Two youth leaders who helped develop Peckham’s new mental health service for young people have visited its team for the first time.
The teenagers toured the drop-in centre in Rye Lane, which opened earlier this year, to see its work in action. The service, called The Nest, is the only face-to-face support in Southwark that is open to any young person needing help – without a referral. It opened this year with funding from Southwark Council, and is run by Groundwork London.
During lockdown its team has still been operating, albeit slightly differently using phone and online meetings instead. It was co-designed with the help of children and young people from youth clubs and schools in Southwark.
Eighteen-year-old Liam, a Coin Street Young Leader, came up with the name of ‘The Nest’. “I really like the overall aesthetic, the vibrant colours gives the whole place a positive vibe,” he said, during the visit in December.
“The space is open, not closed off, so the atmosphere feels welcoming. The reasoning behind the name is that a nest is a safe home where something can grow and spread its wings to leave. I hope any young person can come here and get the right support they need.”
He was joined by Cllr Jasmine Ali and Iman, fourteen, from New Kent Road and another Coin Street Youth Leader.
“It’s really important that young people have strong mental health because it impacts everything you do and every decision you make,” Iman said.
“I like how open The Nest is, it gives me good vibes and is somewhere that young people can come and feel comfortable.”