SUPPORT SERVICES
We all need a bit of extra support from time to time and we're lucky enough to be in an area where plenty of support services are available to us.
Below you will find some of the best local and national support services - if there is something missing and you'd like help with this, feel free to get in touch and we'll point you in the right direction.
Alcohol related issues
ADASH (Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Service Hertfordshire)
The ADASH team provides confidential advice, support and specialist assessment and treatment to young people who have drug and alcohol problems under the age of 18, who have a Hertfordshire GP or live in or attend school in Hertfordshire. ADASH welcomes telephone enquiries to offer advice and information as well as to inform callers what services there are locally to help young people in Hertfordshire or their parents/carers.
Call: 01992 531 917
Email: a-dash@hpft.nhs.uk
Website: www.hpft.nhs.uk
THE MIX - Essential Support For Under 25's
For Videos and helpful information on everything regarding alcohol, check out The Mix's website: www.themix.org.uk/drink-and-drugs/drinking-alcohol
NACOA - The National Association for Children Of Alcoholics
We understand the struggles of having an alcoholic parent/guardian. If you're struggling or would like to speak to somebody about your concerns, give NACOA a call today on 0800 358 3456. or check out their website: www.nacoa.co.uk
NACOA just want to support you and they offer information and ongoing support via phone or email for all ages. Their number is a freephone number and it will not show up on a landline bill. You don't have to give your name and you can tell them as much or as little as you want.
RISE ABOVE
Offering games, videos and blogs about important subjects for young people
Going to a party and don't want to drink? Check out this link for some helpful tips to make saying 'no' easier: https://riseabove.org.uk/article/the-drink-dodger-hit-list/
BULLYING
BULLYINGUK - Online and over the phone support service.
If you think you are being bullied and would like to get help and advice on what to do, you can check out BullyingUK's website here: https://www.bullying.co.uk/general-advice/ or you can call them on: 0808 800 22 22
THE MIX - Essential Support for under 25s
For Videos and helpful information on everything regarding bullying, check out The Mix's website: http://www.themix.org.uk/sex-and-relationships/friendship/beat-bullying-6285.html
SAMARITANS - Telephone support for all ages
Samaritans is a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress or struggling to cope. You can call the Samaritans 24/7 for free: 116 123
There are other ways to get help from The Samaritans - you can check out their website here:
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help-you/contact-us
CEOP - Child Exploitation and Online Protection
Are you worried about the way someone has been communicating with you online? CEOP is run by the police and is a way for you to report these types of concerns.
Report your concerns here: https://www.ceop.police.uk/ceop-reporting/
DRUGS
ADASH (Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Service Hertfordshire)
The ADASH team provides confidential advice, support and specialist assessment and treatment to young people who have drug and alcohol problems under the age of 18, who have a Hertfordshire GP or live in or attend school in Hertfordshire. ADASH welcomes telephone enquiries to offer advice and information as well as to inform callers what services there are locally to help young people in Hertfordshire or their parents/carers.
Call: 01992 531 917
Email: a-dash@hpft.nhs.uk
Website: www.hpft.nhs.uk
TALK TO FRANK
Everything you need to know about drugs in one place - where to go for help, what certain drugs look like, the dangers of drugs usage and what to do in emergency situations.
If you've hear a friend using a slang term for a drug, you can type it into Talk To Frank search bar and it will tell you what they are referring to.
Check out there website here: http://www.talktofrank.com/
MENTAL HEALTH
PAPYRUS - Prevention of young suicide.
If you are thinking of suicide then give Papyrus a call today:
Call: 0800 068 41 41
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
SMS: 07786 209697
HOPELINEUK is a specialist telephone service staffed by trained professionals who give non-judgemental support, practical advice and information
YOUNGMINDS - Everything you need regarding Mental Health in one place. Every body has a mental health - as much as everyone has their own physical health. Both need looking after and Young Minds has some brilliant tips, videos, advice for doing this.
Check out their website: https://youngminds.org.uk/
SEXUAL HEALTH & HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
C-CARD SCHEME
If you're ages up to 25 in Hertfordshire, you can sign up to the C-Card scheme and get access to free sexual health advice, free condoms, pregnancy testing, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing. For further information on how to do this check out this link:
http://sexualhealthhertfordshire.clch.nhs.uk/under-25s/c-card-hertfordshire
CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION
If you're worried that a friend is being sexually exploited or if you yourself have been sexually exploited - if you have been assaulted, raped, used - please read the information from Hertfordshire County Council on what to do next. You deserve to be heard.
THE MIX - Are you ready to have sex?
If you're not sure wether you're ready for sex, here are some helpful tips to help you make your mind up!
http://www.themix.org.uk/sex-and-relationships/virginity/am-i-ready-for-sex-3341.html
SEXUAL HEALTH HERTFORDSHIRE COMMUNITY CONTRACEPTIVE CLINIC
You can visit the Family Planning Clinic to get advice about contraception, pick up condoms, get sexual health advice, emergency contraception advice and more. In Hemel you can find them based at the Hospital:
Hemel Hempstead hospital
Hillfield Road
Hemel Hempstead
Hertfordshire
HP2 4AD
Please check the website for further details and helpful advice: https://www.fpa.org.uk/
DISRESPECT NOBODY - Healthy Relationship advice and information.
If you're not sure if your relationship is healthy, if you're feeling pressured or don't like the way somebody is treating you - check out Disrespect Nobodys website. Here you will find information on what is normal in a relationship, what consent means, information on sexual harrassment, rape and sexting.
Check out their website here: https://www.disrespectnobody.co.uk/
FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) - Female Genital Mutilation, often known as 'cutting' is an illegal non-medical procedure carried out in some religious cultures. There are no medical reasons to carry out FGM. It doesn't enhance fertility and it doesn't make childbirth safer. It is used to control female sexuality and can cause severe and long-lasting damage to physical and emotional health.
If you are worried about FGM, if you think you or a friend is at risk of having the procedure done you can get support by calling the NSPCC for free on 0800 028 3350 or find their website:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect/female-genital-mutilation-fgm/
LGBTQ AND COMING OUT For support and information on all matters that surround being Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning, check out StoneWall. For information specifically on coming out click the link below:
https://www.stonewall.org.uk/help-advice/coming-out/coming-out-young-person
OTHER HELPFUL LINKS
THE MIX is the UK’s leading support service for young people. There to help you take on any challenge you’re facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. Talk to them online or via their free, confidential helpline.
NEED I.D? If you need photo identification, apply with CITIZEN CARD who are a nationally recognised identification company for only £15 you could have your i.d in the next 4 weeks.
https://www.citizencard.com/apply-for-a-uk-id-card-online
HOMELESS IN HERTFORDSHIRE? If you're a young person who's been made homeless, Herts Young Homeless can help you find somewhere safe to stay. Get in contact : https://www.hyh.org.uk/
EXAM STRESS? With exam season looming stress levels all over the country are rising - if you'd like some tips on how to tackle exam related stress, check out this link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1HsY1X8ySjKBMVXPVCbP4qH/exam-stress
APPRENTICESHIPS - Sign up to the .gov apprenticeship service to check out the newest apprenticeship adverts. Earn whilst you learn!
https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch
CREATING YOUR CV - Check out this link for tips and templates for creating your first CV.
http://www.help4teens.co.uk/Making-an-Application/Your-CV.html
ACHIEVE YOUR DREAMS - If you have a dream job but you're not quite sure on how to achieve it, you can use this website - which will give you a step by step guide on what qualifications you need and how to get where you're going.
https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/
BARCLAYS MONEY SKILLS - Need help with managing money and understanding your payslip? Check out this helpful advice and information from Barclays:
https://www.barclayslifeskills.com/i-want-to-get-to-grips-with-money-and-my-payslip/school
HEALTH FOR TEENS - For everything health related from sexual health, smoking, self harm to bullying, contraception and healthy eating, you can text 'The School Nurse' service on 07480635050 or visit their website:
FREE YOUTH COUNSELLING - Use Youth Access' website to find your nearest counselling service for your chance to unload all your worries and work through them with a trained professional.
http://www.youthaccess.org.uk/
HAVE YOU LOST A LOVED ONE? - If you've lost a loved one and would like to talk to somebody about them and how you're dealing with the loss you can reach out to Once Upon A Smile - a wonderful charity which helps young people through grief.