OUR VALUES
JST is driven by passion and a deep commitment to supporting people from all walks of life, whether facing complex challenges or simply in need of a helping hand. The team embodies respect for every individual, working in unity with communities and with integrity to provide comprehensive, practical, and inspirational support. Through these values, JST empowers people to build confidence and self-esteem, enabling them to build better lives and fulfil their potential.
Passion | Commitment | Respect | Unity | Integrity
What We Do
Just Straight Talk (JST) is a Community Interest Company supporting people across The Black Country who are disadvantaged by providing the practical help, support, and motivation they need to address and overcome barriers, turn their lives around and achieve life goals.
A recent social return on investment study we commissioned reported a cost saving to society of over £11.7 million.
The Beginning
Just Straight Talk (JST) has over 13 years' experience of providing services within The Black Country for people including the long term unemployed, economically inactive and people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and the complex systems in place.
JST does this by providing practical support, motivation to address and overcome barriers to help people turn their lives around and achieve their goals. We work with people aged 16+ with no upper age limit.
Nobody is turned away and they have projects to cater for a wide range of needs.
Since 2012 they have worked with over 6,500 people with a range of issues - from crisis situations to those that simply need someone to talk to.
JST recently conducted a social return on investment study which proved a cost saving to society of over £11 million. Take a look at this recent study detailing this saving and more from 2012- 2022. Their dedicated team provide person centred, bespoke support around the needs of individuals, who have typically slipped through the net of mainstream services.
The team have specialist experience and projects in areas such as benefits, debt, alleviating poverty, domestic abuse, homelessness, physical and mental health, loneliness, isolation, addiction, digital exclusion, care leavers, carers, learning difficulties and issues with access to training and employment.
Our Response to Needs
JST responds to the emerging needs of our communities and applies for funding to help bridge gaps in support. Our current projects are diverse, support people aged 16 and over, and are tailored around the needs of the people we work with.
We listen to the voices of local people and shape our projects around what matters most to them. JST builds people up through trusted relationships, helping them feel better equipped, more confident and empowered for the future.
As a community organisation, our projects are developed in response to local need. They are funding dependent and may have fixed start and end dates. Below is a snapshot of the current support available through JST.
Our staff team is committed, dedicated and goes above and beyond to support people. We work closely with local partner agencies to make good things happen and also offer access to an in-house student counsellor for those who need confidential counselling and therapy.
The projects we have available are the following:
Autism Café at the Clock
In Sandwell, we offer sessions for autistic adults and their loved ones on set dates in a welcoming and relaxed environment. The sessions help people make new friends and connect with others at Coffee @ The Clock YMCA, Carters Green, West Bromwich, B70 9LG.
Choose Yourself
Choose Yourself supports women aged 18 and over across Sandwell and Dudley to build confidence, improve wellbeing and develop a stronger sense of self-identity.
Through one-to-one support, small-group sessions and guidance, participants can explore self-esteem, personal development, wellbeing, self-presentation and future goals in a safe and supportive environment.
Digi Dudley
Digi Dudley helps older people in Dudley build confidence using tablets, laptops and phones. The project helps reduce loneliness and isolation by supporting people to stay connected, access services, learn new skills and use the internet safely and independently.
Digital Divide
Working across Dudley, Digital Divide supports eligible adults who are digitally excluded to improve their digital skills and overcome barriers to progression. The project provides digital, social and economic support, helping people build confidence, develop skills and access opportunities.
Eligibility: Participants must be aged 19 or over, live in a West Midlands postcode area, have the legal right to reside in the UK, and must not already be enrolled on, or have achieved, a Level 1 ICT qualification.
NeuroKind
NeuroKind is for people aged 18 and over whose brains work, learn, communicate or experience the world differently. This includes autistic people, people with ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and other sensory processing differences.
You do not need a diagnosis to access support. We support people who are diagnosed, awaiting assessment, self-identifying or questioning, helping them build confidence, reduce isolation and find the support and environments that work for them.
WorkWell
WorkWell supports people with health conditions or disabilities who are in work, need help returning to work, or have been out of work for up to six months and need early support to overcome health-related barriers.
Eligibility:
• Aged 16 or over
• Live in the Black Country, or be registered with a GP or Jobcentre Plus in the Black Country
• Have the right to work in the UK
• Have a health condition or disability
Young People Floating Support
This project supports 16 to 25-year-olds in Dudley who have experienced homelessness or are care leavers. It helps young people build confidence, access training, education and employment, and develop the skills needed to set up and maintain a home.
For more information about any of our projects, visit www.juststraighttalk.org, call 01902 256 744, or email info@juststraighttalk.org.
Advocate
We are able to speak up for individuals and act on their behalf and them in a range of complex situations such as benefit assessments , appeals, with debt agencies, social services, housing.
Mentor
We provide support over a period of time to help and guide people through difficult situations, to overcome issues and barriers and change their lives for the better.
Support
We provide individual support for people facing a range of issues. Working 1-2-1 we work with people to identify and address their main barriers, develop coping skills, improve confidence and well being
Empower
Whilst working with people to address their issues and barriers we actively support them to become stronger, more confident and gain control over their own lives.
Stories
Clive's Story
Clive's Story
Clive self-referred to the BBO Bridges project after seeing a leaflet in his local area. Clive was at a very low point in his life and required support in many areas such as, Mental Health, Confidence and low self-esteem, reducing Isolation and engaging with other Health professionals.
Cynthia's Story
Cynthia's Story
Cynthia came as a referral from Stourbridge Job centre. Her adviser had met with her and immediately began to make urgent referrals for support as her mental health was a serious cause for concern. Cynthia was experiencing a stressful family dispute that had also resulted in a stop to her finances.
David's Story
David's Story
David accessed BBO Community Matters project via Dudley job centre initially to help and support him into employment. However, when I met with David, I have realised that David had mental health issues and he required immediate mental health support. David never had any mental health support before or any other support such as helping him to build his confidence
Dawn's Story
Dawn's Story
Dawn Smith was initially referred to BBO Bridges project from Tipton Jobcentre. As a Lone Parent of two children aged 4 & 5 years old, she will soon be making the transition from Income Support to JSA, our main challenge in working together was to get Dawn employment ready and to find work, whilst considering he Childcare needs.