Dear All
See below for yet another example of the problems faced by organisations
controlled and run by disabled people providing services for disabled
people in the UK
Colin
Press Release
February 2006 immediate release
UNIQUE LOTHIANS DISABILITY SERVICE THREATENED WITH CLOSURE
The only counselling service in the United Kingdom that provides
accessible counselling to disabled people by disabled counsellors is
being threatened with closure. The Lothian Centre for Integrated Living
(LCIL) Peer Counselling Service (PCS) provides professional, accessible
counselling in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
This innovative Scottish service tackles financial, attitudinal and
physical barriers that still exist for disabled people who want to
access counselling and counselling training. Demand for the service has
steadily increased since it was established in 1993. PCS receives a
steady stream of referrals from Health and Social Work professionals and
voluntary organisations throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians. Last year
alone the service counselled over 80 disabled people. There is always a
waiting list for the service, and this is without engaging in any
promotional activity.
The PCS provides counselling to anyone who self defines as disabled,
this includes people with a recognised impairment whether physical,
sensory or cognitive. LCIL has developed a model of best practice in
counselling for people with learning difficulties and has been highly
influential within the counselling and disability worlds in this regard.
The service is also offered to parents, carers and guardians of disabled
people.
After thirteen years, this unique service is facing severe funding
difficulties, and may have to close its doors at the end of March. This
would mark the end of a hugely successful, unique Scottish project,
which has helped hundreds of disabled people throughout Edinburgh and
the Lothians, and whose experience influences disability - focussed
counselling and counselling training in the rest of the UK.
Speaking about the threatened closure, Brian Magee, Chief Executive of
COSCA (Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland), the professional body
for counsellors in Scotland said;
"LCIL's Peer Counselling Service provides a unique counselling service
for disabled people. At local level it provides a highly respected and
accessible Peer Counselling Service. At national level, it acts as a
model of good practice for generic counselling services. As such, it is
a part of the landscape of counselling in Scotland that needs to be
preserved and developed"
If you would like to support LCIL's unique Peer Counselling Service,
please contact
Hazel J Farley, Manager
Tel 0131 475 2350 or e-mail hazel @lothiancil.demon.co.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
* Peer Counselling is provided by 13 disabled volunteer
counsellors.
* The volunteers undergo a full four year professional training,
leading to the award of a Diploma in Integrative Counselling. The PCS is
unique in the UK, as it is the only service providing this level of
disability focussed accessible professional counselling and counselling
training.
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