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About us

YPAS is a Merseyside based Charity, established in 1966. We serve a population of over 250,000 children and young people age 5 – 25 years and their families to address their mental health and emotional well-being difficulties.

YPAS is a Youth Access service that provides a wide range of Information, Advice, and Counselling (YIAC) services. YPAS has been providing free, accessible, and age-appropriate services, all of which are solely driven by the needs of children and young people.

Our services are delivered across Merseyside in venues that include, our three locality community hubs, primary and secondary schools, GP surgeries, education settings and broader community settings.

What does YPAS help with?

YPAS helps with many difficulties that children, young people, and families experience. These difficulties can often impact how we feel, affecting our everyday mental health and emotional well-being.

Our therapy service provides a wide range of counseling and psychotherapy interventions designed to help address those issues that impact mental health and emotional wellbeing. Common presenting issues include anxiety, depression, bullying, self-harm, sexual abuse, family-related issues, emotional abuse, neglect, bereavement, grief, loss, domestic violence, hearing voices, etc.

Our wellbeing service provides a wide range of support and low-intensity evidence-based interventions designed to address the impact of mental health and emotional wellbeing. The service provides open-access groups, drop-in activities, information, advice, and guidance. Common presenting issues include anger, isolation, confidence, self-esteem, family-related issues, education, housing, benefits, etc. In addition, the service provides targeted support to LGBTQ+ young people who are exploring their sexuality and or gender identity.

Our Mission

Our mission is to improve the mental health and emotional wellbeing needs of children, young people and families in a non-stigmatized environment, that allows us to:

Deliver a wide range of support and therapeutic interventions
Reach children, young people and families as early as possible
Consistently monitor progress and change
Work jointly with professionals across health, education and social care
Include children, young people and families in the design and delivery of services
Ensure services and pathways are accessible

Our Vision

We will listen, support and empower them to achieve this by providing high quality information, advice, guidance and therapeutic services. YPAS is of a diverse community where children, young people and families feel:

Safe
Valued
Respected
Included
Motivated

Equality and Diversity

The Young Persons Advisory Service consists of a diverse community of staff, children, young people, parent/carers and families and welcomes all views and feedback from the communities it serves. YPAS is committed to providing and promoting equality and opportunities that allows everyone to be involved in shaping the delivery of our services.

By accessing our website you have joined the YPAS community and here you will find our comments, compliments & complaints (CCC) form, which we encourage you to share your thoughts about our services and social media content.

YPAS recognises its accessibility limitations and has a strategy for addressing these limitations. YPAS sets annual quality objectives with comprehensive actions plans and dedicated task and finish groups. A copy of our strategy is available on request from [email protected].

I want to thank Caz and Paula for an amazing 10 weeks. I have learnt so much in such a small amount of time. Understanding why my son shows certain behaviours. I also have learnt a lot about myself. Home is a much happier place. Best course I have been on and would definitely recommend to other parents. Again, can’t thank Caroline and Paula enough No judgment just understanding and so caring and helpful.
Parent/Carer

To Kate, thank you so much for everything, you've helped me so much. Thank you for helping me realise just how beautiful everything is.
Young Person

I can’t thank Lucy enough. She went over and above my expectations. Extending Eve’s sessions and having some real breakthroughs with her. She finished off with a really lovely party for Eve that included all of her favourite things. Well above and beyond.
Parent/Carer

I really enjoyed my time with Jeanette. She made me feel heard, valued and always remained professional. I was nervous about starting to talk therapy, but she immediately put me at ease and allowed me to get the most out of my sessions from the get-go. I would recommend her services to anyone, she’s friendly, personable and takes so much pride in her work. A real asset to the YPAS team.
Young Person

Seedlings Anna and Emma are amazing they put children 1st and are always willing to support and help families. They build amazing relationships with children, my daughter feels comfortable with both Emma and Anna and was able to communicate her thoughts and feelings which is really difficult for Amelia to do. I have only had a positive experience working with seedlings.

Parent/Carer

I felt very well listened to and I always felt like I could come here after a bad day and just talk to Jade about my feelings and not feel like I was getting judged.

Young Person

Lauren Marsh has provided counselling for my daughter. She started counselling and was unhappy with various things and needed an outside source of support. Lauren provided this service with sensitivity and care, which has helped my daughter come out of her shell and discuss the things that have been bothering her. Lauren has offered an insight on my daughters’ parents on certain concerns that have been raised, during the sessions. As a dad, I can see a huge difference in my daughter’s general mood. She seems to manage her emotions well and is more open about various things that are bothering her. I am so grateful for Lauren’s care and support. My daughter has been comfortable enough to open up. Lauren also raised concerns about progressing into grief counselling, which I felt was incredibly considerate, ensuring mu daughters mental wellbeing was catered for outside of counselling sessions.

Parent/Carer

The sessions with Caitlin in school helped me to have someone to talk to without judgement but an outsider observation.

Young Person

Dear Meg and the team. I cannot express enough the gratitude, thanks and praise for your organisation. Meg: thank you for the time spent with my granddaughter and myself. Your knowledge, professionalism and kindness were outstanding. Reception: So kind and caring. Enquiries dealt with compassionately with excellent signposting. A big pat on the back to you all. I dread to think where this city would be without your organisation.

Parent/Carer

Jodie was very nice and helpful when I didn't know what to do about my anxiety. I am finished now and feel confident to manage my anxiety myself and know a lot about it to help others, I feel a lot less anxious

Young Person