At an event held on Wednesday 1st December at 6pm New Life Counselling backed the campaign of the Minister for the Department of Social Development, Alex Attwood, who is fighting to secure Neighbourhood Renewal Funding for the forthcoming year.

The event, which took place at New Life Counselling’s offices at 25 Ardoyne Road, was attended by representatives from the Department of Social Development’s Committee and local MLAs from North and West Belfast as well as former clients from New Life Counselling who have received services directly funded from Neighbourhood Renewal Funding. 

At the event Chair of New Life Counselling, Seamus Barnes, welcomed and thanked the Minster, members of the DSD committee and MLAs from North and West Belfast as well as former clients for coming.

Minister Attwood stated “Events of this nature are vital in highlighting the impact that funding through the Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership can have on people’s lives.  New Life Counselling support clients from across North and West Belfast and if this funding is cut these people will be unable to get the help and support they need to improve their lives.  I believe that we must fight to secure this funding as the people of North and West Belfast have the right to services to help them cope with the challenges they face.”

Karen Collins-Neill, Chief Executive Officer of New Life Counselling said “ We are very grateful to Minister Attwood, members of the DSD Committee and local MLAS from North and West Belfast for attending this event to highlight the value of the funding from Neighbourhood Renewal and the huge effect this small amount of funding has had on our clients.  We wish to support the Minister in his fight to secure this funding in the future and believe that without this funding people from areas of social and economic deprivation across North and West Belfast will suffer as they will be unable to access services to help them.  New Life Counselling will be supporting the Minister in his fight to secure this funding in the future.”

New Life Counselling offers counselling services and therapeutic support to clients across the life cycle both in the community and in over 180 post primary schools across Northern Ireland.  Referral to these services can be completed on line at our website www.newlifecounselling.net or via phone at either of our offices on 028 90 746180 (Duncairn office) or 028 9039 1630 (Ardoyne office).  As we are a charitable organisation and services are provided free of charge donations can also be made online at this address.