Youth Page
At Binscombe we offer the full range of GP services to young people. As well as all the usual illnesses that you might want to see us about, this includes things like contraception advice, advice about diet and food issues, and a chance to talk to someone if you are finding things tough at the moment.
Do I have to bring an adult with me to see the doctor?
No you don't. If you are under 16 it is usually best to come with an adult, but we are happy to see young people on their own if you would prefer that.
Sometimes if you come with an adult we might ask them to wait outside for part of the appointment so you have a chance to talk without them there.
What about confidentiality?
Like all doctors, we treat this very seriously at Binscombe and anything you say to the doctor is strictly between you and will not be passed on to your parents. This includes things like smoking, drinking and sexual issues. The only, very rare exception to this would be if we felt that either your life, or the life of another person, was seriously in danger if we did not tell someone. This is the same as for adults.
Can I go anywhere else for health or contraception advice?
Yes. There are other clinics which are freely available for young people and
where you can go without your doctor being involved at all. These clinics are
for Family Planning (contraception) and Sexual Health (advice concerning
sexually transmitted diseases. Follow the links below for more details:
Family Planning Clinics in Surrey
Other Sexual Health Clinics in Surrey
Healthy Surrey website has information on services which are freely available for young people and where you can go without your doctor being involved at all. These clinics are for Family Planning (contraception, emergency contraception, condoms) and Sexual Health (advice, testing and treatments concerning sexually transmitted diseases).
Pregnancy Choices Directory is a website that offers links to free, confidential and non-judgemental help for those facing unplanned pregnancy, abortion, or miscarriage.
Mental health and wellbeing support
Health and Emotional Wellbeing Support for Children in Surrey
As we adjust to the latest national COVID-19 rules, it is important that you know how to access the right advice, guidance and support for you. This information leaflet is a brief guide and summary of helpful resources to help maintain your wellbeing.
CYP Haven is a safe place in Guildford to go if you are upset. They are available every weekday 4-8.30pm and weekends 12-6pm on 07773 008435.
Catch 22 helps young people in tough situations. Their services cover a wide range of difficulties including emotional wellbeing, employablility and substance misuse
The Green Hub Project Through a range of activities, the garden will provide you with a safe and tranquil haven to come along to; to learn new skills, develop new relationships and to take much needed time out for yourself and to enjoy nature in a safe and peaceful place.
ThinkNinja is designed for 10-18 year olds to support you to learn about mental health and emotional wellbeing, and develop skills they can use to build resilience and stay well.
Talking therapy
Talking therapy involves a trained therapist listening to you and helping you find ways to cope with difficult emotions, life events and mental health conditions. There several services that offer counselling and they all accept self-referral. There are some apps that you can also try.
Kooth offers online mental wellbeing support from 10 year olds upwards, including a virtual chat with a trained member of the team.
Surrey Youth Counselling Service offers counselling for 12-24 year olds for anything that is worrying you. They have restarted to offer face-to-face appointments in Godalming, along with their telephone and video options. Here is an information leaflet with more info. Please get int touch with them by:
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Phone: 0345 600 2516
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Text: 07827 992 764
WorryTree (free) can help you record, manage and problem solve your worries and anxiety based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques.
Youth Counselling at the YMCA you can self refer if you want to talk to someone in person, or online.
Bereavement
The Good Grief Trust brings all bereavement services together to ensure that everyone in every circumstance receives the support they need after a loss.
Jigsaw South East can support those facing loss of a loved one.
Sexual abuse
solace is a sexual assault referral centre where you can talk in total confidence. A Crisis Worker will listen to what happened and can talk through options available. They can offer a medical examination, store forensic samples (in case you want to report it to the police at a later point), sexual health treatment, emergency contraception, counselling and practical support. Contact them on 0800 970 9952 (24/7).
RASASC (Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre) offers free and confidential support, including helpline, counselling, independent sexual violence advisor, and group support on 01483 546400 (7.30-9.30pm, Tues/Wed as of 1 Aug ‘20).
Domestic abuse: we have more information on our Wellbeing and Mental Health Support page.
Other useful resources
Skillway offers practical help and training for young people aged 12-17.
Digital wellbeing
Internet is a great place to connect with others, be creative and discover new things. It is such a huge part of our lives, but it’s important to know that there is a risk of seeing inappropriate, worrying or upsetting content on your phones, games, tablets and TVs.
It's very important that we talk about how to use it safely, sensibly and with an awareness of how it can impact on you. Here are some tips.
Think before you click
When is it ok to download things, click on a link or open messages?
Can you trust the content?
Do you know the person you’re talking offline?
Are you happy for the content to last forever and shared publicly?
Are you using a reliable and legal service?
Talk about how using the internet makes you feel
What things make you happy/upset when you’re online?
How do you know when you’ve been online for too long (e.g. out of battery, tired, headache etc)?
How do you feel after posting things online?
How would you feel f there’s been a challenge that loads of your friends have done and they now say it’s your turn?
Drawing the line
How long do you think we should spend using the internet?
What is/isn’t ok to share online? How do we keep information about us safe?
Do we need a family email address to use when signing up to new accounts?
Look out for warning signs
Messages to/from a stranger that you don’t know offline
Challenges/content/messages that make you feel uncomfortable, sad or upset.
Negative thoughts about yourself, feeling hopeless, and isolated.
Who can help? It’s never too late to tell someone.
Has anything online made you feel uncomfortable, worried or upset?
Do you know who to trust online?
What should you do if someone you only know online asks you for photos, to meet up, to share personal information?
Do you know where the report/block buttons are (see clip on the left)?
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We are here and we want to support you, so please call the surgery (01483 415 115)
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You could also use the organisations below for information and support.
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School
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UK Safe Internet Centre can provide advice and support, such as
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a guide on how to use safety tools on social networks and other online services
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Social media guides: find out about the safety features on Facebook, Instagram, TickTok and more
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NSPCC offers resources and helpline on 0808 800 5000.
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Chldline can be contacted for free on 0800 1111.
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