11 Jun 2023
Laura Bill visits the new London Road premises of mental health charity Youth Talk, which has relocated from Lower Dagnall Street.
From a dark, small building tucked away in the Conservation Area with no parking to this well-lit, centralised location which has now been completely revamped – I can see a lot of work has taken place and I wish I had a least brought some cake with me to celebrate.
Youth Talk’s CEO David Barker has been talking about “the old Citizen’s Advice Bureau building” with an enthusiastic twinkle in his eye for many months so my expectations were high before I even set foot in the place.
The first thing I realise as we are greeted by operations manager Kaz Underwood is that there are no young people in the building.
I quickly realise that this is because we have been invited at a time which does not clash with any sessions. Of course!!
I immediately notice how much light there is streaming in from outside and the receptionist staff say how much they prefer it to the previous building.
It is fresh and welcoming as one would generally expect from a counselling space with a large stairwell where the sun shines through on this lovely May day. There is also a fabulous light fitting which looks very now.
David said: “Our old premises were so restrictive and severely limited our capacity to grow the service. There was no natural light, no fresh air, no office space, no
space to welcome supporters or volunteers – such a contrast to our wonderful new home.”
Community fundraiser Rachel Simkin tells us that the condition of the building was not great prior to the
revamp and proceeds to tell us how cost-effective everything was, from chairs to bargain bin shelving,
and what fun Kaz and the Youth Panel had coming up with all the ideas for the new look.
Sage green walls, the comfy tub chairs and plants dotted around contribute to the atmosphere. There is a homely large kitchen area for staff to use as well as a large group therapy room which will hold meetings and training sessions.
The Youth Panel are clearly much more sophisticated than I was at that age when I painted my bedroom bright pink and turquoise.
This strikes me as a poignant moment – as a charity, every single penny is accounted for, scrutinised and Rachel is on auto-pilot perhaps, justifying items such as a shelf, a rug and wooden flooring.
She tells us that many companies have given Youth Talk reduced rates while some have charged what they usually would. At a time such as now, I imagine, many businesses are trying hard to survive and probably grateful for the local work.
Having benefitted from counselling myself – which began at Youth Talk more than two decades ago – I am fully aware that these seemingly small additions mean the world to the people experiencing them and I am deeply touched as I contemplate what this move will actually mean to its young people and others yet to use the service.
Young people between 13 and 25 years of age can access free confidential counselling through this 25-year-old charity which is now based right in the heart of our city.
The eight therapy rooms – replacing four in the old building on Lower Dagnall Street – will literally mean eventually the number of counselling sessions offered with double. That means young people who might currently have nobody to talk to about their worries, who might be self-harming, using drugs, thinking about ending their lives and processing all kinds of abuse or trauma might be offered a fully-trained professional psychodynamic BCAP-accredited counsellor for at least a few months and possibly longer.
That one hour a week does and will change lives for many children and young people, at a time where Community and Adolescent Mental Health Services across our country are more stretched than ever and hitting the national headlines regularly.
The hard work of the fundraising team and generosity of donors from the community has really paid off; as well as raising £180K in grants and trust funds smaller donations have been made.
There will be a ‘Thank you’ wall in the group therapy room on the top floor which will acknowledge individuals and organisations for their gifts.
As part of their ongoing commitment to help more young people Youth Talk has successfully taken on two new counsellors even though there is a national shortage.
David added: “Finding new premises for Youth Talk was a vital first step in our new five-year strategy to support the growing number of young people struggling with their mental health and emotional wellbeing.
“We are currently facing a mental health crisis with unprecedented numbers of local young people needing help.
“Youth Talk has never been needed more and with our new home and the support of our local community we will ensure we continue to be there when young people need us most.”
If you are able to help this counselling charity by pledging some money or if you are a fully trained psychodynamic counsellor who is BCAP accredited and available for paid sessions, please contact 01727 868684 or email getinvolved@youthtalk.org.uk.
