The youth mental health charity Action East Devon has been welcomed as a new tenant of The Station Community Hub in Ottery St Mary.
Action East Devon (AED) provides services across the district for young people aged 13 to 25 and their families to improve mental health and wellbeing. A key part of this is the Headlight peer support groups, held at The Station in Ottery, Sidmouth College, Axe Valley Academy and Honiton Community College.
Ottery Town Council, which manages The Station, is aiming to develop its own youth services, and said it is ‘delighted’ that to have AED as a tenant. The council had already stepped in to help AED in August 2023 when funding shortfalls put the Headlight service in danger of being suspended; it provided a grant of £12,000.
Cllr John Green has been working with Action East Devon on the project. He said: “The council recognise the great work undertaken by the Headlight team supporting young people in Ottery. We provided the significant grant to maintain the service until the end of March 2024 and look forward to working with AED to investigate a sustainable funding model going forward.”
Headlight provides early intervention, non-clinical support to young people with mental health issues such as anxiety, eating disorders, depression, self-harm, suicidal feelings, abuse, autism, ADD and ADHD. Many young people come to Headlight at key transition points in their lives: moving schools, transitioning to adult mental health services or at point of discharge, or when something has triggered mental health problems.
The peer-support model enables young people to meet others experiencing similar issues in a welcoming, non-judgmental space and build healthy relationships with peers, support network, family and community. They have the opportunity to speak up, share, give and receive support.
Young people are referred into Headlight by parents, GPs and teachers, and can also refer themselves. They will meet a mental health support worker who will assess their need and identify the best pathway for them.
Action East Devon are keen to hear from young Ottery residents who would be interested in becoming a volunteer and join the “Youth Voice” panel to influence and develop their services.
Adult volunteers are also sought to help with activities. No qualifications or experience are required, other than a desire to help and support the young people. All training, mentoring, supervision and support will be provided.
More information is available at www.actioneastdevon.org.uk
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