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Young people across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who are most at risk of long-term unemployment can now access Qwell’s safe, confidential digital mental health service at no cost
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The launch is part of the government-backed Youth Guarantee Trailblazer programme pilot, which aims to ensure that every young person has access to employment, education and training
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Qwell offers preventative and early intervention support by combining counselling, anonymous peer connection, and self-help tools to address growing challenges with anxiety, loneliness and stress
From today, young people aged 18–25 across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who are most at risk of long-term unemployment, will have free access to Qwell, a leading digital mental health and wellbeing service.
Commissioned as part of the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer programme pilot, Qwell will provide safe, confidential and accessible mental health support that is available for users 24/7.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has been chosen as one of eight regions across the country to take part in a pilot of the youth guarantee programme.
The Government-funded programme, which is being supported by Qwell, a mental health support service for adults from Kooth, has been designed to help tackle the growing numbers of young people who are not in employment, education or training (NEET). In April 2025, there were 3,250 people aged between 18 and 24 claiming unemployment-related benefits in the county.
A growing body of research, outlined in the recent Future Minds report, has highlighted increasing pressures on the mental health of children and young people, with many facing growing challenges around anxiety, loneliness and academic and social stress.
By offering a digital service designed around the needs of 18–25-year-olds, Qwell will provide support that is accessible early and when it’s needed.
According to Linda Taylor, Careers & Work Inspiration Project Officer at Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, "We are enormously pleased that Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will host one of the eight Youth Guarantee Trailblazer programme pilots. Supporting young people to find and stay in employment, education and training will bring benefits for young people, but also to the communities in which they live. We know younger people are increasingly reporting mental health issues as a barrier to success, so Qwell’s highly accessible, digital service will make a real difference in helping our young people thrive."
A Qwell spokesperson said: "We are delighted that Qwell will form a central component within the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer pilot in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Poor mental health is one of the most significant risk factors impacting young people’s participation in education, employment and training, and we know early intervention, preventative services are key to mitigating the risk that young people fall out of work and remain that way long-term. Our mission is to ensure support is available whenever it’s needed, without stigma or barriers, to ensure young people are equipped to thrive academically and professionally."
Qwell offers free, safe and anonymous support for children and young people, with no referral needed and no waiting lists.
Available 24/7, the platform provides access to helpful articles, wellbeing activities, and moderated forums where people can share experiences and support one another. Professional help is also on hand, with qualified counsellors and practitioners available through live chat and scheduled sessions seven days a week.
In addition to Qwell, a comprehensive suite of support is available to young people at the Peterborough Youth Hub as part of the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer programme, including personalised one-to-one support to individuals, and options to connect users with different services, such as health professionals, community sector services and local support groups.
Young people aged 18-25 in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough can sign up for free at www.qwell.io/welltowork-cambridgeshireandpeterborough to begin accessing the online service immediately.