Exam results days: Vital help is at hand, students told

A level and Level 3 VTQ results are published on Thursday,13 August.

Meanwhile, the following Thursday, 20 August,  it will be the turn of GCSE pupils and those who have taken Level 2 VTQs to get their results.

Since the next couple of weeks can be an anxiety-inducing time for many, this is where two of Lancashire County Council's vital services come in: Talkzone and the Youth Futures Team.

A specialist support service, 'Talkzone' offers help and support to young people, with trained advisers who can speak in confidence, chat through exam results and discuss any other concerns.

It's even open on August Bank Holiday and at weekends.

As well as being on offer to students, Talkzone is also available to all young people between the ages of 12 to 19 years and up to 25-years-old for those with a disability.

It's contactable by telephone, email, text and web talk, and available from 2pm to 10pm every day - even including weekends and Bank Holidays.

In addition to contacting Talkzone, young people whose results aren't what they expected are urged to contact the university, college or further education provider that they had planned to attend and discuss the options and courses that are still available to them.

Since Talkzone was set up 32 years ago, its advisers have responded to thousands of enquiries from young people on a huge range of issues.

Young people can call Talkzone on 0800 511 111, text on 07786 511 111 or email talkzone@lancashire.gov.uk

Alternatively, get in touch through its access webtalk services or via Facebook.

Meanwhile, advisory service Youth Futures offers support for 16 and 17 year olds who are not in education, employment or training and can offer support with your next steps – whether that's college, apprenticeship, training, work or building your confidence. 

They can be contacted by telephone, email or self-referral through their online form, and are also hosting a series of in person and online events throughout August to support young people with their next steps.

Young people, parents or carers can call the Youth Futures Team on 01772 531044, email youthfutures@lancashire.gov.uk or complete the online form here. You can also find more information about the online and in person events by clicking here.

County Councillor Matthew Salter, cabinet member for Education and Skills at Lancashire County Council, said:

“We really appreciate that many students can feel pressured and need that extra bit of support during exam results season.

"We hope that everyone gets the results that they are looking for – but we do have our thoroughly trained, specialist advisers on hand to talk to anyone who feels they need support.

"If you do need to talk to someone in confidence, you can speak with our trained advisers at Talkzone or Youth Futures and chat through any concerns, as well as exam results.

"Through Talkzone and Youth Futures, young people can speak with trained advisers in confidence and chat through anything concerning them, as well as their exam results.

"You can discuss anything from feeling low, to relationships, to finding work or training, to leaving home, so we really do encourage anyone who feels they need that extra bit of support and a chance to talk things through to get in touch."