The Isle of Wight Youth Trust has temporarily stopped taking new referrals for one-to-one counselling, at the same time launching an appeal for experienced counsellors, psychotherapists and play therapists to join its team.

The organisation says it is experiencing high demand, whilst at the same time being hit by staff shortages.

To manage its waiting list, it will not accept new clients for the time being, promising to review the situation weekly.

If you are already on the waiting, the Trust says it will contact you directly.

CEO Jo Dare said: "We have seen an unprecedented increase in demand for our service, with an average of 115 young people reaching out to us for support every month.

"Not only are we seeing more young people reaching out for support, but the reasons young people are coming to us are increasingly complex.

"In addition to the increase in demand, and as is the case with many health and care services across the country, we are facing staff shortages.

"That is why we are currently recruiting for play therapists, counsellors and psychotherapists, who have experience working with children and young people, to join our team."

"While we address these staff shortages, we will be making temporary adjustments to how we deliver our services to safeguard the wellbeing of our staff team and the young people we support."

She said colleagues continue to work to ensure young Islanders have access to counselling and mental health support services.

From today (Monday, October 25) one-to-one counselling referrals will be paused.

The Trust says it will start accepting referrals again as soon as it can.

Its Youth Mental Health drop-in sessions continue to take place, at the Trust's Hub on Pyle Street, Newport every Wednesday, from 2pm -5pm.

Training and information sessions for parents will also continue.

Jo Dare is appealing for skilled Islanders to come forward to join the team and make a difference to the lives of young Islanders.