Introduction
It’s Your Choice is an independent, local, voluntary organisation offering confidential information, advice and counselling services to young people (12 to 25 yr olds) living in the New Forest District. Its Your Choice is a registered charity with its own Trustee Board.
Aims of the Service
• to maintain a free, confidential and professional service, supporting young people in making informed choices and decisions for themselves
• to respect the rights of young people and to promote positive awareness of their needs
• to work in partnership with young people to develop their personal skills and resources
• to promote equality of opportunity in all that it does
Achieved By
• recruiting and training volunteers to help run the service
• the development of a relevant and youth specific information service
• the establishment of drop-in centres in locations across the New Forest
• working alongside homeless young people to help them in their search for somewhere to live.
• offering sexual health services including pregnancy testing and condom distribution and Chlamydia Testing
• the running of a free Helpline
• access via e-mail and information on the It’s Your Choice website.
• the development of a school peer support scheme
• working in partnership with other agencies
• offering appointments for on-going support in the young persons locality
• encouraging the involvement of young people in all aspects of the agency’s work.
The services currently offered are:
• a freephone help line available weekday afternoons. An Answerphone is available outside drop-in times.
• Drop-ins:-
Totton: 37 Salisbury Road: Monday, Thursday & Friday 2-5pm
Totton: Young People’s Sexual Health Clinic: Monday 3-5p.m.
Totton: Connexions Drop-in: Friday 10-1p.m.
Fordingbridge: The Rainbow Centre, 41 Salisbury street: Wednesday 3-6pm
Holbury: Colors Youth Club, Long Lane, Holbury: Tuesday 2.30-5p.m.
• One to one counselling sessions with young people across the Forest (on an appointment basis).
• Free and confidential pregnancy testing service and provision of condoms and Chlamydia Testing
• A school counselling service at The Arnewood School in New Milton. And the Burgate School Fordingbridge.
• School/college workshops/presentations at all New Forest Senior Schools and Colleges.
• Outreach work in collaboration with other agencies e.g., youth workers, health workers.
• Access to a Drug and Alcohol Advisor
The crucial element in providing the kind of effective service required by young people is the recruitment, training, supervision and support of volunteers.
Volunteers are involved in and/or run all of these services. We are particularly looking for new volunteers who can
help us staff our drop-in centres in Totton, Fordingbridge and Holbury and other parts of the Forest.
are interested in delivering sexual health information and services to young people.
are interested in delivering information and advice to homeless young people.
are interested in delivering information, advice and support on a whole range of issues.
are interested in researching and developing services to meet the needs of the young people of the New Forest
For further information
Contact us by email:-
Operations Manager : Jackie Griffin
Youth Support Co-ordinator : Jeremy Holder