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
Refer a young person

THE NEED

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.

OUR STORY

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

ANNIE’S STORY

WHAT IS A PILLAR SPACE?

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

  • 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)

  • 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)

  • ‘I am very grateful for this group and the time and care given to my son in your group. The Pillar are the first and ONLY service to help him and to see his struggles without putting him on a long waiting list for support - you have made a big difference to his self-confidence and he is much calmer in his OCD thoughts.’

    - Parent of a young person attending The Pillar Space Totton

  • ‘Yes we would [recommend TPS to other parents]! Schools have pastoral care but in our experience it doesn’t care, they are overwhelmed by too many kids and it isn’t a priority for teachers. The Pillar, in our experience, can stop a traumatic event or episode in a child’s life becoming a scar that changes a child’s personality negatively and permanently.’

    - Parent of a young person attending The Pillar Space Totton