Bedfordshire Open Door marks 30 years of in-person counselling as demand for youth mental-health support continues to rise. For this month’s charity column, their chair, Sam Pearce, writes about what they do and how they help young people in the area.
Across Bedfordshire, more young people than ever are struggling with their mental health. Anxiety, low mood, trauma, school and family pressures and the lasting impact of the pandemic continue to affect thousands.
While digital mental-health tools have grown rapidly, one local charity is reminding the community that nothing replaces the power of human connection.
Bedfordshire Open Door, based in Tavistock Street, Bedford, has been providing free, confidential counselling for 13–25-year-olds for 30 years.
Last year alone, the charity delivered more than 6,500 counselling sessions to over 850 young people, yet an estimated 3,800 more locally still need support.
For many young people, stepping through the charity’s blue front door is the moment things begin to change.
Read: Local charity to celebrate 30th anniversary with “30 for 30” campaign
Face to face
In-person counselling offers something digital services simply can’t replicate: human connection, body language and emotional understanding alongside the comfort and privacy of a safe physical space.
It also enables staff to identify the most appropriate professional therapies and support to meet the needs of each individual – and to offer practical help, including free toiletries and a small on-site food bank for those facing hardship.
Young people consistently tell the charity how much the face-to-face environment matters. One said: “I loved coming here… I’ll miss this place a lot, but thank you for helping me feel I can deal with things that come my way.”
Another described it as “a place where I could be free of judgement and be myself.”
As Bedfordshire Open Door celebrates its 30th anniversary, the charity is calling on the community to help protect local in-person mental health services.
How you can support us
Residents, businesses and community groups can support by choosing the charity as a Charity of the Year partner, or by taking part in sponsored events such as runs, walks or creative challenges.
Even a one-off donation helps ensure the service remains free and accessible to every young person who needs it.
Most people know a young person who is struggling, or remember being a young person who struggled themselves. If you want to help make sure there is always somewhere safe for young people to turn, please consider supporting Bedfordshire Open Door.
Your help today keeps the door open for them tomorrow.
To find out more, visit bedfordopendoor.org.uk. To make a donation, please visit localgiving.org.
This is a monthly guest column provided by
charities in Bedford Borough.
It is published unedited and does
not reflect the views of the Bedford Independent.
