No Limits claims to be the only truly holistic service in the area offering support and counselling for young people and children on issues ranging from homelessness to sexual exploitation and from employment to parenting. No Limits’ Richard Coleman explains more.

• • All young people need support, food and a home. At No Limits we see young people who have none of these.
  • Too many children and young people live in poverty. At No Limits we see this disadvantage come to life every day.
  • We all need help, support and advice. Last year 6000 young people saw us for help

We are the only truly holistic service in Southampton, Eastleigh, Portsmouth and across Hampshire offering information, advice, support and counselling for young people and children (11 to 25 years old). We currently offer 14 projects that support young people with issues relating to substance misuse, homelessness, abuse, sexual exploitation, sexual identity, employment, housing, anger management, parenting and young offenders.

If you are a young person who needs help or you know somebody who needs our help please contact us. There is much more about our services at www.nolimitshelp.org.uk, you can phone us on 02380 236237, you can like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @nolimitshelp

There is also a great video on You Tube that really exemplifies the work of No Limits.

Our services can be accessed through our three drop in centres based in Southampton city centre, Shirley and Sholing. Our opening hours can be accessed here. We also provide support in 18 secondary schools, three further education colleges and in other community settings. This includes the areas of Bitterne/Townhill and Portswood/St Denys.

Currently No Limits employs 52 full and part time staff and has support from about 150 volunteers. We are also fortunate in having support from local businesses including Southampton Hilton, Barclays Bank in Shirley, Bitterne Sainsbury’s, Mathews Funeral Directors, Southampton White Stuff and Reed Recruitment.

Caring, confidential support

At our Drop Ins or our Health and Well Being sessions we offer a caring, confidential and supportive environment where young people can explore issues which are affecting their lives; provide accurate and up to date information relevant to young people’s needs; enable young people to solve problems and make informed decisions.

Of the 6,000 children and young people (11 to 25 years old) that accessed our services last year on over 34,000 occasions, 39% self-identified as having a vulnerability or disadvantage.

Through our work we strive to ensure that young people:

• Gain self-confidence and self esteem
• Feel less isolated and more able to reach out for help
• Feel more in control of their lives
• Are less likely to commit crime/offend
• Are less likely to engage in substance misuse
• Are less likely to be homeless
• Are more likely to become employed, go onto training or gain accreditation
• Will develop secure and functional relationships

We often get great feedback through Facebook, email or letter from young people who have moved forward in their lives through our help.

For instance:

Breakout Youth

At No Limits we have a project called Breakout Youth that supports young people who are Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay or Transsexual (LGBT). Recently one of the workers from Breakout had an old group member make contact. They had just got their degree. When the young person was first referred to Breakout Youth they were a total mess. Suicidal, terrified of their feelings and no confidence at all. Self-esteem grew through one to one and peer support. Sixth form was completed having been at high risk of dropping out. The young person went off to university and thrived! They are now totally comfortable in their own skin.

It’s always brilliant for staff to get feedback like this. It makes all the hard work really worthwhile.

And a lovely letter from a service user –

"Dear No Limits, I have good news about my Asylum case. I am granted leave for five years. I am so happy. I want to share my happiness with you. Thanks so much for helping me with my difficult situation. I am allowed to work, study, everything."

Our projects focus on particular issues. For instance our Work Club meets every week on a Monday afternoon:

A Success Story for No Limits Work Club

A few months ago we started up a work club at No Limits. In the last twelve weeks at Work Club at the Bernard Street Drop in:

• No Limits have seen 92 young people
• 56 young people have completed job searches
• 35 young people have created CVs
• 20 young people have obtained places on training courses
• 4 young people are now on apprenticeships
• No Limits have given out 58 interview technique packs

8 young people now have jobs!

We also have a fantastic group of volunteers who provide a huge amount of support in so many ways. By becoming a volunteer you can help others and at the same time gain some real skills.

Kristina’ Story
“School was a disaster for me. I felt failed by the system, the odd one out. I hung out with the naughty kids but I wasn’t bad just very mixed up. I came from a middle class background but felt I was too rough at the edges. I came out of school with one O-level and never did any other studying until I became a volunteer at No Limits at the age of 40.


“Undertaking the induction training and then becoming a volunteer at No Limits gave me confidence in my own ability. I gained new skills and knowledge. It made me realise I am able to learn and be part of something worthwhile. It helped me realise that I can take responsibility for my own life and my children. I want to be a good role model to them and other people. 
I am now on my way to study a Social Work Degree so that I can help other people become better members of the community."

Krisitna has been an outstanding volunteer for No Limits, offering time, support and advice to hundreds of young people. We nominated her for a national award for Adult Learner's Week in recognition of her hard work and she won the Award for Exemplary Achievement, attending a ceremony at the Museum of London.

Could you be a volunteer and help young people change their lives for the better, like Kristina did?

 Richard Coleman

• • • We hope to highlight the work of some other local voluntary organisations soon. Please contact us in the first instance if you'd like yours featured.