Free counselling for those affected by coronavirus

Counsellors Naeem Akhtar, Paul Bridge and Emma Marshall from Blue Key Alliance

A team of therapists are offering free counselling sessions to care home staff, residents and families of residents who have mental health issues arising out of Covid-19.

Blue Key Alliance Community Interest Company is a counselling service which has three trained therapists Paul Bridge, whose practice is in Bacup, Emma Marshall, from Bacup, and Nadeem Akhtar from Rochdale, along with qualified volunteer counsellor Sue Jones.

They are offering a free confidential online and telephone support service for care homes across Lancashire, including Rochdale, which has been granted nearly £10,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund.

Paul said: “We are very grateful to the National Lottery for supporting us and of course thank you to the people who play the lottery as that enables grants to be offered.

“The funding covers the project for six months so we will be looking to secure additional grants to make sure we can continue to offer our services and hopefully extend the areas where we can work.”

When Covid came to the UK, the counsellors realised there was a need in care homes as patients, family and friends were at risk of mental health problems.

Paul and Nadeem had previously trained together in 2002 and delivered successful back-to-work employment course in Bolton for young people aged 16-19.

Emma, who has worked for Manchester Sensory Support Service, then wrote the company a lottery bid which was successful.

It was while one child was losing her sight, Emma realised there was a need for counselling as she felt the hospital did not offer enough care.

Emma said: “That made me want to retrain as a counsellor.”

Since qualifying in 2019, Emma has volunteered with Mind and as part of her course she volunteered with school counselling service Place 2 Be.

Paul, Nadeema and Emma are also offering Zoom sessions and people can have up to to six-50 minute sessions for free after after which time we can signpost clients to other services or support group if necessary.

The service is being used by care home staff and residents and family and anyone from the project client group can contact Emma on 07762 291 883 or email emma@bka-cic.com or visit www.bka-cic.com.