Young People

A better alternative for young people.

Articles

Prevention: the primary tool for school readiness

September is a month of transition for many young people. After the summer break, children and young people return to education, often to new teachers, new routines, new expectations and, for some, an entirely new school. We tend to think of this simply as going back to school, but transitions can be much more significant than we realise.

2 days ago

 by Nathan Singleton

Case Studies

Linda’s Story: From isolation to influence

When Linda first came to one of our sessions, she carried a lifetime of challenges with her. Having spent much of her childhood in care, she arrived in her early thirties with no family support network in the UK and very few people she could rely on. Years of abandonment and disappointment had left their mark—she often struggled to trust...

3 days ago

 by LifeLine Comms Team

Articles

Is youth voice enough?

Recently, we asked a group of young people we support a simple question: what do you wish adults understood about being young today? Their answers covered many of the subjects we might expect: social media, mental health, education, employment, lockdown, independence, the future. As I listened, I found myself reflecting on something that has become increasingly prominent across our sector—youth...

4 weeks ago

 by Nathan Singleton

News

LifeLine launches variety of new programmes for young people and families across London

New Wellbeing Peer Support programme launches thanks to support from NHS North East London Foundation Trust We’re pleased to continue working with the NHS North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT), whose new funding allows us to deliver a Wellbeing Peer Support programme in the London Boroughs of Barking and Dagenham and Redbridge. The programme supports people experiencing mental health challenges...

4 weeks ago

 by LifeLine Comms Team

Case Studies

Jack’s Story: Finding direction, hope, and self-belief

When I first met Jack, he came across as confident, outgoing and popular. On the surface, he seemed like a young person who had everything under control. But it didn’t take long to realise he was carrying far more than he let people see.

4 weeks ago

 by LifeLine Comms Team

Articles

The summer holidays are more than six weeks of needing to entertain children

It’s a time to invest in a young person's future. A time that can change their path. Do you remember having to go back to school in September? I know that, for me at least, I was filled with anxiety before I even got through the school gates. But that soon gave way to the excitement of seeing my friends...

2 months ago

 by Nathan Singleton

Articles

NEET—prevention is better than cure

I’ve spent most of my life working with young people in east London. I started as a youth leader—hours of mentoring each week, groups trips and activities, conversations with parents. It’s the kind of work that can feel small in the moment but adds up to something big over time.

5 months ago

 by Nathan Singleton

Articles

Tips from youth workers for parents: Protective factors for social media

One of the team told me about a time a mother rang him, quite upset. Her teenage son had discovered hurtful comments being made about him in a group chat. Those in the group chat had not realised that he would see them but he did and to him, it felt as if the whole school had turned against him...

6 months ago

 by Nathan Singleton

Team Spotlights

Introducing Jenna, Young People’s Services Manager

This month, we’re talking with Jenna, Young People’s Services Manager, who joined us last year. Jenna leads, manages and coordinates our work with young people through our various SW!TCH programmes.

7 months ago

 by LifeLine Comms Team

Articles

Belonging matters

People do better when they feel part of something bigger than themselves. Belonging is not just about being included—it’s about knowing that you matter, that what you do and who you are makes a difference, and that sharing life with others brings meaning. But these days, belonging can be hard to find. Simply going out with friends or family can...

11 months ago

 by Nathan Singleton

Articles

The sound of silence

Every time I walk through a shopping centre, I wonder why they’re such loud places. It feels like they’re designed to deafen you. I remember years ago when I visited a hospital, another place which is always noisy. There, I chanced upon a prayer room. It was quiet and simply decorated. It felt like a refuge. If only such spaces...

1 year ago

 by John Carruthers

Articles

Why so many young people lose confidence… and how we can help them rebuild it

It’s easy to assume that someone we see as confident must be confident all the time, and the same for those who lack confidence. But that’s often not true—confidence can fluctuate wildly depending on the situation and other factors. And for many young people, a decline in confidence can happen just when they need it most.If you met one of our...

1 year ago

 by Nathan Singleton

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