Westmeria says male clients are up 50% since ex-Bromley FC player Francis Duku became its ambassador. Almost 100 professionals came to its first summit.
Westmeria Counselling Services, the Bromley charity that counsels people with a low cost donation set by them, says the number of men coming to it for help has risen by 50% since it launched an ambassador scheme earlier this year.
The figure came out at the charity’s first mental health summit, held on World Mental Health Day, Saturday 10 October. Almost 100 counsellors, therapists and other mental health professionals attended the one-day event, which Westmeria called “Turning Insight and Learning into Impact”.
A former Bromley FC player on men and counselling
The founding ambassador is Francis Duku, a former Bromley FC player. He sat down with Westmeria’s founder and chief executive, Sue Doughty, for a fireside chat about making counselling a normal thing for men to do.
The charity says the conversation also touched on how its “ambassador initiative has already had an impact”, with the number of male clients up 50% since the scheme started.
Westmeria’s ambassadors page describes Duku as a former semi-professional footballer with more than 15 years’ experience, founder of Sports Circle and chief executive of Non-League Day, who “uses his platform to promote wellbeing across grassroots football, challenge stigma and encourage more men to see seeking support as a strength, not a weakness”. A second ambassador listed there, Phil Greenaway, was Director of Sport at Dulwich College for 12 years.
Commenting on the success of the summit, Doughty said: “I am delighted that the summit was such a success. We are a small team and my thanks go to everyone who worked so hard in making it a success. Our ambassadors Francis and Phil are helping us to normalise counselling for men, reframing seeking support as a strength not a weakness. I’m also immensely grateful to our male counsellors who have shared their stories about their own personal experiences. We know first-hand how important this is and it is borne out by the Government Men’s Health Strategy launched last November identifying mental health as a priority.”
What the summit covered
Sue Doughty opened the day. The rest of the programme was continuing professional development (CPD) for people who work in mental health, with clinical speakers on five subjects:
- trauma
- perinatal anxiety
- addiction
- single-session therapy
- survivor-led care
There was also a panel discussion and time for those attending to meet each other. Westmeria says the aim was to give “practical clinical insights” that counsellors could take back to their own work.
From one room in Beckenham
Doughty founded Westmeria in 2003 in a single room in Beckenham. The charity (registered charity number 1111486) says it now has a team of 100 professional counsellors who deliver more than 250 client sessions a week, in person and online, from two centres in Bromley and Bickley.
What it means for you
If you live in the borough and want counselling but cannot pay private rates, Westmeria says it offers up to 24 sessions by donation, from as little as £10 a session, “regardless of their financial situation”. Details are on its low-cost counselling page, and the contact page has both centres. It also runs private counselling.
World Mental Health Day was marked elsewhere in the borough too: John Xuereb gave a free talk in Beckenham on the same day.
If you need help urgently, call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option, or call 999 in an emergency.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Westmeria counselling cost?
Westmeria says it offers up to 24 sessions by donation, from as little as £10 a session, to people regardless of their financial situation. It also offers private counselling.
Where are Westmeria’s counselling centres?
It has two centres, in Bromley and Bickley, and also counsels clients online.
Who is Francis Duku?
A former Bromley FC player and Westmeria’s founding ambassador. The charity’s website describes him as founder of Sports Circle and chief executive of Non-League Day.
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