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Teen who self harmed thanks service that saved her

BBC Lois Jones, who has long blonde hair and wire-framed glasses, smiling at cameraBBC
Lois Jones said "everyone needs a service" like Inspire

A teenager who self harmed has said she "wouldn’t be here" without the support of a youth service.

Lois Jones, 18, was referred to Inspire by her GP and said she immediately clicked with support worker Charlie who "really helped me gain my confidence".

Inspire's youth work project, which aims to reduce hospital admissions for people who self harm, has seen a 278% increase in referrals since 2019.

Wrexham council's Donna Dickinson said: "We really have to listen to young people about what's affecting them."

Lois began to struggle with self harm and her eating habits several years ago as "a way of feeling in control".

She said it was the "only thing I can think of that would help me be in control of something and have a release" when she had bad days, or during Covid when "nothing was in my control".

Her parents took her to a GP who referred her to Inspire, based at Wrexham’s Victoria Centre.

Lois said her support worker Charlie "helped me understand a lot more about why I did it, what my limits are and my triggers and I honestly wouldn't be here without them".

Lois using a colouring book as Inspire staff sit next to her
Lois said staff at Inspire "helped me gain my confidence"

Inspire, which is run by Wrexham council and Betsi Cadwaladr health board, said it had seen referrals for self-harming behaviours increase almost three-fold since 2019.

Ms Dickinson, the council's head of service for prevention and inclusion, said social media and the isolation caused by lockdowns played a part, but acknowledged it was a complex issue.

"Young people have a lot of pressure in their lives. Social media's really impacted that as well but it can also be really positive if they are struggling, such as who can they go to for help.

"They have a lot on their plate, but also they are brilliant and they're full of aspirations like anybody else."

Another project, Wrexham’s Info Shop, handled 10,000 queries last year from young people ranging from mental health advice to requests for sexual health information.

Lynne Neagle, Wales' cabinet secretary for education, visited the Info Shop and Inspire to meet the young people they’ve helped.

She said the services could work alongside schools to offer a range of support and wanted young people to have "a 'no wrong door' approach to services".

"Wherever they're going for help we want that help to be available. Some will be more comfortable coming to a setting like this with youth workers and where they build longstanding relationships," she added.

Donna Dickinson from Wrexham council standing in front of a graffiti display at the Victoria Centre
Donna Dickinson says young people "have a lot on their plate"

Lois has been coming to Inspire for a year and has ambitions to work as an architect.

She said she would urge anyone who self harms to reach out.

"I never wanted help. I was like: 'I can do this on my own', 'it's embarrassing', 'I don't want to be a burden'.

"But no-one's going to think you're a burden or you're stupid for what you're thinking.

"They just want to help you and honestly Inspire have done that so well for me. Everyone needs like a service like that in their life."

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