Teen Talk @ Kidbrooke, a unique service providing advice and support for young people, has been shortlisted for a Guardian Public Service of the Year Award under the Children’s Services category.
What is Teen Talk @ Kidbrooke?
Based at Kidbrooke School, Teen Talk @ Kidbrooke is a drop-in centre open to young people age 11-16. It offers confidential advice on a range of health, psychological, emotional and social issues. It was established three years ago and hundreds of young people have used the centre to discuss problems such as feeling depressed, relationships, family problems and bullying.
The centre is open every lunchtime and is staffed by a team comprising school nurses, youth workers and volunteer ‘peer listeners’. Peer listeners are students who are specially trained to provide emotional and social support to other students in need.
Young people who use Teen Talk @ Kidbrooke can receive advice from the staff or may be referred to other specialists or agencies.
When will they know if they've won?
Last December, Teen Talk @ Kidbrooke won Team of the Year award at the Health and Social Care Awards from the Department of Health.
They will hear if they have won the Guardian award at a special award ceremony on 5 December.
Read more about the Guardian awards
Meeting the needs of young people
Cllr Jackie Smith, Greenwich Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, said:
"If young people bottle up their problems, this will have a negative effect on the rest of their life, including their ability to learn and achieve.
"Young people can sometimes be reluctant to engage with mainstream services. Teen Talk @ Kidbrooke offers young people a service which meets their needs in a comfortable, informal setting."
Related links
Kidbrooke school
Help and advice for teenagers
26 October 2006