A new not-for-profit group which offers free mental health and relationship counselling has received almost £10,000 in National Lottery Funding to help support its work.
Lowton-based Emotional Wellbeing Group will use the funding to run a weekly online drop-in service, using text-based chat to provide free access to relationship counsellors. The service will also be able to signpost people towards sources of information and support they may also find helpful. The funding will enable them to focus on the mental health and relationship needs of people who have been affected by COVID-19.
About Emotional Wellbeing Group
Emotional Wellbeing Group is a new non-profit organisation formed this year. It is founded and staffed by three counsellors: Anna Palin-Swift, Stephanie Palin and Kim Edgell, who were motivated to set up the group after seeing the need for accessible support to help people experiencing relationship problems.
Anna Palin-Swift said: “This type of remote counselling is especially important right now because it means that people who have been impacted financially or who are worried about meeting in person due to the pandemic, can access this support from their own homes or wherever they feel most comfortable and at no cost.”
The group will run three sessions on Tuesdays, where both individuals and couples can chat with a counsellor. They will provide a listening ear and the opportunity to talk freely about what has been affecting them. In return, they’ll be offered guidance, tools and signposting to help them move forwards with whatever is affecting their relationships and mental health.
The new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, will see these sessions run until April 2021.
Anna said: “We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way.
“Now, thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to help so many members of our community who may not have known where to turn or may not have had the resources to access private support.”
How can I access support from Emotional Wellbeing Group?
Visit the Emotional Wellbeing Group website where you’ll find information, news and self-help tools to support people experiencing relationship challenges as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic. You’ll also find details of their counselling services. You can also find them on Facebook.
Pictured top are Stephanie Palin (left) and Anna Palin-Swift, Directors of Emotional Wellbeing Group.