Community Counts – news and resources to help local people
Welcome to the Community Counts column on Hello Lincoln – a round-up of the news from the groups, schemes and organisations that may just be able to provide the support or help you or your family need.
Much of the information in this first column has been supplied by Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Partnership, but we’re inviting all groups working in the wider community to get in touch with their news.
Email
And don’t forget you can find out what lots of organisations are up to through the pages of our What’s On guide – just click on the blue button link on this page.
Are you a concerned parent who wants to know more about County Lines?
This is the term used for drug-dealing networks across county borders, which often target vulnerable and disaffected teenagers to act as runners.
The Ivison Trust is hosting free webinars on Zoom on January 13 and 14, 2026, 7pm- 8.30pm You'll hear from a parent whose child has been a victim of exploitation and the sessions will provide an opportunity to ask questions, share concerns and connect with others.
During the sessions Ivison will share what criminal exploitation including county lines is and how to spot signs it may be happening to your child or a child you know. They cover what it looks like in your local area and where to get advice and support if you are concerned. The interactive webinar will also give you the opportunity to ask questions, share concerns and connect with others.
- Learn what county lines is
- Understand what is happening in your local area
- Understand the signs that your child might be at risk
- Learn how offenders groom and exploit children
- Know where to access support and advice if you have concerns
Book your place here: https://ivisontrust.org.uk/webinars/
Kooth online mental health and support service
Kooth.com is a free, safe and online mental health and support service commissioned in Lincolnshire for children and young people aged 11 to 18 (and up to 25 for care leavers and those with SEND).
Young people can access self-help tools, community support and live text-based chats with a qualified practitioner.
Young people can sign up to Kooth themselves – no referral is needed and there are no waiting lists.
Kooth is avaliable every day of the year, including over the Christmas and New Years period if young people need any additional wellbeing support.
Please follow this link to the Kooth website where you can sign up for free.
The normal opening hours are 12pm to 10pm Monday to Friday and 6pm to 10pm Saturday and Sunday, but over the Christmas period these will be:
- Saturday 20st December 2025 – 6pm to 10pm
- Sunday 21st December 2025 – 6pm to 10pm
- Monday 22nd December 2025 – 12pm to 10pm
- Tuesday 23rd December 2025 – 12pm to 10pm
- Christmas Eve – 12pm to 8pm
- Christmas Day – 4pm to 8pm
- Boxing Day – 12pm to 8pm
- Saturday 27th December 2025 – 6pm to 10pm
- Sunday 28th December 2025 – 6pm to 10pm
- Monday 29th December 2025 – 12pm to 10pm
- Tuesday 30th December 2025 – 12pm to 10pm
- New Year’s Eve – 12pm to 8pm
- New Year’s Day – 4pm to 8pm
- Friday 2nd January 2026 – Resumption of normal hours
