Reach Out Counselling For Drug And Alcohol Use Is Really Making A Difference

Published on: 29 Dec, 2021
Updated on: 29 Dec, 2021

A successful counselling service for people and their loved ones affected by drug and alcohol use has a new promotional video and leaflets explaining what is offered.

Reach Out Counselling, hosted by the Guildford-based drug and mental health charity Catalyst, offers up to 12 weeks of free counselling that is available for people aged 18 and over who are registered with a GP in Surrey.

Catalyst, which has over 30 years of experience of drug and alcohol counselling, says the Reach Out service is unique in Surrey in that it provides people with a friendly, non-judgemental environment to talk openly, explore thoughts, feelings and discuss ways to manage drug and alcohol use and improve overall wellbeing.

It adds that during the past year, the service has received more than 400 referrals and has received some amazing feedback from people it has helped.

One person said: “I cannot begin to thank you enough for everything you have done for me. You helped me so much from where I was 12 weeks ago, I feel like a different person.”

Another said: “Thank you and the team all so very much, the service has been compassionate, kind and helpful. I feel so much better in myself.”

The counselling service is easy to access, people can self-refer and there is no need to go through a GP. Once a referral is received, the person is taken through an assessment.

Reach Out Counselling can be accessed face to face, over the telephone or online. Click here.

Catalyst’s chief executive officer Sue Murphy said: “Embedding Reach Out into pathways across Surrey provides people with the opportunity to engage and access services at the right time in the right place.

“Being able to offer people the flexibility of face-to-face, online or telephone counselling has widened the opportunity for people to engage at a time that is convenient for them to help regain wellbeing and balance in a person’s life.”

Although Reach Out Counselling is currently funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, Catalyst says extra donations could help support even more people for the longer term.

Current funding means the service will only continue to August 2023. It costs more than £130,000 to run the service per year and this includes venues, staff and head office costs; phone lines, insurance, supplies, equipment, training, supervision costs, BACP membership.

To find out how to support Catalyst financially, click here.