By Tilly Walder
When thinking of the Island’s Youth Trust, what first springs to mind for many is a one-to-one youth counselling provision. Whilst this is a highlighted feature, and the work they do in catering for our young people’s mental health is commendable, the 41-year-old service now provides much more than just one-to-one counselling to tackle the rise in poor mental health.
One size does not fit all
I’m sure many will agree that one of the mental health sector’s biggest downfalls is treating patients under a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Despite sharing diagnosed labels, and displaying similar symptoms, no two people cope with their mental health the same. A treatment that is a success for one, may prove unrealistic and insufficient for another.
To combat this mental health service stigma, the Youth Trust’s work places prominence on individual voices. They engage in thorough, thoughtful conversation with the young person (or their parents if they are under 13), to set a route of action that is specifically tailored to their needs and circumstances.
The trust recognises that some issues youths face today cannot be resolved through counselling. Therefore, they provide targeted group sessions, as well as CV writing guidance, help in job seeking, and accommodation support.
Adapting to changing circumstances
Proving themselves to be a dynamic workforce, the Youth Trust witnessed an increasing need in help for young people, and promptly took the appropriate steps to provide for the Island’s youth.
“Over the last 18 months, we’ve introduced our Wellbeing Team,” explained Paul Savill, the wellbeing lead. “This idea grew out of the fact that the waiting list for one-to-one therapy has grown to around 600 children and young people on the Island.
“We were trying to figure out: how can we get in early to support people? Are there things that we could do for those that are already on the waiting list? Because you can be on the waiting list for six to nine months before you even see anyone.”
To tackle this issue, and still provide the much-needed support to those in the waiting list, the trust introduced a triage system. The Wellbeing Team operates at Tier 1 and the Trust at Tier 2, whereas services such as CAMHS operate on the more clinical Tier 3. The Trust and Wellbeing Team work hard to support people early, and to support the individual to the point where they aren’t in need of Tier 3 support. However, despite not being a 24/7 service that doesn’t deal with crisis, the trust works closely with the organisation KOOTH, which does.
A taskforce tackling relevant issues
The Youth Trust’s Taskforce is a collective group of young people aged 13 to 25, and they deal with topics relating to youth voices. The Taskforce works around a six point plan, placing emphasis upon issues including employment, mental health, environment, transport, equality and diversity, and youth provisions.
The group works hard, together with the IW Youth Council, to achieve outcomes and make things better for young people on the Island.
Vix Lawton, youth engagement officer, explained: “The Taskforce, for me, is like a school council. Many members of the group have struggled with social anxiety, and before now would struggle to engage in anything like a taskforce.”
Youth Voice Conference
To reach out to the Island’s youth and make them aware of what is available to them, the annual Youth Voice Conference will take place on Saturday, January 25, at Newport Minster, from 9am until 4pm. The day is shaped around the aforementioned six-point plan, and how it can be moved forward. A variety of organisations, including children’s services and the fire cadets will be in attendance, displaying the opportunities they can provide for young people. Food and drink will be also be supplied.
Scan the QR code to register your interest in attending the event.
Isle of Wight Observer