The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund has launched a counselling service for Children and Young People in partnership with Relate; this is part of their Listening & Counselling Service which already exists for adults.
Initially the service will be available to RAF children and young people aged 11 to 18. The service will be delivered remotely with the option to access up to 12 sessions of counselling over the phone, via web cam or live chat. The service can support young people experiencing anxiety, low mood and depression, bereavement support, low levels of resilience, self-harm and behavioural difficulties, as well as supporting those who have been affected by domestic abuse.
For children aged 13 and under, the Fund will require the consent of a parent or primary care giver. Young people aged 14 and above will be able to self-refer and Relate will undertake an assessment as to whether they are able to proceed without parental consent.
To access the service, the parent, primary care giver, or young person aged 14 or over can contact the Fund’s Listening and Counselling team on 0300 222 5703 or [email protected], Monday to Thursday 9.30 – 4.30, and Friday 9.30 – 4.
As social distancing restrictions ease, the intention is to open up face to face counselling provision in some areas, and we will of course keep you updated on this.