Support service Wellington Community Counselling is reaching out to local people after receiving financial backing from the town council.

The council supported a three-year agreement to fund counselling at no cost or very low cost to adults, young people, children and families in the town at a recent meeting.

Wellington Community Counselling’s founder Rhonda Lovell said: “I am delighted that this funding will allow us to support to more people living or working in Wellington, and children attending Wellington schools. This type of support is vital and in some cases life-saving but the cost can put it out of people’s reach.”

The service offers individual counselling sessions – being carried out online or by phone at present – and a range of well-being courses which people can take part in as well as, or instead of, counselling, and also online at present.

Rhonda added: “The town council’s understanding of the benefits of counselling is greatly appreciated. Life is not easy at present and if people are experiencing difficulties, professional advice can help them to find ways of understanding their situation – or that of a member of their family – hopefully find solutions and feel more in control, so they and their family can feel happier and more optimistic.”

An overwhelming majority of town councillors supported the project, including Deputy Mayor Mark Lithgow and Andrew Govier, who have both worked with Rhonda and others to get the counselling service up and running.

Cllr Lithgow said: “I was really pleased the town council supported this excellent initiative. The current Covid-19 crisis has added to the challenges people face and having this service means there is another channel of support in the town. The fact the council has supported it means it will be available to all, regardless of their ability to pay. I know how hard Rhonda and others have worked to get this service established and how well respected it is by local professionals.”

People looking for support can contact the service themselves, or be referred by their GP, other health professional or a parent and family support adviser.

Cllr Govier added:‘ “We know lots of people are really struggling at the moment both emotionally and financially. This service will provide professional support to people when they need it. I was involved in discussions several years ago when local GPs raised the fact that there was no service like this available for people and there was a desperate need. I know councillors were impressed with the testimonials from local professionals who had referred people to it and the fact it has a proven track record of helping people.”

Anyone who would like to find out more should go to the website, www.wellington-counselling.co.uk, or call 01823 765144 for a chat. All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence and each client will receive a clinical assessment.