about us

Many young people we see tell us that they have no-one to talk to when they are worried, scared or have a problem they can't solve. So they don't talk to anyone.

This can exacerbate serious problems including anxiety, gaps in education, severe mental distress, caring at home, homelessness, self-harm and even suicide.   

Some don't know where to go for help, others are passed from one service to another - many feel that they are not asked what they need, are not heard or are not taken seriously. And we know that young people as a whole are facing multiple challenges.

• Referrals to children mental health services have almost tripled since Covid. One in five young people struggle with their mental health.

• Suicide remains the biggest killer of young people aged 16-24.

• The East of England region has the highest youth homelessness rate in England and Wales at 2.45%.

Early support for young people has never been more important.

At Centre 33 we put young people at the heart of their own support. We listen and we work together to find solutions that will work for young people. And then we work with other services to ensure they are not falling through the cracks, and that their voices are heard.

Centre 33 exists to help every young person in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough fulfil their potential. We support and empower them to overcome their issues through a range of free and confidential services.

Our vision is for a future where all young people are listened to, respected and supported.

We offer free counselling and wellbeing support, information on sexual health, housing and budgeting and a young carers project. We run out of five main centres over six days a week and work with 1000s of young people in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough every year. Young people do not need a referral to see us.

‍

We believe young people deserve respect and excellent care and support, no matter what they come to us with.

Centre 33’s Mission is:

• to offer young people support with practical issues and emotional needs that is free, confidential, empowering, easy-access and high quality.

• to actively work with other local services so that young people’s needs are met and their voices are heard.

We are young people-led, collaborative, inclusive and striving for excellence. We apply these four Values to all our work and those we work with.

We receive positive feedback from young people who say they have been listened to, are taken seriously and have a say in their own support, which makes a difference to them.

In 2024, over 90% of young people Centre 33 supported took steps towards their goals, over 70% said their mental health had improved and 85% of young carers felt less isolated.

Read more about our impact and stories from young people we have supported.