Extra counsellors in GP surgeries
Operation Times: Mon – Fri 9pm – 5pm
This is a project to provide free culturally appropriate counselling to Burngreave residents due to the high level of need. Counselling involves sharing thoughts and feelings about yourself to reach a better understanding and make appropriate changes.
Two years ago the surgeries in Burngreave had a limited counselling service with one hour counselling per 1,000 patients. This has now more than doubled, thanks to a partnership between the North Sheffield PCT and BNDfC.
The counselling service is based on Minna Road in a fully refurbished annexe to Pitsmoor Surgery. The funding from BNDfC has greatly enhanced the provision of counselling in this area.
We see a variety of different people with diverse issues, including low mood and depression, anxiety and panic, bereavement or loss, loss of confidence and low self-esteem, stress reaction to life events, relationship and sexual issues and trauma.
When people experience emotional difficulties, it can be a frightening and distressing time. Problems can become chronic and impact on daily life, so it is important that people can get help in addressing these issues and enjoy a better quality of life.
Four new part time counselling posts were created and counselling through an interpreter is now offered. The funding has also provided administrative and reception support for the team. There is also a student/trainee placement scheme enhancing training and experience for newly qualified counsellors.
In addition we have developed two new groups:
The Tuesday afternoon group focuses on specific issues such as self- esteem, stress, anxiety management and conflict, resolution.
The Wednesday group is a social group, which helps people to re-establish themselves after a traumatic experience or illness.
The extra funding has allowed us to offer more expertise, expand the service and reduce the waiting times, which is fantastic.