A CHARITY in Nailsea has expanded after it saw an 'explosion' of patients with poor mental health.

Wellspring Counselling says it has increased counsellors due to a 'surge' of people struggling to cope with modern life. 

It will now enlarge its counselling services for adults and young people thanks to £100,000 provided through National Lottery funding - five more staff members have been recruited and a further four will be trained. 

The charity has just seen 40 men attend a MENtal Fitness course at Clevedon Cricket Club with 'excellent' results. The course will now get rolled out to other sports clubs across Weston, Clevedon and Portishead.

The 28-year-old charity has 22 counsellors on staff and a recent CEO Wendy Griffen, who will be expanding its reach with new services.

Wendy, an experienced mental health specialist, said: "There is no doubt that mental health issues are now a national crisis and we are seeing this across the South West.

“We are looking to boost our services to help people in any way we can but there is no doubt that the problems are going to get far worse.

“It’s the pace of life, struggles over bills, the state of the world as well as the huge effects of the pandemic including so much loss.”

She added: “Taking on the role of director at Wellspring Counselling six months ago has been the highlight of my career and an absolute privilege.

“Wellspring was set up in 1994 by people who wanted to support those around them who were struggling with life.

"We now want to carry that on but expand it to cope with others who are at crisis point in so many ways.  In order to provide affordable but professional counselling, we rely on generous grants from funders and donations from the public.”

The office at Nailsea Methodist Church, on Silver Street, is open Monday from 1.30pm to 4.30pm and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9.30am to 4.30pm.  

To contact the team outside these hours, a message can be left on a confidential answering service.

Wellspring can be emailed on reception@wellspringcounselling.org.uk or by phone on 01275 810879.