Listening Post is a Christian Counselling Service, which is available to anyone over 18 regardless of their religion, race, gender or sexual orientation. The work aims to help the client gain a perspective that will enable them to move towards a solution to their problems that they find acceptable.
The service relies on donations and there are no fixed charges. There is an expectation that a realistic contribution will be made but no one is refused help because they cannot afford to make a donation. Trained volunteers do most of the work but there is also a need for a regular income for salaries, rent, heat, light and administration costs. It is a matter of great concern that there is a projected deficit of £16,000 for the coming year. A 10% increase in rent for the Gloucester premises has already been made and it is likely that there will be a considerable increase in Cheltenham when the current lease ends next February. The recession has meant a huge increase in clients who are effected by financial problems which runs alongside a decrease in client and other donations.
In the past two years there has been a significant rise in the number of people self-referring who have severe mental health problems. These people are often unable to engage in one to one counselling and the Cheltenham Centre has been exploring other ways to help. A small grant has been made by Cheltenham Health and Wellbeing Partnership which has enabled a five month pilot study to research and run a 10 session group in problem solving and anxiety management for clients with enduring mental health problems. This work will start in July.
Contact details: Tel 01242 256060 or 01452 383820
Email: lpostcounselling@tesco.net
Internet: www.listeningpost.org.uk
Financial generosity is essential to enable the good work of this local charity to continue. Listening Post also welcomes our individual and church prayer support both for its organisation and its clients.
