"I just need to talk about a load of personal stuff"
There are lots of people who would be happy to talk confidentially to you about a load of personal stuff e.g. Youth Workers, Connexions PAs, School Health Nurses, Doctors. But if you want to talk to someone else, there are lots of specialists out there, as you'll see below.
Local counselling for young people
What counselling is: A place where you can explore thoughts and feelings which could be getting to you. Counsellors have special training and try to be non-judgemental. Big difficulties in life are often untangled in this way.
South Gloucestershire projects which offer free counselling include:
Backchat Counselling Service (Previoulsy @ Project 97)
Phone: 01454 862088
07502 149 732
Address: Down Under Cafe, Back of Holy Trinity Church car Park, Kinswood
Chat Shop, Yate
Phone: 01454 862088
A free and confidential service offering one-to-one counselling for young people.
You ring and leave your name and number on an answer phone and a counsellor will call you back within a week.
Relate Counselling Service for Young People
Relate Avon provide counselling for young people between the ages of 10 and 18. If you aged 10-18 and want to talk to someone about family breakup; having problems with school or friendship relationships; upset by new living arrangements or grieving as a result of separation or bereavement, they may be able to help.
Phone: 0117 942 8444
http://www.relate-avon.org.uk/
If somone constantly puts you done, threatens you or forces you to do things you don't want to do this is abuse. Abuse in relationships can happen to any one regardless of the type of relationship. Abuse can harm you physically and emotionally as well as leave you feeling isolated and lonely. Click HERE to get more information and help. If you in immediate danger call 999.
"I've been pushed into having sex"
If someone has forced or persuaded you into a sexual situation you are uncomfortable with, it is first important to remember that you are not alone. It is important that you tell someone as soon as possible and don't keep it to yourself. Telling someone what has happened means that you can get the support you need.
The person you talk to should be someone that you trust and feel comfortable with, maybe a friend, parent, school nurse, youth worker, GP, school teacher or Connexions PA.
You can also speak to the police who have specially trained officers to deal with these things. You can contact them immediately by dialling 999.
This may be difficult for you to do, but it is important that you try to tell them as much as you can about the rape or sexual assault. The police do understand how hard and distressing this can be and will take it very slowly. They can write down and record everything you say as it might be used in evidence if your case goes to court.
The Bridge is also known as a sexual assault referral centre. They house specialist doctors and people who can help following a rape or sexual assault. They will ask you about what happened and then examine your body to try and find evidence of what happened to you.
The most important thing we can do at The Bridge is to make sure that you are okay. They will advise you about how to deal with a possible pregnancy, check you for sexually transmitted infections, and sort out treatment if you have caught anything. They can also arrange for you to get support from local services.
The Bridge is open to support women, men, children and young people throughout the Avon and Somerset area that have been affected by rape or sexual assault.
http://www.turntothebridge.org/facilities-and-support-services/support-for-young-people.aspx
The Bridge, 2nd Floor, Central Health Clinic, Tower Hill, Bristol, BS2 0JD
Telephone Number: 0117 342 6999 Email: turntothebridge@uhbristol.nhs.uk
Bristol Rape Crisis - listening, believing and supporting women and girls.
Bristol Rape Crisis is a specialist support service for women and girls in Bristol and the surrounding areas, who have experienced any form of sexual violence, at any point in their lives.
External link: Bristol Rape Crisis Helpline: 0117 9298868 (Mon 12- 3pm and Wed 6-8pm)
You can also call Sex. Worth talking about free on 0800 28 29 30, 7 a.m. - midnight, 7 days a week.
"My parents/friends are drinking too much and using drugs."
External link: Talk to Frank is the website all about drugs and alcohol or phone them free on 0800 776600. Or try South Gloucestershire Young People's Drugs and Alcohol advice line: 01454 868763.
"Someone I love has died or is dying"
Hearing that someone in your family has a very serious illness and is going to die is shattering for everyone in the family, however young or old. Or suddenly finding out that someone important in your life has died in an accident can obviously leave you feeling very upset and anxious.
Go to External link: RD4U a site designed by young people for young people or, if you want to talk to someone direct, call their FREE phone helpline on 0808 808 1677 Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Or try External link: Winston's Wish Helpline 08452 03 04 05.
"I've been feeling like ending my life."
Papyrus - External link: www.papyrus-uk.org
PAPYRUS is a voluntary UK organisation committed to the prevention of young suicide and the promotion of mental health and emotional wellbeing
"I've been harming myself."
LifeSIGNS - External link: www.selfharm.org
A voluntary organisation that raises awareness about the syndrome of self injury (e.g. cutting) in the UK and beyond.
Bristol Crisis Service for Women - External link: www.selfinjurysupport.org.uk/
Bristol Crisis Service for Women supports girls and women in emotional distress, in particular those who harm themselves. They offer a text and email support service as well as a helpline.
Are you the target of homophobic bullying?
Call the EACH Actionline on 0808 1000 143 or visit their website (external link).
Useful websites:
For information on a whole range of services in the South Gloucestershire area, go to External link: www.1bigdatabase.org.uk
External link: www.brook.org.uk or ring 0808 802 1234 (free from all phones including mobiles)
Brook Young People's clinics provide free confidential sexual health advice and services. Your nearest Brook drop-in is in central Bristol: 1 Unity Street, Bristol, BS1 5HH.
Brook also offer free counselling. Call 0117 9290090 for further information or to book an appointment to see the counsellor.
External link: www.fpa.org.uk or ring the Family Planning Association 0845 310 1334
External link: need2know - advice on student life, relationships, travel and more!
No Worries! is a South Gloucestershire scheme that makes it easier for you to get relationships and sexual health advice and services. Even if you are under 16, all of the services listed in the leaflet are free and confidential (unless you are at risk of harm).
South Gloucestershire No Worries! services (PDF format) - an up-to-date list of free, confidential local sexual health services that you can trust
