A leading counselling service has been awarded £2,000 from Progressive Building Society, Northern Ireland’s largest locally-owned financial institution. 

New Life Counselling, which has offices in East and North Belfast, has been given the funds to help equip a new play and creative arts therapy room as part of its OKAY (Only Kids and Youth) project. The facility is located in the Skainos Building in East Belfast.

The charity received the donation from Progressive as part of the building society’s Community Awards Scheme, which supports impactful initiatives by non-profit organisations working for the benefit of communities across Northern Ireland. The Awards invite funding applications for up to £2,000, with nominations coming from Progressive members. 

Speaking at an event to celebrate the latest Community Award, local Progressive area manager Graeme Norris said: “New Life Counselling offers a significant support to the community in East Belfast, offering one on one and group counselling support for children, young adults and families.

“I’m delighted to present them with a cheque for £2,000 on behalf of Progressive members and wish everyone at New Life the best of luck for the future.”

Karen Collins, New Life Counselling’s Chief Executive added: “The money from the Award will be used to complete our first dedicated creative art therapy centre, which will serve the community of East Belfast for many years to come.

“On behalf of the staff and clients of New Life Counselling, I’d like to thank Graeme and the team at Progressive for their generosity in providing us with the Award.”

New Life Counselling offers 1:1 counselling and group work to children, young people, adults and families.  Set up in 1993 and originally working mainly in the Belfast area, New Life Counselling now has counsellors working in most of the post-primary schools across Northern Ireland as well as a number of primary schools.

The OKAY (Only Kids And Youth) project works with under-18s and delivers counselling and therapy to children and young people in Belfast (and beyond).  The therapists and counsellors work creatively with children and young people to help them tell their story, communicating not only through words.  Through developing trusting relationships the process of understanding can be developed together, helping the child / young person to manage difficulties and change, find solutions that make sense in their world and to draw on the strengths and resources within and around them.

The Progressive Building Society Community Awards Scheme has been raising money for local charities since 2001. Some of the charities helped by the scheme include NI Childrens Hospice, Age Concern NI, Enniskillen Riding School for the Disabled and NI Cancer Fund for Children.

Members of the Society who wish to nominate a community group for consideration for a future Award can contact their local branch or download a form from the ‘About Progressive In the Community’ page on www.TheProgressive.com. 

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Notes to editorsFor further information, please contact The Progressive team at Aiken PR:Shane@aikenpr.com / John@aikenpr.com / 02890663000