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Counselling in the Community

Blackpool's community counselling charity — 8 years of impact

You deserve someone to talk to. We're here.

Affordable, compassionate counselling for children, young people, and adults. Sessions from £5. No one turned away.

★ King's Award 2025·130 volunteers·4 hubs·From £5

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Dedicated volunteers

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Community hubs

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People supported each week

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Years of CITC

What we offer

Support for every stage of life

Children

Aged 4 and above

Early support makes a lasting difference. We work with young children in a safe, welcoming space — helping them understand and express what they're feeling.

Young People

Tailored adolescent support

Navigating adolescence is hard. Our counsellors understand what young people face today — from anxiety and identity to school pressure and family change.

Adults

One-to-one counselling

Whether it's anxiety, grief, relationships, or something you can't quite name — we listen without judgement and help you find a way forward at your own pace.

Sensory Room

A different kind of space

A calming, specially-designed sensory environment available to those who need a different way to engage with support. Safe, quiet, and welcoming.

Why CITC

Real support. Real results. Real accountability.

We're a registered charity, not a private clinic. Everything we do is accountable, transparent, and designed around the people we serve.

1195816

Registered Charity

Regulated by the Charity Commission for England and Wales

130+

Volunteer counsellors

Every session delivered by trained, supervised counsellors

8 years

Serving the community

Founded 2017 — trusted in Blackpool since day one

King's Award for Voluntary Service

UK's highest honour for voluntary groups · 2025

No GP referral needed
Strictly confidential
Sliding scale — from £5
No one turned away due to cost

Supported & recognised by

National Lottery Community FundFundraising RegulatorICO registeredZanda
King's Award 2025

Why not just wait for the NHS?

Because three months is a long time to wait.

The average NHS counselling waiting time in England is 3 months or more. CITC can often see you within days. The support is just as professional — and for many people, the cost is lower.

NHS Talking Therapies
CITC
Typical wait time
3–6 months
Days to weeks
Session cost
Free (if eligible)
£5–£30 sliding scale
Referral required
GP referral needed
Self-refer online
Children (4+)
Limited availability
Yes, specialist sessions
In-person options
Varies by area
4 hubs across Fylde Coast
Fast-track option
No
Help to Help — from £40

NHS wait times are illustrative, based on published NHS England averages. Individual circumstances vary. CITC availability subject to current demand. Prices correct as of 2026.

Transparent pricing

Counselling that doesn't cost the earth

We use a sliding scale based on your income so cost is never a barrier to getting the support you need.

No one is turned away due to money concerns.

Talk to us about your situation
Your situationPer session
On benefits or unemployed£5
Earning up to £20,000£10
Earning £20,001 – £30,000£20
Earning over £30,000£30
Initial assessment (everyone)£10

Simple process

How it works

We've made it as easy as possible to take the first step. Here's what to expect.

01

Get in touch

Fill in our short form or call us. We'll respond quickly and without pressure — there's no obligation at this stage.

02

Initial assessment

A relaxed conversation to understand your situation and what kind of support would suit you best. This costs £10.

03

Ongoing sessions

Regular one-to-one sessions at a time that works for you. We'll match you with the right counsellor for your needs.

Made for your situation

Whoever you are — we understand

Our services are shaped around the real lives of people in Blackpool and the Fylde Coast.

For adults

You deserve support too

Whether it's anxiety, grief, relationship stress, or something you can't quite name — we listen without judgement and help you find a way forward.

  • One-to-one sessions
  • Sliding scale from £5
  • No referral needed
  • In-person, phone, or online
Self-refer today
For parents

When your child is struggling

We work with children from age 4 using play-based therapy and specialist spaces, including our sensory room in Bispham.

  • Children aged 4 and above
  • Play therapy approach
  • Sensory room available
  • Parent involvement welcomed
Learn about our children's centre
For young people

Someone who actually gets it

Adolescence is hard. Our counsellors specialise in the challenges young people face — anxiety, identity, school pressure, and family change.

  • Ages 13–17
  • Age-appropriate approach
  • Confidential
  • Sessions at a hub near you
See how we can help

Where to find us

Four hubs across the Fylde Coast

We're embedded in the communities we serve. Every hub offers private counselling rooms in a safe, welcoming environment — close to where you live.

South Shore

Main hub
15 Waterloo RoadBlackpool, FY4 1AD
  • Adult & young people sessions
  • Central Blackpool location
  • Telephone sessions available

Sensory room opening when hub reopens

Get directions

Bispham

Children's Centre
76 Guildford AvenueBispham, Blackpool FY2 0AB
  • Children aged 4 and above
  • Specialist sensory room
  • Play therapy & sanctuary garden
Get directions

Cleveleys

9-11 Crescent WestThornton-Cleveleys, FY5 1AD
  • Four private counselling rooms
  • Adults and young people
  • Open six days a week
Get directions

Fleetwood

Pharos StreetFleetwood, FY7 6BE
  • Within Fleetwood Hospital
  • Adults and young people
  • Serving Wyre & Fylde
Get directions

Not sure which hub to visit?

See full hub details

What people say

Lives changed. In their own words.

These aren't hand-picked success stories. They're the kind of conversations we have every week.

Adult counselling · Blackpool
When the NHS told me I'd be waiting three months, I felt completely alone. Within a week, CITC had seen me. My counsellor didn't just listen — she understood me. For the first time in a long time, I felt hopeful.
J

Jessie

Adult client, South Shore

Parent · Children's Centre
My daughter was struggling in ways I didn't fully understand. After just a few sessions in Bispham, she started sleeping again. Her teacher noticed the difference before I could even put it into words.
J

Julie M.

Parent, Bispham

Help to Help · Cleveleys
I couldn't face a months-long wait. The Help to Help service was the right call — I was seen quickly, the sessions were serious, and it made a real difference at a time I really needed it.
P

Peter H.

Adult client, Cleveleys

Common questions

Questions & answers

If you can't find what you're looking for, just get in touch and we'll be happy to help.

Before I enquire

We support children aged 4 and above, young people, and adults. Whether you're seeking help for yourself, your child, or someone you care about, we're here. You don't need a GP referral.

Sessions run on a sliding scale from £5 to £30 based on your income. Your initial assessment is £10 for everyone. If you're on benefits or unemployed, sessions are £5. No one is turned away if money is a concern — just talk to us.

We aim to see people much sooner than NHS waiting lists allow. Many clients are seen within days of getting in touch rather than waiting months.

Self-refer today

Ready to get started? You don't need a GP — just get in touch.

Self-refer today →

About our services

Help to Help is our fast-track counselling service. If you need support quickly and can pay £40 per session, we can typically see you within 7 working days — far sooner than standard availability. Same professional counsellors, same confidential service.

Learn more about Help to Help →

Yes — we offer sessions via telephone and video call as well as in-person across our four hubs. Let us know your preference when you get in touch and we'll find the right fit.

Yes — we work with children from the age of 4 upwards. Our counsellors are experienced in working with young children and use approaches suited to their age and development.

Unsure which hub is closest to you?

See all our hubs →

Cost and access

Your first appointment is a relaxed, informal assessment — a chance for us to understand your situation and find the best match for your needs. There's no pressure and no obligation to continue.

We operate from four community hubs across Blackpool — South Shore, Bispham, Cleveleys, and Fleetwood. Get in touch and we'll find the most convenient location for you.

See hub locations →

About the charity

Yes. Counselling in the Community is a registered charity (No. 1195816), regulated by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. We were founded in 2017 and in 2025 received the King's Award for Voluntary Service — the highest award given to UK voluntary groups.

We rely on over 130 dedicated volunteer counsellors and supporters. Whether you're a qualified counsellor, a trainee, or have other skills to offer, we'd love to hear from you.

Learn about volunteering →

Ready to take the first step?

It takes courage to ask for help. We make it as easy as possible.

Get in touch today

No obligation · Confidential · We respond within 1 working day

Get in touch

Send us a message

Fill in the form and we'll get back to you within one working day. Everything you share is strictly confidential.

No referral needed
Sessions from £5
No one turned away due to cost

Your information is kept strictly confidential and will only be used to arrange counselling support.