Health partnership encourages children to chat more
SOMETIMES it is tough being a youngster and finding help and a ‘safe space’ can be difficult in a remote, rural location like ours.
Now Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership has launched an exciting new online information and support service for young people.
Campbeltown Grammar School was chosen as the venue to unveil Cool2talk, (www.cool2talk.org).
This online service is a responsive, safe space for young people across Argyll and Bute to get their questions answered in the knowledge that they will be responded to promptly by a trained, knowledgeable person who won’t judge, but will offer information and guidance. The project is being run by NHS Highland, NHS Tayside, Argyll and Bute Council and Argyll and Bute Alcohol and Drug Partnership; the website is based in NHS Tayside where it has run successfully for more than 10 years.
Four highly-skilled and knowledgeable workers have been appointed in Argyll and Bute, who have already begun their training to use the website and answer the questions posted by young people.
Sam Campbell, senior health improvement specialist said: ‘We were delighted to launch Cool2Talk, a new online information and support service for young people across Argyll and Bute. This new resource aims to respond to young people promptly with information and guidance.
‘Questions posted to the Cool2Talk website will be answered within 24 hours every day of the year so young people can get access to information which is written specifically for them.
‘The questions they ask and the answers received will then be posted anonymously on the website so everyone can benefit from the information. The website doesn’t ask for personal information and doesn’t identify the person who is asking the question.
‘Not only will the website contain a resource for parents/carers and professionals, it will also include a directory of local/national services on a range of topics that have been highlighted by young people as important.’
Those using the site can also get online support from a qualified counsellor one evening per week.
This is presently only available once a week. The service can offer up to 50-minutes of online support with the trained counsellor and users can have up to four sessions. After this they will be referred on to an appropriate service to provide longer term support, if necessary.