Friends and Places Together Under 18s (Teenspirits) - Preparing for adulthood

We offer the chance for young adults (aged 14 to 17) to meet up with friends outside of the school/college environment and help develop the social skills that can build confidence and self-esteem, all with a person-centred approach.

Our under 18s group is called Teenspirits (a name chosen by previous younger groups). Teenspirits meet up once a week to socialise with friends and take part in various activities.We are not a youth club as this gives the impression that inconsistent attendance is the norm. To form strong and true bonds of friendship you need that consistent interaction.

We also differ from youth clubs with our group sizes kept to a relatively low number between 6 to 10 people with a high ratio of staff to ensure that no one is isolated or marginalised and everyone has a voice. Furthermore, once friendship groups are established between members, we will look to have that group separate from the main group and be supported away from others so they can have more independence and choice about what they would like to do/what time and day they would like to come out.

This ties into our transition into our adult services which occurs between the ages of 17 to 18 and its focus is on small friendship groups. This transition will adequately prepare young people for that change.

Coordinator: 07904 271027

Office: 07796 678939

Coordinator: michelle@friendsandplacestogether@org.uk

Office: office@friendsandplacestogether.org.uk

Website: https://friendsandplacestogether.org.uk/

Please head to https://friendsandplacestogether.org.uk/fandpt-under-18/ to read more information about our Under 18s service.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FandPT

Instagram: https://instagram.com/friends_and_places_together/

Unit 13 and 14, Victoria Shopping Centre, 362 Chartwell Square, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 5SP

We have a venue located in the Victoria Shopping Centre. We have 2 units split into our kitchen/main lounge area and our games room. We regularly use the kitchen for cooking and have a TV with multiple games consoles and streaming services to watch films and TV. In our games room, we have a pool/snooker table, dart board, basketball hoop and arts and craft area. Our clients can choose to spend their support time entirely in the centre or drop in after being out in the community.

We also open our centre to other services to share our space, building strong links in our community and offering help wherever we can. As well as everyday support, we hold regular activities (e.g. film nights) and fundraising events to bring together friendship groups.

At our venue we also have our central office that our CEO, coordinator and admin staff work from and are able to meet new referrals, social workers etc.

Fridays 4.30pm to 6.30pm

Self-funding cost: £5 (takeaway or cooking cost included).

Direct Payments cost: 2 hours at your local authority rate.

(A Direct Payment (DP) is funding from your local authority, to help you pay for the cost of the services you want to access. The DP Rate changes yearly.)

Anyone can make a referral, be that social services, schools/colleges or self referrals.

Please click this link to fill out an online referral form: Friends and Places Together Referral Form (office.com)

Alternatively, please visit https://friendsandplacestogether.org.uk/contact-us/ to download a Word document version of the form and email the form to michelle@friendsandplacestogether.org.uk.

Ages 14 to 17

We support anyone who struggles with social isolation and wants to make friends. We primarily support those with ASD and learning disabilities, but a diagnosis is not needed for support. Anyone who struggles with their mental health is welcome as well.

**Friends and Places Together cannot administer personal care or medication**