Welcome to our News page where you can read about events, updates, what’s new, our supporters, campaigns and more.
What's New
Welcome to Willows – take a look at the services and training available with us and get in touch
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Willows is officially a Recognised Counselling Service and organisational member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society – a distinct mark of quality and recognition.
We are delighted to be one of the first organisations to be an officially Recognised Counselling Service.
Thank you to everyone, past and present, whose contribution continues to positively impact our work, enabling us to achieve this important milestone.
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Updates
Willows Updates
We greatly appreciate your support and wanted to share with you some of what we are doing – click here to read more.
Highlights include:
– Community Partnerships.
– Training opportunities.
– Support for Volunteering and Fundraising.
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Read about some of the things we did last year – click here to read more.
Highlights include:
– Two Counselling Rooms received a complete refurbishment thanks to support from the Wiltshire Community Foundation.
– The launch of our new website and revamp of our branding.
Community Connections
Volunteer Centre Swindon is part of a national network of Volunteering Development Agencies. They work with individuals, groups and organisations in the voluntary sector to promote, support and develop volunteering in the community.
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Healthwatch Swindon is the independent champion for people who use health and social care services. They aim to understand the needs, experiences and concerns of people who use health and social care services and to speak out on their behalf.
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Voluntary Action Swindon (VAS) is the Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) in Swindon. We are pleased to be one of the many charities it supports. It’s also a forum through which we and local voluntary, community and statutory sector organisations can communicate with each other and work together.
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We are pleased to be part of We Are Swindon. A campaign promoting a #PositiveSwindon and the charities that support the community.
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It’s great to be a Member of the SSEN, the place where those working in and want to start or support social enterprise in Swindon can collaborate.
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Events, Courses & Workshops
Our Next Training Course & Workshops
We thought you might be interested in our next Level 2 Counselling Skills training course coming up in January 2023 and our workshops taking place later this year. Take a look and email Linda for more information at training-enquiries@willowscounselling.org.uk or call 01793 426650.
Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (CPCAB) | Willows Counselling & Training
Willows Workshops
Our annual programme of workshops for Continuing Professional Development, or CPD, are suitable for all to attend, including those working in a wide range of fields e.g. education, business, pastoral, social, charity and community groups. Our next workshops are listed below. Click the link to find out more and to book your place https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/willows-counselling-amp-training-30343729600.
Play – A Vital Force for Life Enhancement – Saturday 1 October 2022.
Treasures of Darkness: Working With Our Shadow – Saturday 5 November 2022.
Vacancies
Vacancies for qualified and experienced Volunteer Counsellors
We are recruiting for qualified and experienced Volunteer Counsellors.
Are you able to commit to seeing a minimum of two clients a week? Hours are flexible and sessions can be either in person at our centre in Old Town, Swindon, online or by telephone. Please email Amanda at counselling@willowscounselling.org.uk or phone 01793 426 650.
In return we have a great package for you:
- We are an officially Recognised Counselling Service which is a distinct mark of quality.
- We are a CPCAB Level 2-to-5 training provider.
- We have a wide and diverse clientele group, with a mix of short, medium and long term work.
- Free training on our Stabilisation Programme which is based on our research in conjunction with Bath University.
- Free individual Supervision.
- Free and reduced rates for our Continuing Professional Development programme of workshops.
- Free car parking.
What's the word on Willows
A Client commented, “Counselling completely changed my life and I am extremely grateful to Willows and my Counsellor.”
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“Without Willows help through counselling I don’t think I would still be here. They really helped me to understand that I am not responsible for everyone”, said a Client.
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A Counsellor said,“It is a privilege to work with people who are determined to work through difficult situations and experiences. Going through the excellent training programmes at Willows, I am fully able to support clients as Willows has supported me.”
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“Willows has been a valued part of our Swindon community for many years and I have been very pleased to visit and engage with them as South Swindon’s MP”. Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP Member of Parliament for South Swindon.
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A Client remarked, “Working with a Counsellor at Willows was lifesaving. Without Willows I might not be alive. Talking and being listened to was vitally important.”
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“Willows has been providing vital support for people experiencing mental health problems for over 30 years. Key to Willows’ success has been its close relationship with the local community, which has seen the group enjoy support from a number of local organisations – such as Haydon Wick Parish Council, Swindon Borough Council, Marlborough Anglican Team and Wiltshire Community Foundation. The last couple of years have been very difficult for many people, and this has had an impact on their mental health. Willows has been there to provide essential care a guidance during this time, making a real difference to people’s lives.” Justin Tomlinson, North Swindon Conservative MP.
We would like to thank the Wiltshire Community Foundation for their past and continuing support of our work. Their grants support projects like ours to improve the lives of people in Wiltshire and Swindon. The WCF are particlulary focused on supporting grassroots and small to medium-sized organisations that are working with people on low incomes.
Thank you Persimmon Community Champions for supporting us with your kind donation. You can read all about it at Persimmon who have supported thousands of community groups and charities over the years and we are pleased to be one of them.
Thank you The Handy Mag Swindon for supporting us in the November 2021 issue. It’s an independently run magazine delivered free in Swindon about Swindon.
In March 2020, Arnold Clark launched their first ever Community Fund in order to provide financial help to community groups and charities that had been significantly affected by the coronavirus pandemic. We would like to extend our warmest thanks to the Arnold Clark Community Fund for their contribution to our work.
We were delighted to receive a grant from the National Benevolent Charity. Your support of organisations like ours, helps us to improve the lives of others.
Thank you to the Zurich Community Trust for supporting us and the wider community too. We look forward to continue building our relationship and being able to do more work together in 2022.
Sincere thanks to the Albert Hunt Trust for their donation to our work. They are a grant giving charitable trust that supports local charities throughout the United Kingdom.
Thank you to the Asda Foundation via Asda Swindon Haydon for their support through their Green Token Giving Support.
We were delighted to receive a donation from the Jack Lane Charitable Trust who do great work in supporting charitable organisations for the benefit of the communities in North Wiltshire and South Gloucestershire.