Here we’ve put together a list of main sources of help and advice on issues that affect young people.
General:
Doncaster’s own advice site for young people has further detailed information on a wide range of topics including contraception, relationships, abortion and bullying: www.morethananumber.co.uk
The government’s support service for 13 to 19-year-olds Connexions provides personal advisors you can talk to to help you get to where you want to be. You can discuss many topics including careers and education, housing, exam stress and sexual health and pregnancy. Email Doncaster Connexions Centre: connexions.admin@doncaster.go.uk, ring (01302) 855565 or 366065 or ask about the scheme at your school or college.
Take a ten-minute life check and find out how you are getting on. Click on www.nhs.uk/teenlifecheck
Read real stories and celebrity features with a focus on young people’s health: www.childrenfirst.nhs.uk/teens/index.html
NSPCC service Childline offers help and support to children and young people on any problem. Talk to someone by calling free on 0800 1111. www.childline.org.uk
Jigsaw offers free confidential advice, information and counselling on any issue which affects the health and well-being of young people. The centre is for all young people aged 15-25 while outreach services are for ages 13-19. Jigsaw runs a range of sessions that help young people learn life skills such as healthy eating and it also offers support with stopping smoking and alcohol or drugs problems. You can find them at 14 Netherhall Rd, DN1 2PH, or call (01302) 739508.
Stay fit:
Doncaster Council runs many local sport and leisure facilities: www.doncaster.gov.uk/leisure_in_doncaster/active_doncaster/
about_active_doncaster/active_doncaster.asp
and:
www.doncaster.gov.uk/Leisure_in_Doncaster/Sports_and_games/
Sports_and_leisure_centres/Sports_and_
Leisure_Centres.asp
Sport England can also help you to find out what’s going on where you live: www.sportengland.org
Mental health:
YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional well-being and mental health of children and young people: www.youngminds.org.uk and www.myheadhurts.org.uk
If you are distressed or despairing and need to talk to someone in confidence 24-hours-a-day, the Samaritans can help. Call 0845 7 909090. www.samaritans.org.uk
Young parents:
Your local children’s centre offers all kinds of support, activities and classes. Find your nearest one at http://schoolsfinder.direct.gov.uk
Baby cafes are drop-in sessions for breastfeeding mums and supporters: www.thebabycafe.co.uk
The National Childbirth Trust is the UK’s largest and best-known childbirth and parenting charity and has a local support network: www.nct.org.uk
Sexual health:
Doncaster Contraception and Sexual Health Services offer free confidential advice and healthcare around sex, relationships, contraception and emergency contraception, HIV and sexual infections and pregnancy testing. They are at East Laith Gate House, East Laith Gate, Doncaster DN1 1JE. Tel: (01302) 640040. Contact this number for information about clinics in other locations around the borough or if you are unable to come to one of the clinics.
Doncaster, Rotherham, Barnsley and Bassetlaw Chlamydia Screening Office provides free and confidential chlamydia screening for under 25s. Call (01302) 730400. To get further information or a test kit sent through the post, visit the Terrence Higgins Trust website: www.tht.org.uk
Brook is the national voluntary sector provider of free and confidential sexual health advice and services specifically for young people. www.brook.org.uk
Drug and alcohol problems:
Doncaster’s comprehensive drug services information site: www.drughub.co.uk
Better Deal is Doncaster’s drugs service for Under 19s on (01302) 730175
Information and advice about drugs: www.talktofrank.com
Doncaster Alcohol Services: 19 Hallgate, Doncaster DN1 3NA. Tel: (01302) 730175
Counselling:
Doncaster Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service: www.drasacs.org
Pregnancy:
Think you are pregnant and don’t know what to do next? Talk to your GP, school nurse or Connexions advisor or contact NHS Doncaster’s sexual health services – see above. Alternatively you can find out more about options available by logging on to the British Pregnancy Advisory Service’s website: http://www.bpas.org/bpaswoman.php?page or making a local appointment by calling 08457 30 40 30.
Contacting a midwife before 12 weeks pregnancy will have lots of health benefits for you and your baby. You can make an appointment with a midwife by emailing community.department@dbh.nhs.uk, sending a text message to 07970 027201 or ringing (01302) 647071.
Careers and learning advice:
The government’s Careers Advice Service will guide you through loads of learning and job options: http://careersadvice.direct.gov.uk
Find out more about courses available on your doorstep at Doncaster College: www.don.ac.uk
Stop smoking:
Doncaster Children, Young People and Families stop smoking service offers help to under-19s, pregnant and postnatal women and their families. Call (01302) 703464.
The Anti-Tobacco Youth Campaign is run by young people for young people and aims to give teenagers a voice, knowledge and skills to campaign about smoking: http://www.roycastle.org/atyc/
Homelessness:
Doncaster’s Homelessness Advice Office is located at 2a King’s Mews, East Laith Gate, telephone (01302) 862043. Follow this link for a list of other organisations that can help you with emergency accommodation. www.doncaster.gov.uk/living_in_doncaster/homes_and_housing/homeless_advice/homeless.asp
Eat well:
The Food Standard Agency’s website has loads of advice for teenagers on how to eat properly – and look and feel good: www.eatwell.gov.uk/agesandstages/teens
Make sure you fuel up with five portions of fruit and veg a day: www.5aday.nhs.uk
More info about making healthy eating and exercise part of your schedule: http://www.nhs.uk/change4life
