How New Futures can help you take your first steps as a counsellor

The New Futures Project is to offer part-time counselling training for people who want to take their first steps on the path to qualifying as therapists or who are simply interested in their own personal or professional development.

The project, in London Road, Leicester city centre, has opened recruitment for the Level Two Certificate in Counselling Skills.

The 30-week course, which is accredited by the Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body, (CPCAB), will run from autumn this year until summer 2024.

The group, which supports women and young people who have experienced sexual abuse and exploitation, drug or alcohol use, homelessness or mental ill-health, has never offered such training before.

However, it does employ a team of workers, volunteers and students to support and counsel those in need.

Those taking part will gain a qualification which could prove an asset in their personal or professional lives even if they do not intend to go on to complete the further studies required for qualification as a therapist.

There is space for 32 students – 16 in two classes, one which will run during the day and the other in the evening. 

According to the CPCAB, the level two certificate will develop participants’ counselling skills and give them a ‘deeper understanding of counselling theories, ethics and self-awareness’. The annual fee is £850.

A spokeswoman for New Futures, a registered charity said: “It could be the first step on the path to becoming a counsellor, but also a lot of people might choose to do the level two course even if they don’t want to be a counsellor – they might just want to fine-tune their listening skills and their ability to be empathetic.

“That could be people working in a range of jobs, possibly HR or those who are mental health first-aiders in their workplace.

“So it can be about personal development as well as helping them decide whether they want a career in counselling.”

The New Futures Project is based at 71 London Road, Leicester, LE2 0PE.

For further details, contact the project on 0116 251 0803 or at: info@new-futures.org.uk