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Back to NewsThe Charlie Watkins Foundation is deeply committed to supporting vulnerable young people in Essex and beyond, and our partnership with the Youth Enquiry Service (YES) is absolutely critical to this mission.
The following case studies from YES powerfully illustrate the vital work that they do and underscore why their services are so essential, and why they deserve our unwavering support.
Case Study – School Pupil
During the second counselling session a young person disclosed that they had experienced domestic abuse by a relative within their own family. Safeguarding processes were immediately implemented. The processes ensured all relevant organisations were involved in terms of risk.
Over the next few weeks, the young person continued to attend their counselling sessions and was able to talk one-to-one with the counsellor about their experience as the situation unfolded. Due to the circumstances, the young person had to move house several times, before finally settling into a new home just before Christmas. It was during this time that the young person spoke to the counsellor about their feelings of being alone and isolated. Moving home had seriously impacted their relationships with friendship groups. Over a period of 8-weeks, the counsellor continued to work with them, offering support. The feedback from the young person demonstrated that receiving support had provided them with stability in terms of a regular place to visit each week. They said that it had enabled them to appreciate that they were not alone, and that somebody outside of the family cared about their welfare. The counsellor continued to monitor the situation and their wellbeing, as they safely became reunited with family members and friends.
Case Study – Whole School Response
On October 24, a young boy tragically lost his life at a school we were supporting, leaving the community in shock. The immediate impact of this news was deeply felt by students, friends, teachers, and staff members, creating a widespread ripple effect. In response, two counsellors provided support to 10 students who were close friends of the boy who passed away. The trauma profoundly affected their young lives, leaving lasting changes.
We were able to offer counselling on-site, ensuring the students had access to support without any additional barriers to their education. The loss of their friend was overwhelming, and each student had their own unique bond with him, wanting a safe space to process and understand what had happened. The space we created allowed them to openly express their emotions—sadness, frustration, hurt, and anger. As a result, some students struggled with heightened emotions and made poor decisions within the school environment.
Over time, as they continued to receive support, the students were able to work through their grief and eventually rediscover happiness without feeling guilty for being alive when their friend was not. Feedback from the school highlighted the immense gratitude from both the students and their parents for the support provided. All the students have continued to attend school and are doing well.
