Counselling service given £45k to help meet demand

A counselling service has been awarded £45,000 over three years to help expand and sustain its work for islanders.

The Guernsey Counselling Service (GCS) has been given the funding from the Lloyds Bank Foundation for the Channel Islands during what the service called a "time of growing demand for mental health support".

The charity provides professional counselling and support to adults in Guernsey suffering issues including anxiety, depression, trauma and relationship difficulties.

GCS said it had delivered 798 counselling sessions last year, about 21% more than in 2024, and it had succeeded in reducing waiting times for the States of Guernsey's counselling services.

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GCS chairman Martin Thornton said it was important to provide for all.

He said: "Demand for counselling support continues to grow across the island, and we know that many people would struggle to access private counselling services without charitable support.

"Our aim is to ensure that nobody is prevented from receiving help because of their financial circumstances."

Thornton said the service operated on a flexible contribution basis, asking clients to pay what they could afford so financial circumstances would not be a barrier to access.

"This funding gives us greater security and stability as we continue improving our services, reducing waiting times and supporting islanders facing a wide range of mental health and wellbeing challenges," he added.

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