Helping to rebuild lives

February saw the second highest month for women and men being put in contact with the Moorgate-based support charity in the past two years.

Service manager Natalie Thompson said RACS - formerly Rotherham Women’s Counselling Service - is operating to capacity.

Natalie, a trained mechanic who moved across to the voluntary sector 15 years ago, said: “We’re a growing organisation so we’re facing the challenges that come with that.

“We are limited by the number of counselling hours we can provide. 

“We’re at capacity and would like to increase that, but we just haven’t got the funding to do that at the moment.

“We want to do more. We’re looking at the potential of offering male group therapy, that’s from our counsellors who do specialist work with male clients.”

RACS moved next door to bigger premises at Rainbow House, Moorgate Road, in 2015. 

Natalie said expansion aims include adding a seventh counselling room.

Another is to increase the number of pre and post-therapy places, which bookend a course of counselling to help clients adjust.

The service has seen demand increase massively since the publication of the Jay report. 

It started life with three hours’ counselling each week in 2005 and arranged 2,222 sessions for clients in 2015.

RACS had 291 referrals in 2014 - 12 times more than in 2008 - and that figure jumped again last year to 477.

There are 11 counsellors and three office staff - all part-time - working under a growing management committee looking at potential funding sources.

Natalie, who joined RACS in August having previously worked for Voluntary Action Sheffield and Doncaster CVS, said: “It’s significant work that our counsellors do.

“It is lifesaving stuff. It’s so important to retain the experience, especially in something like this, which is so specialised.

“There are thank you cards we get that say we’ve given that client their life back. Some want to contribute to our AGM or make items for us to sell in our waiting room and bring in a few extra pounds.

“Other ex-clients are just happy to know that they have good coping strategies, that they’ve developed those skills and have a network of people around them.

“It does vary depending on the individual. Every client-counsellor relationship is unique.”

One client said: “The service has validated my worth as a person. 

“They have confirmed my resolve to keep going after having a real battle to find the right help for my mental and physical health issues.”

Rotherham MP Sarah Champion praised the “fantastic” tailored therapy helping RACS clients rebuld their lives.

She said: “It is essential that victims and survivors are able to access therapeutic services like those at RACS as part of the healing process.

“I am proud to be a patron of a charity that continues to be pivotal in supporting victims and survivors of abuse in its various forms.”

Contact RACS on 01709 835482 or [email protected].