The Listen Project is a youth counselling service for young people aged 12-21 years.  It provides a safe space in Listen Sessions with a qualified Counsellor for young people to talk, feel heard and reflect on issues that are important for them. Listen Sessions are offered to provide meaningful support. Participating in Listen Sessions allows the Counsellor to support young people to recognise their own strengths and learn new coping skills. This then leads to more confidence and feeling more hopeful about the future.

The Listen Project is a referral and appointment service. Enquiries and appointments are made via the free-phone number 1800 303 638, and can be self-referral, from parents/carers, GP’s or from organisations working with young people. Young people under 18 must have parental consent to participate on the program. Call between 4-6pm Monday – Friday to speak directly to a youth service staff member about the project. Otherwise, call when it suits, leave a message and we will get back in touch.

In 2023, in partnership with PCI College, we developed Listen Up - A Professional Certificate in Youth and Adolescent Counselling which provided additional counselling resources (12 counsellors) to allow us to increase the service in 4 existing schools and offer it to 7 new schools in the catchment area for the academic year 2023/24. With a placement commitment of 60 attended sessions for each of the 12 qualified counsellors on the Listen Up programme, this contributed to 720 sessions of youth counselling across the academic year 23/24. This programme provided secondary schools with an external Listen Up counsellor for one morning per week to provide youth counselling to any students who might benefit from it.

Who is The Listen Project for?
Young people 12 – 21 years in the Dublin 17, 13, 5 & 7 regions and, where feasible, neighbouring areas, who are not currently engaged in any counselling service provision. The Listen Project is an early intervention support service for young people, focusing on wellbeing. More significant mental health challenges will not be suitable for the Listen Project.

How will I know the Listen Project is right for me?
Although we believe strongly that talking about our experiences with a trained Counsellor can have a positive impact on how we feel and think about ourselves and our situations, it is not for everyone. Therefore, we invite you to come along to an initial ‘once-off’ session to find out what you can expect from Listen Sessions and to decide if this is the service for you.

Things to know:
We offer a free counselling service with an introductory assessment and up to nine Listen Sessions with qualified Counsellors who are registered with a recognised professional body. Listen Sessions are by appointment only and usually last up to 40 – 50 minutes.

The Listen Project is an example of an effective, collaborative, and community-based response to real need between Sphere 17 RYS, Cabra for Youth, Northside Partnership, The Newlife Centre and Dublin City North Children and Young Peoples Services Committee.

See our brochure linked here Listen Project

For more information on the Listen Project you can free phone 1800 303 638 or contact Sphere 17 directly on 01 8674348