Volunteer-led Offaly mental health charity reaches milestone of 2,000 clients

Accessible Counselling (ACT), a pioneering volunteer-led mental health charity, proudly commemorates its fourth year of providing professional, accessible, affordable and timely counselling and psychotherapy services to people aged 16 and over from all across the Midlands.

This significant milestone coincides with the service recently supporting its 2,000th client since inception. To date, over 8,500 counselling sessions have been provided by ACT. March 17 was the first anniversary of the passing of ACT’s founder, James O'Connor, who continues to inspire a legacy of resilience and support.

Empowering Mental Wellness Through Community

Since its establishment in 2020, ACT has been dedicated to pioneering a sustainable model of community-based counselling and psychotherapy services accessible to all. Situated in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, a purpose-built counselling centre stands as a beacon of hope, providing a safe and confidential space for individuals to address emotional distress. The most common source of referrals to the service are social media, referral from GPs and through word of mouth from past clients.

Clients come to ACT with a diverse range of issues including anxiety, depression, stress, overwhelm, bereavement and loss, anger, suicide ideation and relationship challenges.

"At ACT, we recognise that mental health affects us all. Our team of 10 qualified professional counsellors and psychotherapists offers unwavering support, fostering an environment free of judgement where clients can find solace and healing," remarked Joe Connolly, Chair of ACT.

Fundraising efforts continue apace and ongoing support from the local community remains essential to the success of ACT. Two major fundraisers are scheduled for this year.

Lip Sync for ACT takes place on May 25 in the Tullamore Court Hotel and the James O’Connor Memorial Walk is arranged for October 4 in Tullamore Harriers. The walk will also mark the culmination of the annual Tullamore Goes Green campaign that raises awareness of mental illness and the fight to end mental health stigma. All support for these events is greatly appreciated.

Honouring James O'Connor's Legacy

James O'Connor, a visionary leader and compassionate advocate, founded ACT to bridge gaps in mental health support. His unwavering commitment to eliminating the stigma around mental illness and his tireless efforts to expand access to counselling touched countless lives.

"James’s legacy lives on in the hearts of those he touched. His dedication to the mental wellbeing of our community continues to inspire me and every member of the ACT team daily," Lisa O’Connor - James’s wife and Operations Manager of ACT shared.

To honour the vision James and Lisa had for the organisation, ACT proudly unveils the ‘ACT Strategic Plan 2024-2027’, a testament to its unwavering commitment to excellence and inclusivity. The plan outlines key initiatives to enhance service delivery and ensure financial sustainability. The strategic plan underscores ACT’s dedication to providing professional, accessible, affordable and timely counselling and psychotherapy while fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

Key components of the strategic plan include but are not limited to:

Increasing the number of counsellors

Raising awareness of ACT’s presence in the Midlands

Developing a succession and contingency plan for the organisation

Broadening the scope of the Board by appointing external advisors

Developing an effective methodology for corporate sponsorship

An executive summary of the Strategic Plan will be made available on the website www.accessiblecounselling.ie in the coming weeks.

ACT is proud to announce the appointment of three additional board members in August 2023. Mary Cummins, John Leavy and Ronan Berry were invited to join the existing seven person Board of Directors to lend their extensive individual experience to the organisation.

Join Us in Celebrating Community Wellness

As it reflects on four years of service, ACT invites the community to join us in celebrating the power of resilience, compassion, and hope. Together, we can create a future where mental health support is accessible to all.

For media inquiries, please contact Ronan Berry on info@accessiblecounselling.ie

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About Accessible Counselling (ACT):

Accessible Counselling (ACT) is a volunteer-led mental health charity based in Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Since 2020, ACT has been committed to providing professional, affordable, accessible, and timely mental health services to individuals and families in need.