HUNDREDS of vulnerable children, adults and families have been helped by Wellington Community Counselling in the past couple of years – and now it wants to expand.

Rhonda Lovell, a former counsellor at Court Fields School in Wellington, set up the service two years ago as a community interest company to provide free and affordable counselling for people in the town.

She was joined by Mark Lithgow and Bob House as directors and is supported by the Wellington One Team, town councillors and Churches Together, among others.

The team of five qualified counsellors has seen many vulnerable children, adults and families, and provided self-employment for counsellors.

The counsellors take referrals from the town’s two doctor’s surgeries, PFSAs connected to the schools and via the www.wellingtoncounselling.co.uk website.

The service has developed steadily and children and adults who need support with their emotional well-being rely on it. The team do not like waiting lists, so try to see everyone as soon as they can, for as long as they need it.

They work hard to provide a reliable and professional service, and are generous in the time they give. Where clients can afford to contribute the minimum charge is £10 a session, with the full cost being £40.

‘We Need Your Help’ is a new campaign the team is launching so Wellington Community Counselling can become a sustainable community asset.

It wants to expand its services to encompass the opening of a Community Wellbeing Centre and continue offering counselling for everyone who needs it.

Rhonda said: “The team wants to ask what you would like from them, to help you and your family and friends achieve positive levels of well-being.

“Local people can get involved by putting themselves forward for a new board of trustees – the team especially needs the help of people with experience in business and fundraising – or by attending a meeting and/or joining the steering group where they can have a say about well-being services in the town. email me to find out more – [email protected]

“Wellington Community Counselling is grateful for financial support from Wellington Town Council, Lottery Awards for All, Somerset West and Taunton Council, Churches Together, Somerset Community Foundation and Waitrose, and has won grants from the Police Commissioner, Carrier Bags for Causes and is currently one of the Co-Op’s good causes.

“Individuals can help by visiting the Wellington Community Counselling website and donate via its ‘Local Giving’ account. To discuss giving in a different way get in touch with me.

“If you are a member of the Co-Op you can select the group as your ‘good cause’ and that will help too. Wellington Co-Op knows all about Wellington Community Counselling and is currently advertising it on its noticeboard in the high street shop.

“The team of counsellors is always open to having more people work with them and if you are someone who wants to be involved go to the website and get in touch.”

CO-OP members need to go online to their membership page and select Wellington Counselling as their good cause, enabling 1 per cent of their total spend at the Co-Op to the organisation.