New support for children and young people in Winchester and Basingstoke Emergency Departments

24th May 2021

Next month, No Limits is set to launch a new youth worker support service for young people aged 11-25 in the Emergency Departments at Winchester and Basingstoke hospitals.

Young people presenting at A&E as a result of violent crime or mental health-related issues will be able to receive support with their emotional health and wellbeing from a No Limits Youth Worker, alongside the clinical care they are receiving from the medical team.

The trained Youth Workers will be on-hand to listen to young people, give them advice and support, provide them with coping mechanisms, as well as signpost them to No Limits and other local support services.

The pilot project, which is funded by Hampshire County Council, follows the success of the charity’s crisis support service in the Emergency Department at University Hospital Southampton and Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, where No Limits has helped to support 454 children and young people in crisis in the last year.

Alice Mooney, Service Manager at No Limits, says “The last year has had a real impact on children and young people and sadly we’ve seen a rise in the number of young people in need. Often young people are at their most vulnerable at a point of crisis and having our Youth Workers in the Emergency Department means we’re able to provide meaningful support at a time when young people are most willing to seek help.”

No Limits will also be joining the 111 Mental Health Triage Service in Hampshire to support children and young people up to the age of 26 who contact NHS 111 in a mental health crisis and/or with emotional or mental health needs. This new provision will provide young people with short-term, practical support, as well as a longer-term pathway to help young people to connect with specialist services.

To find out more, contact 02380 224 224 or email enquiries@nolimitshelp.org.uk.