New Approach to Emotional Health Drop-Ins for Young People

Time for Young People introduces flexible support activities

Time for Young People, a service supporting the emotional health of young people in Leeds, has adapted its open access drop-in sessions to offer a more child-led approach. The initiative, called TIME BOOST, allows young people to select activities that best suit their preferences while discussing their mental health.

Activity options to support mental health conversations

The TIME BOOST programme provides a range of activities designed to create a comfortable environment for young people to open up about their feelings. These activities include:

• Move: Engaging in physical games such as ping pong, pool, or table football to help release energy, reduce stress, and facilitate easier conversation.
• Create: Using art as a medium to express thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to verbalise.
• Play: Playing board games while chatting to encourage relaxed and pressure-free communication.
• Chill: Spending time in a sensory corner with calming activities to help young people feel comfortable and share at their own pace.
• Talk: Having friendly conversations with a listener who offers support and helps make sense of feelings.

While talking remains central to the sessions, the chosen activities serve as vehicles to facilitate communication, making it easier for young people to engage in discussions about their emotional health. Participants can select one or multiple activities during a session. Drinks and snacks are also provided.

Contact details and further information

For those interested in learning more or with questions about the sessions, Time for Young People can be contacted via email at timeleeds@childrenssociety.org.uk or by phone on 0113 517 8000.

More information is available on The Children’s Society website: Time for young people, Leeds | The Children’s Society.

Source: Doing Good Leeds