Advice Hub
Sometimes things can feel difficult, confusing or overwhelming. Our Advice Hub brings together practical information, trusted support and ways to get help — whatever you're dealing with.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Everyone needs some help sometimes. You might be looking for information for yourself, worried about a friend or simply want to understand something better.
Choose a topic below to find straightforward information, practical things you can do and places you can go for further support.
Are You or Someone Else in Danger?
If you or somebody else is in immediate danger, seriously injured or needs urgent help, call 999.
If something is worrying you while you're at The Bridge, tell a member of staff straight away. You can speak to any member of staff you trust.
What Do You Need Help With?
Select a topic to jump straight to the information you need.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Anxiety, low mood, stress and looking after yourself.
Bullying & Friendships
Bullying, friendships, conflict and getting support.
Online Safety & Social Media
Social media, gaming, harmful content and staying safe online.
Drugs, Alcohol & Vaping
Understanding substances, risks, pressure and getting help.
Body Image & Self-Esteem
Confidence, comparison, appearance and feeling good about yourself.
Relationships, Sex & Consent
Healthy relationships, boundaries, consent and sexual health.
Crime, Weapons & Personal Safety
Peer pressure, weapons, exploitation and making safer choices.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Mental health is about how we think, feel and cope with everyday life. Everyone has mental health, and sometimes things can become difficult or overwhelming.
Things You Might Notice
- Feeling worried or anxious a lot of the time.
- Feeling low, upset or hopeless.
- Finding it difficult to sleep or concentrate.
- Feeling angry, overwhelmed or unable to cope.
- Stopping doing things you usually enjoy.
- Wanting to avoid friends, family or other people.
Start by Talking to Someone
You don't have to work everything out by yourself. Speaking to somebody you trust can be an important first step. This could be a parent or carer, member of staff, your GP or another trusted adult.
Bullying & Friendships
Bullying can happen face-to-face or online. It can include physical behaviour, hurtful words, deliberately excluding somebody, spreading rumours or using technology to intimidate or upset another person.
If You're Being Bullied
- Tell an adult you trust.
- Try not to deal with repeated bullying alone.
- Keep evidence of online messages or posts where it is safe to do so.
- Block and report abusive accounts online.
- Keep telling somebody until you get the help you need.
Tell Us
If you're experiencing bullying at The Bridge, or you're worried that somebody else is being bullied, speak to a member of staff. We want everyone in our community to feel safe, respected and able to be themselves.
Online Safety & Social Media
The internet can be brilliant for learning, gaming, creating and keeping in touch, but things can sometimes happen online that make you feel uncomfortable, worried or unsafe.
Remember
- Think carefully before sharing personal information.
- Not everybody online is necessarily who they say they are.
- Use privacy settings and strong passwords.
- Don't feel pressured to send photographs or messages.
- Block and report people who make you feel unsafe.
- Tell a trusted adult when something doesn't feel right.
Don't Panic — Get Help
If you've shared something you regret, clicked something you shouldn't have or somebody is threatening or pressuring you online, asking for help is the right thing to do.
Drugs, Alcohol & Vaping
Drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and vapes can all affect your health and decision-making. Sometimes people also feel pressured by friends or others to try something they don't really want to do.
If You're Worried
- Talk to somebody you trust without worrying about being judged.
- Don't take an unknown substance.
- Don't take medication prescribed for somebody else.
- Move away from situations where you feel pressured or unsafe.
- Get medical help if you or somebody else becomes seriously unwell.
Asking for Help Is a Positive Choice
Whether you're worried about your own substance use or somebody else's, confidential advice and support are available. You can also talk to a trusted member of The Bridge team.
Body Image & Self-Esteem
Body image is about how you think and feel about your appearance. Social media, advertising, comments from other people and comparing ourselves with others can all influence how we see ourselves.
Looking After Yourself
- Remember that social media doesn't always show real life.
- Try not to measure your worth by your appearance.
- Follow accounts that make you feel positive rather than worse about yourself.
- Focus on what your body allows you to do, not only how it looks.
- Talk to somebody if worries about food, weight or appearance are taking over your day.
You Are More Than How You Look
If thoughts about your appearance, eating or exercise are making everyday life difficult, speak to somebody you trust. Support is available.
Relationships, Sex & Consent
Healthy relationships should involve respect, honesty, trust, boundaries and feeling safe. Nobody should pressure, frighten or control you into doing something you don't want to do.
Consent Matters
- Consent must be freely given.
- Being in a relationship doesn't automatically mean consent.
- Someone can change their mind.
- Pressure, threats or manipulation are not consent.
- Your boundaries should be respected.
A Relationship Should Feel Safe
If somebody is controlling you, pressuring you, hurting you or making you feel unsafe, talk to a trusted adult. You can speak confidentially to a member of The Bridge team.
Crime, Weapons & Personal Safety
Sometimes people can feel pressured to carry weapons, become involved in crime or do things they wouldn't normally choose to do. You might also be worried about somebody you know.
Keep Yourself Safe
- Move away from situations that feel unsafe where you can.
- Don't carry a weapon because you think it will protect you.
- Tell a trusted adult if somebody is threatening or pressuring you.
- Don't agree to carry packages, money or other items for somebody if you don't know what they are.
- Call 999 if you or somebody else is in immediate danger.
Tell Somebody
You won't get into trouble at The Bridge for asking for help because you feel unsafe. Tell a member of staff what is happening so that we can help you work out what to do next.
Worried About Someone Else?
You don't have to solve somebody else's problems yourself. If you're worried about a friend, another learner or somebody at home, tell an adult you trust.
Even if somebody asks you to keep something secret, it is okay to tell an adult when you think they might be unsafe or need help.
More Places to Get Help
There are organisations outside The Bridge that can offer information, advice and confidential support.
Someone to Talk To
Support for Young People
Free, confidential support for children and young people about anything that's worrying them.
Visit ChildlineSomeone to Listen
Support for anyone who is struggling or needs somebody to talk to.
Visit SamaritansMental Health
Mental Health Support
Information and support for young people experiencing difficulties with their mental health.
Visit YoungMindsMental Health Services
NHS information about mental health, getting help and accessing services.
Visit NHS Mental HealthOnline Safety
Report Online Concerns
Get help or report concerns about sexual abuse or inappropriate behaviour online.
Visit CEOPOnline & Mobile Safety
Advice about social media, online bullying, sexting and staying safe.
Visit ChildlineDrugs & Alcohol
Honest Information About Drugs
Information about drugs, their effects and where to get help.
Visit FRANKAlcohol & Drug Support
Health information and guidance about getting support with alcohol or drug use.
Visit NHSCrime & Personal Safety
Report Crime Anonymously
Information can be given anonymously about crime or concerns in your community.
Visit CrimestoppersCrime & Personal Safety
Advice and confidential support if you're worried about crime, violence or your personal safety.
Visit ChildlineTalk to The Bridge
Websites can give you information, but sometimes what you really need is somebody to listen.
If you're a learner at The Bridge, you can speak to any member of staff you trust. You don't need to know exactly what to say and you don't need to wait until something becomes a crisis.
Safeguarding at The Bridge