Lots of different services and organisations in Westminster 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:
Accessing NHS mental health support
For information about NHS mental health services in Westminster.
Other mental health support
For information about non-NHS organisations that offer free mental health support for young people in Westminster.
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.
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.
If you’re under 18, your GP can refer you to Westminster CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services).
As well as the Core CAMHS Team, you might be able to see people from other teams and services. You can refer yourself to some of these services.
Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea Early Intervention Service
This service is for people between the ages of 14 to 35 who are experiencing their first episode of psychosis. People who think they need help from this service should speak to their GP and ask them to make a referral.
Find out more about Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea Early Intervention Service.
Central and North West London Community Eating Disorder Service for Children and Young People
This service supports children and young people aged 17 or under. They support 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). People can refer themselves to this service, they can also speak to their school, college, or GP and ask them for a referral.
Find out more about CNWL Community Eating Disorder Service for Children and Young People.
STRIDES: Support to Recovery in Disordered Eating Service for people aged 18 to 25
STRIDES offers mental health support to people struggling with their eating. At STRIDES, a team of trained clinicians help people to build the skills they need to regulate their eating, manage difficult emotions, and improve their body image in the long-term.
You need to speak to your GP and ask them to refer you to STRIDES. STRIDES encourages anyone who’s aged 18 to 25 and struggling with their eating to do this – you don’t need to be sure that you have an eating disorder, and if STRIDES isn’t the right service for you they can help signpost you to the right support.
STRIDES doesn’t work with people with high levels of medical risk relating to their eating disorder (for example, people who are severely underweight or who have abnormal blood test results because of their eating disorder). They work with Vincent Square Eating Disorder Service and GPs to make sure these people get the support that’s right for them.
Find out more about STRIDES on the CNWL website.
The Young Adult Community Navigation Service (for people aged 16 to 25)
This service provides emotional and practical support to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young adults who live, work, attend school, or have a GP in Westminster. Community Navigators work with you to help you reach your goals – they can offer help with wellbeing, benefits, housing, employment, education, and access to local services.
Local voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations work with CNWL NHS Trust to provide the service.
A professional within the Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) or Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) needs to refer you by email.
There is more information about the Young Adult Community Navigator Service (including contact details) on the CNWL website.
NHS Talking Therapies (for people aged 16 and up)
This service provides a range of talking therapies to people who are registered with a GP in Westminster. You can get help in different ways, including: a self-help workbook with the support of a therapist; as an online course; through one-to-one appointments in person, over the phone, or through video; or as part of a group.
You can refer yourself to this service online. GPs and other professionals can also refer you.
There is more information on the CNWL Talking Therapies website.
The Cove (for people aged 16 and up who are in crisis or mental health distress)
This is a community drop-in service that offers friendly support to people who are experiencing crisis or mental health distress.
The Cove can support you to reduce your anxiety in the moment and make a plan to support your mental health (and reduce the likelihood of reaching crisis point again). They can offer advice and signposting, peer support, groups, and one-to-one support in a safe chill out space with a hot drink and snack.
You can drop in to the Cove when it’s open. You don’t need a referral or appointment, but other NHS professionals can refer you.
Find information on the Cove (including opening hours and location) on the CNWL website.
Your school
Most schools in Westminster have Children’s Wellbeing Practitioners who can support young people with their mental health. They work as part of the Mental Health Support Teams in schools.
Other mental health support
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.
Creative arts through Arts for Life Project
Arts For Life Project is based on the Harrow and Hillingdon border, but accepts referrals from throughout London and surrounding areas.
Arts for Life Project offer one-to-one, person-centred therapeutic support for young people aged between 6 and 25. Anyone aged 16 and above can refer a young person through an online form.
Creative Crew is a weekly project for young people aged 6 and above who love the arts and are able to engage in a group setting. It allows young people to engage with the therapeutic power of the arts within a group. Through fun, relaxed activities, young people develop emotional intelligence and strengthen mental health. Anyone aged 16 and above can refer a young person through an online form.
Skills For Life is a course-based programme that helps young people aged 6 to 25 develop essential life skills, including technical, physical, wellbeing, and communication skills. Young people are put into suitable groups for the programme. Anyone aged 16 and above can refer a young person through an online form.
Together Thrive uses three different types of support to help young people aged 8 and above with complex challenges (including mental health concerns) progress back into society. It includes support at home, clinical therapeutic support, and mentor support. Young people aged 14 and above can refer themselves through the online form; parents and professionals can also refer through the same form.
The project also has programmes for parents and carers.
Befriending through Family Friends UK
Family Friends UK offer a service called Big Buddies. A volunteer befriender supports a young people aged between 10 and 18 for a few hours each week (or fortnight) for around three to six months.
Young people have an equal voice in deciding how they want to spend this time. Some young people choose to try fun activities (such as sport or museum trips), get help with homework, get help with applications, or try new things.
Family Friends UK also offer family befriending, where a volunteer provides whole family support to a family experiencing multiple hardships. They aim to help families discover their strengths, build confidence, and resolve difficulties.
Arts therapy through Dream Arts’ Express Plus and Family Express
Express Plus is Dream Arts’ dedicated arts therapy service for children and young people aged between 7 and 18 (up to 25 years old if the young person has a special educational need or is disabled).
They offer individual, parent-child, or family therapy (this does depend on therapist availability). They offer 6 initial sessions, with a maximum of 18 sessions in total.
Family Express is a project for families who want to engage in creative activities, strengthen family bonds, and engage with one another in new ways.
Young people and families can refer themselves to both of these services.
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 Westminster (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
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.
Creative support for unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people through Dream Arts
Dream Arts run a project called Friends from Afar for unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people who live, work, study, or access services in Westminster.
Friends from Afar gives young people the chance to take part in creative workshops, meet others in similar circumstances, and come up with their own pieces.
Young people can refer themselves to this project.
Sexual health
SASH London (Support and Advice with Sexual Health)
SASH provide free, non-judgemental and confidential support to improve young people’s sexual health, relationships, and mental health. Everyone is welcome, including people of all genders and sexualities, sex workers, people diagnosed with HIV, and people with learning disabilities.
SASH offer one-to-one support, peer mentoring, and family support. They also offer help for chemsex. They do not have nurses and doctors, but they can signpost to a clinic or online service, make appointments, accompany young people to appointments, and offer support and information.
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.
Insight Westminster (for young people living with or affected by drug or alcohol issues)
Insight Westminster provides a free, friendly, confidential support service for young people aged up to 25 who live in Westminster. They give young people a key worker who works with them to move forward in a positive way.
They support young people who use drugs and alcohol or whose parents (or carers) use drugs or alcohol. They also offer support with offending.
Find out more about Insight and how to refer yourself on 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 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.
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.
Find out more about CouRAGEus.
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.
Find out more about Solace Children’s Creative Therapies.
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.
DVIP Child Therapy Service (for young people affected by domestic violence)
This service offers therapy to lessen the effect of domestic violence on young people aged between 3 and 17. The therapists are child psychotherapists or play and creative arts therapists with specific training in domestic abuse issues in clinical practice. Therapy is tailored depending on the young person’s age.
The young person must currently be living in a safe and stable environment, and the perpetrator of abuse must not be residing with them.
Young people can refer themselves, or a parent or carer or professional can refer them.
Find out more about DVIP Child Therapy Service.
Young carers
One-to-one support and holiday activities through Family Lives (for young carers aged between 10 and 15)
Family Lives’ young people’s support service offers one-to-one support to young people aged between 10 and 15. Parents and carers receive family support separately.
They also run holiday-focused fun groups for young people aged between 10 and 15.
Creative support for young carers aged 11 and above through Dream Arts
Dream Arts run a project called Carers Express for young people in Westminster who provide emotional and/or practical support for a loved one.
It gives young people the chance to take part in creative workshops, meet other young people with similar experiences, and go on trips.
Find out more about Carers Express on the Dream Arts website.
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.
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
Youth Voice through Family Friends UK
Youth Voice is a monthly session for young people aged between 9 and 18. The sessions give young people the chance to meet with each other and try different activities.
Activities through the Octavia Foundation
The Octavia Foundation’s young people’s programme offers a wide range of activities for young people. They’re based at their community hub, The Reed (W11 1NH). They run weeknight sessions during term time and school holiday programmes.
Activities are free, but spaces are limited and parents and carers need to complete a membership form.
Find out more about activities through the Octavia Foundation on their website.
Activities through The Avenues Youth Project
The Avenues Youth Project runs separate groups for young people aged between 8 and 11, young people aged between 11 and 13, and young people aged between 13 and 18.
They run after-school clubs (including a girls-only club for ages 11 to 18), sport activities, and judo. They offer employment skills courses and a music course. They also run activities during the holidays.
Find out more about The Avenues Youth Project and sign up on their website.
