The Help Through Crisis Drop-in offers free advice and support for 15-25 year olds and ran from 2pm-4pm on Wednesday 21st September. This is a project in partnership with Young People’s Support Foundation and Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People. It was staffed by a volunteer advisor but recently they have been able to add two paid workers as well. They’ve seen three people today but this service is only just starting so people are still finding out what times the service is open (2pm-4pm Wednesday and Friday).
It was set up as YASP were seeing increasing numbers of young people who didn’t know their rights or how to find help and support – lots of people don’t know how to find their way round things like housing, health services and so on. Lots of people have low confidence or low self-esteem and so having someone to talk to (“someone who cares about you”) is important. A leaflet or online information on its own is not enough to help you feel like you can find, ask for and get what you need (“leaflets don’t care about people”) particularly if you’re coming out of the care system or have been having a difficult time with family. The project helps people build their confidence and move forward with their lives. The service can cover anything – housing, health, money advice. And it’s set in the YASP community café so it’s accessible and visible.
A volunteer started off helping out in the café and because of this he’s gained confidence and now helps as a mentor and wants to train to become a counsellor. By working in this voluntary role he’s realised he’s really good at helping other people:
“Being a volunteer at the advice drop- in has given me experience and taught me the skills to further develop my career and made me realise I enjoy helping others and that is why I have decided to train to be a qualified counsellor”