Page 34 - Oundle Life Issue 7 May 2021

TALK TIME?
CHAT, don’t feel isolated...
Nobody told me there’d be days like these... ...strange days indeed!
These words from a John
Lennon song seem to sum
up the last year we have
all lived through. After the
series of lockdowns and
restrictions due to COVID, some young people may feel very isolated, unsettled and confused as personal circumstances have changed significantly. CHAT are happy to spend time with those who may have experienced the loss of loved ones and may even feel anxiety about returning to school. Statistics reveal there is a growing number of young people self-harming and/or developing eating disorders, and CHAT is available to support these and all other issues.
Young people are at the heart of this local charity, which started life due to a growing need for support by professionals independent of school and family. At the very beginning Prince William School pupils were invited to discuss what they felt would help them, and they also devised a name for the service, suggesting an acronym based upon the words Confidential, Help, Advice and Time - so CHAT was born.
Since 1998 CHAT has operated within the North East of Northamptonshire covering Oundle, Thrapston and the many surrounding villages throughout the area. CHAT’s base is at the Courthouse in Oundle but works in many local schools too, and are also looking to develop an outreach and drop-in service to support those unable to access the town independently.
Anyone aged 9-25 years in this area can be offered a confidential 1-2-1 counselling service that is free, and at a time convenient to them.
Sometimes young people believe there are issues which are just too difficult or too personal to discuss with friends and family, or are too complicated to resolve themselves. This is when it can be helpful to seek confidential counselling from someone who is fully qualified and trained to listen, support resolutions and offer advice.
CHAT counsellors aim to help young people explore their feelings, thoughts and behaviours. By supporting clients to make decisions about things they can change, or to come to terms with things they can’t, they become better equipped to manage the complexities of life.
CHAT counsellors are trained to at least Level 3 Counselling and are members of BACP (British Association of Counselling Professionals).
To access the service, phone, email or complete the referral form on the website, and a response will be made as soon as possible. Email: info@chatyouthcounselling
Tel: 01832 274422 www.chatyouthcounselling.org.uk
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