A spokesman for WLM said: "At WLM, we believe nobody should be without a fair chance. The chance to talk; the chance to turn their life around; the chance to contribute to society.
"In the current cost of living crisis we’re all experiencing, the need for fairer chances in a broken system is more important than ever. At WLM, we’ve always provided places of safety and belonging for those who’ve been let down by the system.
"Over the last year, our community, counselling and criminal justice services have seen many challenges as people in the communities we work in face multiple hurdles to getting the chances they need to achieve their potential.
"Our cost of living workshops at WLM St Luke’s community hub are well attended, as global and economic insecurity, and financial downturn, have a significant impact on people in work, as well as those who are unable to work. Our residential services include those which prevent homelessness, providing quality and supportive spaces for people leaving the armed forces, or those completing prison sentences. Demand for our residential support is high.
"Our low-cost counselling centre has a growing waiting list as the need for mental health support continues to grow significantly. For 136 years, WLM has been a consistent and constant provider of services that attempt to address systemic failures resulting in homelessness, and redress the lack of opportunity people in our communities need to thrive.
The demand for our work, which increased unprecedentedly during the pandemic, is yet to recede during the cost of living crisis. We’ll continue to use our spaces to respond to the current cost of living crisis, and work with people’s strengths towards growing their financial resilience.
This Christmas, with the help of those that support us, we can keep offering people the fair chances they need. To improve their prospects. To become valued members of their communities. To make amends. To realise their goals and ambitions for a better life.
#chance2change
Below is an example of an inquiry from a man ready to start therapy with a fee of £22/session, as agreed in his initial assessment appointment by our counselling service, and based on his individual circumstances. David (that’s a pseudonym) needed to delay starting his sessions as he received some concerning news about his health. When David was able to return to WLM Highbury Counselling Centre (HCC) after three months, his circumstances had changed considerably, and he wrote to us with his concerns:
'Unfortunately I’m now in a difficult position financially due to increases in council tax and huge increase in my energy bills which have gone from £61 to £300 a month. My only income is my state pension. I really only feel able to pay £10 a week towards therapy and I really do understand if you cannot help me at this time. Although I still feel I am in need of therapy, I would not like you to think that I am taking advantage of the service.'
Of course, our service is for people like David, and he continued his therapy with us.
Find our #chance2change campaign on our website by visiting https://www.wlm.org.uk/Appeal/chance-2-change."
Registered charity number 1133739
WLM has been empowering people to make positive changes in their lives since 1887. They are part of the Methodist Church and proud of their Christian roots and history, offering support to individuals of all faiths and none, inclusively.
In the last 12 months we’ve worked across our community, counselling and criminal justice services to provide support to over 256 people, preventing homelessness and giving them the skills they need to thrive.
