General FAQs
What is counselling?
Counselling provides a time and space for you to talk about your troubles and explore difficult feelings with someone who will listen and not judge you.
Base 51 counselling sessions take place in an environment that is dependable, free from intrusion and confidential. Counsellors at Base 51 respect young people’s viewpoint while helping them to deal with specific problems, cope with crises, improve their relationships, or develop better ways of living. Counselling is not about giving you advice or about managing a situation for you.
Find out more about Base 51 counselling
What can counselling help me with?
Young people can come to counselling about many different issues, but whatever is causing distress is something worth talking about.
Counselling can support you with issues around relationships, family issues, bullying, neglect, violence, abuse, anger, trauma, being self-critical, adoption, loss, foster-care, bereavement, sexuality, exploitation, drugs and alcohol, disordered eating, anxiety, panic, stress, depression, suicidal thoughts or self-harm to name a few.
I need help now.
Need someone to talk to straight away? Talk to your doctor or GP as soon as you can or ask a parent/carer or other adult for help.
The Base 51 Counselling Service is designed to support you over a period of time and there is a waiting list. If you need to talk to someone now, contact your doctor or GP as soon as possible; ask a parent/carer or other adult for help; or contact one of these helplines where there is always someone to talk to:
• Childline -
0800 1111 (24 hours, up to 19 years old)
• Samaritans -
08457 90 90 90 (24 hours)
• Wellness in Mind Helpline -
0800 561 0073 (9am to midnight)
• Emergency Services - 999
What can Base 51 counselling offer me?
Base 51 provides counselling free of charge to young people aged 12 – 25 living in Nottingham City and some Nottinghamshire County areas. We offer one-to-one sessions with the same counsellor each week.
First we offer you a chance to come and talk to us to see if counselling is something you think might help you, this is called an assessment. If it’s decided that we are the right service to support you, we will offer you 6 sessions, with a review to see how and if counselling has helped you. If it has, you might decide with your counsellor to make another 6 week agreement with a review at the end of that period. If you are aged 12-18 this process continues until a point at which you and your counsellor agree an ending is appropriate. If you are aged 18-25 we can offer you up to 12 sessions.
How do I book on to sessions at base 51?
All of the Base 51 activity sessions, from Art in Mind, to Young Leaders and the F Word can be booked here. Simply select the activity that you wish to take part in, and select the next available date and time. Remember to only make one booking per person!
Is there a fee to become a member of Base 51?
No, it's completely free! Any young person aged 11-25 can sign up to take part in our activities and receive support. All that is required is for the membership form to be completed. We do however charge a £1 fee to replace a lost membership card.
Other charges:
Gym (available to 11-17 year olds) – 50p per session (first session is free)
Dance studio (available for all members 11-25) - £1 per person, per hour. Different room charges apply for private hire/outside organisations – contact reception.
How do I access counselling and who can make a referral?
Counselling is available to young people aged 12-25 living in the Nottingham area.
Anyone can refer using our referral form (YP, GP, Professional, parent/carer). Just
contact us and we'll send you the form.
How can I access a counselling drop-in appointment?
Once a completed referral form has been submitted, drop in appointments can be booked by calling reception on 0115 9525040 (further details such as availability can be added here if necessary).
