With exam results looming, St Albans Youth Connexions are holding sessions for both parents and students.

Throughout August, Youth Connexions will be putting on events to advise parents how best to support their children if their results are disappointing and to help manage expectations.

On results day, the county council youth support service will be running activities in St Albans Civic Centre for young people, which range from Smoothie Bikes to informal counselling and advice.

Ellie Appleyard, chair of St Albans Youth Council, said ‘We have been looking into the wellbeing and potential causes of stress and anxiety for local young people for the last five years and the impact of exam stress and results always get brought up.

“There are huge pressures on young people in the district to achieve and this can sometimes be overwhelming. These events are really important as they give young people the opportunity to drop into an informal setting after results to relax and get advice and support if they need it.”

St Albans Youth Council’s mental health report, which surveyed over 2,000 young people of school age across Herts, found 35 per cent of young people said exam-related stress would be the most likely issue they would seek counselling for.

Drop-in sessions for students will be from 9am to 4pm on August 13 and 14 and August 20 to 21, also at the Civic Centre.

For more information, contact Debi Roberts at debi.roberts@hertfordshire.gov.uk.