Urgent appeal for funding as Bolton counselling service faces imminent closure

A vital counselling service has made a desperate plea to secure funding by Christmas as the threat of closure looms.

The Simeon Centre service has operated in Bolton for 25 years, offering free counselling and support to more than 600 people a year. They offer at least 10 free sessions to everyone and for people with complex needs,

Lisa Howarth, service co-ordinator for the Simeon centre, said: “It is an emotionally exhausting and challenging time for us. I’m surrounded by thank you cards and messages of support.”

Christmas closure threat

With around 40 student and volunteer counsellors, the centre has long been a crucial placement provider in a region already facing shortages. Its closure would mean fewer newly-qualified counsellors entering the local workforce.

Unless the centre can raise £25,000 to £30,000 by 31 December, they will have no choice but to close. Clients would have to go to the bottom of the current NHS waiting list – which exceeds 1,000 people.

Bolton already has some of the highest levels of need in the region. The closure would see hundreds of people a year lose access to support that does not exist elsewhere for free. The impact will be felt across families, GP surgeries, workplaces, and the wider community, say campaigners.

The Simeon centre is at the heart of the community with 30% of their current volunteers on placement due to strong connections with local colleges and universities.

The fundraiser has been set up by Robert Hurst, a lecturer at Bolton University.