Summits for Sunrise - National 3 Peaks Challenge

Aim: On the 23rd August 2022, Chloe will be attempting the National Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for Sunrise's Low Cost Therapy Service.

My name is Chloe Pollock and I am a Children and Young Person’s Counsellor. I work out of the Sunrise Wellbeing Therapy Centre, based in Anstey, Leicestershire. The associate team is made up of passionate therapists and well-being practitioners, our aim being to offer holistic, therapeutic services to children, young people and adults of all ages, to support them with any difficulties they are facing that are affecting their mental health and overall wellbeing.

Sunrise Wellbeing offers support for those living in Leicester, Leicestershire and beyond through face to face and online therapeutic support sessions, group workshops and training. 

The demand for wellbeing services has been extremely high, not only during the pandemic but on an ever increasing daily basis.

Based on Sunrise’s enquiries alone, families are in desperate need of support, often reaching out to their GP for mental health support but being left on waiting lists for NHS and CAMHS services for up to 2 years. We are often the first port of call for many desperate parents and carers who feel alone, helpless and unable to cope with nowhere to turn.

I want to raise vital funds for Sunrise to help expand their services and their ability to offer low-cost therapeutic services for children, young people and families to support them during extremely difficult times. A typical private therapy session is between £40 - £70, meaning it is not accessible for all and there’s often no alternative route. As a result, children and young people are at crisis point, presenting with a range of difficulties including suicidal ideation, self-harm and crippling anxiety to name just a few.

Therapist fees are charged at this rate due to the cost of supervision which includes insurance, professional development and accrediting body membership therapists have to pay, in order to follow ethical and professional practice.

With an expanded low-cost therapy service Sunrise could support more people; offer reduced waiting lists, help to develop coping strategies and offer a safe space to feel heard and to support people in getting back to school and work with more positive future outcomes.

These vital funds would enable us to also support parents/carers with their own anxieties, difficulties and self-care so they can pour into their own cup first, in order to support the young people in their care.

In order to gain your sponsorship, I endeavour to complete the National Three Peaks Challenge, climbing the highest peaks in Scotland England and Wales, in under 24hrs, on 23rd August 2022. 

I greatly appreciate your support and thank you in advance for any donation you can give.