Be Kind...Counselling

Be Kind counselling was formed in February this year by myself a qualified counsellor to provide free counselling by qualified counsellors. St Helens has the highest suicide rate across Merseyside and  whilst there are free counselling agencies across Merseyside but the waiting lists can be anywhere between 12-26 weeks, which is unacceptable when people reach out for help they need it in a timely manner. 

In addition to the problems already existing across St Helens and Merseyside such as depravation, poor housing, health issues. St Helens and Merseyside we now the effects of the coronavirus on individuals and their mental health.  The aim of the project is to reach out to those who may be socially isolated because of disability or being vulnerable and to front line workers at this terrible time who may be facing trauma and to the bereaved who may struggle to get closure from the death of their loved one due to the way funerals have been conducted because of  the coronavirus.

Most free counselling is enabled by using students who are fit to practice out on placement I am seeking to provide qualified counsellors on a free to client basis in the belief that this process for the client will be more beneficial.   I already have premises up an running, and so all of the money raised will go directly to pay counsellors. 

My target of £20,000 would then mean I could provide 1,000 hours of free counselling.

At the present time counselling sessions will be done by telephone/zoom/skype until face to face sessions can resume.

My aim longer term, is to develop mental health cafes across the borough where people can drop in for peer support and to discuss their mental health with a professional.   Longer term I would like to grow the project to deliver free counselling for the whole community.  I will be working to raise awareness of the project and gain funding from other sources