Youth Talk

07/04/2026

📢 Introducing our Raffle Prize Sponsorship Club

Raffle prizes play a big part in how Youth Talk raises funds for local young people’s mental health. Last year, raffles and auctions raised £30,000, helping fund hundreds of counselling sessions.

Our new Raffle Prize Sponsorship Club gives local businesses a simple way to donate prizes across the year and make a lasting impact.

Prizes can be vouchers, products or experiences, with sponsorship tiers starting from £100.

If you are a local business and would like to support young people in St Albans, Harpenden and nearby villages, get in touch with our team to find out more.

📧 alexandra.asanache@youthtalk.org.uk

07/04/2026

🌍 Today is World Health Day.

This year’s theme, “Together for health. Stand with science,” highlights the power of collaboration in protecting the wellbeing of people, animals, plants, and our planet.

At Youth Talk, we know that health is about more than just the physical—it includes mental health too. Research continues to show how vital early support is for young people’s emotional wellbeing, and how connection, understanding, and evidence-based care can make a lasting difference.

Young people today are navigating a complex world, and their mental health matters now more than ever. By working together we can create environments where they feel safe, heard, and empowered.

💙Let’s keep listening. Let’s keep supporting. Together.

05/04/2026

Did you know that as well as our 1:1 service, at Youth Talk we also offer a range of supportive group sessions designed to help young people connect, share experiences whilst growing and supporting each other together?

Sessions are led by experienced counsellors and designed to build confidence, understanding and connection.

It’s different to one-to-one counselling - but for many, it’s just as powerful.

🔗https://youthtalk.org.uk/help-for-you/group-therapy/

04/04/2026

Our Youth Talk runners and walkers are already preparing for the St Albans Half Marathon - and our counsellor Katie is training hard!

She's running three times a week and her longest run to date has been 10km in just over an hour. She's absolutely smashing it - juggling training with working and running a home, as so many of the amazing people who take on these challenges will be doing.

If you would like to support Katie, or another member of the Youth Talk team, please head over to https://www.justgiving.com/team/youthtalksahm2026

Find out more about how you could take part at https://youthtalk.org.uk/run-walk-and-make-a-difference-for-youth-talk/

03/04/2026

The Youth Panel at Youth Talk are a hugely important part of what we do - they help guide and inform us, giving thought and consideration to so many areas.

Over recent weeks we've been working with some of the original Panel members, alongside new faces, revisiting how we connect, what we need to work on, and how we can improve and grow.

From talking about website and social media, challenging thinking about how to fundraise, and having open discussions as part of our partnership with the University of Greenwich - we've had two brilliant sessions, and are looking forward to regular monthly catch ups as we move forwards.

💙Thank you to all the Youth Panel members - past and present!

📨If you would like to find out more about the Youth Panel, please drop us an email at youthpanel@youthtalk.org.uk.

02/04/2026

April is Stress Awareness Month and it is a good reminder to make time for the things that support your wellbeing.

You might enjoy a run, a long walk, a night at the theatre, a dance with friends or even a jump outside your comfort zone. Whatever helps you relax, we have something coming up for you.

Every ticket or challenge fundraiser helps us provide free and confidential counselling to young people in St Albans, Harpenden and nearby villages when they really need it.

➡️ Explore all upcoming events here: https://youthtalk.org.uk/get-involved/events

01/04/2026

Thanks to the Community Matters team at Waitrose & Partners we have been given the opportunity to be one of the charities collecting green tokens from 1st April for the next three months!

This means that from the 1st April until the 30th June, you can collect a token when you pay for your shopping at Waitrose St Albans, then just pop it in the Youth Talk collection box before you leave the store.

At the end of the three months, they turn the tokens into much needed funding for us. It's simple, but will make a huge difference.

Thank you Waitrose & Partners

💙💚

30/03/2026

Last week brought two significant developments that shone a spotlight on the growing impact of screens and social media on young people.

At Youth Talk, we’ll continue to listen, learn, and contribute to the conversation – always with one focus in mind: helping young people grow up with the strongest possible foundations for their mental health and wellbeing.

Read David Barker's thoughts and reflections on these in his most recent blog.

🔗https://youthtalk.org.uk/finding-balance-in-a-screen-filled-world/

29/03/2026

26/03/2026

There's just four weeks until the Abbey Theatre step onto stage for an adaptation of George Orwell's 1984. Which means you still have time to get your tickets for a brilliant evening supporting Youth Talk and Citizens Advice St Albans District!

🎟🔗 https://1984-at-the-abbey-theatre-for-youth-talk-and-citizens-advice.eventbrite.co.uk