Team of experts to visit No Limits in Southampton - to learn about their service

Sarah Randall from the Department of Health, Kath Evans from NHS England, Eustace DeSousa from Public Health England and a representative from Healthwatch will visit No Limits to learn more about the charity’s youth information, advice, and counseling and support services.

They will also meet young people whose lives have been turned around by the counseling and support they have received from the charity.

The visit was arranged by youth organisations Youth Access and The Young People’s Health Partnership as public concern mounts around youth unemployment and mental health problems.

The Prince’s Trust, which works to tackle youth unemployment, reported that 16 per cent of young people across the south-east had experienced mental health issues as a direct result of unemployment in their annual Youth Index, published last month.

Director of Youth Access Barbara Rayment said: “The NHS and local authorities will come under immense financial pressures over the next few years. They could make huge savings by intervening more effectively in adolescence and young adulthood before problems become entrenched.

“There is an increasingly robust evidence base for the benefits of holistic youth information, advice, counselling and support service models – of which No Limits is an outstanding example. This is a service that has really listened to young people and responded to their needs. It is high time young people across the country were afforded equal access to such high quality services – they deserve it.”

No Limits offers youngsters aged 16 to 25 advice, counselling and health services at its three Southampton drop-in centres and helps vulnerable youngsters with complex health and wellbeing issues including mental health, homelessness, sexual health and unemployment. They are currently piloting new services to support young people at risk of sexual exploitation.

Last year they won The GlaxoSmithKline Impact Award, which is run in partnership with The King's Fund and recognises and rewards charities working to improve people’s health.

CEO Annabel Hodgson said: “We have seen increasing numbers of young people asking for advice and support. Young people who are anxious, in trouble or dealing with difficult circumstances often find that their health suffers.

“Advice alone often isn’t enough, young people can need ongoing support to make positive decisions and stick to them. By being available and working with any and all issues young people bring, we can really help young people to help themselves.”

For more information about No Limits, visit nolimitshelp.org.uk.