A DORCHESTER charity has provided free counselling to 89 local key workers as part of a ‘proud’ scheme to support them through the pandemic.

The Dorchester Trust for Counselling and Psychotherapy (DTCP), which was set up by Dr Mary Lister Ashby in 2005, provides local people with low-cost counselling.

In April 2020, the charity set up the Free Counselling for Key Workers scheme in response to the Covid pandemic to offer support due to the increased stress and pressure on them during the challenging time.

The sessions were offered to a wide variety of key workers including NHS staff, police, supermarket workers and teachers. They received support with issues such as stress and anxiety at work and grief and loss.

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Dr Mary Lister Ashby, Founder and chair of trustees for DTCP, said: "In April 2020, the pandemic hit us. There were reports of medical, nursing and paramedic staff struggling with patients suffering from extreme health conditions and countless patients were dying from Covid.

“We were also made aware of the pressure on care staff who were exhausted and grieving as their residents died. Then teachers became overwhelmed as they jumped from managing remote learning to sudden decisions for children to return to school.

“I was fortunate to have more time to help and a band of experienced colleagues who were only too happy to offer their time freely. So, I set up the direct phone line and we were able to help 89 key workers over a short space of time."

The scheme ran until June 2021 and offered six free sessions. In exceptional circumstances people were offered 12.

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In total, 89 people received support from the scheme which involved 20 counsellors who offered their services at a reduced cost.

Furthermore, the service was nominated by one of its recipients for BBC Radio 4’s 2021 All in the Mind Awards.

Irene Flint, a counsellor who took part in the scheme, said: "The scheme offered much needed support to key workers who often went above and beyond in the care and commitment offered to members of their communities in many different settings.

“Therefore, it felt like a privilege to give something back by providing a safe and confidential space where they could talk freely about the impact their experiences were having on them and often also their colleagues and families.

“Going by the positive feedback from many service users, the scheme appeared to be successful in its aims."

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