Help & Advice: Loneliness and social anxiety

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Childline offers support and advice for young people who feel lonely or isolated 
Call Childline for free on 0800 1111

YMCA Brighton’s Youth Advice Centre is a safe space where any young person age 13-25 can talk to a worker one-to-one and receive support 
Daily drop in Monday-Thurs 3-6pm and Friday 3-5.30pm, 11 St Georges Place, Brighton BN1 4GB

Every Mind Matters is an NHS website that offers tips and advice on combating loneliness, whatever your age

Albion in the Community, working to improve health and wellbeing, education and aspirations of Brighton’s community
Premier League Kicks is a project that offers free weekly football sessions to children between 7 and 18 and combines free football with workshops and lifestyle advice in subjects like domestic violence, anti-homophobia, anti-racism, substance misuse and road safety.

Anxiety UK has information, resources and support for parents and young people suffering from social anxiety as well as an online chat service 

Young Minds information and resources for young people suffering from anxiety 

TogetherCo is a loneliness charity that offers “befriending, social prescribing and volunteering services in Brighton, Hove and beyond”

Borrow My Doggy is a service that connects dog owners with “local borrowers for walks, weekends and holidays”

⭐️ Join our Raising Teens Facebook group for support from parents, teens and experts

🎧 Listen to Raising Teens: Loneliness on BBC Sounds

Brighton has the most internet searches for the word ‘lonely’. Almost 20% of children living in cities say they often feel lonely (ONS 2018). In 2016 Childline saw a marked increase in the number of children who felt “miserable, misunderstood or isolated” with many too “embarrassed” to admit to feeling lonely. There are many reasons cited including: the pressures of social media, bullying, moving home or school (including the transition to secondary school), living in care or having an illness or disability. How can parents encourage a teen to open up if they think they’re becoming isolated? How can parents spot the signs and find ways to get help? With guests Danny Gray, founder of War Paint for Men, psychotherapist Donna Peters-Lamb and Zara Philips from Albion in the Community.
First broadcast on BBC Sussex on 9 December 2019.