Member Article

Wellspring moves into brand-new Starbeck Home

Work has now been completed at the new Starbeck home of Wellspring Therapy & Training, the Harrogate-based counselling and training centre.

The mental health charity has raised £236,000 to enable it to move into new premises to cope with the growing demand for its services.

The charity has relocated from Prospect Road, Starbeck, to nearby St Andrew’s Vicarage at 78 High Street, which has been bought by the Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation.

Wellspring is leasing the vicarage and has moved in this month (September) this year, after an extensive refurbishment, undertaken by both professional contractors and enthusiastic Wellspring volunteers.

The new home will be officially opened by Wellspring’s patron the Rt Rev Nick Baines, the Bishop of Leeds on Tuesday September 25.

He commented: “For many people with mental health issues, timely access to good quality talking therapy is essential. And at a time when access to that provision is at a premium, charities like Wellspring provide a crucial service.

“I was very glad to offer my support by becoming Wellspring’s patron and I am delighted to be officially opened their superb new premises later this month.”

RHS Harlow Carr has teamed up with Wellspring to create a beautiful garden at the back of 78 High Street.

Paul Cook of RHS Harlow Carr explained: “We were contacted by Wellspring about their garden and we were delighted to help. Our involvement fits in well with our Greening Grey Britain campaign, which aims to transform Britain to help our health, happiness, wildlife and the environment.

“This campaign encourages people to grow colourful containers, pull up paving stones and plant flowers. We are designing and planting a wonderful garden for Wellspring, which will make it a haven of peace, privacy and beauty throughout the year.” Emily Fullarton, director of Wellspring, said: “We are deeply grateful to RHS Harlow Carr for helping us. They know exactly what kind of peaceful environment we need in our garden and their overall design, combined with hedges, plants and flowers, will create a tranquil space for everyone visiting our new home.

“A beautiful garden is really beneficial for mental wellbeing and that is what is being created from what was a rather overgrown and neglected area. The transformation is already amazing and it will be brilliant once it is finished,” she said.

Wellspring is a well-respected charity, which was founded in 2003, provides affordable short and long-term counselling for Harrogate and district community.

Wellspring Trustee Nigel McClea explained: “These are exciting and rewarding times for everyone associated with our charity. We have been humbled by the generosity of so many people and organisations, which has helped us to reach our target of £236,000 within two years. The vicarage has been transformed into a first-class training and counselling centre.

“At the same time, we are so delighted by the wholehearted support shown by Bishop of Leeds. As one of the very senior members of the Church of England, with so many demands on his time, his support is a real endorsement of what we are trying to achieve.”

Emily Fullarton added: “The demand for our services in the Harrogate area is growing fast, which is why we needed to expand. According to local research, many people in Harrogate assume because it is a ‘nice town’ people don’t struggle with these issues. That simply isn’t true. There is a huge demand in Harrogate for our services and it’s increasing.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Robert Beaumont .