can read about this and also how they keep your information safe here.
If you are over 19 and a carer, Caring Together is a leading charity supporting carers of all ages across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Norfolk.
We provide information and advice, run services in our local communities and campaign so that carers have choices.
More details here.
work in partnership with Caring Together and Centre 33, to provide a all age carer support service. Please click here to find out more and how to contact the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Carer Support Service.
NATIONAL SUPPORT
The Youth Wellbeing Directory produced by Anna Freud may also be useful for finding free local and national support services. You can search by postcode/area, by name of service, or by issue or topic here.
is a fantastic resource that has sections for young people, parents and professionals. There is lots of information on all aspects of young people's mental health.
Crisis text service Shout is the UK’s 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help.
just text 'Shout' to 85258
Stem4 offers lots of advice and information for teenagers with mental health conditions.
NHS Choices have a hub of information on young people's mental health which has information on when to seek support for low mood and information on specific topics such as self-harm and bipolar disorder.
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) provides a register of counsellors and psychotherapists accredited by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care. We recommend that you go via this website if you are interested in paying for private therapy.
ChildLine is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of 19. It provides signposting and information and is open 24 hours.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists has series of leaflets and films for young people, parents and carers on wide variety of mental health.
Beat are an Eating Disorder charity and have lots of information on their website, plus helplines for young people and adults.
StudentMinds - is the UK's student mental health charity. They want students to have the skills, knowledge and confidence to talk about their mental health and look out for their peers
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Prevention and Intervention Project, Time4U, offers emotional help through talking therapies. Delivered locally by national charity Embrace - Child Victims of Crime (CVOC), the project also helps young people who use violence and abuse as a result of being themselves traumatised or victims of other types of abuse. The service is available for young people aged between 13 and 19 (or up to the age of 24 if they have additional needs) who have been affected by sexual violence and regardless of their gender identity. Therapeutic support is available from their counselling service. Click here for their referral form.
For more information visit their website: www.embracecvoc.org.uk.
SUPPORT WITH LOSING A LOVED ONE ~ BEREAVEMENT
The death of a loved one can be devastating and bereavement affects people in different ways. There's no right or wrong way to feel, and it is very natural to feel sad when someone has died; however, you don't need to keep all your feelings to yourself; talking to others can help.
Ormiston Families Stars is a children’s bereavement support service for young people finding it difficult to cope with the loss of someone significant in their life. Stars offers specialist bereavement support and counselling to those aged 4-19 in Cambridgeshire who are may be experiencing difficulties following the loss of someone close to them, such as a friend or family member.
Ormiston Families Stars is open to referrals for any child or young person of 4-19 years of age, or up to 24 years of age in special circumstances, whose home or school is in Cambridgeshire, and who has experienced the death of a close family member or other significant person.
Once we have accepted a referral, we will arrange an initial assessment with one of our counsellors. Depending on the outcome of the assessment we may then offer one-to-one counselling. We provide up to six sessions of counselling for most cases and up to nine for more complex cases.
In addition, we provide telephone advice to families and schools supporting children and young people experiencing or facing close bereavement.
For details on how to to make a referral for support, click here.
Hope Again is the youth website of Cruse Bereavement Support. It is a safe place where you can learn from other young people, how to cope with grief, and feel less alone.
Here you will find information about our services and ways to get in touch.
help people through one of the most painful times in life – with bereavement support, information and campaigning.
Their helpline is run by trained bereavement volunteers, who offer emotional support to anyone affected by grief. They'll give you space to talk about your feelings and how you’ve been coping. Their volunteers are completely non-judgemental and won’t share what you’ve told them with anyone else, unless you are in danger.
Call free on 0808 808 1677
Calls answered: Monday: 9.30am-5pm;Tuesday: 9.30am-8pm; Wednesday: 9.30am-8pm; Thursday: 9.30am-8pm; Friday: 9.30am-5pm; Saturday and Sunday: 10am -2pm
click here for other ways to get support from Cruse and to see what groups are running in the East of England
Child Bereavement UK helps families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. They support children and young people (up to the age of 25) when someone important to them has died or is not expected to live, and parents and the wider family when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying. They offer free, confidential bereavement support by telephone, video or instant messenger, wherever you live in the UK.
Get in touch via their Helpline on 0800 02 888 40 | helpline@childbereavementuk.org or Live Chat via their website 9am-5pm weekdays.
Winstons Wish is a charity specialising in helping young people and children cope with the bereavement of a parent or sibling. From parents to teachers, everyone and anyone who is supporting a grieving child can call our Freephone National Helpline on 08088 020 021 between 9.00am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
is an online tool brought to you by Winston’s Wish, a charity supporting bereaved children and young people under 25. It aims to help young people who have experienced the death of a loved one come to terms with their loss.
We know how beneficial it can be to learn that you are not alone. That you are not the only young person going through this. That’s why we want to share the stories of young people we’ve supported, and how they have coped with their grief. You’ll also find advice and tips on coping with your grief, resources and reading lists to help you come to terms with the death of someone close to you. Click here to find out more.
RESOURCES
This page has links to video's, podcasts and live discussions around young peoples mental health and wellbeing. Check these out!
VIDEO - ORDINARY MAGIC: Resilience & Mental and Emotional Wellbeing in Schools
This short film has been made by the Education Wellbeing Team and young people in Cambridgeshire. It shows young peoples views and understanding of mental health.
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES LEAFLET
This Insight series of leaflets by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation trust, were designed and written by people who have personal experience of different mental health problems and the people who support them. They provide introductory information on a range of mental health problems and other issues relevant to mental health. They act as signposts to local sources of support and information. These have been written for adult mental health, but may be useful for young people.
VIDEO STREAM 3 - Sexual Health
VIDEO STREAM 2 - Stress, Mental Health and Relationships
A second webinar on stress, mental health and wellbeing took place on 17th May 2016 as part of Mental Health Awareness Week. The panel discussion included Cambridgeshire County Council, Mind in Cambridgeshire and Centre 33.
VIDEO STREAM 1 - Children and Young People's Mental Health and Wellbeing
This is a recording of a webinar on wellbeing and resilience that was produced by Cambridgeshire County Council and Huntingdonshire Regional College. Students did all the technical aspects of filming and live streaming that made this webinar possible. It will be a particularly helpful resource for parents, carers and teachers but of interest to many others!
Mental Health Awareness video
This short Mental Health Awareness video was produced by Healthwatch in Peterborough with local Youth Health Champions. It was designed for teenagers and explores what mental health is, what affects mental health, teenage specific pressures and how to manage poor mental health and more! It is a fantastic resource for schools and has been adopted by all Peterborough secondary schools.
OTHER USEFUL LINKS
There are many physical or neurological conditions that can have an impact on our mental health and well being. Managing long terms conditions, like epilepsy, can challenge our mental health. Here are some useful articles on understanding epilepsy.
The BBC have a range of videos about young people and things that they worry about including anxiety,OCD and Bullying.They are suitable for KS2 and 3.They can be found HERE
We are continuously updating this website. if you know of any videos, blogs or podcasts that you would like to see on here please let us know.
New links to Local and National Organisations/Resources
Fenland support group for parents and carers of children with additional needs strongertogether@ormistonfamilies.org.uk
50 ways forest and outdoor learning experiences benefit child development.
https://www.forestholidays.co.uk/outdoor-education-and-child-development-guide/
HOPE - Peterborough & Cambridgeshire Children and Young People’s Video on Mental Health
The Peterborough and Cambridgeshire Children in Care Councils have created a short, powerful film to help destigmatise mental health issues and signpost young people to available support.
“It’s normal to go through mental health struggles as a young person. We've created this animated poem to show young people that they're not alone and where they can go to for help.”
They took inspiration from this quote from Desmund Tutu: “Hope is knowing there is light despite all the darkness.”
Click on the image below to watch the film on YouTube and share it with your friends! If you would like to get involved with the Children in Care Council, please get in touch.
If you’d like to get involved, share ideas or feedback we’re available from Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. Call or text or email.
This May Help website: Advice for supporting your child’s mental health
Health services for children with special educational needs and disabilities
Peterborough
Also see universal health services, mental health and Ordinary Available Provision (OAP)
Cambridgeshire
Also see universal health services, mental health and Ordinary Available Provision (OAP)
Young people's mental health section here.
Boxing Futures | Changing Lives Through Non-Contact Boxing (boxing-futures.org.uk)
Self-Help, Support and Guidance for Relational and Emotional Needs Online course HERE
These evidenced-based resources have been specifically designed to encourage young people to develop and maintain a healthy body image during the transition to adulthood.
This guide is made up of a series of articles covering key topics that affect self-esteem and provides activities to boost body confidence in your child.