Growing demand for counselling service

Wellspring Therapy and Training, the Harrogate-based counselling and training centre, is moving into new premises to cope with the growing demand.

The charity is relocating from Prospect Road, Starbeck, to nearby St Andrew’s Vicarage, which has recently been bought by the Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation.

Wellspring will lease the vicarage and will be moving in next year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The respected charity, founded in 2003, provides affordable short and long-term counselling for the Harrogate and district community.

Emily Fullarton, the Executive Director of Wellspring, explained: “The demand for our services in the Harrogate area is growing fast, which is why we need to expand. We have been very happy with our premises at Prospect Road, but they simply aren’t big enough now.”

“In the UK, one in four people will experience a mental health issue at least once in their lifetime. According to local research, many people in Harrogate assume because it is a ‘nice town’ people don’t struggle with these issues. That simply isn’t true. There is a huge demand in Harrogate for our services and it’s increasing. The NHS, which is responsible for mental health care, needs our support. In 2015, for example, 44 per cent of our referrals came from the NHS.

“Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation, we have found the perfect premises to move into. St Andrew’s Vicarage is only half a mile away from where we are now, on Starbeck High Street,” explained Emily. “It’s beyond what we could have imagined.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The Foundation has paid a significant sum to provide premises for us, which is a massive vote of confidence in Wellspring, the services we offer and our future objectives. We hope very much that other charities and funders will share this confidence as we move forward.”

The charity now needs to raise a further £200,000 for refurbishment work to make St Andrew’s Vicarage suitable as a counselling and training centre.

Emily added: “Everyone can see that more support is needed in the Harrogate area to cope with the crisis in mental health and we are now launching an appeal to help us provide that support. We need help to help those in need.

“What makes Wellspring’s work unique is that we offer affordable long-term, open-ended counselling where needed. Unfortunately, this type of therapy is not currently widely available from the NHS. Most private counselling typically costs between £40-60 for each session, but many of our clients are unable to afford this.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We aim to restore hope, develop resilience and facilitate positive change in people’s lives. We are passionate about enabling people to find healing and seeing them move towards emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing.”

To donate to the Wellspring Appeal, phone the team on 01423 881881 or visit the website www.wellspringtherapy.co.uk

Related topics: