Lots of different services and organisations in Ealing offer support for young people. This page contains information about all of the different ways to get support.
If you need urgent help, for example because you’re in crisis:
How to use this page
This page has a lot of information about different ways to access mental health support. It is split into different sections:
Other mental health support
For information about non-NHS organisations that offer free mental health support for young people in Ealing.
Accessing NHS mental health support
For information about NHS mental health services in Ealing.
Support for specific things
For organisations that are experts at supporting young people in specific things, for example, supporting young people who have experienced bereavement or who are LGBTQ+ or seeking asylum.
Youth groups and other activities
Because we know that spending time with other people doing things you enjoy is good for your mental health.
Other mental health support
Circle (a safe space for young people in mental distress)
Circle is a hub space and cafe that offers support for young people at (or near) crisis point with their mental health.
Young people can come for advice, support, or just to talk. You can drop in or make an appointment.
Find out about when Circle is open (and how to make an appointment) on the Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing and Hounslow Mind website.
Counselling at The Mix (UK wide service)
The Mix offers up to eight sessions of free phone or online counselling to young people living in the UK who are aged 25 and under. You can get in touch yourself using a form on their website. Find out more about counselling at The Mix on their website.
Mentoring at the Julian Campbell Foundation
The Julian Campbell Foundation offers a mentoring programme for young people aged between 11 and 25 who are struggling to manage their mood or need some extra support to deal with emotional or stressful situations. You don’t need a diagnosis to be part of the mentoring programme. You can get in touch yourself by emailing them.
Find out more about the Julian Campbell Foundation on their website.
Individual and group therapy, workshops, and support from SAFE Evolve
SAFE Evolve is a team of Child and Family Specialists and Wellbeing Practitioners. It supports young people aged up to 18 (and their families) who are experiencing mild to moderate low mood, anxiety, or difficulties managing emotions and social relationships. It offers evidence-based individual therapy, group therapy, workshops, and work with parents and carers, including both face-to-face and virtual sessions.
You cannot refer yourself to SAFE Evolve. You can ask your school, a GP, a health visitor, a social worker, or another health professional to refer you.Individual and group therapy, workshops, and support from SAFE Evolve
SAFE Evolve is provided by Anna Freud and commissioned (planned) by the London Borough of Ealing. The team at SAFE Evolve work alongside other teams, including CAMHS, to make sure that young people get the best support.
Support from Supportive Action for Families in Ealing
SAFE gives families information and advice to help them access the right support so that problems don’t get bigger. As well as mental health, they can help with things like drugs and alcohol use, home situations, finances, and relationship difficulties.
People can self-refer to SAFE by email.
MindFood (for over 18s)
MindFood are a charity who run food-growing and creative sessions to help people experiencing stress, depression, or anxiety. They have two sites in Ealing. People can self-refer to MindFood or they can ask their GP to refer them.
Find out more on the MindFood website or read Best For You’s interview with Lucy, MindFood’s Programme Director.
Accessing NHS mental health support
You can make an appointment with your GP to talk about mental health. GP stands for ‘general practitioner’ – they’re doctors who have done extra training to be able to treat common medical conditions and refer people to other services for more specialist treatment or support. You can find out more about GPs (and how to register with one) on the NHS website.
Your GP can refer you to EalingCAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services).
As well as the Core CAMHS Team, you might be able to see people from:
Ealing Early Intervention for Psychosis Team
This service supports people between the ages of 14 and 65 who are experiencing their first episode of psychosis. GPs can refer people to this service. Young people and families can’t self-refer, but if the person they’re worried about is under 18, they can call the CAMHS helpline to talk about what to do.Find out more about the Early Intervention for Psychosis Team.
West London NHS Trust Children and Young People’s Eating Disorder Service
This service supports young people with eating disorders and young people who have suspected eating disorders (if a young person or an adult in their life thinks they may have an eating disorder). GPs can refer young people to this service. Young people and families can’t self-refer, but they can call the CAMHS helpline to talk about what do so. You can download a PDF booklet about the West London NHS Trust Children and Young People’s Eating Disorder Service to find out more about it.
Support for specific topics
ADHD and autism
Centre for ADHD and Autism Support (CAAS) – monthly online forum for autistic young people aged 14 to 19 without a co-occurring learning disability
The Centre for ADHD and Autism Support is a Harrow-based organisation, mainly offering services for residents of Harrow and Hillingdon. They offer a monthly online forum that is open to autistic young people aged between 14 and 19 who live in Ealing (and other north-west London boroughs). Young people are involved in choosing the topics featured in the forum.
Register your interest on the Centre for ADHD and Autism Support website.
Bereavement
Grief Encounter (bereavement)
Grief Encounter offer up to 30 one to one weekly counselling sessions. The sessions can be at school, online, or at their centre in North London (NW7). They do not accept referrals for grandparent-related bereavement(s) unless the grandparent who died was a primary caregiver. You can get in touch about counselling yourself through an online form.
They also offer workshops, a residential retreat, fun days, and a choir. You can contact them about these by email.
Grief Encounter have a confidential phone helpline and online chat that is open from 9am to 9pm on weekdays.
Winston’s Wish (bereavement – UK wide service)
Winston’s Wish offer one-off or ongoing advice, guidance, and bereavement support for young people up to the age of 25 (and their families). They have a helpline, which is open between 9am and 5pm on weekdays.
They also have online peer support groups (for young people aged between 7 and 12, for young people aged between 13 and 17, and for young people aged between 18 and 25, as well as for parents and carers), which are overseen by Bereavement Support Practitioners. They’re informal; young people can just go to one or keep going every month. You can get in touch and book a space on these yourself through the Winston’s Wish website.
Winston’s Wish also run drop-in sessions that give families and professionals the chance to to find out more about their services. These were suspended due to COVID but are beginning to restart. You can find details on the Winston’s Wish website.
Bullying
Zap through Kidscape (for young people aged 9 to 16 who have experienced bullying)
Criminal exploitation and county lines
St Giles Trust (for young people who are criminally exploited; have families in need of support with poverty, housing, gang involvement, or substance misuse; or have a parent in prison – UK wide service)
St Giles Trust offer community-based support for young people who are involved in gangs, serious violence, and offending. They also have services for children who have a parent in prison, for families affected by gangs, and for families experiencing poverty.
You can get in touch yourself by filling out a form on the St Giles Trust website.
Rescue and Response (for young people involved in or affected by county line activity)
Rescue and Response is delivered in partnership between four organisations and is funded across London by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime.
It involves one to one support, specialist support for young women, and family and housing support. The service includes a structured programme around topics like healthy relationships, violence against women and girls, identity and equality, trama, and safety planning. Professionals can refer through an online form.
Find out more about Rescue and Response on the Abianda website.
Young Women’s Service at Womens and Girls Network (for young women* who have experienced or are at risk of gendered violence)
This service is for young women aged between 11 and 18 (up to 21 for care leavers) who have experienced (or are at risk of) any form of gendered violence, including domestic violence, sexual violence, child sexual exploitation, gang associated violence, forced marriage, and so on.
The service welcomes trans and intersex young women. It also welcomes non-binary young people who feel the service would best meet their needs and experiences.
They offer advocacy, group work, and counselling.
Only Connect (for people who have been released from prison)
Only Connect offer keyword support to people who are released from prison to help make the transition of leaving prison as smooth as possible. They support people with things like employment, housing, and opportunities to help them remain crime-free.
London Gang Exit (for young people who are affected, associated, or affiliated with gang related issues or serious youth violence)
This service is designed to complement existing local services and fill gaps in provision. It provides traditional one-to-one, confidential support to young people aged between 16 and 24 who are associated with or involved in gangs and are at significant risk of harm from gang activity, or pose risk to themselves or others. They consider referrals outside the age range on a case-by-case basis.
LGE empowers young people to move away from gang lifestyles. Young people must be motivated to end their gang involvement and willing to work with the service.
Young people can refer themselves. Family members, carers, friends, and other organisations can also refer young people.
Gambling
GamCare Young People’s Service (gambling – UK wide service)
GamCare’s Young People’s Service can support anyone in the UK aged 18 and under. They can support people who are experiencing harm (or at risk of experiencing harm) because of gambling – this includes young people who are gambling themselves and young people who are affected by someone else’s gambling.
They provide information, advice, and guidance; self-help tools; and interventions. You can get in touch yourself by phone, email, or the form on their website.
LGBTQ+
Mosaic LGBT+ young persons’ trust (for people who are LGBTQ+)
Mosaic run a weekly youth club for LGBTQ+ people aged 18 and under. Part of this is a Culture Club, with discounted or free trips that give young people the chance to explore their identity or learn about LGBT+ culture. They also offer retreats.
Young people can talk to mentors: older LGBT+ people with similar lived experiences. Mentoring helps you to better manage practical issues (like relationships, family, or school). You do not have to be part of Youth Club to speak to a mentor, and you do not need permission from a parent or carer.
Mosaic also offer online counselling with counsellors who identify as LGBT+. Counselling helps you understand your emotions and experiences, and teaches you about tools and strategies that can help you manage.
You can get in touch yourself through a form on their website, or you can contact them by email or phone. Mosaic make sure that financial difficulties never block access to their services.
The Proud Trust (for people who are LGBTQ+ – UK wide service)
The Proud Trust is based in Manchester but has an online web chat. You can also use their website to find your nearest LGBT+ Youth Group.
Migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers
Paiwand (for migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers)
Paiwand provides social opportunities and sports activities for young people. They understand that it can be tricky to arrive in the UK.
Paiwand also offers mentoring for refugees and asylum seekers aged between 11 and 18. They help young people to learn, find work, and make friends in the local area while improving their mental health and learning skills.
Paiwand offers culturally sensitive counselling, including talking therapies in Dari, Farsi, Pashtu, and English. Right now (May 2022), referrals are only open for young people aged between 12 and 25 who have a refugee background and live, work, or study in Harrow. You can self-refer or someone else can refer you.
Find out more about Paiwand’s services and refer yourself on their website.
Young Roots (for refugees and asylum seekers)
Young Roots supports refugees and asylum seekers in Brent* who are aged between 11 and 25. They have some groups for young women only to provide a safe space for those who feel less comfortable accessing mixed-gender activities.
They run an advice and support hub with youth and sporting activities alongside one to one casework support, access to legal advice, and access to counselling. They also offer support with English language skills and trips for young refugees.
You can get in touch yourself through a form on their website. You can also email or phone them. Find out more about Young Roots on their website.
* and neighbouring boroughs
Freedom From Torture (for survivors of torture – UK wide service)
Freedom From Torture offers trauma-focused therapy to help with the effects of trauma, including complex trauma, depression, and other mental health needs. They also offer further services, including creative group activities, social groups, and physical therapy to help survivors rebuild their lives. They offer practical advice for survivors who are seeking asylum.
You can get in touch yourself by filling out a form on the Freedom from Torture website.
Sexual health
North West London Sexual Health and Contraception Services
This NHS service provides testing for STIs, post-exposure prophylaxis against HIV (PEP), pre-exposure prophylaxis against HIV (PrEP), pregnancy testing, contraception, emergency contraception, and HIV care.
Substance misuse
St Giles Trust (for young people who are criminally exploited; have families in need of support with poverty, housing, gang involvement, or substance misuse; or have a parent in prison – UK wide service)
St Giles Trust offer community-based support for young people who are involved in gangs, serious violence, and offending. They also have services for children who have a parent in prison, for families affected by gangs, and for families experiencing poverty.
You can get in touch yourself by filling out a form on the St Giles Trust website.
Support from EASY project Ealing
The EASY project is a support service for young people who are using drugs and alcohol. They can provide advice and information, and support people through one-to-one sessions, group work, and regular appointments. Young people can choose the location for their first appointment.
Find out more about support from EASY and contact them through their website.
Violence and abuse
Young Women’s Service at Womens and Girls Network (for young women* who have experienced or are at risk of gendered violenace)
This service is for young women aged between 11 and 18 (up to 21 for care leavers) who have experienced (or are at risk of) any form of gendered violence, including domestic violence, sexual violence, child sexual exploitation, gang associated violence, forced marriage, and so on.
The service welcomes trans and intersex young women. It also welcomes non-binary young people who feel the service would best meet their needs and experiences.
They offer advocacy, group work, and counselling.
CouRAGEus Project (for Black and Minoritised young women* who have experienced (or are at risk of) any form of gendered violence)
This project offers specialist advocacy support and counselling for Black and Minoritised young women* who have experienced (or are at risk of) any form of gendered violence, including domestic violence, sexual violence, child sexual exploitation, gang associated violence, forced marriage, and so on.
* This is defined as including BME, LGBT+ and Disabled young women. They welcome trans and intersex young women. They also welcome non-binary young people who feel the service would best meet their needs and experiences.
Solace Children’s Creative Therapies (for young people affected by domestic or sexual violence)
This service offers therapy for young people aged 4 and above. Therapists work with young people with art making, play, drama, and talking as appropriate to help the young person better understand their feelings and improve their self-esteem.
Young people must be living in a safe and stable enough environment – the perpetrator can no longer be living with the family (or in a relationship with the mother or carer) and any contact must be deemed to be safe.
There is a waiting list for referrals.
DVIP YUVA (for young people using violence or abuse)
This service offers confidential, one-to-one support for young people aged between 11 and 18 (up to 25 years old for people with additional needs) who use violence or abuse and want to change their behaviour and improve their awareness of healthy communication and relationships.
Parents, carers, and professionals can refer a young person. The organisation prefers referrals from professionals if possible.
Young carers
Honeypot (for young carers aged 5 to 12 – UK wide service)
Honeypot offer a range of services to support young carers aged between 5 and 12, including respite breaks for children, social and emotional active learning breaks, online workshops, face-to-face workshops, and financial support through a wellbeing fund.
Ealing & Hounslow Young Carers Project through Brentford FC Community Sports Trust
The Ealing & Hounslow Young Carers Project offers a bespoke programme of activities including one-to-one mentoring support, youth clubs, homework clubs, holiday trips and day activities, and employment and education opportunities.
Young carers also receive support from the project coordinator.
Find out more about Ealing & Hounslow Young Carers Project on the Brentfod FC CST website.
Other
St Giles Trust (for young people who are criminally exploited; have families in need of support with poverty, housing, gang involvement, or substance misuse; or have a parent in prison – UK wide service)
St Giles Trust offer community-based support for young people who are involved in gangs, serious violence, and offending. They also have services for children who have a parent in prison, for families affected by gangs, and for families experiencing poverty.
You can get in touch yourself by filling out a form on the St Giles Trust website.
Freedom From Torture (for survivors of torture – UK wide service)
Freedom From Torture offers trauma-focused therapy to help with the effects of trauma, including complex trauma, depression, and other mental health needs. They also offer further services, including creative group activities, social groups, and physical therapy to help survivors rebuild their lives. They offer practical advice for survivors who are seeking asylum.
You can get in touch yourself by filling out a form on the Freedom from Torture website.
Youth groups and other activities
Activities through the Young Ealing Foundation directory
The Young Ealing Foundation has a directory of activities and support. You can filter by the type of activity you’re looking for, for example, art or creative activities, holiday activities, sport or physical activities, uniformed groups, and youth clubs. Find out more about the Young Ealing Foundation directory on their website.
Youth centres through Young Ealing
Young Ealing has details of four youth centres in Ealing: Westside Young People’s Centre, Young Adult Centre, Bollo Brook Youth Centre, and Acton Neighbourhood Youth Project.
Between them, they offer a range of activities including music production, sport and games, IT, cooking, hair and beauty, and art projects. You can also access advice and support from different service providers about things like alcohol and drugs and employment.
Find out more about the youth centres (and what each one offers) on the Young Ealing website.
Community Connections by Ealing and Hounslow Community Volunteering Service
Community Connections is a project that aims to reduce isolation and improve wellbeing. They create and link activities and services in partnership with other organisations. Most activities are open to everyone.
Look for posts about Community Connections on the news section of the Ealing and Hounslow Community Volunteering Service website to find their monthly calendars of events.
