Winchester Youth Counselling (WYC) provide free, open-ended mental health support for young people aged 11-25. Our services include 1:1 Counselling, Walk and Talk Therapy, Nature Therapy, Group work and support for parents and carers. WYC support young people experiencing a range of issues including anxiety and depression, bereavement, suicidal ideation, self harm and many others, that have a hugely negative impact on their wellbeing and their future.
Due to the increasing need for mental health support for young people, WYC has made ambitious plans to reduce waiting times from 6 months to less than one month by the end of 2022. This includes a target to double the number of 1:1 counselling sessions available throughout the course of the year.
The charity is also ensuring that young people are able to access support as early as possible by setting up a weekly mental health drop in. Early support is essential to identifying young people at risk and reducing the number of young people that need more longer term support. WYC will also be delivering weekly parent and carer support groups from January 2023.
By engaging with WYC services, hundreds of young people every year, have shared that they feel a reduction in stress, anxiety, depression and loneliness. Ultimately we see that, younger people are more likely to engage with education, training or employment in the long term, and have the self confidence, resilience and coping strategies to carry with them through to adulthood. We are hugely grateful for this grant from the Pixel Fund to be able to provide life-changing support to young people in Winchester.