A PROJECT in West Devon aimed at providing support and advice for young people has been given a new 'identity'.
Youthwize, in Tavistock's Pixon Lane, will now be known as the Youth Enquiry Service, or YES.
YES in Tavistock is one of five advice centres managed through Young Devon, a registered charity. The centres offer free and confidential, information, support and counselling services for young people, with a specific focus on homelessness and supportive housing, welfare rights, substance misuse, sexual heath, young carers, education and training.
The service mainly caters for young people aged between 13 and 25, and its Tavistock centre alone has helped around 500 clients in a year.
Last Friday Cllr Terry Pearce, the mayor of West Devon, cut the ribbon on the new sign to officially launch the change of name.
He was joined by staff, young people, and representatives from the police, the county's youth service, the youth offender team, and local councillors.
Katherine Mullan, Young Devon's project manager, explained that a change in name was necessary as other projects in Devon offering the same sort of service — such as YAC in Newton Abbot in Ivybridge and YES in Exeter — needed to come under one 'banner'.
She said: 'Until recently, all Young Devon's centres have been working under individual names. Following the opening of another project in Exeter it was decided that this would be a good time for the other centres to unite under one name, the Youth Enquiry Service.
'It is hoped that the name change will make the centres more accessible to young people and other agencies by providing one identifiable name.
'By seeking information under the the Youth Enquiry Service banner, young people will be able to access advice, support and information on a range of issues from a centre in their area.'
If any young person would like to contact YES they can call 01822 612555.