We're a Chester-based charity offering counselling and art/play therapy support to children, young people and parents/carers from low income households and experiencing mental health issues.
Our focus is on strengthening family relationships and creating more stable and nurturing environments for children. Our aim is to stop the cycle of poor mental health being passed down from one generation to the next and, through early intervention, prevent it becoming a life-long disability.
“My mental health has improved more than I could have hoped for. These sessions have changed not only my life but my son’s too, as I'm now strong enough to provide what we both need. “ Adult
We accept referrals from schools (who can also refer parent/carers of pupils), GPs, health visitors, midwives and other community-based agencies and charities who our clients interact with. As part of our family focused approach, we offer all referrers the opportunity to make referrals for children and young people, as well as parents and carers. There is also an option for parents/carers to refer themselves or another family member directly into our service. Clients present with a range of mild to more complex mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation, behavioural issues, low self-esteem, stress and sleep disturbances.
Our charity has been referred to as a priceless resource and our service is designed to make it as easy as possible for those who fall through the net of mainstream mental health services and can't afford private therapy to get the help they need for themselves and/or other members of their family.
When we receive a referral we make contact with a client as quickly as possible to tell them a bit more about our service and the process in terms of them being allocated a therapist.
Our aim is to build a relationship of trust with them as soon as they are referred that can then carry on into their work with a counsellor.
“Flexible, easy to contact and very supportive. Only service I know of that offers this outstanding, quality support.” School referrer
Our therapists are qualified to Degree or Masters level in counselling and/or art/play therapy and have experience of working successfully with clients living with multiple challenges. We believe this level of qualification and experience is essential as the clients we work with are often living with multiple challenges and have suffered significant trauma.
