A COUNSELLING service set up by Christians with the aim of providing accessible and affordable assistance will soon be marking its fourth anniversary.

The Oaks counselling service was established in February 2010 by a small group of people who felt called by God to start the service.

They were all either trained counsellors or in the process of training and could see a need for a charitable service providing professional, face-to-face counselling for individuals and couples.

Nearly four years later, the team consists of seven coun-sellors and an administrator and they are just about to take on a trainee. They welcome any-one of any age who is experiencing problems or diffi-culties, whether they have a faith or not.

All clients are asked to pay something but the fees are reduced for people on low incomes. They aim never to refuse anyone counselling because of a lack of funds.

They have also recently started working with the eating disorder charity i-eat, with a GP referral agency called Gateway and with Bournemouth council, offering support to carers of people who have stroke-related conditions.

John Berridge, one of the founding members, said they were also seeing more and more people with financial problems. “We believe we should provide an affordable service,” he said.

“This year we’ve found that very few clients can afford to pay the full fee and we have a bursary fund available to help in some circumstances. But we would encourage the person to pay even a nominal fee because it is an indication of their seriousness and willingness to engage.”

The charity’s running costs are between £3,000 and £5,000 a year and counsellors mainly work from home, but are looking at opening a new facility in the future.

“We try and pray and ask God for his continued direction as to what work we should be doing,” he said. “We feel he would want us to move forward.”

The team is keen to hear from anyone interested in counselling or anyone who could help with fundraising.

Their number is 07580 502179, email is oakscounselling@gmail.com and website is oakscounselling.org.uk