Support Services

Direct Help

“Direct Help” delivers the all-round support which enables people to access the help they need. We help to address the multiple issues and challenges by tackling the root causes of their problems. Our services help to build peoples capabilities, improve quality of life, reduce social isolation, increase sense of self-worth and well-being, whilst giving hope for a better future.

These services include:

‘Drop-in Support’

Drop-in support provides a lifeline, leading to increased knowledge, life skills and confidence to deal with everyday issues. This includes advice and guidance on benefits, consumer issues, debt, housing and employment.

‘1-1 Support’

1-1 crisis support service’ that provides more in depth support enabling people to seek a way out of their problems leading to improved independence and increased mental health and well-being.

Counselling Service

We have a fully qualified BACP accredited counsellor providing professional person-centred counselling to our service users. Referrals can be made through a member of staff and clients can access up to 12 sessions free of charge. Counselling can help with a range of problems a person may be experiencing and focuses on helping a client find their own way to deal with their feelings, see things more clearly and have a better understanding of themselves.

Food Provision

We provide support for people living with food insecurity to have access to our weekly community food club, Whitby’s Pantry and food banks for immediate crisis situations. We also provide nutritious home cooked food from Whitby’s Homemade and essential basic cooking skills with Thrifty Kitchen.

PeerTalk runs peer support groups for anyone facing depression, anxiety or related conditions.  Facilitated by two trained volunteers, the group offers a welcoming, safe space where you can talk, and where others will listen and support you from a place of knowing, through their own experience. We meet weekly at The Intact Centre, every Thursday, 11am – 12.30pm. It’s free and there’s no need to be referred or to book – you can simply come along.  Find out more about PeerTalk support groups.