DigiTalk

Easily accessible, online help and support for young people is something that local service providers have long sought to offer.

Overview 

2016-2017

DigiTalk was a innovative project involving Youth Information, Advice and Counselling Services across the country seeking to extend access and choice in mental health help and support for young people through integrated online mental health support. 

Funded by the Health Education England Innovation Fund, Digitalk held National workshops for YIACS managers focusing on policy and practice in the implementation of digital technologies. The project also provided training for counsellors and supervisors in online counselling and supervision skills and produced an e-learning package for young people taking up online roles such as peer support. 

The project was made possible by Off the Record Croydon, which shared its learning and investment in its digital counselling platform.  

Impact 

Collaboration between Youth Information, Advice and Counselling Services all over the country led to the success of the DigiTalk project. 

To date the project has: 

  • Trained YIACS staff to use of the platform and ran workshops on topics such as safeguarding and outcome monitoring 

  • Set up 55 training places in online counselling for experienced counselling practitioners 

  • Organised bespoke training for 20 counselling supervisors to develop their capacity to offer supervision for online work 

  • Commissioned e-learning to train young people in peer facilitation 

The DigiTalk resource, 'Going Digital', is accessible to full members via the Members Area.

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