Ask Normen

This site is for everyone with an interest in the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people in Northamptonshire.

We want to make sure that parents, professionals and other people working with children and young people are aware of local services, training and support materials. The Service Directory will allow you to search for services offered in your area dependent on your needs. The Document Library has a number of resources and toolkits to help you ranging from practical guidance on supporting needs, policies, academic papers etc. And the News area should be a place to keep you up to date with local, national and international news relating to emotional wellbeing and mental health.

The Lowdown

​The Lowdown are a Northampton-based youth service offering free and confidential mental health support.  They provide a range of support such as:  Youth Counselling, Emotional Wellbeing Support, LGBTQ+ Support, Sexual Health Services, and general Outreach.

Youth Works

Youthworks are a youth service based in Kettering but also covers Corby.  They provide a range of support options including:  Community College, Youth Counselling, Espresso Yourself Cafe drop-in, Family Therapy, Play Based Therapy, 123 Magic, Triple P, Happier Families, LGBTQ+ Support "Hide and Seek", Circus Skills, Dodgeball, Streetdance, Holiday Clubs / Activities, and a SEND Group.

Time 2 Talk

Time2Talk offer free services for young people aged 13-25 in Daventry and Towcester. This includes counselling by appointment and services that can be accessed if you just drop-in! Drop in services include free information on many subjects including drugs and alcohol. You can access free condoms, pregnancy testing, and chlamydia screening.

Service Six

Service Six are a Wellingborough-based youth and counselling service.  They provide a range of support such as:  TARGET (online abuse and grooming); Opal project (self-harm); Youth Counselling; Therapeutic support for children and young people who have been sexually abused or assaulted; Caring Connections; Happy Heads; Happier Families; Emotional support for children, young people and adults living in East Northamptonshire; ESPRESSO YOURSELF Wellbeing Drop-in for young people; Youth Social Entrepreneurs; LGBTQ Youth Group ‘OUT THERE’; and SHAPE (Self-Harm Awareness & Prevention Enterprise).

CHAT

CHAT is a confidential youth counselling and therapeutic mentoring service offered free to young people aged 9-25 years in Oundle, Thrapston, and surrounding villages.  

Northamptonshire Association of Youth Clubs 

NAYC (Northamptonshire Association of Youth Clubs) & ACUK (Action Centres UK) is a diverse organisation here to help and educate young people, especially, but not exclusively, through their leisure-time activities to develop their physical, mental and spiritual capacities that they may grow to full maturity as individuals and as members of society.

Family Support Link

Family Support Link's mission is to provide accessible and non judgemental support across Northamptonshire, we aim to reduce the physical, psychological and emotional harm caused to families and individuals living with or caring for someone who is addicted to drugs and/or alcohol.

Childrens Services, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) provide a wide range of children's health services covering Health Visiting and School Nursing, CAMHS, Eating Disorders, Learning Disabilities, ASD and ADHD, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, community paediatrics, community children's nursing, looked after children, specialist school nursing, specialist dental services, and short breaks for disabled children.

Children and Young People Mental Health Services, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

CYPMHS stands for Child and Young People Mental Health Services. CYPMHS  is here to support children and young people up to the age of 18 in Northamptonshire, experiencing difficulties with their emotional wellbeing, mental health difficulties and bereavement support. The team offers a range of interventions and therapies delivered individually or in groups, in partnership with families throughout Northamptonshire and in schools.

McCarthy Dixon Foundation

The McCarthy Dixon Foundation work to alleviate hunger and provide for those in need in Northamptonshire. McCarthy Dixon can provide food parcels and support with lunch clubs in schools and the community. 

The Reach Collaborative

The Reach Collaborative consists of 5 highly regarded agencies who offer free, professional and confidential support for young people aged 5 to 25 across North and West Northamptonshire. The collaborative also offers additional support services including drop in sessions, support groups,  including dedicated LGBTQI+ groups. Sessions are available Monday to Saturday.  

The Never Alone Project

The Never Alone Project aims to support bereaved children and their families in the UK. They online support and also offer face to face services in Northamptonshire.

Child and Adolescent Bereavement

The Chlid and Adolescent Bereavement Service provides support for primary and secondary ages children who have gone through bereavement. Use the Referral Management Centre to make a referral.

Action for Children Northants Short Break Service

The Northants Short Break Service (SBS) is a county wide service providing short breaks to children, young people and their families, supporting a wide range of ages and needs. 

The Green Patch, Groundwork, Kettering & surrounding areas

A community garden project, supporting wellbeing.