We’re there for young people

Signpost is fully committed to the continued provision of counselling, coaching and other support to help young people aged 10-25 and living in South and West Hertfordshire overcome problems in their lives.

Registered Charity: 1167027

Request Counselling

Signpost is fully committed to the continued provision of counselling, coaching and other support to help young people aged 10-25 and living in South and West Hertfordshire overcome problems in their lives.

Counselling provides a neutral, trusting and non-judgemental relationship in which you can try to resolve your problems. Having someone to listen to you and encourage you helps you to understand and explore your problems and find solutions. Counselling concentrates more on understanding the problem and its causes than coaching or mentoring. The solution you achieve can be external, such as working on having a better relationship with your parents, or internal, such as stopping blaming yourself for something that is not your fault.

Early Intervention and Prevention Project (funded by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services – CAMHS) provides a maximum of 12 sessions of counselling for 13-18 year-olds who have not previously had support.
Young people aged 13-18 who have already received support from specialist CAMHS or from the Early Intervention and Prevention Project but need more support because they have recurring or enduring difficulties can join the waiting list for our ‘Counselling Plus’ project. You will be offered 12 sessions with the possibility of an extension if needed.
Young people aged 19-24 whose issues are not serious enough to be seen by Adult Mental Health Services can join our ‘Counselling Plus’ project, but there will be a charge of between £8 and £25 depending on your circumstances.

What we do?

Counselling

Our main service is one-to-one counselling across South and West Herts.

Coaching

For people who may not want the intensity of counselling, we have two coaches working for us.

Groups

We run a variety of groups throughout the year. This year we added remote/video groups to our offer.

Remote

At Signpost we offer one to one remote counselling. This is either via Zoom or telephone or face to face in our Watford offices.

Helping to empower young people

Signpost is a local charity which provides counselling, coaching and other support to help young people aged 10-25 and living in South and West Hertfordshire overcome problems in their lives. In 2015 we helped over 400 young people.

Application form for new clients

This form should be filled in by the person who requires counselling. If you prefer we can fill in your form with you over the phone. Please phone us on 01923 239495 or 07444 768078.

Giving young people the tools to help themselves

We have run workshops in five local secondary schools on managing stress. We currently have funding from ‘Feeling Good Week’ to develop some videos to model stress-busting activities for young people.

We have been serving the community since 1973

Originally called the ‘Carey Place Young People’s Information and Advisory Service’, Signpost emerged in 1970 when Dr Edwards, a local GP and juvenile magistrate, decided to help young people.

Request Counselling

This form should be filled in by the person who requires counselling. Currently counselling is available online and in Watford. If you prefer we can fill in your form with you over the phone. Please phone us on 07444 768078 or 07432 157704

Request Counselling

Let us know if you need help with application

We are a diverse and dynamic team

Signpost is a vibrant and friendly place to work. We are a varied team including clinical specialists and general office roles. When we have staffing needs, they will be publicised locally and on this page

If there are no paid posts, we welcome like-minded people to join the staff team as volunteers support workers and have a rolling programme for recruiting Volunteer Counsellors.

URGENT HELP

If you feel a young person or adult are in danger of seriously hurting themselves you can call 01923 470610

Text SHOUT to 85258 (All texts are answered by trained volunteers. Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin mobile, BT mobile, GifGaff, Tesco mobile and Telecom Plus.)

Samaritans.org – call from any phone anytime for free 116 123

Childline – 0800 1111

Resources

List of resources for parents and young people

YoungMinds – Talking to your child about coronavirus
Kooth – Free, safe and anonymous support
TeenTips – Resources for schools and parents
Relate.org.uk – Parenting teenagers
Dove.com – Expert resources for parents and mentors
Beateatingdisorders.org.uk – Eating Disorders and Coronavirus

Testimonials

“I am so appreciative of my coach’s help, and couldn’t have made the improvements I have without him.”

“The therapy transformed my daughter’s life and our family’s. We were all so worried and affected by D’s unhappiness. D went on to pass her A-levels and got a place on the Uni course she had dreamed of. As a family we are so grateful to Signpost- please keep on doing what you’re doing.”

“Thank you for helping so much for the past few months, I really appreciate it, and all the techniques you’ve taught me will come in handy.”

“Just wanted to thank you for being there, it means a lot when no one else seems to be bothered. I can hear in your voice that you do actually care. I’m depressed a lot of the time so it means a lot even if it’s once a week. Thank you.”

“I have learned some new ways of using art. It helps me feel calm and I have made new friends’ (11 year old member of the Art group).”

How we have supported young people in lockdown

Signpost quickly responded to lockdown, putting in place online documents for counsellors and training in Zoom (ensuring compliance with GDPR). Clients did not miss any sessions as telephone or video was immediately offered. Clients were supported to ensure their privacy during sessions by offering more time flexibility when they could speak privately. Counsellors adapted their work in sessions by using the Zoom whiteboard for creative or timeline work to replace paper and pens in the room. The ‘Linked up in Lockdown’ group was set up and parent support was offered to any parents who were struggling.

We’re there for young people

Signpost is fully committed to the continued provision of counselling, coaching and other support to help young people aged 10-25 and living in South and West Hertfordshire overcome problems in their lives.