We have been able to support North East Counselling Service’s (NECS) quick response to the challenges of COVID-19 by pivoting their service delivery to an online offer.

NECS has received a further £130,000 from the North East Social Investment Fund to help with their ongoing planned expansion but also support their response to the Coronavirus pandemic. NECS has set up online, remote counselling services via Zoom which means they can reach more people, more easily at a time when there is an increasing need for their support.

This second investment from NESIF was agreed for NECS to help continue to support the organisation’s planned expansion work and also enable the organisation in response to the current Coronavirus pandemic, and is also supported by a repayment holiday.

NECS Chief Executive Marj Hunter (pictured) said, “This is such a worrying time for people all across the country, and we felt we had to be able to support people even when stuck at home and self-isolating. With this additional investment from Northstar Ventures we have been able to quickly pivot our services and offer our high quality counselling via Zoom or telephone to anyone, anywhere in the country, with a first appointment within days, rather than weeks or months. We’re grateful to Northstar for their continued support and flexibility, and also to the NECS team for responding so quickly to the changes.”

Alison Collins, Investment Manager, Northstar Ventures, said, “We’ve been impressed with NECS growth and vision for some time, and are pleased to be supporting this pivot in their offer which means that they can continue to run their vital services, and even more people can benefit from them when they are very much needed.”

For more information go to www.necounselling.org.uk