“I want to talk to someone about my options!”
On this page you will find
- Contact your local Youth Support Services (16-18) – find your local branch, find a Young Person’s Worker or Coach
- Info@ drop-in and leaflets – (Youth Services Information leaflet, Lesser-known Training Options leaflet, Money and Post 16 options)
- Job Centre Plus and Universal Credit
- Extra support on the Source
- If you’re still feeling stuck…
If you are looking for help on another issue you will find useful links in our ‘Ask an Expert’ quick links directory.
I’ve left school/college/job and I’m stuck!
Unsure what to do next?
Need to earn some money?
Tried a course and it wasn’t for you?
Had to leave your job?
Don’t have any GCSE’s?
Remember, you need to stay in education until you are 18, read more about Raising the participation age and your options.
Get help from your local Youth Support Services (16-18)
If you are aged 16-18 and want help to take your next steps and get into work, training or education then get in touch today!
We have Young Person’s Coaches and Young Person’s Workers who are here to help you.
Click here to see your nearest office, you can call or email and ask to speak to a young person’s worker:
Lowestoft & Waveney – 01502 674747 or email the relevant office South Lowestoft, North Lowestoft, Waveney and Blyth
- Ipswich North & East – 01473 263295 or email Ipswich North and East (Gainsborough, Bixley, Holywells, Nacton & Purdis Farm, Rushmere, Priory Heath, Westgate)
- Ipswich South & West – 01473 263391 or email the relevant office Ipswich South, Ipswich West (Gipping, Pinewood, Sprites, Stoke Park, Bramford & Great Blakenham, Castle Hill, Claydon & Barham, Grundisburgh, Whitehouse & Whitton)
- Coastal – 01394 605060 or email the relevant office Coastal North, Coastal South (Woodbridge, Kesgrave, Framlingham, Leiston, Felixstowe)
- Central – 01449 745155 or email Central Suffolk (Stowmarket – based at The Mix)
- South Suffolk – 01787 315900 or email South Suffolk (Caple, Hadleigh, Lavenham, Long Melford)
- West Suffolk – 01284 758610 or email the relevant office Haverhill, Bury St Edmunds, Forest Heath
If you have any problems contacting one of the above, email the Participation Tracking Team: [email protected] or contact your local Family Support team – Suffolk County Council
Employment, Education and Training Support Drop-In – Come down and meet some friendly faces
Find an Info@ session near you! Lowestoft, Ipswich, Stowmarket and Sudbury.
- help and advice
- info on jobs and volunteering
- work experience opportunities
- support with money and access to the foodbank
Find out more: Info@ drop in information
Get help and support if you feel stuck. Here are just a few ideas. Read the leaflet below.
Thanking about what to do next? Not sure if a mainstream course is for you? There are options! Read the leaflet below.
Thinking about Money and Post 16 options? Read the leaflet below.
Do you need help completing benefit forms? Citizens Advice may be able to sit down and help you.
Get support from Job Centre Plus
Universal credit: If you are over 18 and wanting to claim Universal Credit get in touch with your local Job Centre Plus they can also support you to find work.
Work Coaches help and signpost young people aged 16+, on universal credit. They can give you ideas of what to do next and support you.
Extra support on The Source
Have you considered gaining work experience by volunteering?
Did you know…volunteers have a 27% better chance of finding a job after being out of work than non-volunteers.
You’ll also gain new skills, meet new people and gain invaluable experience.
If you’re still feeling stuck…
Call the National Careers Service helpline for information and advice about jobs, careers and training if you’re 13 or older in England.
You can call their helpline on 0800 100 900 or chat online to someone via their website here.
To find out more, go to the National Careers Service website.
icanbea… is a free careers inspiration tool, focussed on helping 12-25 year olds in Norfolk and Suffolk.
To find out more visit icanbea… (Careers & Ideas in Norfolk & Suffolk)
Other Support
Meet Patrick offers support to young people aged 16-24 in Ipswich and Lowestoft, who are not in employment, education or training (known as NEET), with food and personal care items to help with the cost of living.
Page updated on May 5th, 2026 at 03:31pm