Wellspring Therapy & Training, the Harrogate-based counselling service, has been praised by the High Sheriff of North Yorkshire, Clare Granger.
High Sheriff praises "inspirational" mental health charity in Harrogate The “inspirational” service by provided by Wellspring Therapy & Training in Harrogate has been praised by the High Sheriff of North Yorkshire, Clare Granger. The High Sheriff visited the counselling service's headquarters at the former St Andrew’s Vicarage in Starbeck. She revealed she was “incredibly impressed by the warmth, friendliness and inclusivity” of the charity, which, she added, “was providing a vitally important service in extremely challenging times for mental health.” She said:
“It was a tremendous privilege to hear about the vital work Wellspring are doing. This is a charity that deserves our fullest support. "It is no secret that the National Health Service is struggling to cope with the demand on its mental health services and Wellspring is helping, in a focused and pro-active way, in helping to ease this burden. “It is no exaggeration to say that almost all of us, either directly or indirectly, have been affected by mental health challenges and it was humbling to witness such a dedicated group of counsellors and volunteers working so hard and with such commitment to ease such a pressing problem.”The well-respected charity, which was founded in 2003, provides affordable short and long-term counselling, on a pay-as-you-can-basis, for the Harrogate and district community. Emily Fullarton, the executive director of Wellspring, said:
“We were absolutely delighted to welcome Clare Granger, the High Sheriff of North Yorkshire, to Wellspring. It was a great honour to show her around our premises and counselling rooms and to explain in detail what we do. “Clare and her husband Mark had attended our 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner at the Crown Hotel in Harrogate in November and, as a result, she was keen to learn more about the charity. "We are thrilled that she has taken such an interest in our work and we hope her visit will help to highlight what we do and what we are trying to achieve.”Emily added:
“This has been a very exciting 12 months for us, as we celebrated our 20th anniversary. Apart from the Gala Dinner, we held a special church service in Starbeck, led by our patron Rt Rev Nick Baines, the Bishop of Leeds. “These two events illustrated how a small local charity has survived and thrived during the past 20 years and how we have tackled the problem of increasing poor mental health, anxiety and depression, which has threatened to overwhelm the NHS. 'We are proud of what we have achieved and look forward to building on this during the next 20 years."The demand for Wellspring’s services from children and young people aged between four and 18 has never been higher, according to Emily Fullarton, Wellspring’s executive director. She said:
“There are a number of reasons, some interlinked, for this increase in demand. "The pandemic is one, of course, as is the relentless pressure of social media and exams. The cost-of-living crisis has meant that many families are struggling to make ends meet and this has a knock-on effect on family dynamics and the atmosphere at home. “Through counselling, children and young people can re-gain trust in people, have a greater sense of themselves and their identity, develop and improve their confidence, self-esteem, resilience, emotional wellbeing and reduce feelings of anxiety, distress, isolation and loneliness.”Emily added:
“There are major challenges ahead. Unfortunately, we have been unable to grow the number of counselling sessions we offer due to a lack of suitably qualified people looking for placements and work. "This, alongside the lack of funding available for these services, has led to a stagnation in the growth of our service and a massive gap in the provision of services to children and young people.”If you would like to donate to Wellspring, please visit www.wellspringtherapy.co.uk and select the donate button. Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.
Harrogate MP joins volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels
'Cruel and controlling': Harrogate man jailed after years of abuse
Harrogate Brewing Co win awards for region's best beer
Ripon pub owners named national winners of community award
Knaresborough pubs to host premiere of festive film shot in the town
Air ambulance rescue teenager after horror quad bike crash near Pateley Bridge
Country estate set to be powered by solar energy
Harrogate law firm retains top-tier recognition in UK legal guides
Your Harrogate to launch Lewis Capaldi ticket giveaway during Stray Bonfire
Harrogate strongman set to compete for British title
Calls for Yorkshire Water Chief to resign following "immoral and unjustifiable" offshore payments
Long-established Harrogate tech shop set to move to bigger premises
Warnings after confirmation of bird flu in North Yorkshire
First look at Harewood House's Bridgerton-inspired Christmas
Harrogate's most festive pub to return this month
Ripon hotel scoops two national awards following public vote
Remembrance Sunday: Events, parades and road closures
Harrogate care residents race wheelchairs in support of Meals on Wheels
Harrogate stay and play café announces 'heartbreaking' closure
Newly refurbished pub near Knaresborough named among best in UK
