Shetland Carers have been fortunate enough to secure funding, for the first time, through the Creative Breaks programme, part of the Short Breaks Fund resourced by the Scottish Government and distributed by Shared Care Scotland.

This funding will allow us to offer carers in Shetland the chance to access some counselling sessions with Laurence Sutherland, who is an accredited member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP), and who has over 20 years experience:

https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/laurence-sutherland

All carers registered with Shetland Carers can apply to our free Counselling Service. Counselling is about empowerment and change, it offers carers a safe, supportive environment to discover more about themselves, explore difficulties and find solutions. Carers may bring issues to counselling, either directly or indirectly related to their caring role.

Once Shetland Carers has received your application, you will be contacted by a staff member and, if you meet our eligibility criteria, a referral will be made. You will then be asked to contact Laurence Sutherland directly to arrange sessions at a mutually convenient time and location, and his contact details will be given. Carers will be offered six sessions in total, which includes an initial assessment. Sessions will either be at Laurence’s premises in Scalloway or at Market House, Lerwick. Both locations ensure confidentiality and a relaxed atmosphere where carers can talk freely. All sessions are free.

For further information and details of how to apply to the Counselling Service, please visit:

Counselling Service | Voluntary Action Shetland - Virtual Carers Centre (shetlandcarers.org)