Quaggy Community Counselling Service (QCCS) was paused at the start of the Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020; those clients who were receiving counselling at the time were offered the opportunity to complete their therapy on-line. In March 2021 QCCS re-opened with two practising counsellors; clients on the waiting list were contacted and offered either face to face or on-line counselling; the waiting list re-opened in April, and the recruitment of a new counselling team began, to replace those who left whilst the service was not operational. The aim, by the end of 2022 is to have 11 counsellors, in addition to the Counselling Lead, with a combined capacity to work with at least 36 clients per week, with a continuing focus on providing accessible, low cost therapy.
97 referrals were received from April 2021 – March 2022; to meet increased demand created by the impact of Covid-19, and to utilise resources whilst the counselling team is being re-built, QCCS offered 12-week, as opposed to 24-week counselling contracts. QCCS made the offer of face to face counselling to all clients in recognition of the importance of human contact for mental health following successive lock downs. However, the service also adapted to on-line counselling, which proved useful in increasing accessibility, particularly for those with challenging childcare demands who were unable to attend the service for sessions. The service also adapted to on-line counselling which is useful in increasing accessibility, particularly for those with challenging childcare demands. 57 Clients were seen in the year April 2021 to March 2022, 31 completed therapy, 22 were accessing support at the year end, and 4 dropped out. In March 2022 the service had a waiting list of approximately 3-4 months. Over half of clients who engaged with the service in the year were from BAME groups; in the year ahead, QCCS will continue to try and ensure that the counselling team is as reflective of the local community as possible.