YMCA Bournemouth has unveiled a new low-cost counselling service for residents in Bournemouth and the surrounding area amid increasing cost of living pressures.

People can speak to a trained counsellor either in person or virtually for £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.

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 ymcabournemouth.org.uk/about/full-circle-counselling/