St Andrews Counselling has grown in recent times, offering free mental health support for those facing barriers through wait times or cost.
St Andrews Counselling has grown over the past three years, developing a free community counselling service for people who face barriers to accessing mental health support, including cost and waiting times. Julie recently led the expansion of the team to include three student counsellors and three fully qualified counsellors.
As Counselling Coordinator, Julie recognises the importance of community initiatives that help people access support and encourage conversations about mental health and suicide prevention.
So, through the Shropshire Council Orange Button community scheme, Julie has recently broadened her understanding in suicide prevention.
“Driving accessibility to adequate mental health support is vital for all communities. Having volunteered in multiple churches in the Midlands and South-East, I’ve seen first hand the trauma people are carrying every day, without getting any closer to getting the support they need.”
Julie initially began as a student counsellor, working with the leadership team at St Andrew’s Church, Shifnal to establish the foundations of a free counselling service for the local community.
Through involvement with Shropshire Council’s Orange Button community scheme, Julie is building her understanding of how to recognise people who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts and help them find appropriate support.
“Since forming St Andrews Counselling we have slowly built the team and service, but more importantly continued to gain CPD among the team to better understand the needs of the community. Having now joined the Orange Button Network – to listen and identify those seeking support specifically with suicide prevention – we will continue to better serve local individuals,families, and the wider community”
St Andrews Counselling is a free service made possible through collaboration between St Andrew’s Church in Shifnal and Inner Wild Counselling. Together, they aim to make counselling support more accessible to people in the local community.
Media contact
Julie Bickers | press@innerwildcounselling.co.uk | 07946 611136
Recent Press Releases
- Shifnal Counselling Coordinator Joins Suicide Prevention Initiative
Julie Bickers, Counselling Coordinator at St Andrews Counselling in Shifnal, has joined Shropshire Council’s Orange Button community scheme to deepen her understanding of suicide prevention and help more people find the support they need.
