Counselling hub is reopening thanks to vital funds after storm damage

A busy Blackpool counselling centre which was forced to shut last year after being wrecked by massive storm is set to reopen.

Counselling In The Community (CITC) has been awarded £40,000 to complete urgent repair works at its building on Waterloo Road, in South Shore.

And to protect the charity’s future, further money – up to £100,000 – has been earmarked to allow for the purchase of the premises.

The funding has come from the government’s Pride of Place Impact Fund, which is allocating a share of £1.5m to the UK’s more deprived communities.

The charity was forced to close its hub in late October after storms caused extensive damage to the building, leaving more than 100 people at risk of no access to their therapy sessions.

Now it is set to reopen again before summer, thanks to vital money plugging a funding gap for repairs. The charity had already invested in creating a new sensory room at the centre and is now using its repairs work to improve accessibility in the building and add two extra counselling suites.

Stuart Hutton-Brown, CEO and Founder of CITC, said: “Without this money, we wouldn’t have been able to open our Waterloo Hub again. That would have left 100 or so people without access to affordable support. Storm damage meant water ingress had seriously damaged our ceilings, walls and floors.

“I’d sent Cllr Williams at the council an email outlining the issues that were going to arise if we didn’t get this place back open. She rang me personally. I feel people need to know that the council is very responsive to its community.

“Now, instead of 100 people needing support from GPs or A&E or otherwise, they can continue to be supported by the professionals and volunteers who they’ve already been building trusted relationships with here. We’re so grateful for the Pride in Place funding to make this happen.”

The Pride of Place Impact Fund, now being allocated to projects by Blackpool Council, is to be used to make immediate improvements to shared spaces, high streets and the public realm.

CITC is just one of the first to benefit from this fund, with more projects soon to be announced, including others at South Shore.

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “I’m so pleased we’ve been able to help this important local charity and the hundreds of residents it supports. We know that early support is essential in helping to make people more resilient and communities more secure, and charities can offer lifeline services.

“Counselling in the Community is not only a trusted, respected provider for our town, but a safe community space for the South Shore community, so we were happy to be able to use the Pride in Place Impact Fund to support them.”

Running three bases across South Shore, Bispham, and Cleveleys, CITC offers therapy to around 160 children, adults and families every week. Its affordable, accessible sessions start from just £5.

The charity’s team of paid professionals and volunteers have extended hours at the Bispham and Cleveleys hubs since November to accommodate sessions for those usually attending Waterloo Road.

Mr Hutton-Brown added: “We’ve been able to offer sessions for some of our service users but for many travelling to those hubs isn’t affordable or feasible, so reopening is really important.”

Chris Webb, MP for Blackpool South, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that the Council and I have agreed this funding through the Pride in Place Impact Fund I secured in Parliament to refurbish and reopen the Counselling in the Community Hub on Waterloo Road.

“After the horrific flooding at the end of last year, it was vital that we stepped in to protect this essential service. The charity’s absence on Waterloo Road has been felt keenly by the community, who need it more than ever in the wake of the recent fire. This funding not only restores what was lost but secures the building for the charity’s future and creates a new shared community space that local people can benefit from for years to come.

“Counselling in the Community does incredible work supporting people’s mental health, and I’m proud that we’ve been able to back them in this way.”