Keep up to date with what is happening at Off The Record.
OTR wants to hear from boys and young men in BaNES about their experiences seeking mental health support. Help us improve our services to them by sharing the survey below.
Launched in January 2025 as part of OTR’s five-year plan, the Engage project aims to increase service uptake among 10–25-year-old males by 2027, supported by the Brownsword Charitable Foundation.
Phase one, led by Development Manager James Brown, includes a survey co-designed with young people identifying as male from OTR youth groups. It covers experiences seeking support, interests, and optional personal details.
We’re also collaborating with schools, colleges, and mental health organisations to raise awareness. This issue is nationally recognized by the Centre for Social Justice’s Lost Boys report and Sir Gareth Southgate’s recent Richard Dimbleby lecture.
If you know a boy or young man struggling with mental health, please encourage them to take the survey and seek support through their school or directly from OTR.
ShoutOut! Advocacy Newsletter
Our ShoutOut! Advocacy Team has just released the first issue of their newsletter which will go out three time a year. We’re really excited about it! It has lots of information for children in care and care experienced young people.
Youth Forum: Neurodiversity campaign
How can schools support neurodivergent students? Read about the recent research undertaken by our Youth Forum.
Fundraising with a difference
Find out how James and Andros felt facing the ‘Dragon’s Den’ in Radstock!
LGBTQ+ youth consultation summary
We asked young people and those who support them to give us input into the future of our LGBTQ+ service at Off the Record.
LGBTQ+ training April 2024
Our LGBTQ+ team are running their next online training session on Thursday 25th April 2024, 4-6:30pm.
New Twerton venue
From 29th Feb, access our 1:1 listening services at Southside Youth Centre.
Youth-led mental health event
Read about our what our young people chose to organise for World Mental Health Day
BaNES Youth Pride
Find out about Youth Forum’s recent event for young LGBTQ people and their allies
Learning from Empire Fighting Chance
Read what our Director learned from his visit to Empire Fighting Chance in Bristol.
LGBTQ+ training is back
Our LGBTQ+ team will be running their successful webinar again in September - don’t miss out securing your spot!
Youth Forum meets BaNES Council
In December 2022 our Youth Forum had the chance to speak directly with BaNES councillors, along with other young groups, at the Guildhall in Bath. Indra, who is a member of the Youth Forum, has written this brilliant summary of the meeting and the suggestions made by young people.
LGBTQ+ Online Training Event
On October 18th, our amazing LGBTQ+ team will be hosting OTR’s first-ever online training event, aimed at practitioners working with LGBTQ+ young people, and parents or carers wanting to understand more about LGBTQ+ young people’s experiences and how to support them.
Our new Chair of Trustees
Following our latest Board meeting, we are delighted to announce Mark Ames as OTR’s new Chair of Trustees
Youth Activity Forum
Young people from the Youth Forum B&NES have launched a website called “Activisite: for young people, by young people”. The inspiration for this website was first sparked when Youth Forum B&NES members experienced lockdown. They felt that there were barriers to finding things to do during the lockdown, and were worried that this had a real impact on the wellbeing of young people across B&NES
Bath Youth Conference Report
On the evening of 17th February 2022, a wide range of fantastic youth groups from across Bath gathered at BRLSI to share with each other what they do. All of the presenters were participants or service-users of the groups they were representing. Here's what we learned.
Achieving Off The Record's strategy aims: What do YOU think
Have a look at Off The Records new 5 year plan and let us know what you think.
Saltford Santa Dash raises over £3k for OTR!
Back in December, we were thrilled to be chosen by the Saltford Santa Dash as one of two charities to benefit from their annual fundraising.
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