£40,000 boost for Burnley children’s charity

A COUNSELLING charity which helps vulnerable children in Burnley has been awarded a new government grant.

The Place2Be has volunteer counsellors based at Burnley primary schools Rosewood, Cherry Fold, St Peter’s and St Mary’s, Holcombe Drive. Its East Lancashire Hub will now share an extra £40,000 a year for three years with a project in Greater Manchester.

Mr Keith Harvey, manager of the East Lancashire Hub, said: “Receiving this extra money is huge. It will be spent on the recruiting and retention of extra volunteers.

“For example we can now send more volunteers on training courses before they start and further professional development courses once they are at work.

“We have been working in Burnley since 2008 and are invited by the particular schools if they feel some of their children might be experiencing emotional or behavioural problems. We have one-to-one sessions in play therapy and project managers at each school. I have also had discussions with other headteachers in the area.”

The volunteer counsellors also work with staff and parents as well as health and social care services.