YMCA Bournemouth is to help cash-strapped residents.

It has unveiled a new low-cost service whereby individuals can speak to a trained counsellor either in person or virtually for just £35 per 50-minute session – typically 25 per cent less than similar services currently offered within the BCP area. All sessions are one-to-one and last 50 minutes.

Amanda Clark, counselling lead at YMCA Bournemouth, said: “There is a need for more therapeutic services to match the growing demand for mental health support in Dorset. Statistics are continuing to emerge demonstrating the demand for counselling – the Office for National Statistics recently reported that deaths from suicide in Dorset increased by a third between 2020 and 2021.

“General counselling services are difficult to access, often coming hand-in-hand with high-cost implications and long waiting lists. While some mental health problems can be attributed to specific issues like bereavement or addiction, others are less apparent. Not everyone knows the root of their issues when they seek counselling, so we need more provisions to help people unearth the causes and find the right support.”

The new service is an extension of YMCA Bournemouth’s existing offering which, last year alone, accommodated more than 100 clients, volunteers, and YMCA employees – with more than 850 counselling hours provided.

Amanda Clark continued: “We set up our counselling service six years ago, initially to support our existing clients, who often face difficult life circumstances or events. This was then extended to our staff and volunteers.

“We saw a spark of demand during lockdown as many people couldn’t access wellbeing services, and our counsellor workforce grew to accommodate this need. Now, we’re proud to be able to serve BCP communities with our extended service – particularly at a time where so many people are struggling with continually increasing costs. The cost of living crisis will no doubt have a knock-on effect on people’s mental health over time as it brings more fear and uncertainty, so counselling services will be more crucial than ever before in offering reassurance and support.”

YMCA Bournemouth’s Full Circle counselling service is available for adults, young people, and children (aged 11+) as a weekly face-to-face, online video, or telephone appointment. More information can be found at: https://www.ymcabournemouth.org.uk/about/full-circle-counselling/