23 Sep 2026
As St Albans mental health charity Youth Talk approaches its 30th anniversary in July 2027, it’s calling on local people to join 100 More, a new initiative that will help ensure no young person has to face life’s challenges alone.
Chief executive David Barker explained: “For almost 30 years, our local community has helped us be there for young people when life becomes overwhelming and they need someone to listen. Now we’re asking 100 more local people to help write the next chapter. Together, they’ll become part of something much bigger – helping to change, and in some cases save, young lives.”
By signing up as one of 100 new regular supporters, local people will help Youth Talk respond to growing demand for its free counselling service, plan ahead and ensure more young people can access counselling without lengthy delays.
Former client Rose shared how important it was to her finding someone who listened after years of struggling to access support.
“Waiting lists to see therapists can be so long. It just made everything feel even more impossible. Then I heard about Youth Talk and I reached out for support. With their help and guidance, I was able to work through my problems and start to see a way forward again – I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
To help launch the appeal, fundraising and partnerships manager Jim Lewis has committed to wearing a specially designed t-shirt every day until all 100 supporter spaces have been filled. The shirt features 100 speech bubbles, with Jim adding the initials of each new regular donor as they join.
St Albans Mayor Cllr Matt Fisher and his wife, Ayasha, have already claimed the first two speech bubbles, with Harpenden Town Mayor Cllr Kirsti Wenn also joining.
Cllr Wenn said: “I decided to donate monthly to Youth Talk because having a reliable, judgment-free space to speak up shouldn’t be a luxury, it should be there for every young person who needs it.”
100 More follows the publication of Youth Talk’s Growing Up Survey 2026, which gathered responses from more than 1,200 young people aged 11–25. More than half said mental health is one of the biggest challenges facing young people today, while one in six said that life feels difficult right now.
The survey also found that face-to-face counselling was the form of professional support young people would choose above all other options.
Jim added: “When we asked young people what they needed, they didn’t ask for another app or another website. They told us they wanted someone to listen.
“That’s what 100 More is all about. Every new monthly supporter helps make sure that when the next young person reaches out for help, we’re able to provide free, confidential counselling from qualified professionals.
“If 100 local people each decide to give regularly, together they’ll help change hundreds of young lives over the years ahead.”
The 100 More webpage features a live counter so supporters can see the campaign grow and be part of a collective movement helping to change young people’s lives. Sign up here.
