Daylight Counselling Ltd, the charity offering confidential counselling services throughout the Leigh and Wigan area, is celebrating after receiving over £6,000 in funding from the Coalfields Community Investment Programme.

The funding, which totals £6,050, will be used to pay for three new volunteer counsellors to complete NVQ level 3 over the next year, allowing the organisation to increase its staff from two to five, with a view to add to this in the future.

Once the volunteers have completed their training and induction, they will then work with people from across the local community, offering a confidential counselling service to those who need it the most, helping them to overcome the complex issues they are facing.

Daylight Counselling Ltd provides sensitive and non-judgemental support free of charge to those who are dealing with mental health issues, anxiety and depression, often triggered by bereavement.

Steven Hall, one of Daylight Counselling’s Directors, said: “As an organisation we have a waiting list of over three months and we don’t have the resources to see people as quickly as we would like. This means that people are not receiving the proper care and attention they need when they need it the most.”

“Thanks to the funding from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust we’re able to reach out to these people, provide them with a professional service to help them to resolve mental health issues, making a real difference to their lives both now and in the future.”

Stephen Abson, Development Manager (England) for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, added: “Bereavement and mental health problems can be hugely detrimental to people’s lives. Thanks to services provided by organisations just like Daylight, people in coalfield communities are able to get the support they need, but often fail to receive.”

“We know that there are huge pressures facing local services in the coalfields and by working in these areas we’re able to provide local organisations and charities with the resources they need to make a positive impact and reduce the pressures facing services under pressure such as the NHS.”

The Coalfields Community Investment Programme supports organisations and programmes of activity that meet with three key criteria; to address skills, employment or health and wellbeing through funding support and a free practical support service.

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