We know you know more about your life than we do. Whatever you’re going through—the good and the bad—we’re not here to judge. And we’re not here to tell you what to do.
But we are here to encourage you to respect yourself and stay safe. To encourage you to Stay True to You.
Because here’s the thing. You already have what it takes. But we know that sometimes you might need a bit of advice, or someone to talk to. Someone you can trust.
If you don’t have that person, we can help you find them.
So trust yourself. Your gut. Your instincts. Respect the values you have about what’s right. Follow your own path.
Stay True to You.
You’ve got what it takes to keep yourself safe.
The decisions you make now can stop a difficult situation escalating. These are your choices to make.
If things look like they could get out of hand, plan ahead. Consider how you can avoid conflict. Think about what you can control.
You know when something’s gone too far. Trust yourself to do the right thing.
Walk the other way. Exit the chat. Avoid the confrontation.
Sharing your concerns with someone else helps you stay in control and keeps you and others safe.
Find a trusted adult. Talk things through. Share how you’re feeling.
If you don’t know who you can speak to, we can point you in the right direction.
Want to know more?
If you don’t feel safe, have information about a crime, or have been a victim of one, then there are services to help and advice available wherever you live. You know when asking for help or speaking to someone is the right thing to do.
Thames Valley Police
The police are there to help you stay safe. If you need to report a crime or share a concern – particularly if someone is becoming involved in drugs or knife crime – you should contact the police by calling 101, or if it is an emergency and someone may be in danger call 999. You can also report information online via www.thamesvalley.police.uk
Fearless
Pass information about a crime that may have happened or about someone who may be involved in crime – without giving your name or any details. Your information may help save someone’s life crimestoppers-uk.org/fearless
The Ben Kinsella Trust
Leading anti-knife crime charity, with a wealth of resources for parents and practitioners https://benkinsella.org.uk/
CEOP Safety Centre
Worried about the way someone has been communicating with you online, or about online sexual abuse? You can report your concerns or speak to one of CEOP’s Child Protection Advisors. There is advice on how to stay safe online, and information on how you can make a report to CEOP on its website www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/
Childline
A confidential service for young people offering support on many issues – not feeling safe, mental health, family problems, loneliness and more – they have a free 24/7 helpline 0800 1111 and lots of information on their website https://www.childline.org.uk/
Safe! Thames Valley
Charity providing support to children and families affected by crime, providing counselling, advocacy for children in the criminal justice system and other services https://www.safeproject.org.uk/
Victim Support
Providing phoneline and wider support for adult and young victims and those who have been affected by crime, including families and parents https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/
Young Minds
Young Minds is a charity providing mental health support for young people, along with advice for parents and professionals https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
Connections Support
Operating across the Thames Valley to provide advice and support on housing and homelessness, mental health, cost of living and help for vulnerable young people https://www.connectionsupport.org.uk/
Report a concern
If an adult or child is in in immediate danger you should contact 999 and speak to the police. If not, you should report your concern to Milton Keynes City Council through their safeguarding adult or children processes.
milton-keynes.gov.uk
Community Information database
Milton Keynes Council’s Community Information database has links to a wide range of local services and leisure activities.
milton-keynes.gov.uk
MK Council’s Drug & Alcohol Support Service
For all young people and parents, providing assistance with substance misuse. milton-keynes.gov.uk/
16-19 Team
Milton Keynes Council’s 16-19 Team provides support for those not in education, training or employment, as well as support with drugs and alcohol, the local SEND offer and support for care-leavers. milton-keynes.gov.uk/
YMCA MK
Supports young people with housing and careers advice and provides safe spaces.
mkymca.com/
Youth Network MK
Run out of Bletchley Youth Centre, it provides clubs and projects for young people across Milton Keynes, with a particular focus on the Bletchley area. ynmk.org.uk/
Fresh Youth MK
Supporting young people from black and ethnic minority backgrounds via mentoring support, to help them realise their ambitions. freshyouthmk.org/
MK Dons Sports & Education Trust
Provides a range of positive activities, education and health and wellbeing opportunities for young people from across Milton Keynes. mkdonsset.com/
Young Person’s Sanctuary Milton Keynes
Part of Mind MK, and supporting young people’s mental health. Safe, non-judgemental drop-in services. mind-blmk.org.uk/
Report a concern
If you have a concern about an adult or child and they are in immediate danger you should contact 999 and speak to the police. If they are not in immediate danger, you should report your concern to Buckinghamshire Council through their safeguarding adult or children processes.
buckssafeguarding.org.uk
Youthspace
Services, support, activities and events for young people across Buckinghamshire.
familyinfo.buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Youth Voice Bucks
A hub for youth participation, listening to young people and acting upon what they say.
youthvoicebucks.co.uk
Buckinghamshire Family Information Service
Provides information for children, young people and families, including a directory of activities and services.
familyinfo.buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Wycombe Wanderers Community Trust
Offers a number of health, wellbeing, physical activity and education and employment programmes for young people.
wycombewanderersfoundation.co.uk
7Roadlight
A charity offering 1-2-1 mentoring for young people and for wider families.
7roadlight.co.uk
Action4Youth
Works across Buckinghamshire to support young people and their families. They run safe spaces and youth clubs, deliver holiday activities and support with life skills and careers.
action4youth.org
Community Impact Buckinghamshire
Coordinates volunteering opportunities across the county.
communityimpactbucks.org.uk
Report a concern
If you have a concern about an adult or child and they are in immediate danger you should contact 999 and speak to the police. If they are not in immediate danger you should report your concern to Oxfordshire County Council through their safeguarding adult or children processes.
For adult safeguarding: osab.co.uk/
For child safeguarding: oscb.org.uk/
OxMe.info
Everything about young people for young people. Services, activities, and opportunities for young people across Oxfordshire.
oxme.info
Oxfordshire Family Information Service
Provides information and support for children, young people and families, including a directory of activities and services.
oxfordshire.gov.uk
Oxfordshire Youth
Supports young people with all aspects of their lives, from their mental health to staying safe, housing and careers advice. Offering activities and opportunities to young people, parents and practitioners. oxfordshireyouth.org
Oxford United in the Community
Provides support for young people and activities to improve health, wellbeing, self-esteem and build life skills.
ouitc.org
Oxfordshire Community & Voluntary Action
Coordinates volunteering opportunities across the county.
ocva.org.uk
Report a concern
If you have a concern about an adult or child and they are in immediate danger you should contact 999 and speak to the police. If they are not in immediate danger you should report your concern via your local council safeguarding process.
Search “report safeguarding concern + your local area”
Bracknell Forest Service Directory
Provides information on services and activities for young people and families.
bracknellforest.fsd.org.uk
Slough Information & Services Guide
Provides a directory of services and activities for young people and families.
sloughfamilyservices.org.uk
YES Consortium Slough
Provides free activities for young people.
yesslough.org.uk
Windsor and Maidenhead
The local authority website details local services and activities.
rbwm.gov.uk
Berkshire Youth
Works across Berkshire to provide activities, safe spaces, support, education and careers opportunities for young people and those who work with them.
berkshireyouth.co.uk
Together As One
A youth-led charity that works primarily in Slough and Langley with young people of all backgrounds. It provides safe spaces, activities, support with mental health and SEND, advice on careers and housing.
togetherasone.org.uk
Number 22
A charity offering free counselling to adults and young people throughout Windsor, Maidenhead and Slough. They provide free support to help anyone with concerns and worries about their life. number22.org/
Report a concern
If you have a concern about an adult or child and they are in immediate danger you should contact 999 and speak to the police. If they are not in immediate danger you should report your concern via your local council safeguarding process.
Search “report safeguarding concern + your local area”
Reading Borough Council
The Council website guide details local services and activities.
servicesguide.reading.gov.uk
Brighter Futures for Children
Providing a complete youth service for Reading, with youth workers, youth clubs, activities, support for those with SEND, and care leavers.
brighterfuturesforchildren.org
Wokingham Borough Council
Their service directory details local services and activities.
directory.wokingham.gov.uk
Wokingham Targeted Youth Service
Provides support to vulnerable young people, working in the community from local centres. Provides mentoring and works with other local partners to provide support.
wokingham.gov.uk
West Berkshire Service Directory
Provides information on services for young people and their families.
directory.westberks.gov.uk
Starting Point
A Reading-based charity providing community mentors to young people, offering activities, alternative education and safe space drop-in centre.
startingpoint.org.uk
No.5
A Reading-based charity providing counselling, mental health support and creating opportunities and activities for young people. It has an excellent local signposting service.
no5.org.uk
No.5 Signposting
A service for young people to access services across Reading and the surrounding area.
signposting.no5.org.uk
Reading FC Community Trust
Offers a wide range of activities for young people from the local area including health, wellbeing, education, physical activities, life skills, coaching and employability opportunities.
readingfc.co.uk
Reading Voluntary Action
Coordinates volunteering opportunities for young people.
rva.org.uk
Berkshire Youth
Works across Berkshire to provide activities, safe spaces, support, education and careers opportunities for young people and those who work with them.
berkshireyouth.co.uk
