A donations-based mental health counselling service will open a new site this month to support hundreds of patients and ease Bromley Council’s waiting list.
Westmeria Counselling Services, which have been in Bickley for 22 years, have acquired a building in central Bromley to continue hosting low-cost counselling sessions, priced at £6.
Westmeria offer up to 24 counselling sessions to all Bromley residents over 18, with no age limit, via a self-sign up, unlike NHS Bromley services who provide six sessions.
Westmeria chief executive officer Sue Doughty said: “No referrals, no hoops to jump through.
“Anyone can come – you just need to call us.”
The charity’s volunteer staff currently support 200 patients each week, with many taken on from the council, and the new location is expected to create 120 additional spaces.
Doughty reiterated the organisation’s commitment to inclusivity as they provide counselling for all, not only for individuals diagnosed with a mental health condition.
The pay-what-you-can model extends her mission to facilitate access, in contrast to private therapy rates which typically begin at £40.
Doughty said: “People have to choose between a takeaway for their family that week or a counselling session.
“With our service, they don’t have to make that choice”
Westmeria client Matt* said: “I feel they are offering something very valuable.
“The benefits of this therapy have to be experienced to be believed.”
Doughty believes Bromley Council fail to adequately recognise the charity, despite its impact in the borough and the support it gives to council services.
She added her team contacted the council for parking permits for the new site, but were refused.
Bromley Council were contacted for comment.
After renting in Bickley since 2003, Doughty says expanding services by purchasing a larger building while keeping the original site has long been a goal.
Doughty praises the community for its contributions, such as donations and tradespeople offering reduced rates, which have ensured the new hub meets a high standard.
Westmeria also house an internal college where they provide counselling diplomas awarded by the industry’s leading awarding body, and training courses for existing counsellors.
The centre is set to open its doors on 22 April.
*Names are anonymised to protect the identity of patients.
Feature image credit: Sue Doughty with permission
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