Phone counselling service will help beat lockdown misery
People in Ferguslie Park who are struggling to cope with lockdown can get help from a free telephone counselling service.
The Tannahill Cent re has secured £ 25,680 from the Scottish Government’s Wellbeing Fund to set up a telephone counselling service from the Scottish Government’s Wellbeing Fund.
The service will be delivered in partnership with Lifelink, a mental health and well-being charity and social enterprise that already provides counselling services across the West of Scotland.
Counselling sessions would take place with a fully qualified counsellor over the phone or by video call, with each session lasting for an hour. Each person would receive up to eight weekly sessions.
Jacqui Taylor, chief executive of Lifelink, said they know people are struggling.
“We’re still in the midst of this pandemic and we don’t know what the lasting effects of the current lockdown will be,” she said. “But we do know from speaking to existing clients that people are struggling with a tsunami of emotions caused by the sudden upheaval that we find ourselves living through.
“With social distancing in place, some of our clients might be going all week without really having a conversation with anyone other than the hour they spend with a Lifelink counsellor.
“For these clients, that call truly becomes a lifeline.
“It can also be really helpful to talk to someone who isn’t in your friends or family network.
“Lifelink’s team of friendly and experienced counsellors are at hand to help with issues that may be troubling you.
“It doesn’t matter how big or small your concerns may seem, you can talk to Lifelink for free.”
Catrina Miller, group chief executive at the Tannahill Centre, said they have already had “incredibly positive” feedback from Paisley folk who’ve used the service.
She added: “Those who have shared with us that they are accessing the service told us they have been given an appointment straight away, and this is unlike many other counselling services they have tried to access where they are put on a long waiting list.
“We are all finding lockdown difficult, and getting this help can make a big difference.
“We’ve been unable to meet friends and family who are often our support network. At the same time many of us are stuck at home with no breathing space.
“Many of us have been worrying about friends and family who are key workers or unwell, worrying about jobs and worrying about education.
“It’s all very stressful, and we hope this new service will support people to deal with this”.
Anyone interested in the service can call 0141 552 4434, or go to www.lifelink.org.uk to make a referral online quoting the Tannahill Centre when making the initial appointment.
People are struggling with a tsunami of emotions caused by the sudden upheaval