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PRESS RELEASE
3 March 2010

FREE COUNSELLING SERVICE
OFFERS A HELPING HAND IN HARD TIMES

A counselling service now up and running in four towns in West Cornwall is offering a helping hand and a listening ear to people going through hard times – and the first six sessions are free.

Launched a year ago by Cornwall Healthy Living Centre (CHLC) from its base at the Penwith Centre, Penzance, the service has since been rolled out to Camborne Library and Helston and Porthleven Children’s Centres.

The scheme is run in partnership with Cornwall College, and sessions are provided by student counsellors studying for the Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling and Therapy.

Colin Wilson, programme manager for the course, stressed that counselling is not just for people who are severely depressed.  “People come to counselling for all sorts of reasons – stress and anxiety, panic attacks, relationship difficulties, abuse, low self-esteem, addictions or simply feeling unhappy,” he said.

“But you don’t have to bring a particular problem. Often just feeling troubled or ill at ease with yourself can affect many aspects of your life and it helps to talk things through.

“Counsellors are trained to listen to you; they will not judge or direct you or tell you what to do. They will help you find your own way.”

The counselling service is part of CHLC’s Pathways to Health and Wellbeing project, which is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust. It aims to help local people lead a healthier lifestyle and to reduce health inequalities in the county.

Following the six free sessions, extra appointments can be booked at a cost of just £5 per session  

The scheme is part of a holistic approach to improving community wellbeing: the Penwith Volunteer Bureau and Skills Centre employment advisors are also based at the Penwith Centre, and work closely with the CHLC team.

Dilys Down, head of strategic development at Penwith Community Development Trust, which manages CHLC, said: "Our counselling service aims to provide the opportunity for people to talk about their feelings and their personal problems in order to overcome their emotional barriers.

“It has helped our clients to build their confidence and self-esteem, thus enabling them to move on in their life.”  

Madeleine Scott, a student counsellor working with the service, said:
“The scheme has male and female counsellors and offers free or low-priced counselling in attractive, easily accessible venues.
“There are no long waiting lists, as CHLC aims to contact clients within 48 hours of them registering.
“The counsellors are non-judgemental and ready to listen to whatever is concerning you, and the number of sessions is flexible to suit your needs.
“Most importantly, you will be treated as an individual, as CHLC respects and welcome all cultures and backgrounds.”
To find out more about the counselling service, call 01736 334654 on Wednesdays to Fridays, or leave a message at other times.

For further information, contact Liz Norbury on 01736 334654 or email liz@pcdt.org.uk

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