Third sector counselling services are supporting thousands of people every day, preventing mental health problems from escalating and reducing pressure on NHS services. Yet the organisations delivering this essential support are facing unprecedented financial pressures.
The report from our recent third sector counselling services survey shows a sector under increasing strain. Community-based counselling services are receiving growing numbers of referrals from the NHS while struggling with short-term, insecure funding that threatens their future.
How you can support our campaign
By contacting your elected parliamentary representatives, you can help ensure that decision-makers across the UK better understand the vital role played by third sector counselling services and the urgent need for long-term investment.
Using our online campaign tool, you can quickly find your elected representatives and send them a message, together with a copy of our report, calling for action. The campaign tool will also use data from BACP’s workforce mapping survey to show the capacity of qualified BACP members working in the third sector which could be used to help address growing need, if investment was forthcoming.
It only takes a few minutes, but your voice can make a real difference.
Why action is needed
Across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, third sector counselling services are increasingly filling gaps in statutory mental health provision.
Our survey sample of 119 organisations found that collectively they support more than 13,000 clients every month and deliver over 87,000 counselling sessions, yet demand is continuing to grow while funding is failing to keep pace.
The findings paint a concerning picture:
79% of services receive referrals or signposting from GPs or NHS services.
Only 17% believe they have sufficient funding to meet current demand.
86% are operating at or beyond capacity.
79% say they do not have enough funding to meet current demand for counselling.
43% receive no statutory funding at all.
14% have been forced to close their waiting lists because demand has become unmanageable.
Behind these figures are thousands of people waiting longer for support, organisations unable to meet demand, and counselling services questioning whether they can continue operating.
What we're asking for
Our report calls on governments and commissioners across the UK to recognise the essential contribution of third sector counselling services by:
- Increasing long-term statutory investment in community-based counselling services.
- Introducing multi-year funding settlements that provide financial stability.
- Establishing formal and simplified commissioning arrangements for NHS referral pathways.
- Investing to release workforce capacity to reduce waiting times and improve access to counselling.
These recommendations will help create genuine partnerships between statutory and voluntary sector mental health services and ensure that people can access timely, evidence-based counselling wherever they live.
Why your voice matters
Elected representatives want to hear directly from the people they represent.
Whether your representatives sit in the UK Parliament, the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Scottish Parliament or Senedd Cymru, your message will help demonstrate that improving access to counselling is an issue that matters to their constituents.