Support for Young People
Download is our specialist youth counselling service. Download creates a place where young people 12 to 25 years old can express how they are feeling and share their experiences in a confidential and safe place. Be real. Be heard. Be valued.
You have come to the right place!
Here at Alternatives we want to offer you a safe space, free of judgement, where you can come and talk about the things that matter to you.
We know that young people often need a place to be listened to, valued and heard when life feels confusing or difficult.
Counselling for young people isn’t about finding all the answers, it is about taking time to explore who you are, what’s important, things that have happened and how you feel about the future.
It can be difficult to find the right person to talk about things that are hard- counselling can be a helpful way to explore things with someone who will really listen, understand and support you in making the changes that are important to you.
Will you tell anyone what I have talked about?
Our support is confidential. This means that we don’t share information with anyone else, this is your space to share what you need to. The only time we would ever pass on concerns would be if you tell us that you are at risk of harm to yourself or someone else. We will never pass on information without discussing this with you first so that you get the right support from the right person.
What do Download session look like?
Download is designed for young people by young people. We recognise there is no “one right way” to deliver counselling. There are lots of ways that you can share your story and we will help you find what works for you. If talking is hard we can express thoughts and feelings through paint, images, objects and clay – whatever you feel comfortable with.
Each young person will be allocated to a dedicated counsellor, and will initially be offered up to 12 support sessions – there is no commitment to attending all 12 sessions.
For some people it can help to have a therapy dog in a session. If you feel this would be helpful let us know.
Can I have an online session?
Yes we can arrange sessions online and on telephone if this is easier for you. Sometimes people like to start on telephone and then come into our space when they feel more comfortable.
Your voice
When I am here, I can be myself… I get to share what’s really going on and it helps me be less angry and confused.
Who can access Download?
You can access Download if you:
- are between 12-25 years old
- are feeling low about yourself
- are finding yourself in a difficult situation
- are facing making a big decision and unsure what to do
- are currently struggling with friendships or relationships
- are not already receiving therapeutic support (e.g. pre-exisiting counselling, regular appointments form CAMHS)
If we feel we cannot offer the level of support that a young person needs, we will signpost to another service with the permission of the young person. We recognise that telling your story over and over to different people can be a very negative experience and we don’t want that to happen by accepting referrals for specific support that we don’t offer.
Helpful Resources
We have put together some resources that you might find helpful while we work on arranging an appointment for you.
Behind the wall
An image which describes a sense of being trapped by overwhelming emotions.
Media Library
A library of encouraging quotes and videos which discusses a variety of issues such as anxiety, stress and more.