Youth2Youth began in 1997. Two organisations: Ealing Youth Counselling and Information Service, part of Ealing Youth Service, and MIND in Ealing and Hounslow came together to set up a telephone helpline in West London. After consultation with groups of young people from West London the project was able to produce aims, employ a helpline manager, recruit and train the helpline staff. The telephone helpline was launched in October 1997.
Since its launch in October 1997, Y2Y has grown from a local telephone helpline to a national helpline service. The original website was launched in 1998 introducing the concept of help via email and since then we have continued to develop and build upon the success of the website.
The early growth of Youth2Youth was only made possible by funding from a number of sources. Trusts such as: City Parochial Foundation, Bridge House Estates, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, The Tudor Trust and Lloyds TSB all played a vital role in supporting us. In 2001 the National Lottery agreed to fund us for three years allowing further project developments.
To allow Youth2Youth to reach its full potential it was agreed we should become an independent organisation. Youth2Youth achieved charitable status in 2004; Registered Charity Number 1106200. As a new and exciting organisation we are still in our infancy and as we mature the future provides us with great possibilities.