Nearly 19,000 young people have passed through the doors of Swansea’s ground-breaking one-stop information shop in the last year.
The Kingsway-based Info-Nation provides free and confidential advice for 11 to 25-year-olds on a range of subjects including education, drugs and legal advice. It also provides safe and free access to the Internet.
The latest annual performance report for Info-Nation reveals that there were 18,989 contacts with 11 to 25 years-olds accessing information, support and advice through Info-Nation’s one-stop shop.
Andy Edwards, Swansea Council’s Youth Information Manager, said: “We’re here as a confidential centre for young people to access the information they need and use it in their own lives.
“By providing a single centre where young people know they can go for lots of different things, we’re having an impact on issues such as improving sexual health in our young people and helping young people who may be living in an abusive environment to find the support they need.
“For example, a young woman came into Info-Nation one day to use the computers and, after about an hour, she asked if she could register on the condom scheme later and then requested a private discussion about a drug problem. The worker was able to provide her with the information she needed and supported her in getting more specialist help with her drugs problem.”
Info-Nation’s drop-in services are provided by trained professionals from Info-Nation and its partners. They’re able to help with nearly 2,000 specific enquiries on subjects such as their health, legal rights and volunteering.
The centre functions as a springboard to help young people access mainstream services such as careers and the NHS. It also helps improve access to information and services for young people from more disadvantaged communities.
UK-wide research carried out by Youth Access has shown that, in these difficult financial times, the demands placed on services such as Info-Nation are growing with increasing numbers of young people facing problems with issues such as homelessness, debt and mental health.
One young person said: “Young people have a lot of problems and it’s easier for them to walk into a place that deals with young people. It’s good to come to just one place where they sort everything out. I wouldn’t want to keep explaining my situation over and over again; it’s just too difficult and upsetting.”
Info-Nation is part of Swansea Council’s Education Department and has also worked with more than 4,000 young people in schools on issues such as health, relationships, self image and self harm.
Cllr Mike Day, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “Info-Nation plays an important role in helping young people to understand issues that affect their lives and providing a safe space where they can talk to someone about what is happening. It has become established as a reliable, central point where young people can turn to for information, advice and support and it links in effectively with other services for young people such as the Exchange counselling service.
“But Info-Nation is not just about dealing with problems. It’s a place where young people can get involved in new, exciting opportunities such as Shout Tawe- Swansea’s young people website. It’s also volunteering and getting their voices heard about issues that affect young people in Swansea.”
Andy added: “Whatever you are interested in and whatever you want to know, Info-Nation should be the first place you go. If we don’t know the answer to your question then we’ll help you find out.”
