Children and young people
Organisations providing support
West Sussex local offer
The West Sussex Local Offer website brings together information about the help and support available for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and their families.
FindItOut Centres
If you are aged 13-25 you can drop in to a FindItOut centre to get advice and information. If you want to talk to someone in confidence you just need to make an appointment. If you have an issue that they can’t help you with, they will try to put you in touch with somebody who can. For more information, visit the Your Space pages on the West Sussex County Council website.
ChatHealth
If you’re 11-19 years old you can text your school nurse on 07480 635424 for confidential advice and support. They can help students with all kinds of things like relationships, bullying, mental health, drugs and alcohol, healthy eating, self harm, smoking. Find out more on the Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust website.
Esteem
Esteem is a Sussex based charity offering young adults aged 14-26 opportunities to develop confidence, build life-skills and improve wellbeing by providing relevant volunteering experience. If you want to gain new skills and experiences, be involved in exciting projects and community events and expand your future job options then email Esteem or call 07490 447333. For more information, visit the Esteem website.
YMCA
YMCA Youth Counselling is a community-based counselling service, able to support young people aged 11-18. Anyone can refer the young person or they can self-refer.
YMCA Dialogue offers face-to-face and online counselling, as well as group work, for young people aged 11 to 18 in West Sussex. Face-to-face sessions take place in Lancing, Shoreham and Worthing. Information about online counselling can be found on the E-Wellbeing website.
Email or call 07739 893707 if you are interested in receiving either face-to-face or online counselling.
Mind of my own
If a young person is finding it hard to talk to a social worker or professional, a Mind of my Own app can make it easy for them to say what they want, when they want. It helps them structure their thoughts and get their views across.
Angling4Education
Delivers a range of youth interventions designed to engage, inspire, support and educate. Their mission is to use inspiring activities to engage participants and give them opportunities to grow socially and emotionally. In conjunction with West Sussex County Council, they offer short breaks for disabled children/young people and their families, giving them the opportunity to try fishing, bushcraft and beachcraft with the guidance of a team of professionals. See the Angling4Education website for more information.
Reaching Families: Face-2-Face West Sussex
Provides emotional and practical support to parent-carers. The service is delivered by a team of volunteer befrienders who are all parents of children with additional needs. The coordinator initially sets up a home visit and parents are matched with a befriender. Face-2-Face can support parents for up to 6 months - some parents might prefer weekly visits, others to meet less frequently or to keep in touch via text and email. Visit the Reaching Families website for more information.
Think Futures
Think Futures - career support for young people. A service for 16-18 year olds not in education, employment and training. For further information, email Think Futures (Worthing) or visit the Careers guidance page on the West Sussex County Council website.
The Prince's Trust
The Prince's Trust offers a FREE course available throughout the year for 16 - 25 year olds that enables them to develop their communication, leadership, teamwork and employability skills through projects in the community. The Prince's Trust Team programme includes a recognised qualification, an action packed week away, work experience, exciting community projects, CV writing, skills for work and a chance to make new friends. Visit the Prince's Trust website for more information.
Young Minds
Young Minds offers FREE advice to parents and young people up to the age of 25, including signposting to further support, even posting or emailing useful literature. If you are a parent needing help, contact the Parent Helpline on 0808 802 5544.
Youth Employment Hub
OneStop Youth Employment Hub works alongside Job Centre Plus, and Sid Youth to help young people access advice and support and ensure they still have access to training or job opportunities. Their physical space at Marine Place is where young people can meet their youth and work coaches in a safe and welcoming environment. Any young person aged 18-24 who is claiming universal credit can access the personalised coaching programme with a focus on supporting physical and mental health. They aim to help build resilience and skills for future employment. To book a Youth Employment Hub appointment, go to the OneStop website and click Youth Hub.