Advocacy and Support.

Advocacy is getting help from another in order to help solve a problem or issue.  It's when you ask someone to speak up for you so that you can get your voice heard, and have a better chance of getting an outcome you would like.  Our advocacy service includes offering information and support in a wide variety of areas.  Such as:

  • Difficulties in accessing services in health and social care.
  • Benefits & housing issues.
  • Education and employment problems.
  • Family Conflict.

This service can also include, supporting you at meetings and writing letters representing your views and wishes to others.

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Settling in or Moving on.

If you're preparing for or having difficulties living on your own for any reason, we can help you get organised. Our aim is to provide you with the information and support that you may need, so you will be able to make informed decisions and choices.

We will offer you a private and non-judgemental atmosphere and an opportunity to talk freely. we do operate in a confidential manner, but in very rare circumstances we may need to inform someone else, if we feel there is a real danger to you or someone else, but you will be informed first.

We can't promise that we can resolve all your problems, but we do listen and can help you find ways to work them out.

Our service is designed for young people aged 11-25 years old. If you feel you could benefit from this service, please do not hesitate to contact us!

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Professional Counselling.

Including for:

  • abuse
  • bereavement
  • depression
  • low self esteem
  • relationships
  • self harm

The counselling service is accessed via self-referral, your local GP surgery, or by student support staff in Colchester Borough schools and offers professional, person-centred therapy on a weekly basis.

All counselling sessions take place in purpose built rooms within the centre and are provided free by YES volunteer counsellors.

All YES counsellors have a BACP recognised, or equivalent, qualification and are subject to professional supervision.

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Confidentiality.

Counsellors at YES adhere to the confidentiality guidelines outlined in the BACP ethical framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy.

This means that any information discussed with your counsellor is confidential and will not be shared with anyone outside of YES and supervision. Counsellors use supervisors to ensure your safety and to keep the counselling you receive to a good standard. During supervision your name, or any other means of identifying you, will not be used.

In exceptional circumstances, where your counsellor feels there may be a risk of serious harm to yourself or others, or when they feel you are no longer able to take responsibility for your own actions, your counsellor will ask for your consent to disclose any information that may be necessary to help you. If this is not possible, your counsellor will speak with his/her supervisor and a decision may be made to disclose if it is felt that to do so would be in your best interest.

From time to time your counsellor may be required to tape-record a session for supervision purposes. Your permission will always be asked before tape-recording takes place. The rule of confidentiality laid out above still apply.

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Information & Referral.

Colchester Youth Enquiry Service provides free counselling, support and information to 11 - 25 year olds on any problem they have. This is often a final refuge for those young people suffering from emotional and mental health problems as a result of family breakdown, homelessness and abuse.

We have many leaflets and staff with knowledge and experience which enable young people to access the appropriate services for the following:

  • drugs
  • eating disorders
  • legal
  • sexual health

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Family relationship mediation & crisis intervention.

To the Young Person:

  • Are your Parents often having a 'go' at you?
  • Do you hate going home after school or college?
  • Do your parents tell you how to live your life?
  • Do you argue a lot with your parents?
  • Do you feel that your family does not understand you?
  • Do you feel no one listens to you?
  • Are you considering leaving home or running away?
  • Do you feel depressed, isolated, or alone?

To the parents/carers:

  • Do you feel it difficult to talk to your child?
  • Do you feel that you don't know your child anymore?
  • Are there a lot of arguments in the house?
  • Is your child often out of the house or in their room?
  • Do you sometimes wish that they would leave home?
  • Do you feel that you are on your own in this situation and unable to talk to your child?

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Mediation and crisis intervention.

If some of these points apply to you and your family perhaps this service is what you need. We encourage families to talk to each other, and recognize problem areas. The councillor will help the family identify goals or aims that they might work towards meeting them.

The family may be experiencing short term problems, or it may have been something that has been causing difficulties or conflicts over a long period of time.

A safe place for openness, fairness and acceptance is offered. It may be possible to improve communication within the home by offering understanding and encouragement to the whole family.

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How and Where.

First appointment - to find a way forward.
Plus six weekly sessions (negotiable).
One follow up session - to see how things have progressed.
Duration of each session is 1 hour.
Usually a session takes place in the centre: however, other arrangements can be made if necessary.
It is important that a young person has agreed to the provision of this service.
the same guidelines described in the Confidentiality page of the counselling section apply for this service.