About the Isle of Wight Youth Trust
Life can be hard but accessing support shouldn’t be.
By providing youth-led wellbeing and therapeutic support when it’s needed, we empower young people to face life’s challenges.
History
In 1984, the late Dr Christine Baksi, a Consultant at St Mary’s hospital, saw that young people on the Isle of Wight were not receiving the support they needed. Joining together with friends and colleagues she raised funds to purchase a building in central Newport. In 1985, 1 St Johns Place opened its doors as the headquarters of the Isle of Wight Youth Trust.
Initially working with children and young people aged 13 and over, in 2005 we expanded our service to include working with younger children aged 4 and over.
By 2016, demand was such that bigger premises were needed. Following a capital campaign launched in 2017, the Youth Trust, purchased 114 Pyle Street Newport, and in September 2018 became Youth Trust House.
We further expanded our premises in 2019 renting the retail space next to our headquarters to develop a drop in Hub.
January 2021 saw the launch of the Mental Health Support Team (MHST) on the Island. Working in partnership with Barnardo’s and the Isle of Wight NHS Trust, the Youth Trust supports the wellbeing of young people aged 5 to 19 in Island schools.
We are now the Islands largest independent provider of youth mental health and wellbeing services.
Our Vision
An Island where children and young people’s mental health needs are well recognised and supported
Our mission
To listen to, and work with, young islanders and their families so they can get the help they need, when they need it, to support their mental, and emotional wellbeing. To campaign for change that has a positive impact on young people.
Our Values
Trusting
in our skill, honesty, integrity, openness and mutual respect to create a safe environment
Kind
through our compassion, understanding and support for one another
Positive
about being non-judgmental, hopeful, optimistic, creative, empowering and celebrating success
Collaborative
in our approach by being flexible, adaptable, engaging – ‘no decision about us without us’
