Linx supports young people and their families within local communities building positive relationships and signposting them to relevant services where necessary.

Linx provides a holistic approach when working with young people and believes that in order to do so, where possible families are encouraged to be involved.

Linx runs detached sessions across different wards in Middlesbrough.

Detached sessions involve staff engaging with young people on the streets, ensuring their safety and participating in street games.

The team are out regularly, if you see us come and say Hi!

Linx offers information and guidance on a range of issues to help and support for young people. These can  include topics such as: mental health and anxiety,  alcohol and drug misuse, quitting smoking, healthy eating and sexual health. Staff are able to work 1-2-1 with you or you can get involved in our tailor-made youth programmes working with schools, colleges and training providers. See our Facebook page for latest news and updates.

Work and issues covered by our team of youth workers and mentors include:

• Smoking Support: Advice about the risks of smoking and the effects it has on the body. Information on how to cut down and support to successfully stop smoking.
• Alcohol Use: Awareness of the issues surrounding alcohol use; the effects on the body and the societal implications. Support to cut down on or stop drinking alcohol, and the guidance to use alcohol safely and legally. Participation in national campaigns such as Dry January, encouraging everyone in the community to reduce alcohol consumption.
• Drug Use: Awareness of the effects of drug use and misuse and the issues surrounding drug addiction. Information on the risks of new psychoactive substances, including ‘legal’ highs. Support to decrease and cease drug use.
• Healthy Lifestyles: Guidance for young people to enable them to make healthier choices in their lives. Exercise and fitness sessions to introduce young people to new activities and provide opportunities for participation in sports; cooking sessions to teach young people healthy recipes, how to make healthier choices in their daily diet and basic cooking skills to encourage self-reliance.
• Sexual Health: Awareness of methods of contraception available, consent and safe non-coercive relationships, STI advice and testing, pregnancy testing, support surrounding pregnancy and positive STI results. Linx also run Interactive Baby Courses, using realistic virtual baby dolls to teach young people about the demands of parenthood.

Issue based work in youth clubs

Within youth club sessions we provide support, information and guidance for young people on many aspects of their life around a variety of topics: alcohol and drug misuse, smoking, healthy eating and sexual health.

Qualified and trained staff

We are qualified youth workers, highly skilled and trained to deal with a number of social and emotional issues affecting young people. We are able to work 1-2-1 with the young person, dealing with issues such as stress, anxiety, school difficulties, job seeking, homelessness, drugs and alcohol, bereavement, benefits and welfare matters, family problems and much much more …

If you know a young person in needs, or would like to refer yourself for support our referral form is available to download here

Find out more about Linx and how to get involved see our Facebook page for latest news and updates.

Linx offers information, guidance, help and support for young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). We aim to support you to find the right job, training, apprenticeship, college or school. Staff are experienced in working with young people who are at risk of becoming NEET, for example, young people who are thinking about dropping out or leaving school or college. We can support you if you are having difficulites with school, or if you have been place on a fixed term or permanent exclusion from your school. We can help you negotiate with your Headteacher, of school governors. We can also deals with issues at your work or training placement, including if you think you are at risk of losing their job. Staff can provide confidential 1-2-1 support for all these issues tailored to your individual needs.

We have many years of dealing with matters including help with finding and applying for jobs or dealing with benefits, help you to write a CV, offer information on local training, colleges or schools, as well as jobs-searching. We will listen to your needs, offer support and mentor you if you need it. We can support you  to attend appointments and interviews, including practising your interview skills. We can help you find the right type of apprenticeship or training place. We are a great place to come if you need to access computers for your independent job search, CV-writing and research.

Find out more about Linx and how to get involved see our Facebook page for latest news and updates.