STAR - Support for Young People

The STAR project offers confidential, emotional and practical support to young people, including all members of the trans community and non-binary people, aged 12 to 18 in Edinburgh and the Lothians, who have experienced rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse, sexual bullying or circulating an intimate picture without your consent.

We are a team of support workers who have completed professional training in art therapy, sand tray therapy and/or counselling.

We offer support sessions, where you can use the time any way you choose, and we can talk through what support we can offer. Support may be offered in person, by video, phone or email.

We offer:

• An initial standalone introductory meeting to let us get to know each other and find out about your support needs.
then

Then:

• Up to 18 further sessions, delivered in three blocks of six, as soon as a counsellor becomes available
• Group support (dependent on numbers).

We can also offer up to 6 sessions of support to your family and close friends.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions and precautions, most of our support is offered remotely (i.e. by video, phone or email). Our team of support workers can discuss the best option for you. If face-to-face support is the only option for you, you can read our COVID-19 update leaflet at https://www.ercc.scot/support/star-support-for-young-people.

What happens at an initial appointment?

The most important thing to know about the initial appointment is that you don’t have to tell us your whole story, you only need to share what you feel comfortable with and at first this may be very little. We will only ask you for some very basic details such as your name, address, contact details and an emergency contact.

Dependent upon current COVID-19 restrictions, initial appointments will be held within our centre, by video or phone, or somewhere you might feel more comfortable like school, college or a local community venue.

The appointment lasts up to 50 minutes and is very informal. It is an opportunity for us to explain what support we can offer you and to discuss what support you feel would be helpful. This is also a space for you to ask any questions you may have about our service and the support we offer.

If you prefer you can bring someone with you for support to your initial appointment or if you feel comfortable to you can attend on your own.