Counselling service wins award
A counselling organisation that has helped almost 4,000 people has received an award for its work.
Based in Oswestry U&I Counselling is a professional, voluntary service that helps clients of all ages referred by doctors and other health agencies.
Its work can range from helping teenagers with anxieties to people with addictions, individuals, couples and families.
The community interest company says it is busier that ever, particularly with its work with children and young people and currently has a waiting list of clients. It says more financial support would help it to offer even more counselling.
The service recently won the Oswestry civic community award, presented by mayor, Councillor Vince Hunt.
"This is a wonderful organisation that works under the radar," he said.
"It works with people of all ages helping with mental health issues and does great work with young people."
Team leader, Wendy Hickson, said anxiety among children was endemic.
"So much is expected of children today and educational pressure is one of the factors," she said.
"There are completely different demands on young people today and, although everyone talks about children's mental health there is very little out there that helps with it.
"Their problems can affect the whole family - it is heartbreaking as a parent to see your child struggling to cope."
As well as helping young people U&I Counselling can help with a wide range of issues.
Wendy said U&I Counselling had a team of 26 counsellors who all gave their services voluntarily.
"We have continued professional development and we have to run our counselling suite in English Walls.
"We are extremely grateful that the mayor nominated us as one of his charities during his year in office. We also recently received a donation from the Oswestry Bonfire committee for our work looking at issues in mid life.
"If there are companies out there who would like to help us fund the work we do we would love to meet them."
"We are really proud of our team of counsellors, without whom we could not exist," she said.
Councillor Hunt said: "This organisation is growing, is respected and is essential in dealing with
the issues that life throws at us."
Anyone who thinks that U&I Counselling could help them should contact Wendy on
