'It's a place where people come to heal' - newly qualified counsellor Jo on their time with New Futures

'Some counselling places can feel a little sterile, but New Futures is so much more cosy and welcoming,' Jo says.

The New Futures Project has a proud history of opening its door to students who want to experience the reality of working with the marginalised and abused people we support here.

We offer this opportunity to two particular groups - those studying social work and those who are on the road to a career in counselling and psychotherapy.

Jo Svec has come to the end of their placement here and it is plain to see just how much of an impression we have made on them.

Jo earned a BSc in counselling from the University of Derby before taking a further one-year course, also at Derby, to obtain the professional qualification needed to pursue a career as a therapist.

When they were looking for a good place to complete the 100 hours of counselling required to complete the course, a classmate from Leicester suggested us.

We were delighted to welcome Jo and to provide the professional and personal advice and support they needed to thrive during their time with us.

Speaking at the end of the placement, the 25-year-old told us: "New Futures is a great place. I was impressed by everything there.

"Some counselling places can feel a little sterile, but New Futures is so much more cosy and welcoming. It's a place where people come to heal."

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One of our 'cosy and welcoming' counselling rooms.

In their time they were with us, Jo, who lives in Derby, worked closely with four women who are living with trauma.

"I hadn't worked with such high-risk and complex cases before - but that's the nature of New Futures and the women and young people it works with," they said.

"So, coming here has definitely been a significant step-up for me. It has been fascinating to see how the counselling process works in reality, not in theory.

"Mental health support is still such a young industry. I'd say the UK is at the forefront of this form of care and that is something to be proud of, but there is still so much more we could do."

Our counselling co-ordinator Manisha Zala said: "We are very proud of all the students who come to the New Futures Project for their counselling placements and walking them through their journeys."

The New Futures Project offers a comprehensive welfare and counselling service for women and young people dealing with sexual abuse or exploitation, domestic violence, trafficking, poverty and debt, substance use or mental ill-health.

Call us on 0116 251 0803 or send us a message at: info@new-futures.org.uk

You can find us at 71 London Road, Leicester, LE2 0PE.