Off The Record provides the only free and confidential drop-in counselling, information and sexual health service for young people aged 11–24 living, working or studying in the Borough of Richmond. We help more than 1,500 young people every year.
Our Vision
“Every young person has a welcoming space where they feel valued, supported and listened to”
Our Mission
Our commitment is to provide free, confidential and accessible information and counselling, to support young people’s emotional and mental well-being when they are in need.
Our Values
OTR adopts the following principles:
- Being young people-centred and valuing their contribution in all aspects of service development and delivery
- To provide a personal, responsive and inclusive service
- Prioritise safe, effective and professional ways of working
- A friendly and informal approach valuing honesty, flexibility, integrity, and well-being
- Championing the welfare of young people with a non-judgemental and empathic approach
What we offer
- Crisis counselling
- Weekly counselling sessions – up to 12 sessions
- Walk-in information, a weekly sexual health clinic
- Counselling in locations across Richmond Borough (Barnes, Ham, Hampton, Hampton Hill, Richmond, Twickenham, Whitton)
- Support to parents and carers
Why We Are Needed
It’s easy to think that Richmond is a leafy affluent borough. Most recent statistics show that:
- Richmond borough’s rate of hospital admissions for self-harm in young people is the 4th highest among London boroughs
- Richmond has the 10th highest percentage of 15 year olds engaging in risky behaviour in England
- The numbers of young people accessing our counselling and drop in services for mental health support is increasing. Our waiting list for counselling is constantly rising.
- The issues young people bring to counselling are becoming increasingly more serious and the case histories are becoming complex. 50% of young people coming to OTR are self harming and 25% are suicidal
