Counselling service in Harborough records one of its busiest months

Bower House on Coventry Road has just had one of its busiest months since being set up 20 years ago.

The Christian counselling charity took on 44 new clients last month – compared to 32 in January last year.

And the crucial town centre operation gave 3,191 hours of counselling to thankful local people in 2019.

That’s a hefty 469 more hours than its therapists delivered in 2018.

Administrator Andrea Ziebis told the Harborough Mail: “We had 44 new clients come to us last month – and that’s one of the highest numbers we can remember.

“We are a very busy service and getting busier all the time.

“We are not sure exactly why that is but maybe other similar services are closing down – making us even more important.

“More and more people are coming to us for help and we work flat out to see each and every one.”

She spoke out as Harborough mum Beverley Harper supports Bower House after her son Michael Smith, 31, tragically killed himself after he was seriously sexually assaulted.

“Beverley has raised over £2,500 for our charity and we would like to say a massive thank you to her and her family.

“She’s been so brave coming out to talk about her son Michael and to highlight the invaluable work we do here,” said Andrea, of Harborough.

“The money she’s handed us is our lifeblood.

“We rely solely on voluntary contributions from clients as well as donations from local organisations, churches and charities.

“We can’t stress that enough.

“We don’t get any official funding or grants.

“We also stage our own fundraising events to help keep us going.

“But people like Beverley are brilliant – and we are very grateful to her.”

The mum-of-two said they have about 50 counsellors and 30 support staff at the very impressive Bower House.

“All of our therapists are professional and highly qualified.

“They are all fantastic listeners and have helped no end of people for all sorts of reasons in the Harborough area over the years,” said Andrea.

“They are all volunteers – as are our amazing support workers.

“So almost every penny we are given is ploughed back into the service we offer.

“It costs us £1,000 a week to run Bower House so every donation is absolutely vital.

“You can refer yourself to us.

“Give us a call and come in for an initial assessment.

“The process of counselling is then developed from the first point of contact.”

Harborough born and bred, Andrea said they can only support people within a 10-mile radius of Harborough.

“We get calls from people as far away as Leicester and Corby.

“But we were founded to help local people in Harborough and surrounding villages,” she said.

“I came here myself back in 2003 after my mum Mavis died.

“I was struggling and Bower House really helped me so I can talk from first-hand experience.

“We are an incredible asset to Market Harborough.

“We counsel, help and support all sorts of people with all sorts of worries, anxieties and issues.

“We are a Christian counselling service but we are here to help people of what ever race, disability, gender, class, religion or culture.”

Andrea said they operate a separate bereavement service and now provide specialist help for children as well.

Service co-ordinator Trisha Gibbard, who’s also a fully-trained counsellor, told the Mail: “Counselling is a powerful thing for people who find themselves in dark places.

“We have turned people’s lives around and pulled them back from the edge.”

She said they have a two-month waiting list at the moment after January’s flood of referrals.

“We are used to living hand-to-mouth here.

“We have a magnificent group of volunteers and we appreciate the generosity and support of the people of Market Harborough,” said Trisha, a mum-of-three.

“We offer people up to 40 weeks counselling.

“We are always looking for new volunteers so please check out our website and give us a ring if you would like to get involved.

“This town has got a fantastic community.

“And all being well we’ll be here for the next 20 years at least to get behind our local people.”

If you would like to help please visit the Bower House website at: http://www.bowerhouse.btck.co.ukAnd you can call the service on 01858 469257.