Children and young people's services
We are committed to improving the prospects for children and young people in Horsham District. We support children and young people in a variety of ways including helping them to have their say, providing places for them to go and improving availability of information and advice.
Purple Bus youth service
The Purple Bus is managed by West Sussex Youth Service and works in partnership with the Action in rural Sussex, Chichester and Horsham District Council Community Development Team, Parish Councils and other interested individuals to form the West Sussex Rural Mobile Youth Trust.
The bus travels around West Sussex and provides fun activities and helpful information for young people. They have lots of activities on board including card games, Wii, football, internet, TV, music, circus equipment. We have also got laptops, digital cameras, music, quizzes, games, art and information leaflets.
Snack Wagon youth service
The SnackWagon is a mobile youth provision that offers support for young people aged between 13 and 18 years. Youth Workers also engage with young people on issues that matter to them with a view to giving advice, support and signposting them to other agencies.
Popular topics of conversation include: education, drugs, alcohol, sexual health, safe driving and other issues affecting young people. There's also a range of activities available, such as real 'beer goggles', which help young people to assess their alcohol unit intake. The Snack Wagon is a partnership project between Horsham District Council and West Sussex County Council.
Support services for young people
Together with West Sussex County Council, we have put together a list of support services covering a range of issues that may affect children and young people.
Counselling, one-to-one support and mental health issues
- ChildLine offers information, advice and support for young people 24 hours a day, as well as one-to-one support by phone and online.
- Horsham Samaritans offer support by phone or email.
- Young Minds offers online information for young people facing various issues, as well as an online Parent Survival Guide and helpline
General information providers
- Hub Horsham at the Find it Out Centre is a drop-in centre that provides information for young people aged 11-25 about a variety of issues including emotional wellbeing, debt management, sexual health and employment.
- The Mix is a website aimed at under 25s containing information on keeping safe, relationships, mental health, housing, money, travel and the law.
Substance misuse
- Change Grow Live provide West Sussex's Children and Young People's Drug and Alcohol Wellbeing Service.
- Action on Addiction offers programmes for families, relatives and children of addicted people
- Frank contains information on the effects and associated risks of drug use
- AdFam offers information
- Drug Wise UK offers information on drugs, alcohol and tobacco
- KFX provides drugs education resources
Bereavement support
- Cruse Bereavement offers bereavement support, advice and information. Its website Hope Again is specifically for young people
- Winston's Wish is a charity that supports bereaved children
Self-harm and eating disorders
- National Self-Harm Network is a forum for people who self-harm and offers support for families
- Beat Eating Disorders is a national eating disorder charity
Suicide prevention
- Papyrus offers online help and confidential support
Sexuality
- Allsorts LGBTU Project is based in Brighton and supports people aged under 26 who are lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender or unsure
- Stonewall is a national charity offering support for LGBT people
Online safety
The below organisations offer advice aimed at children, young people and parents about online safety.