WHEN a happy-go-lucky youngster suddenly turns into the teenager from hell it can be hard for any family. But it s also tough for the teenager. LESLEY INNES reports on the role of a new counsellor who will advise young people on a variety of issues. WHETH

WHEN a happy-go-lucky youngster suddenly turns into the teenager from hell it can be hard for any family. But it's also tough for the teenager. LESLEY INNES reports on the role of a new counsellor who will advise young people on a variety of issues.

WHETHER it's appearance, schoolwork, fears for the future, even family concerns, there is now help at hand.

The Ely Project, which provides counselling for young people aged 13 to 25, has just expanded its services with the appointment of a new counsellor/project worker.

Thanks to funding from Healthy Living - East Cambridgeshire, Iliana Rokkou will be the first paid counsellor to work at Ely Library on

Thursday evenings, offering support and counselling to young people on a variety of issues.

The remainder of her time will be spent looking at how to develop the services offered by the project to people living in East Cambridgeshire.

These may include a sexual health advocacy and support service; working with young people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless; the expansion of a young carers' project and the provision of specialist drug information and counselling on substance abuse.

Iliana said: "I am very happy that I have the opportunity to develop Centre 33's satellite services in East Cambridgeshire. Our intention is to ensure that the services continue to be

relevant and appropriate to young people's needs.

"Ideally, we would like to see more of our services reaching young people in East Cambridgeshire, especially in more rural areas.

"Some people we see have had a particularly bad time, or are stressed because of exams. However, I would say the majority have had a relationship breakdown and are seeking advice on how to deal with it - whether that is with their family, friends or their partner."

Iliana is a qualified counsellor and worked as a volunteer for the Ely Project before accepting the paid-for post. She also works for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mental Health Trust.

Part of her new role will include linking up with the Centre 33's outreach worker to identify the needs of young people in East Cambridgeshire.

She will be talking to schools in the area and meeting with Healthy Living East Cambridgeshire to identify the community's needs.