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Working on the Helpline on route to becoming a Student Counsellor enabled me to gain a unique perspective. It has allowed me to gain an understanding of the process that both the client and counsellor experience and also meant I can learn different therapeutic techniques from those who are qualified and from other students who are on their own learning journey. This opportunity has been valuable in numerous ways: in my coursework, the development of my skills, the opportunity to ask questions, engage in conversations, and access unique resources and experience.
"Make today's challenges tomorrows strengths"
17th October 2024 marked a monumental day in my life.
After four long years of hard work and perseverance I finally graduated as a fully qualified counsellor. The journey was anything but easy - physically, mentally and emotionally. The final year, in particular, pushed me beyond my limits, forcing me to face challenges I had never encountered before.
But I made it!
I started volunteering in Basildon Mind’s charity shop in June 2023. My paid job had stopped and I was sitting at home with little to do. I thought volunteering in a shop would teach me new skills. My mum’s a Counsellor at Basildon Mind. She brought an application form home. I filled it in and Shop Manager Julie contacted me almost straight away.
In early 2024 I was in a really low place. I was referred to Basildon Mind by Citizens Advice. 5 minutes before that I was standing looking over the side of a multi-storey car park!
It took me 3 weeks to pluck up the courage to check out one of Basildon Mind’s ‘Walk and Talks’ (an hour’s walk lead by a trained Walk Leader, accompanied by an experienced Counsellor and followed by 30 minutes’ refreshments and social interaction). I asked to be added to the Walking WhatsApp group which, gave me a sense of inclusion. The Counsellor messaged me one day when I didn’t attend a walk. Our conversation led to my name being added to Basildon Mind’s ‘Adult’ Counselling Waitlist.
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Basildon Mind”
I contacted Basildon Mind’s counselling service due to the long waiting time for NHS counselling. I needed help and had heard good reviews about Basildon Mind. I called Basildon Mind’s ‘Helpline’. They were ‘mind-blowingly’ nice! I’m convinced that the Helpline is saving people’s lives. I didn’t find it hard to call the Helpline because I wanted to get help.
I spent 3 months on the waiting list. During this time a Helpliner actually called me to ask if I was ok and let me know that I’ve not bene forgotten about. They really do care – I got the feeling that it was much more than just doing their job.
I started 1:1 counselling in November 2023 and completed my 12 weeks in April 2024.
I wanted to set myself the challenge of running a marathon to push myself, to start doing things that I wasn’t comfortable with, in order to grow. And raising money for Basildon Mind (after a quick chat with my dad who is a Trustee) seemed like a no-brainer as well.
My motivation was around growing my mindset I also hoped to maybe inspire others too.
I heard about Basildon Mind through the Basildon Borough magazine: I saw an advert in early 2022. I’ve always been a walker and I’ve always been interested in Mental health. This started when I did some youth work which I found this interesting. It led to me qualifying as a Youth and Community Worker and later as a Counsellor.
Having retired and experienced the Covid-19 pandemic, I felt quite cut off from my local community and felt the need to re-engage, start walking at a pace and using my skills.
Before quitting and becoming a counselling student, Valerie’s work related to counselling in primary and secondary schools. There she saw the ‘amazing’ effect that counselling training had on a colleague’s ability to help children. “I fell in love with the idea of becoming a counsellor and enrolled on a course myself”.
“Changing career and becoming a mature student was not easy!” said Valerie. “As well as counselling, I had to learn IT skills which didn’t come easily. But it’s a career I love. It’s worth it”.
Ciara used Basildon Mind’s Youth counselling service in 2016/17. She was referred by her doctor to help her cope with her ‘Non-Epileptic Attack Disorder’. Ciara said “I suffered from sudden absences which I found humiliating and degrading. My GP recommended counselling to try and help me understand, accept and live with what was happening.”
Ciara started counselling in October 2016. As a teenager at a difficult age she was not keen to attend. However, her mum persuaded her to try one counselling session in Basildon Mind’s Whitmore Way counselling suite. With “a lot going on” she reluctantly attended her first session, after which she changed her mind.
Jon became a Basildon Mind Allotment volunteer in summer 2021. “I was really struggling with my mental health so the Basildon Hospital Mental Health Unit Crisis Team referred me to Basildon Mind.
Jon contacted our Volunteer Coordinator Jill who brought him to the Allotment, located in Vange, Basildon. “I have always liked gardening and find it is good for my mental health. I’ve grown crops in my back garden and wanted to take it to the next level without having my own plot. The Basildon Mind Allotment seemed a really good next step at a time when I really needed help”.
Ricky, previously used Basildon Mind’s Mindful counselling service in 2019 when he was “going through a bad patch and didn’t know where to turn”. His counselling goal was to “get out of a rut” and his counsellor taught him how to “recognise triggers” and “some tools to cope”. One of these was to use his interest in fitness, especially running and yoga.
In 2021 Ricky sadly lost his dad to Covid-19. Again Ricky was left feeling “stagnant’ and “needed to do something with purpose”. A chance encounter with Basildon Mind’s Counselling Manager led to ‘Ricky’s 500km run’ in November and December 2021. Ricky ran 10 kilometres (6 miles) a day for 50 days to raise money to counsel youths aged 7-18 at Basildon Mind.
Enid joined our walking group in September 2021. She had lived abroad and was staying with her daughter on the Clarion Housing estate in Vange, Basildon.
Enid saw a printed poster at an open day held outside the Vange Community Centre in August 2021. Being new to the area, she wanted to meet new people and improve her physical fitness, so she chose the walking group.