Off The Record BANES offer free and confidential counselling and listening support to people age 10-25.
To refer yourself or someone you know to our Listening Services, click the blue button below and fill in the form. Please ensure that you select which service you would like to access, Listening Support, Counselling or LGBTQ 1:1.
There are some short videos explaining the difference between Listening Support and Counselling, or click here to read about these services.
Scroll down to read what happens once you submit the form, and for other useful support links.
You can also refer to our Advocacy or Youth Participation Groups via the Contact Us menu above.
Referrals
We welcome your referral, but to help us see you as quickly as possible please be aware that we currently have limited counselling spaces for under 18 year olds in Bath and Keynsham, which means there is a longer than usual waiting time for this service.
If you would like to access some support while you wait for counselling, please access listening support, and state this in your referral.
Please be aware we are currently experiencing a high volume of referrals. At the moment we have a waiting list of approximately 3-4 months for listening support and counselling.
What happens next…
We receive the referral form you have just filled in on our website.
Everyone who fills in our referral form will be offered a Listening Support appointment – at this appointment all our services will be talked through with you and you can decide which support is best you.
When we have some available listening support appointments we will call you to book you an appointment.
If we don’t manage to speak with you:
-We will send you a text or email with the listening support appointment details in it.
-We ask if you could please reply to this text within 24hrs as this allows us to offer it to other young people
-If the appointment you have been offered is not convenient for you please reply and say so because we will find you one that is better for you.
If you miss 2 appointments without contacting us, we will have to give your appointment slot to somebody else. Please understand, we always have a waiting list.
* Please note demand for our services is high - We will get back to you as soon as we can about booking you an appointment.
Other Useful Links
Crisis support
Samaritans Open 24/7, call 116123
Switch Board LGBT+ Open 10:00-22:00 everyday, call: 03003300630
Crisis Text Line – Shout Open 24/7, text SHOUT to 85258 in the UK to text with a trained Crisis Volunteer
Support for parents
FFLAG A charity supporting parents and families and their LGBTQ+ members.
Young Minds parent helpline, call 0808 802 5544 or visit their website to chat online or email
Family Lives: provides targeted early intervention and crisis support to families. Call 0808 800 2222
Further mental health support
Kooth free online mental wellbeing community for young people.
The Mix free online confidential support for young people under 25
MindLine Trans+ 0300 330 5468 confidential emotional, mental health support helpline for people who identify as Transgender, Agender, Gender Fluid, Non-binary
