Youth Service opens new advice centre for young people

The Youth Enquiry Service – known as the YES project – has moved to new, more accessible premises in Colomberie in response to comments from young people. It has also expanded the support services available in one place for young people who need information, advice and counselling.

The new advice centre, called The Link, will be officially opened at 1.30pm on Friday 12 January 2018 by the Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst.

Principal Youth Officer Mark Capern said “We have moved the YES counselling service out of St James and into new premises in Eagle House after listening to young people, who told us St James was not accessible. We have worked with the Jersey Youth Trust charity to achieve this and now have a high street location that is far more visible and much more convenient for people to drop in.”

The Youth Service received additional funding as a result of the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry. This enabled them to recruit staff and make more counselling appointments available to meet demand from young people. It also provided for the recruitment of an Assistant Youth Worker for YES to expand outreach work in the community and schools.

Education Minister Deputy Rod Bryans said “We know that early intervention is essential for helping young people so that the issues they face do not escalate and have a negative impact on their health and wellbeing. Our Youth Service already has an excellent, proven track record with the YES project and the opening of The Link takes this support service to the next level.”

Mark Capern added “The aim of The Link is to connect young people to the services they might need. As well as providing a non-judgemental listening ear for young people up to the age of 25, it will be a one-stop-shop for information and advice. The Link will also host one-off events by other groups including the Prince’s Trust and Skills Jersey.”

The Jersey Youth Service continues to develop services for Jersey’s most vulnerable young people. This includes work with young carers, LGBTQ young people, missing young people and Prince's Trust programmes to engage unemployed young people. It also continues to run community-based youth clubs which provide our young people many opportunities to engage in positive activities.