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 10 years’ experience of providing services within The Black Country for people including those 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 4,200 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 emerging needs and build projects around them. Our current projects are diverse to suit age groups 16+ and are always tailored with you in mind. We respond to emerging needs and the voices of our communities. Below is a snapshot of the current JST support on offer. For more info please see our Support Projects Page.
The Alliance Project - Are you in Dudley and age 16-25? If so we can help you get your life back on track and into employment!
Yours Truly - Do you care for anyone at home? Are you in Dudley? Yours Truly can support you with your life goals.
Inclusive Communities - Do you live in Dudley, North? We can provide you with:
- Improved physical and mental health and well-being through the delivery of therapeutic type activities like arts, crafts, drama and music along with other well-being activities
- Reduction in loneliness and isolation
- Being better connected – through making new friends and more engaged within the local community.
- Having a better understanding (empowerment, choice and control) of the wider support available in the local area.
Platform - Supporting people in communities within Dudley & Sandwell to people 18+ experiencing mental and physical health issues with a timetable of daily sessions & activities.
Digi Dudley - digital support to lonely and isolated older people 65+ with improving confidence & skills.
Wider Determinants of Health—Support in Dudley, Sandwell, and Walsall to access 1-1s to increase social and economic connections, improving health, well-being, and life chances.
UK-CAN supports Ukrainian women with their well-being, life in the UK & finding training & employment.
UK-SPF - Multiply building confidence and skills in financial resilience and numeracy for employed people in Dudley.
Autism Café provides friendship and social support groups twice monthly within Sandwell YMCA.
Walsall Bridges—Do you live in Walsall and need additional support to overcome any barriers, progress, and reach your potential?
UK-SPF ELEVATE - Support in Dudley to address barriers, improve community connections, increase well-being and help to progress and reach life goals, including opportunities for training and employment.
JST builds people up forging trusted relationships in order to make the biggest impact and help people feel better equipped and empowered for their futures. By doing so people are inspired and feel like they can work, enjoy life and not be dependent on services anymore.
Our projects are built on needs within our community, are funding-dependent, and have start and end dates; we endeavour to gain extensions, but often this is outside of our control.
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.
Meet the Team
