Are you passionate about counselling and teaching? Would you like to join our Training Team?

We are seeking to appoint a new course tutor for our Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Counselling, starting January 2023. Training day, Thursday (term-times). Salary £10,143. You will be a qualified counsellor with at least an HE/NQF Level 5 Diploma in Counselling, have some previous experience of working as a counselling trainer,? ideally have experience and/or a qualification in counselling supervision or be prepared to undertake Supervision training and be accredited with the BACP, (or working towards accreditation). Closing date for applications: Wednesday 23rd November, at 9am.

Call 0117 950 7271 or email training@network.org.uk for further information and to request an application pack.

Network is transforming!  Times are challenging and Network must adapt if we are to support our community in the future.  We need your help to get there. 

We need to raise £50,000 to do it. One very generous supporter has offered match-funding of £20,000.  This leaves ‘only’ £30,000. It’s a daunting amount but we have seen God provide in amazing ways over the years.

Read on to find out more about Network’s transformation, or click the button below to donate. 

Thank you! 

For more than 35 years Network has been providing counselling and counselling training. Countless lives have been transformed over that time. There has never been a time when Network was needed more than now. We have seen both Covid and the cost of living crisis have a huge impact on mental health and wellbeing. 

Our current position 

Over the last few months Network’s future has become increasingly precarious. Looking at our finances, the Trustees have seriously considered whether it can continue to function. We have been forced to review our activities and to develop a business model that is more sustainable. We see what has to be done, but it won’t be easy. In particular, we need additional financial resources to get there. 

Why is change necessary? 

One of Network’s distinctive features has been its provision of counselling regardless of the client’s ability to pay. However, in recent years the amount given by clients has been falling while our costs have risen. We are now simply unable to raise sufficient funds to meet this gap. 

Key changes 

We know we must change how we do things so that we don’t find ourselves in this position again. We must reduce our expenditure and stabilise our income. The changes we are introducing are geared to this end: 

1. We have decided to end our volunteer counselling work for the time being. From January 2023, all Network counselling will be delivered by counsellors in training as part of their Advanced Diploma counselling placement. This represents a huge change for Network and the decision was only taken after much prayer and discussion. 

2. We now charge for counselling at a flat rate of £22.50 per session. Although this is a big change, it is still significantly subsidised.  It is around 50% of the rate charged by local private counsellors and represents an affordable charge for many. In the future, we may be able to offer some counselling at a lower cost than this. 

3. We are introducing new systems to manage our activities more efficiently and to reduce our staffing costs.  

Network’s values are not changing 

Certain things are definitely not changing. The Christian values that underpin and drive our work remain. These are what make Network the organisation it is. 

We remain committed to providing a high quality, reduced cost counselling service and our training activities will continue in their current form. 

What you can do to help 

It will take time, effort and money to make this transformation. Could you help? 

1. Support us – If it is within your means, you can support Network financially. Any amount you contribute will take us a step closer to a sustainable future, delivering high quality counselling and training. If you can, please give generously. See ‘ways to donate’ below. 

2. Spread the word about us – about the counselling service, about our training courses, and about counselling rooms which we have available to hire. 

3. Help us find a new Trustee – We are currently looking for one or two people who can help guide Network into its next chapter. A great trustee brings wisdom, faith and life experience, as well as particular skills – like knowledge of HR or finance or the charity sector. Do you know anyone who could fulfil this role?  Please suggest they chat to us. 

4. Pray – Every day Network deals with issues, some big and consequential, some small but nevertheless, difficult. Click here for the prayer card which you may find useful.  

Ways to donate 

1.  Click on the ‘Donate with JustGiving’ button under ‘News’ on our homepage. 

2.  Just Giving – Network Appeal – click on this link or scan the QR code below 

3. BACS / online bank transfer to: 

Bank: HSBC 

Account name: Network Counselling and Training Limited 

Sort code: 40 – 14 – 24 

Account no: 61440713 

Reference: Your surname-Appeal 

4. Cheque: Make payable to: Network Counselling and Training Limited 

Post to: Network Counselling and Training Limited, Elm Park, Filton, BS34 7PS 

The Clinical Lead holds overall responsibility for the management and development of our counselling services. They oversee the whole client journey from initial assessment to measuring outcomes. We are looking for someone who is comfortable making risk assessments and taking clinical decisions. Key tasks include allocating clients to trainees, supporting trainees as they begin counselling and assessing the organisation’s clinical risks. There are also a number of systems in place, so the role calls for a confident IT user who can use and championing our bespoke database system. 

Network is a well-respected Bristol-based charity that trains counsellors on BACP-accredited courses. Our trainee counsellors provide high quality affordable counselling from our purpose-built counselling rooms.   

We are looking for someone with a wide range of skills – strong clinical expertise, people-management skills, and confidence in using and developing the systems that we need. The post holder will have a commitment to the value of volunteer counselling and an understanding of person-centred counselling. 

18.75 hours / 2.5 days per week (negotiable) 

Salary: £16,000 pro rata (based on £32,0000 fte) 

Closing date Friday, 11 November 

Location: Network offices, Elm Park, Filton, Bristol BS34 7PS 

For more information and to apply, visit www.voscur.org/jobs/103408 

If you would like to discuss this role informally, please email info@network.org.uk and we will gladly arrange a conversation.

Can you juggle data, emails, calendars & invoices? Can you develop new systems to help us run more efficiently? Are you a calming presence in a busy office?

We are looking for an Operations Manager to join the team. The role is based in our office in Filton and covers 3 days / 22.5 hours a week. We are happy to negotiate how those hours are spread through the week.  

The Operations Manager ensures the smooth running of Network’s administrative processes – room bookings, our client database, DBS checks and more. They will support the Chief Executive in delivering the operational aspects of the charity and have a ‘can do’ approach to improving our effectiveness with often limited resources.

More information and an application form can be found here:https://www.voscur.org/jobs/103254

We’re very glad to say our fresh cohort of students are settling in for our Diploma and Certificate courses.

If you are interested in training with us next year, or interested in a short course, why not email our training coordinator – Sue.Woodhead-Marsh@network.org.uk

Network will be closed for the bank holiday on Monday 19^th September, called for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral. We will be open as usual the following Monday – the 26th.

If you would like to rearrange any room bookings, please contact reception on 0117 9507271 or reception@network.org.uk

If you are in need of urgent support please call the Samaritans on Freephone number 116 123. 

We are very sorry but at the moment our waiting list for our counselling service is closed due to the extended waiting times that clients are experiencing at the moment.

We can recommend contacting one of the services listed by Bristol Mind https://bristolmind.org.uk/support_type/counselling-low-cost-and-free/

We are in the process of reviewing this, and hope to be able to welcome new clients later in the year.

Are you passionate about ensuring people in distress are met with the support they need?

Would you like to join our team?

As two of our team move on, we are looking to welcome a Fundraiser and Administrator(s) to Network. If you’re looking for a role with significant space to make a difference to clients, and the work of the charity we’d love to hear from you. Please see our Opportunities page for more information.

Are you passionate about counselling and teaching?

Would you like to join our Training Team from September 2021?

Due to the recent increase in interest and demand for all our courses, we are delighted to announce that we will be expanding our training provision from September 2021, and are seeking two new tutors for our Advanced Diploma in Counselling. Please see our Opportunities page for more information.

As we face further extended restrictions on movement, Network continues to run our affordable counselling service and professional training programme.

Counselling is taking place in the most part remotely. Our building at Elm Park being used by the small number of clients and counsellors who do not have the privacy or technology to work from home.

For information on how to contact us about counselling click here.

For information on joining our counselling courses in September visit our training pages.