YWell - Counselling & Mentoring

YWell is a free, confidential service within the YMCA Mental Health & Wellbeing Hub, offering mentoring and counselling to help you feel supported and empowered. We provide friendly, non-judgmental support for anyone facing life’s challenges.

​

Our counselling service is for ages 16+ only, while our mentoring project supports young people aged 11+.

​

What is counselling?

​

Counselling is a safe, private space to talk with a trained professional. You set the pace. We listen without judgement and help you make sense of feelings, thoughts, and patterns. Person-centred counselling focuses on what matters to you and supports your own ways of coping and growing.

​​

​What is mentoring?

​

Mentoring is practical, goal-focused support. A mentor helps you plan next steps, build skills, and stay motivated. Sessions can include problem-solving, signposting to local help, and gentle accountability so you don’t have to do it alone.

​

Who we support​

​

Our counselling service is for ages 16+ only, while our mentoring project supports young people aged 14+.

 

• Finding the transition to adulthood tough (study, work, independence)

• Living with anxiety or low mood

• Managing a range of mental health challenges

• Feeling “different” or misunderstood

• Neurodivergent young people (e.g., autism, ADHD)

• Parents of children recently diagnosed or awaiting assessment for autism/ADHD who want space, tools, and understanding

​

What it involves

​

1. Referral & Form – Email us with a brief note about what you’re looking for. We’ll reply with a quick form to complete.

​

• Assessment: A short conversation to understand your needs and what you’re hoping for.

• Allocation: We match you with a counsellor, counselling student (supervised), mentoring professional, or qualified practitioner—the best fit for you.

• Sessions: Usually weekly, either in person or online (subject to availability). We agree goals together and review how it’s going.

• Confidentiality: Your privacy matters. We follow YMCA policies and ethical guidelines. (We only share information if there’s a risk of harm or a safeguarding concern.)

• Signposting: If our service isn’t the right fit, we’ll guide you to other support.

 

We follow YMCA policies and the ethical standards of professional bodies such as the BACP and NCPS. All our practitioners are fully insured.

 

If we feel our service isn’t the best fit for your needs, we’ll help signpost you to other local support options.

​

How to Get Started

​

Email us at referrals@southendymca.org.uk with your name and a short message about what support you’re looking for. Referrals can be made by professionals or parent/guardian.

​

We’ll get back to you with a short form and arrange your first assessment appointment.

​​

​

Important – Crisis Support

​

YWell is not an emergency service.

If you are in crisis or need urgent mental health help, please contact:

 

• 999 – if you are in immediate danger

• Samaritans – call 116 123 (free, 24/7)

• NHS Mental Health Crisis Line – call 111 and select option 2

• Shout – text 85258 for free, 24/7 mental health support

• Papyrus (for under 35s) – call 0800 068 4141 or text 07860 039967

​