A charity which offers low-cost counselling and free mental health support for youngsters has been given a large grant to enable it to help more people.
The National Lottery has awarded Wellspring Counselling a grant of £289,192 to provide cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to young people in secondary schools and community settings over the next three years.
The grant accounts for 75 per cent of the funds for the project and the charity, which is based in Nailsea, is preparing to raise the final £80,000.
Charity director Sarah Rees said: "Wellspring has been given a substantial grant to provide prevention and early intervention CBT for young people in secondary schools and community settings.
"Wellspring is delighted this will enable it to help so many more young people locally over the next three years.
"We are extremely grateful to all those who donate regularly to local charities through The National Lottery."
Wellspring's wellbeing practitioners provide mental health support at four secondary schools, giving young people access to early support to prevent difficulties from escalating.
More: Charity appeals for funds to continue mental health support for students.
The wellbeing practitioners work with young people who are struggling with difficult thoughts and feelings such as stress, anxiety, low mood or depression.
They also help with sleep and behavioural problems and low self-esteem.
The wellbeing practitioners also offer one-to-one sessions for people aged 11-18 over the summer, along with parenting work and group workshops.
Ms Rees added: "Wellspring has been providing affordable counselling for adults for 25 years and free counselling for young people for 10 years.
"These core services are completely separate to the CBT project, and are always struggling for funds.
"Wellspring staff are working hard to ensure they secure the extra £80,000 as well as more funding for their ongoing areas of their work in the local community and are always glad of the support of local people and businesses."
For more information on the one-to-one CBT sessions, group workshops and parenting work, email hattie@wellspringcounselling.org.uk Anyone interested in helping with fundraising events, or donating to the cause, can email Sarah on director@wellspringcounselling.org.uk
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