Support for young people

Support for young people

Supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing

Regardless of their age, this may be a difficult time for children and young people. Some may react right away, while others may show signs of difficulty later on.

It’s important that you take care of your family’s mental health – there are lots of things you can do, and support is available if you need it.

A children’s guide to coronavirus

You may be anxious or worried about the coronavirus outbreak and may have many will have questions about everything that is happening at the moment.

The Children’s Commissioner has put together a short guide to help explain some of the issues surrounding coronavirus.

There is also a page full of advice, information, suggestions and resources for parents, educators and other professionals who work with children, to help during the pandemic.

Services available online

Whilst local physical youth clubs need to close to ensure we are all practicing social distancing in line with government advice, we will continue to offer certain services online, including:

To keep up to date with any of the above and what’s happening across the area, please find us on Facebook or email youth.services@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.

Online resources

You can find lots of information and resources online.

For education and careers information, advice and guidance visit Find Your Future.

For trusted information, advice and guidance on relationships and sex, emotional health, wellbeing, drugs and alcohol please visit Young Central Bedfordshire.

Staying safe online

Whilst technology will help us stay in touch as you practice social distancing, please ensure you stay safe online.

Top tips:

  • do not accept video chat unless you know and trust the person
  • don’t post any personal information online – like your address, email address or mobile number
  • think carefully before posting pictures or videos of yourself; once you’ve put a picture of yourself online, most people can see it and may be able to download it, it’s not just yours anymore
  • keep your privacy settings as high as possible
  • never give out your passwords
  • don’t friend people you don’t know; remember, not everyone online is who they say they are
  • if you see something online that makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe or worried: leave the website, turn off your computer if you want to and tell a trusted adult immediately

For more information on online safety, visit Childline's website.

Youth Voice

Our youth work team supports young people to have a voice and make a difference in their local community through different youth voice mechanisms, including Youth Parliament, Young Commissioners and the Youth Audit Team.

To get involved with Youth Voice find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Need someone to talk to?

Kooth is a free, safe and anonymous online place where young people can find counselling and support.

Promoting Positive Wellbeing: Separation Anxiety

Fri, 5 Jun 2020 12:00

This is a virtual workshop to promote positive emotional wellbeing in children who are struggling to separate from their parents or carers. The current situation with covid-19 may have had an impact on children and they are now feeling reluctant to leave parents or carers. This may be something new or ongoing since before the pandemic. The session will have a focus on stories and some fun strategies primarily this session is aimed at under 7's however there will be some useful information in this for parents and children of all ages going through this issue.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/107213390136