People seated around a table engaged in arts and crafts activities, with informational posters on the wall behind them.

The Pillar Spaces

Pillar Spaces are weekly, structured environments based in local churches where young people aged 11-18 can be known, supported and not left to struggle with their mental health alone.

Refer a young person
Signboard reading 'The Pillar Space' with colorful design elements, mounted on a brick wall outside a building with large glass windows.

Young people’s mental health is worsening — but many don’t meet the threshold for specialist services.

They fall into a gap: not unwell enough for clinical support, but not well enough to thrive.

What’s often missing is early, relational, consistent support. Someone to notice. Somewhere to belong.

Pillar Spaces exist to meet that need.

A Gap We Can’t Ignore

Our Response

We create safe, relational spaces where young people can access support early, before things reach crisis.

FAQs

  • Pillar Spaces are weekly, term-time groups for young people aged 11–18, accessed through professional referral.

    They are:

    • Safe and structured

    • Relational and consistent

    • Non-clinical but evidence-informed

    • Based in local churches, open to all

    There is no expectation of faith, but young people are free to explore bigger questions if they choose.

  • Pillar Spaces combine three key elements:

    Relational support
    Trusted relationships over time — young people are known, not processed.

    Evidence-informed practice
    Rooted in approaches like the NHS 5 Steps to Wellbeing, with trained leaders and safeguarding embedded.

    Faith-rooted context (accessible to all)
    Based in churches, offering hope and space for deeper questions — always non-coercive.

  • Each session includes:

    • Time to connect (food, conversation, community)

    • Activities and hobbies

    • Practical skills sessions (emotional regulation, resilience, communication)

    • Opportunities to build trusted relationships with adults and peers

    Young people can attend for as long as they need — there is no fixed “programme length”.

  • Pillar Spaces are small by design — but high impact.

    Young people experience:

    • Increased confidence

    • Improved emotional regulation

    • Better ability to talk about their mental health

    • Stronger friendships and social connection

    Parents report:

    • Improved mood and behaviour at home

    • Reduced isolation

    • Greater engagement with life

    Young people consistently describe Pillar Spaces as:

    “safe”, “welcoming”, and a place where they feel they belong.

  • Pillar Spaces are effective because they offer:

    • Early intervention (before crisis point)

    • Consistency (same space, same people, every week)

    • Long-term support (not time-limited)

    • Peer + adult relationships

    • A place that doesn’t get withdrawn if attendance fluctuates

    This creates the conditions for lasting change, not just short-term fixes.

Our Locations

  • A red brick church with arched windows and a tower, set against a clear blue sky, with greenery and flowering bushes in the foreground. St Wins Church Totton

    The Pillar Space Totton

    St Wins Church is home to our first Pillar Space, where the foundations of everything we do were first established. We opened our doors in September 2023 and have been journeying with young people ever since.

    Open every Thursday in term time 4-6pm (by referral only)

  • A modern brick building with large windows, a sloped roof, and a tree in front. There is a bright sky with some clouds and a partial yellow umbrella visible in the lower right corner. Image of Lordshill Church

    The Pillar Space Lordshill

    In 2024 we partnered with Lord’s Hill Church to launch our second Pillar Space, building on the learning from our first site and extending our support to young people in a new community.

    Open every Thursday in term time 4-6pm (by referral only)