EVERYONE needs a shoulder to cry on at some point in their life. The Way In centre in Chesham provides youth counselling and support for those who feel they need help. VICTORIA BIRCH reports.

Many young people find it difficult to ask for help. Maybe they feel that adults will not understand, and friends could betray their confidence. That is why the Way In centre in Bellingdon Road, Chesham, is a much-needed addition to the community.

It is easy to see why the centre is always busy. When you walk through the doors, the first thing you notice is the friendly, cosy, unthreatening environment.

Counsellors are always on hand to offer youngsters help, advice and support whenever they need it.

Ann Stone has been a co-ordinator and a counsellor on and off at the centre for five years.

She said: "Counselling is something people are wary of, but many are now understanding what it is all about. It is not so stigmatised as it used to be. It is far more sensible to get help with someone who will be prepared to listen than muddle through on their own.

"It does take a lot of courage to come along to solve a problem which is a part of the way there. But more and more people are saying 'yes, I do need some kind of support.' We also see some parents too and we work with them on the issues affecting their sons or daughters."

The centre has been running for 13 years. It offers many services, for young people aged 11-25, including a confidential sexual health service and advice for youngsters with eating disorders.

Help is also given to people from 16 to 25-years-old with accommodation problems.

Gill Dickinson, the administrator and a counsellor, said there is a general problem with most people who seek help.

She said: "Normally it is a lack of self-esteem and they don't value themselves. Drugs may be part of their life, and we will refer them to the appropriate organisation."

The centre was started by Buckinghamshire County Council's youth service, as they felt a need for counselling to offer one to one support.

Mrs Stone said: "We recruited counsellors first and sent them on a training course at Bucks County Council premises. I was one of the first counsellors and was doing youth work in the area.

"Some come for one or two sessions and others come for a number of months seeing qualified counsellors. We also do outreach work in schools. A couple of schools we go to a few afternoons a week."

They both said that although it is a lot of hard work, the rewards are excellent. Mrs Stone said she took great pleasure in seeing young people moving on and seeing their problems go after the one to one support.

She said: "We can see how they were when it started. It is a dual process and we don't give advice but we work with someone to get control. We listen and get them to explore themselves and talk about a particular issue and look for ways of dealing with it.

"Every day is different and extremely rewarding and can be emotionally exhausting.

"We do get people phone up or come to the door. Providing that two people are here, we let them in. We have not yet turned anyone away.

"Our clients are very good and come for genuine reasons. There are 20 counsellors and they are all volunteers."

The agency also provides Peer Support Projects which trains other students to listen to problems.

Pupils in eight schools in the county were trained to start it off, as research has shown that young people would prefer to talk to other young people about their concerns.

Although the youth counselling agency is supported by Buckinghamshire County Council, Chiltern District Council and Chesham Town Council, a lot of its money goes towards the ongoing training of its counsellors."

Mrs Stone added: "All we ask is for a donation, which is nice if people are in a position to do that.

"From our point of view the more people who support us financially, the more we can do for the community."

If you would like to help the Way In youth counselling agency call (01494) 791177.

Centre offers helping hand

Services, for those aged 11-25 include a confidential sexual health service and advice for youngsters with eating disorders.

There is help for people aged 16 to 25 with accommodation problems.

Its Peer Support Projects trains other students to listen to problems.