A difficult season should not decide a young person's whole future.

About the project

Language that never labels

The project uses simple, non-medicalising language centred on wellbeing, confidence, safety, listening and the future. It does not label young people. It helps them find support, rebuild trust and take a realistic step toward education and wellbeing.

Who the project supports

• ✓Young people who have left school or are at risk of dropping out
• ✓Young people returning to school after a difficult period
• ✓Pregnant students and young mothers
• ✓Young people experiencing shame, isolation, harassment or family rejection
• ✓Young people living with disability, poverty or other barriers

How it works

A confidential, five-step pathway

1. 1

   Confidential identification

   Through schools, peers, community relays, mothers' groups, social services and health services.

2. 2

   Wellbeing circles

   On stress, shame, self-worth, help-seeking, harassment, safety and hope.

3. 3

   Individual plans

   Covering wellbeing, family mediation, school return or retention, protection and referral.

4. 4

   School-family-community dialogue

   To reduce blame and create safer support around the young person.

5. 5

   Safe referral

   To qualified mental-health, health, education, social or protection services when needed.

Documented 2024 pilot results

What the pilot achieved

young people aged 10-24 enrolled in the pilot

210

young people aged 10-24 enrolled in the pilot

completed the main pathway — an 86% completion rate

181

completed the main pathway — an 86% completion rate

of completers improved their psychosocial wellbeing

69%

of completers improved their psychosocial wellbeing

reported less shame, isolation or perceived stigma

63%

reported less shame, isolation or perceived stigma

reported stronger social support

74%

reported stronger social support

of out-of-school or returning young people (82 of 170) made verified progress toward education

48%

of out-of-school or returning young people (82 of 170) made verified progress toward education

of pregnant students or young mothers (25 of 40) maintained or restored an education connection

63%

of pregnant students or young mothers (25 of 40) maintained or restored an education connection

of 52 trained teachers, educators and community relays improved knowledge or attitudes

81%

of 52 trained teachers, educators and community relays improved knowledge or attitudes

sensitive cases involving stigma, harassment, distress or protection needs identified and referred

27

sensitive cases involving stigma, harassment, distress or protection needs identified and referred

Why it connected

Strengths, choices and a future

Young people were not reduced to a mental-health label, pregnancy or school failure. They were treated as people with strengths, choices and a future. The language of wellbeing, trust and hope made it easier to ask for help without shame.

Looking ahead

FBST is working to expand and strengthen NOUVEAU DÉPART while protecting its human, confidential and youth-led character. Future growth will focus on quality, safeguarding, stronger measurement, school and community adoption, and sustainable referral pathways.