We’re delighted to have welcomed No5 to our Connect Reading community. Carly Newman, Operations and Relationships Manager, took some time to tell us all about them and answer some questions about the wonderful work they do.
No5 provides free, confidential, open-access mental health support and face-to-face, online and in-school counselling for young people aged 11-25 who live, work or study in the ‘RG’ postcode area.
They have a programme of outreach support delivered by Young Ambassadors who help young people feel better able to take charge of their mental health and feel more in control. No5’s outreach programme also delivers mental health workshops in local schools and businesses.
No5 has devised and delivers a Level 5 CPCAB Accredited ‘Certificate in Counselling Young People’ for fully qualified counsellors looking to specialise in working with young people.
They also offer low-cost counselling services for those aged over 25. These can be delivered to individuals or purchased business-wide.
Why did you join Connect Reading?
We wanted to join Connect Reading to be part of the extensive network of local businesses and organisations making a difference to our local community.
How are you building a better Reading for everyone?
We have been providing free, confidential, open access mental health support for young people and their families for 50 years and have supported over 25,000 young people in this time.
What has been the biggest thing you’ve learned as an organisation?
Listening to young people and responding to what they tell us is essential to providing the flexible, responsive support that young people need.
What are you most looking forward to in the year ahead?
No5 is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and we are excited by all of the new partnerships and opportunities that we hope this brings our way.
How can people connect with you and support what you’re doing?
Follow us and give us a shout on social media (@no5youngpeople on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok) or drop me a line – carly.newman@no5.org.uk – to discuss how we would work in partnership and collaborate to provide the best possible support for local young people.