ABOUT US
Hello, we're Youth Talk
Since 1997 thousands of young people have trusted us to help them.
Young people face unprecedented demands, disruptions and uncertainties and the demand for our free, confidential counselling service has reached unprecedented and worrying new heights.
We provide free, confidential counselling and support for 13–25 year olds across St Albans and surrounding areas.
120
young people are supported by Youth Talk every week
30%
of 11-16 year olds have missed a week of school because of their mental health
50%
of mental ill health starts by the age of 15 (and 75% develops by the age of 18)
OUR VISION
Every young person can talk to someone who can help with whatever’s worrying them
OUR MISSION
To provide the best possible mental health support to young people in St Albans and surrounding areas
Our values
We are open and accepting
We always give our best
We are stronger together
At Youth Talk, respect is at the heart of everything we do. Our RESPECT Charter outlines the values and behaviours that shape our culture.
As demand grows, so does our ambition.
Young people need us now more than ever, and our five-year strategy is all about rising to that challenge.
We’re focusing our energy on four key areas that will help us reach and support significantly more young people over the next five years.
- GROWING OUR SUPPORT
- We’re growing our 1:1 and group counselling, expanding our Saturday sessions, strengthening our GP partnerships, and developing our trainee counsellor programme – so we can support more young people than ever before.
- REACHING MORE YOUNG PEOPLE
- Not every young person finds it easy to ask for help. We’re focusing on understanding the barriers that stop some young people – particularly boys and young men – from accessing support, and finding new ways to reach them earlier.
- INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
- To keep growing safely and sustainably, we’re investing in our people, systems, fundraising, insight, and Youth Panel so we can continue to deliver high-quality support and learn from the young people we work with.
- CREATING THE RIGHT SPACES
- Our new counselling centre is already helping us meet growing demand, providing a calm, modern and welcoming space where young people can feel safe, heard and supported.
Since I started my counselling sessions with Youth Talk last year I have seen a tremendous amount of improvement within myself. I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity. I have been so fortunate to have my counsellor because I don’t think I would be the person I am now, compared to last year if it wasn’t for her incredible optimism and calm energy.
