Young people who have been affected by the pandemic are facing a "huge waiting list" for free counselling in High Wycombe - prompting an organisation to issue an urgent plea for more volunteers. 

The Youth Enquiry Service (YES), based in Frogmoor, has been helping hundreds of young people aged 13 to 25 with free counselling, sexual health and wellbeing and sign-posting to other support services for 40 years. 

But with young people among the most affected by the stress and change caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, sadly YES says there is a huge waiting list of young people desperate for support and advice. 

So they are urging more volunteers to come forward so they can help more people at their drop-in centre in Frogmoor. 

The service also needs more qualified counsellors and is hoping those who have counselled in the past and want to break back into working life, or people in training who need to broaden their experience, will be interested. 

Additional training can be provided. 

Jeanne Steward, a trustee and volunteer support worker at YES, said the organisation is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and hopes it will be here for another 40 years. 

She added: "The pandemic has had a remarkable effect on our young people and we need to step up our recruitment."

If you would like to volunteer or visit the centre and see what they do, contact them on 01494 437373 or via e-mail on info@yeswycombe.org. You can also see more at their website: www.yeswycombe.org