HYCS' are proud to confirm that their Service Accreditation with the BACP has again been renewed following a rolling review assessment process.
HYCS received glowing feedback from the assessors during the quality standard review who commented
"Congratulations on a successful and impressive Annual Rolling Review 2 submission. All criteria were achieved, and the quality of evidence and documents was very high. It is clear what a busy and valuable service Hounslow Youth Counselling Service continues to offer to service users. We thank you for your hard work on this application and wish you a great year ahead."
The BACP is one of the largest professional associations for counsellors and psychotherapists in the UK. Their Accredited Services scheme and register is a recognised quality standard for organisations providing counselling and psychotherapy services. Achieving service accreditation demonstrates that you offer an accountable, ethical, professional and responsive service to clients, staff, volunteers and stakeholders.
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HYCS has now officially transitioned to become a CIO (Charity Incorporated Organisation) number 119630 after approval from the Charity Commission. This replaces HYCS' former unincorporated charity status (no: 296333).
HYCS was originally set up as an unincorporated charity in 1987 (charity number 296333) and the current Trustees felt that a different legal structure would benefit the charity going forward.
An application was first made to the Charity Commission in 2021 both to change the legal structure to a Charity Incorporated Organisation and to update the Charity's constitution (purpose of the charity).
The new charity status was granted in 2022 by the Charity Commission with an action plan to work towards closing Charity no:296333 and the transfer of Assets which is now taking place.
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HYCS is delighted to announce the appointment of Charlotte Hancock to the position of Service Manager. Joining the team on 31 October '23, Charlotte brings with her a wealth of experience in both the voluntary sector and working with young people including senior roles within ChildLine, NSPCC and most recently at Coram Voice as Helpline Manager.
Joining the team Charlotte commented “I’ve seen time and again the turn around that counselling can achieve and the importance of this being free and accessible for children and young people. My key focus is to continue the support to our dedicated team and generate increased recognition and funding, so we can keep delivering this quality service to even more young people across Hounslow.”
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HYCS was delighted to be able to meet members of the local community to talk about our youth counselling services at the 'Festival of Mental Health' held at Hounslow Arts Centre in the Treaty Centre on 10th October 2023. 
Organised by the Hounslow Wellbeing Network to celebrate World Mental Health Day, this exciting community day offered a range of social, physical and creative activities to support wellbeing and a chance to meet a whole host of local support services. 
A lifesaving, public access Defibrillator Unit is now installed and available for use outside the HYCS offices at 78 St Johns Road, Isleworth offering 24/7 access to anyone in need in the community.
HYCS was delighted to receive the unit following a successful application to the Charity Grant Fund scheme by London Hearts, the specialist defibrillator charity.
Defibrillators, also known as AEDs - Automatic External Defibrillators) are medical devices that help and support a patient in cardiac arrest and can provide timely support in a medical emergency.
Pictured here - HYCS personnel Mia and Geraldine with the newly installed unit from London Hearts. 
HYCS was officially recognised in January 2023 by the London Youth team by achieving the Bronze Quality Mark in their flagship Quality Assurance Programme.
Speaking about the award, HYCS' Head of Service - Patricia David commented 'We are delighted to achieve this award which is a badge of excellence that again recognises the professionalism of our organisation in delivering services for vulnerable young people'.
London Youth aims to improve the lives of young people in London and developed the Quality Mark for organisations delivering youth work in London. The Bronze Level focuses on reviewing the policies and procedures that organisations need to have in place to ensure they operate legally and provide a safe environment for young people.
HYCS were delighted to join a host of wellbeing and mental health support organisations from across Hounslow Borough as an exhibitor at the Help Fair during the annual Mental Health + Wellbeing Fair at The Arts Centre, Hounslow on Tuesday, 26 October 2021. 
HYCS is a BACP accredited service and also an organisational member of the BACP, counselling's governing body. In this article the BACP commend HYCS as one of the winners and interview HYCS' Head of Service Patricia David. Link click here.
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, Shadow Minister for Mental Health, visited HYCS on 27 April '21 with local MP Ruth Cadbury and GLA candidate Candice Atterton to learn about the work HYCS are doing in Hounslow borough to support young people's mental health.
The visit came on the day that it was announced that HYCS had won a national award for excellence for its work supporting vulnerable young people at the GSK Impact Awards.
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan tweeted "The post-COVID recovery must have young people at its heart" and talking about HYCS said "You are all doing fantastic work under really challenging circumstances".
Pictured above - l-r: Dr Rosena Allin-Khan and GLA candidate Candice Atterton outside HYCS.
Pictured above - l-r: Ruth Cadbury MP, Shadow Health Minister for Mental Health - Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, GLA Candidate - Candice Atterton and Patricia David - HYCS Service Manager featured outside the HYCS centre.
Hounslow Youth Counselling Service (HYCS) has won a major national award for its work providing free counselling to young people who live, work or study in the borough. The award was announced 27/4/21.
Following a rigorous selection and assessment process, HYCS was chosen from more than 350 charities across the UK as one of the 10 winners of the 2021 GSK IMPACT Awards. The awards are designed to recognise the outstanding work of small and medium sized charities working to improve health and wellbeing in communities across the UK. Winners receive £30,000, expert support and leadership development provided by leading health and care charity The King’s Fund.
The Covid-19 pandemic has driven an increase in the number of people who need support from local charities, while also making it harder to deliver services and raise much needed funds.
Even before the pandemic began, HYCS was seeing an increase in young people needing its support and delivered over 5,000 counselling sessions in 2019/20. Many counselling services have long waiting lists, and to make sure young people receive a fast response when they reach out for help, the charity ensures everyone contacting them is seen and assessed within two weeks. The charity also offers immediate access to youth-focused mini self-help guides on issues such as managing anxiety, stress, help with sleep, mood and food. It has created a self-help hub which is freely available to access which puts well-being support tools into the hands of young people.
HYCS is open to children and young people aged 11 to 25, and works hard to ensure its support is accessible to young carers, young parents, young people from ethnic minority backgrounds and LGBT+ young people. HYCS works with the NHS, schools, local council and other agencies to provide specialist services, including support for care leavers, work with the borough’s Pupil Referral Unit and a counselling service in Feltham Young Offenders Institute.
Commenting on the award, Patricia David, Service Manager at HYCS, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to have won this great accolade. It feels wonderful to be rewarded for all the hard work that the staff and counsellors have done in supporting the young people of Hounslow borough, especially over this very difficult recent period.”
Katie Pinnock, Director of UK Charitable Partnerships at GSK, said:
“We were inspired by Hounslow Youth Counselling Service’s approach to helping young people throughout the community, providing a flexible and high-quality counselling service. Young people can access its services directly, and it also works with secondary schools and Feltham Young Offenders’ Institute to reach young people with complex support needs. We were really struck by the charity’s commitment to helping everyone in need throughout the borough, providing dedicated and non-judgemental services.”
The 2021 GSK IMPACT Award recognises HYCS’s significant impact in the community and its commitment to health and wellbeing in Hounslow.
Developing leaders in the charity sector is a key aim of the GSK IMPACT Awards programme and all winners are invited to build on their success and take part in a tailored leadership development programme run by The King’s Fund. HYCS will also be invited to join the GSK IMPACT Awards Network, a UK wide network of over 95 previous award winners who work together to develop leaders, find new ways of working and provide mutual support.
Link to BACP Coverage of the news here: https://www.bacp.co.uk/news/news-from-bacp/2021/6-may-organisational-members-celebrate-winning-major-national-award/