A popular free support service for young people is increasing its hours in the town centre with additional funding from the council.
Croydon Drop In (CDI)’s Talkbus will now be parked in front of McDonalds, North End on Fridays as well as Thursdays, offering young people free, confidential support and advice on a huge range of issues.
The service operates on a ‘you talk, we listen’ basis, and advises on family support, mental and emotional health and wellbeing, as well as providing a reassuring presence in the town centre,
CDI also offers free counselling for 10-25s, a parent group and signposting to relevant support services, along with information on local and national youth projects.
The team works closely with the council’s youth engagement officers, the police, Croydon BID, local schools, the schools pastors, and other community sector youth providers.
Together they champion the goals of the council’s award-winning Choose Your Future campaign, which supports young people to stay safe and make positive life choices.
Councillor Alisa Flemming, cabinet member for children, young people and learning
“CDI’s Talkbus service goes right to the heart of Croydon’s Choose Your Future campaign and our preventative approach to youth crime.
“If we want to help young people to make positive choices, and to stay safe and healthy, mentally and emotionally, we need to be there for them when and where they need us, offering easy-to-access support in their own neighbourhoods, when they are hanging out with friends.
“We know how much our young people value Croydon’s Talkbus, and we hope by investing in these extra sessions more can benefit.”
