- Description
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Our under 18s group is called Teenspirits.
We offer the chance for young adults (aged 14 to 17) to socialise with friends and take part in various activities outside of school/college. This helps develop social skills that can build confidence and self-esteem.
We are not a youth club as this gives the impression that inconsistent attendance is the norm. To form strong friendships consistent interaction is needed. We also differ from youth clubs with our group sizes kept relatively low (between 6 to 10 people) and a high staff ratio to ensure no one is isolated or marginalised and everyone has a voice.
Once friendship groups are established, we will look to have that group separate from the main group and be supported away from others to enable more independence and choice about what they would like to do and when. This ties into the transition into our adult services which occurs between 17 to 18 and its focus on small friendship groups.
- Telephone
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07796 678939
- Email address
- Website
- Address
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Unit 13 and 14, Victoria Shopping Centre, 362 Chartwell Square, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 5SP
- Map
- Venue notes
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We have a venue located in the Victoria Shopping Centre. We have 2 units split into our kitchen/main lounge area and our games room. We regularly use the kitchen for cooking and have a TV with multiple games consoles and streaming services to watch films and TV. In our games room, we have a pool/snooker table, dart board, basketball hoop and arts and craft area. Our clients can choose to spend their support time entirely in the centre or drop in after being out in the community.
We also open our centre to other services to share our space, building strong links in our community and offering help wherever we can. As well as everyday support, we hold regular activities (e.g. film nights) and fundraising events to bring together friendship groups.
At our venue we also have our central office that our CEO, coordinator and admin staff work from and are able to meet new referrals, social workers etc.
- Date and time
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Monday and Wednesday 4.30pm to 6.30pm.
- Cost description
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Self-funding cost: £5 (includes takeaway or cooking cost).
Direct Payments cost: 2 hours at your local authority rate.
(A Direct Payment is funding from your local authority, to help you pay for the cost of the services you want to access. The payment rate changes yearly.)
This activity is supported by Short Breaks 2025/26 Main Access Grant funding.
- Referral notes
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Anyone can make a referral; social services, schools/colleges or self referrals.
Please complete our online referral form: Friends and Places Together Referral Form (office.com)
Alternatively, please visit https://friendsandplacestogether.org.uk/contact-us/ to download a Word version of the form and email it to us.
- Age range
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Ages 14 to 17
- Supporting people with;
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We support anyone who struggles with social isolation and wants to make friends. We primarily support those with ASD and learning disabilities, but a diagnosis is not needed for support. Anyone who struggles with their mental health is also welcome.
*Friends and Places Together cannot administer personal care or medication**
