Friendships and relationships 

Staying in touch with friends

Young people often tell us that the most important thing to them is keeping in touch and having places to go to with their friends. There are lots of ways to keep in touch with friends, including

swapping phone numbers, using social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat etc. 

 

If it is difficult for a young person to organise getting together with friends, as family members, you can help with arrangements to meet up. It may be easier for a young person to remember arrangements if they are at the same time and same day each week or month, and by adding it to a phone calendar or diary.

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Falling in love

As young people prepare for adulthood, growing up and developing romantic relationships are a normal part of life - one which can be exciting, but can also worry or overwhelm a young person. 

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Offering advice and the opportunity to talk/ask questions can be very reassuring. If there are questions about having sex with a partner, the Sexual Health Service can provide free and confidential sexual health advice for residents in Northumberland aged 13 years and over.

If a young person is looking for support or advice around LGBTQI+, there are links to numerous organisations by clicking here to visit the Health Watch Northumberland LGBTQI+ services and support page.

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Missing someone

Sometimes people we love may leave us - this affects children, young people and adults alike, but sometimes in very different ways. Missing someone can take the form of breakups, moving home or because someone has died. It’s normal to feel anger, guilt, fear and sadness, and it is important that young people feel they can talk to someone they trust. The Samaritans are available for anyone to speak to confidentially on FREEPHONE 116 123.

 

Being bullied?

Bullying can be things like name calling, hitting, happy-slapping or stealing. Bullying can happen

anywhere including at school, college, on social media sites or at work, and it can make an individual feel sad and scared.

 

There are lots of reasons why people get bullied, including because of their clothes, the music they like or because of their disability. It is important that a young person knows that it is not their fault and the importance of talking to someone that they trust, such as a family member, college tutor or carer.

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Online Safety

The internet offers access to information, communication with friends and opportunities

for exploring the wider world. There are lots of benefits of being online, however, it is important to ensure online experiences are happy and safe. For more information about staying safe online, click here.

 

Friendships and relationships

If you have a concern about any safeguarding issue (whether that be about an adult or child/young person), contact O167O 536 4OO to discuss this.

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Peer pressure

Peer pressure can make young people feel like they have to do things because friends or other people they know are doing them. It can be difficult for them to say no or to identify when someone is potentially pretending to be their friend to make them do things they do not want to, such as spending money, smoking, drinking or even having sex.

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Helping young people to feel safe, supported and able to discuss any concerns is very important.

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Domestic abuse

Bullying and being picked on can also happen in the home. If a partner/parent/family/carers hurts a young person, this is domestic abuse. Whether it is physical, emotional or financial abuse or neglect; they all equate to domestic abuse and none of them are OK.

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It may be that a young person feels more comfortable confiding in someone that isn't a family member or friend, in which case, ensuring they are aware of the following numbers could be helpful:

• Childline: 0800 1111 if you are under 18

• Northumberland Domestic Abuse Service: 01434 608 030

 

If you have a concern about any safeguarding issue (whether that be about an adult or a child/young person), then please contact 01670 536 400 to discuss this.

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For more information about support services relating to domestic abuse, click here.