Originally called the ‘Carey Place Young People’s Information and Advisory Service’, Signpost emerged in 1970 when Dr Edwards, a local GP and juvenile magistrate, decided to help the large number of young people displaying mental health symptoms caused by boredom and dissatisfaction with home, school, work and life in general. He worked with the Senior Youth & Community Officer to establish a bureau which would offer both information and counselling to young people.
A Management Committee was formed comprising representatives from the many voluntary and statutory services already operating in Watford, including the Police, Social Services, Probation, Careers Service, Education, Samaritans, Citizens Advice Bureau, Magistrates Bench and Youth Service. The first training course, introducing the rudiments of counselling skills and how referral agencies worked, was run and 15 volunteers were recruited to deliver the service on three evenings each week.
Since then, we have worked in several locations, including The Youth Connexions building in Lower High Street, sharing the Herts Young Homeless offices at the Parade and St Mary’s Advice Centre, all in central Watford. In 2019 until lockdown, we shared accommodation with One YMCA. Signpost is now operating back at St Mary’s Advice Centre in the High Street.
After growth in a relatively short space of time, we joined forces with One YMCA in 2022 and became part of the wider One YMCA Group. The Trustees appointed One YMCA as the sole member of the Company, with all other members resigning, but retaining their positions as Trustees. Signpost continues to operate independently as a wholly owned subsidiary of One YMCA, while having separate registered charity status (Charity number 1167027). This enables us to continue the development of the Charity sustainably, strengthening its position to tender for new contract delivery and increase the ability to continue meeting its charitable purposes.
Signpost is now a well-established provider of mental health support for young people in Hertfordshire and known and recommended by many agencies, partners, schools, GP’s and word of mouth.
We operate face-to-face from our offices in Watford as well as phone and video counselling.
