New youth counselling service starts in Thatcham today

A new youth wellbeing service has started today (Monday) in Thatcham.

Oxfordshire mental health charity Response announced last autumn it was expanding to provide early, preventative care to young people in the Thatcham area.

It hopes to open its next new facility at Carramar, in Church Lane, in May.

But until then, it has started offering individual and group drop-in and organised therapeutic sessions for those aged eight to 25 through partnerships with local schools and community groups.

The charity’s associate director of children, young people and families Jamie Douglas explained: “We've already agreed with Kennet School we're going to do at least one day a week, but then also using the school as a way of getting young people to start connecting with us, because some young people probably won’t want to see us in school.”

He continued: “With the older children, it might be we’re doing a session in coffee shops, but to the outside world, it looks like a couple of people having a coffee.

“That works really well sometimes because it's a bit more anonymous and people don't necessarily know there's a therapeutic session going on.

“In the nicer weather, we'll also be walking around having a chat because sometimes for some young people, sitting down face to face, two chairs opposite each other, isn't the best way of doing this kind of work.”

The charity is interested in hearing from any community groups who might be willing to host its services.

It is still fundraising to complete its new facility in Thatcham.

It has so far raised more than £20,000 and just needs £8,000 to hit its target.

Visit https://shorturl.at/v1rKf to donate.

Contact info@response.org.uk for more information on counselling sessions.