The Lowdown: A safe space and a beacon of light in Northamptonshire

“Personally, this place holds a special place in my heart. They [the Lowdown] saved my life. They encouraged me so much, they gave me so much support, it’s unreal.”
Young person supported by The Lowdown

The Lowdown, in Northampton, offers a safe and caring environment where young people are supported on their journey towards positive emotional health and wellbeing. It provides free and confidential support services for 8- 25-year-olds across Northamptonshire. The charity has a bold ambition to be on every young person’s radar – their strapline is “Know us before you need us.”

Back in 2023 The Lowdown was awarded a Youth Investment Fund grant of nearly £1.3M to transform their listed building. As well as funding a major renovation and two-storey extension, the grant has enabled the charity to grow its youth services and helped them to establish a new Youth Advisory Board. The new building opened in January 2025.

A film created by Heyday UK, tells the Lowdown story from the perspective of the Youth Advisory Board, many of whom first came to The Lowdown to access support.

In the film, young people talk about the importance of having a safe, welcoming and comfortable space to come. They describe The Lowdown as a ‘beacon of light’ for young people across Northamptonshire.

The Youth Advisory Board, set up in 2023, influences everything that happens at The Lowdown. It was established to grow youth voice and youth perspectives. It was their ideas and ambitions that designed the new building, they shape the services on offer and help to get the word out by designing posters and marketing materials and crafting social media content and design.

Supporting young people’s mental health and wellbeing is at the heart of The Lowdown.

Shafs, now a member of the Youth Advisory Board, talks about the role The Lowdown plays in breaking down the stigma associated with mental health, making it part of the conversation and breaking down barriers.

“Coming here, I feel like I have more of a say in who I can be and want to be and how I should feel and want to feel.”

The film also shines a light on the difference the funding has made to their building, making it more accessible, welcoming and friendly. The addition of a young people’s waiting area, accessible bathrooms and five new counselling rooms, means that they can support more young people.