TOP marks were awarded to a Surrey counselling service for young people, aged from 12-24, by its clients, many of whom sought help for depression and anxiety.

The Youth Counselling Service (YCS) was launched 25 years ago, and it offers residents of West Surrey and North East Hampshire free and confidential counselling for problems such as sexuality, stress, bullying, depression, self-harm, relationships, drugs and pregnancy.

A total of 98 per cent of those responding to a client evaluation survey said they had benefited as a result of using the service and 99 per cent said they would recommend the service, equalling last year’s highest ever feedback result.

YCS also made the highest number of referrals between 2015 to 2016, at more than 1,100, with a record number for clients suffering from depression and anxiety.

Depression and anxiety have emerged nationally as major concerns, with children’s mental health services reporting similar increases both in numbers and severity.

YCS also took on more counsellors to help keep up with demand and shorten waiting times, with support from the Surrey Children and Adolescent Mental Health Transformation Fund.

YCS team leader Kerry Pilbeam said: “We’re so pleased to have been able to help so many children and young people in the community by delivering care that helps them feel the difference.

“The service users consistently keep feeding back to us year on year about their positive experiences saying that they felt valued, listened to and supported.”

Virgin Care has provided the free YCS since April 2012 on behalf of the NHS in Surrey.