Beacon Counselling Trust

18/12/2025

Our Paul’s Place service users recently stayed in the beautiful city of York for an overnight Journey of Discovery. This trip was thoroughly enjoyed by all and brings to an end an amazing year of Journeys that offer social connection to the group. We are all looking forward to what Journeys 2026 has in store.

17/12/2025

Day 3 - Hope in recovery, a real story

This is what recovery looks like
One year ago, this person was at rock bottom. Their gambling addiction had taken over their life.
Today, they’re: Performing music again (something they’d lost)

- In the strongest financial position in years
- In a wholesome, fulfilling relationship with their wife
- Focusing on health and nutrition
- Completely gamble-free since November 29th, 2023

Their message to you:
“It’s been a journey but the best one in terms of results and feelings. If you’re struggling, please reach out.”
Recovery is possible. This Christmas could be your turning point.
Self-refer online: https://beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk/get-support/
Need to talk now?
- National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (24/7)
- Samaritans: 116 123 (24/7)

Support

17/12/2025

We were delighted to be part of the Primary Care Gambling Service and Age UK Lambeth’s collaborative conference to promote the work of the Armed Forces Gambling Support Network. It was great to raise awareness of the Armed Forces as a key target group for gambling harm.

harm

16/12/2025

The festive season can make gambling harm harder to hide.
Maybe you're:
- Borrowing money to buy Christmas presents
- Betting more because you have time off
- Avoiding family gatherings out of shame
- Feeling isolated while everyone else celebrates
- Promising yourself you'll "sort it out in January"
Don't wait.
Beacon Counselling Trust is here throughout Christmas and beyond. Free, confidential support with no waiting list.
You deserve help. You deserve hope. You deserve a better Christmas - and a better new year.
🌐 Self-refer online: beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk/get-support/
24/7 helplines:
📞 National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133
📞 Samaritans: 116 123

Get Support HomeGet Support You are not alone Acknowledgement and Asking for help Gambling-related therapy Su***de Bereavement Support Programme Educational gambling awareness workshops Contact us How can we help you? We offer a variety of different services and support programmes.Whether you are se...

16/12/2025

A “HUGE THANKS” to Martin Farrell and John Swain (from The RGS Golf Society), who visited us recently with their annual donation to our charity. This year their fundraising efforts totalled £1031.25 (including Gift Aid).

We really do appreciate your support and please pass on our thanks to all the golfers involved.

15/12/2025

Day 1 - You’re not alone this Christmas!

Christmas can feel lonely when you’re struggling with gambling harm.

The financial pressure. The family gatherings you’re avoiding. The shame that keeps you silent.
But you don’t have to face this season alone.
- Free confidential support available.
- No waiting list
- Self-referral is easy
Reaching out is the bravest gift you can give yourself this Christmas.

Contact Beacon Counselling Trust:
beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk/get-support
24/7 Support:
National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133
Samaritans: 116 123

15/12/2025

Our Education Team attended the DBV 2nd Annual SEND conference in Halton. The conference was brilliant with so many agencies who are part of the Halton Local offer coming together to support such an amazing event.

15/12/2025

As is now tradition, our Paul’s Place Christmas moneywall is in place for the 2025 Festive Season, please considering donating, doing so will help us to continue to support adults bereaved by su***de in the Merseyside area.

We would like to take this moment to also thank all who have raised funds for our service in 2025, your fundraising is greatly appreciated and does so much to ensure that those in need of this vital service can continue to access support from Paul’s Place.

“WISHING YOU A PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS & A HOPEFUL, HEALTHY NEW YEAR”

Help Agnes Williams raise money to support PAUL'S PLACE - BCT

10/12/2025

Beacon Counselling Trust are extremely pleased to announce that Haringey Council have completed the Workplace Charter to Reduce Gambling Related Harms.

In completing this process to reduce gambling harms Haringey Council become the first council in London to join this important initiative.

Haringey have consistently demonstrated their commitment to address gambling harms across the borough through a wide range of activity. They now pledge their support to their workforce through attending the ‘Bet You Can Help’ gambling harms training programme and the implementation of gambling harms within their policy framework.

We thank and congratulate Haringey Council for joining the Workplace Charter and setting a benchmark for other organisations and local authorities across London to follow them.

09/12/2025

Beacon Counselling Trust were thrilled to work with South Ribble Borough Council recently who hosted a joint RAF and Army Cadet Force event who participated in our ‘Sometimes Its More Than Game’ young person’s gambling harms education programme.

The event, held over the weekend on 23rd November at the Civic Centre, was supported by the South Ribble Mayor Cllr Paul Wharton-Hardman BEM, Paul Foster MP, Cllr Williams (SRBC Armed Forces Champion) and the Deputy Lieutenant for Lancashire (and honorary Colonel for Lancashire Army Cadets), Colonel Charles Hadcock.

The event was very well attended with more than 70 Cadets and Adult Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers joining in from 2076 (Bamber Bridge) RAF Air Cadets, 2050 (Leyland) RAF Air Cadets Leyland and Dunkirk and Lostock Hall Army Cadet Detachments.

This engagement is seen as an important part of the work that South Ribble Borough Council do as part of their Armed Forces Covenant pledge.

Ian Whiteside from the BCT and the AFGSN delivered the workshop designed to education and inform young people about the potential harms associated with gambling and gaming form part of their wider Armed Forces Gambling Support Network engagement.

Massive thanks to Joanne Lloyd from SRBC who was instrumental in coordinating this well received event.

03/12/2025

Our Education Team delivered our Bet You Can Help Level 2 Programme to staff at Sefton Council. With Sefton signing up to the Work Place Charter a few months ago, training on gambling related harm is now part of the Gambling Harm reduction strategy within the Council. We are looking forward to the next training session.

01/12/2025

Our Paul’s Place Fundraising Event on Friday 07/11/2025 at The Devonshire House Hotel was a huge success and we would like to thank our event sponsors.
This support is greatly appreciated and helped all involved to have a great evening with all profits from our event going to the vital work of Paul’s Place in supporting adults bereaved by su***de in the Merseyside Area.