YOUNG people’s charities are to join forces – a move they hope will strengthen support for children and young people in Hampshire.

Southampton-based charity No Limits and the Moving on Project, in Fareham and Gosport, will work together to provide youth counselling, information and advice services.

The charities will retain their individual charitable status but will combine many of their back office functions, experience and skills.

They say with reductions in Govern-ment and local authority funding, they needed to find new and innovative ways of providing cost efficient and high quality services for young people and that the charities fitted well together.

Annabel Hodgson, CEO, No Limits said: “This is a great opportunity for both organisations and our staff to build on the impressive base that has already been established.

“We look forward to working with the trustees and staff from the Moving on Project to provide the young people with the best possible service.”

David Pointon, chairman of the MOP Trustees said “We have been looking at a possible alliance with another charity to ensure the sustainability of our services in Gosport and Fareham.

“We decided on No Limits because of our similar aims and ambitions for young people.”

No Limits is a charity which offers free and confidential information, advice, counselling, support and advocacy for 6,000 children and young people under 26 who live in Southampton and across Hampshire.

It provides information, advice and counselling on issues including alcohol and drug misuse, homelessness, abuse, sexual exploitation, mental health issues, sexual identity, employment, housing, sexual health, anger management, parenting, finances and benefits.

This is given through three drop-in centres in Southampton and other areas as well as drop-in sessions at schools and colleges in Southampton and Eastleigh.

MOP is a free and confidential counselling and related services for young people aged 11-25 in the Fareham and Gosport districts, working with 450 young people last year.

It offers counselling, mentoring and health and wellbeing support.