INFORMATION & SUPPORT

We provide friendly, non-judgemental advice and support to enable young people to make informed choices. We offer a variety of information and support access points. These can be accessed via a professional referral but most often self-referral, and enquiries can be either by phone, email, website message or drop-in contact. The flexible access is supported by a wide range of day and evening opening times.

Mon – Fri phone guidance and support delivered by staff during office hours equalling 284 hours of calls in the 2018-19 year.

Daily afternoon drop-in support plus phone information and guidance delivered by our volunteer support workers until 9 pm Mon to Thurs and 5 pm on Friday, to potential clients, parents, professionals and to support clients on our waiting list. 

80-100 waiting list calls are made most weeks totalling over 4000 calls per year.

Anyone can seek information from us by phone, email, or in-person. If you drop into our main office or groupwork venue, we will help you look through our range of leaflets and access online information. We work with you to find the options that interest and support you, whether that is offered by Off The Record or other organisations. A few of these are listed below…

Anna Freud Self Care/help They say ~ “Self-care is about the things we can do to look after our own mental health. Young people told us that when they are struggling, they are usually told to see a professional. They do not often get much advice about how they could help themselves. So, we spoke to professionals and looked at academic research. Then we drew up a list of strategies young people could use. It’s up to you to decide what helps.  If it works, keep doing it. If it doesn’t, stop and try something else”. https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/self-care/

BACP The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, is the professional association for members of the counselling professions in the UK.  Look at this website for options if you want to search for local, private, fee paying counselling. https://bacp.co.uk

Barnardos They say ~ “We support care leavers, those looking to gain workplace skills, LGBTQ young people and those at risk of homelessness. Whether in the home, at school, online or in the local community, we support children and young people who have been abused and help them feel safe again”. https://barnardos.org.uk/

Child Line   They say ~ “you can contact us about anything. Whatever your worry, it's better out than in. We're here to support you and help you find ways to cope. There are lots of different ways to get in touch with us. And you can also get help from other young people through our site.”  https://www.childline.org.uk/get-support/contacting-childline/

Hampshire Young Carers Alliance (HYCA) They say ~ “HYCA aims to share and deliver good working practice by supporting young people with significant caring responsibilities and strengthen relationships with other agencies by means of a single county-wide voice”. https://hyca.org.uk/

Hampshire Youth Access (HYA) They say ~ “HYA is a partnership of agencies providing counselling, information, advice, and support to children and young people aged 5 to 17 across Hampshire. We also give advice and information to anyone concerned about a child or young person’s emotional wellbeing. By working together, we are able to share experience and best practice. This means that we are in a good position to help improve outcomes for children and young people”. https://hampshireyouthaccess.org.uk/

Please note: Off The Record provides a service for 11 -17 year olds under this partnership within the Havant Borough 

iTalk – italk is an NHS commissioned service for patients aged 16 and over who are registered with a GP in the following areas: Hampshire: Basingstoke, Bordon, Eastleigh, Fareham, Gosport, Havant, the New Forest, Petersfield, Romsey, Andover and Winchester. It is free to anyone who accesses it. https://italk.org.uk/

Mind They say ~ “we are a national and local charity. Each local Mind is unique. They understand the needs of their community and they tailor their services to match. Services include talking therapies, peer support, advocacy, crisis care, employment and housing support”.https://www.easthantsmind.org/wellbeing-services/childrens-mental-health-and-wellbeing/ https:www.mind.org.uk

Papyrus Provides confidential suicidal prevention advice regarding and for young people. https://papyrus-uk.org/

Relate - offers relationship support and runs the Portsmouth young people’s counselling service called ‘U Matters’ https://www.relate.org.uk/

Samaritans They say ~ “we are a national organisation offering support to anyone going through a period of emotional distress. We respond to telephone, email and SMS callers with a 24/7 availability and also offer a Face to Face option in our London Road Centre in North End Portsmouth.”  https://samaritans.org/

Simon Says – provides support for bereaved children up to the age of 18. https://simonsays.org.uk

The MIX They say ~ "we are here to help you take on any challenge you’re facing - from mental health to money from homelessness to finding a job, from break-up to drugs. Talk to us via online or call our confidential helpline.”  https://www.themix.org.uk/   

Young Minds They say ~ “Your guide to CAMHS, who’s who in mental health services and who you can call if you need to talk to someone. Support with common concerns, anger bullying, self-harm, body image, exam stress”. https://young.minds.org.uk/

Youth Access They say ~ “Youth Access is the national membership organisation for young people's information, advice and counselling services (YIACS). Our projects and activities ensure that links are fostered and sustained between the different sectors impacting on our members’ work with young people.” https://youthaccess.org.uk/

Please note: their national guidelines and approaches frame the work of Off The Record. 

May 2020 Please be aware when looking for support and information, that due to the coronavirus pandemic some of these organisations have had to make changes to how they currently work and deliver their services. Please check their websites for the latest and most accurate information.