Your Stories

I’ve achieved a lot of things, but if I had to choose one it would be improving how I speak & feel about people. M 16

It has helped me to control my frustration & some emotions, I feel counselling could help others. M 17

I am very happy that I came here, I’m more confident, I can leave the house without feeling scared, & I go to school without being scared, I believe in myself. F 15

‘To Debra, Thank you so much for helping us through the bad times. I liked drawing the pictures. You helped us talk about the things that worried us’. Lily, Aged 7 years

‘Family Mediation helped me because I could let all my feelings out to Debra and after I felt a lot happier. Debra went to my school to talk about the help I needed so they could understand and support what I was going through’. Jay, Aged 10

‘Debra helped us – as a family – to express our difficult feelings both individually, and to each other. This helped us to understand each other and explained that we all felt the trauma in different ways. Debra equipped us with coping strategies for the future. I honestly don’t know what we would have done without the Family Mediation with Debra, she has assisted greatly in setting my children’s foundations for a brighter future’.

*Names have been omitted or changed to ensure confidentiality

“They are really nice and always willing to help me. They’ve made life a lot simpler for me, and make me think there’s hope”.

“I feel more at ease now. They are very helpful”

“They’ve helped me know all my choices”

“Annie really helped me; I had morning sickness and SPD so Annie referred me to physio. I could talk to her about anything”
(Pregnant at 17)

“Annie made me feel comfortable and didn’t look down out me, as people look at you funny when you’re young and pregnant”
(Pregnant at 17)

“Annie was a really good midwife and I could call her when I needed. I felt comfortable with her, not like going to see a G.P, it felt like a personal service”
(Pregnant at 17)

“I learnt what to do with a new baby and how to make healthy foods and made friends”
(Pregnant at 17)

“Before I attended the HIP, I ate and drank anything I wanted, at the course I found out about the bad stuff in food. I started taking better care of myself, I thought more about what I was feeding Riley, I made new friends and gained the knowledge of keeping myself and Riley healthy though out me pregnancy”
(Pregnant at 17)

“I liked cooking the food, I live independently so I liked to sit down and eat and talk with other pregnant girls”
(Pregnant at 17)

“I did the course twice once in Colchester and once in Clacton, it was a good way to meet girls whose babies were due the same time as mine. We all still meet up now.”
(Pregnant at 16)

20/20 Parent Education Day

“I attended this twice and learnt about labour”
(Pregnant at 17)

“We did activity’s to help me when I went into labour like when to call the hospital. I worry a lot about things and this put my mind at rest”
(Pregnant at 17)

“It was good to find out what to expect when labour started and what pain relief I could use.”
(Pregnant at 16)

“Until I attended the 20/20 I didn’t know the technical side of labour”
(Pregnant at 17)

“I don’t think I would be so confident a mum without having come to groups at YES because I would have just sat at home worrying because sometimes stuff to do with being a parent is confusing.”
(Pregnant at 16)

“Helps baby socialize and my baby learns new things and I have seen the Health Visitor there”
(Pregnant at 17)

“I used to attend every week, it was nice to see all the baby’s together and it was a really good environment to be in and I met more new people”
(Pregnant at 17)

“I liked meeting new mums my age with the same issues etc., I looked forward to coming each week.”
(Pregnant at 17)

“I attend as it’s nice to be around people who are in the same boat as me and I’d feel alone if I didn’t”
(Pregnant at 17)

“I have really enjoyed bringing Scarlett to the group, she is so used to coming I feel she is much more social because she has mixed with the other children since she was born.”

“Listening to the other mum’s and sharing experiences has helped me through some tough times. We all support each other; I have made some good friends we meet up even outside of the group.”
(Pregnant at 17)

“I come to meet my friends and I get to do more activities with Riley that I wouldn’t do at home”
(Pregnant at 17)

Accessible Service
“Everyone at y.e.s is lovely and have a good time when working and everyone can get to town so it’s in the perfect place”
(Pregnant at 17)

“Everyone can get to Town so it’s in the right place and everyone is smiley and happy”
Pregnant at 17)

“The help we got at y.e.s was really helpful”
(Pregnant at 17)

“It’s not been easy setting up home and learning to manage my money especially when benefits get changed or stopped for no reason. Whenever I have had a problem I know I can contact YES to help with understanding what I have to do.”
(Pregnant at 16)

“Sarah at y.e.s was very helpful and determined to help and she’s lovely, she came to the council with me and supported me through the interview”
(Pregnant at 17

“Ella is a fantastic Health Visitor, she knows how to talk to young people, and she gave me her professional view but didn’t judge. She accepted my instincts around weaning but gave me the facts”
(Pregnant at 17)