More About Us
There may be times in our lives when we all feel unable to cope. The St Barnabas’ vision is a simple one – to help those facing emotional problems who cannot manage this from their own resources, where those less able to pay are not excluded from counselling.
Founded in 1974 our Centre is one of the largest in the region. We take clients (many referred by GPs) from all over Norfolk and some parts of Suffolk.
The St Barnabas Ethos:
- Non-discriminating - we see people regardless of their
background, problem or current circumstances. Individuals can self-refer and we
accept referrals from GPs.
- Affordable - in every case we take into account our
clients’ ability to pay. Often those most in need of
counselling are least able to pay. Many clients contribute the recommended minimum of £15 per session while the true cost of counselling is around £30 per session (private counsellors may charge £35 - £50). Many of our clients would have no other counselling opportunity available.
- Flexible counselling services - clients choose for
how long and how often they come . We support our clients until they themselves
feel a resolution has been reached.
- Experienced - our counsellors have not only undergone
years of training but many are highly experienced.
- Professional and ethical - our work is underpinned by
an Advisory Council of mental health professionals.
- Volunteers - all our counsellors work voluntarily.
- Support for counsellors - we support counsellors
through training placements, and provide them with in-house supervision provided by paid, fully qualified supervisors. In addition, the Centre holds training seminars and invites speakers - some known internationally - to talk on specialised areas of counselling.
Around 25% of people have suffered from depression or other
mental illness in the UK and demand for counselling continues to
rise. We currently have 25 volunteer counsellors (and 9 volunteer reception staff). We support and help clients with a very wide range of issues/problems: some suffer stress and anxiety, depression and despair, eating disorders, bereavement; others want to rescue their relationships or their life.
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Funding at St Barnabas
We hold our own fundraising events and gain valuable support from
businesses and the public, whilst other income comes from client
donations and Friends of St Barnabas. We also rely on the generosity
and goodwill of Charitable Trusts (we receive no government or NHS
support and are responsible for all our own funding).
This year we need to raise £5,000 to fund this work - to meet the
demand for counselling, to provide continued training and other
opportunities for counsellors, to support our reception staff – and
just to maintain the warm, caring and supportive atmosphere that we
aim for at St Barnabas.
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If you would like to help the
Centre financially please
contact our administrator, Kelvin Smith, on admin@stbcc.org.com
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Many thanks for your support.
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