ABC Counselling, Play Therapy & Family Solutions

12/08/2026

💜 Raising Awareness: Support for Young People 💜

Last week, we at ABC had the opportunity to meet with PAPYRUS, a charity dedicated to the prevention of young su***de and supporting young people who may be struggling or feeling unsafe.

Our meeting was a valuable opportunity to learn more about the work PAPYRUS does and the support available to young people, as well as how we can continue to raise awareness and help young people know where they can turn when they need support.

We wanted to share information about HOPELINE 24/7, PAPYRUS's free and confidential support service. Young people can contact the service if they are experiencing thoughts of su***de, feeling overwhelmed or struggling, and support is also available for anyone who is worried about a young person.

📞 Call: 0300 102 2470
📱 Text: HOPE to 88247
📧 Email: [email protected]
💻 Webchat: Available through the PAPYRUS website when the service is open

HOPELINE 24/7 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The trained advisers are there to listen without judgement, offer support and help young people work towards staying safe.

Importantly, you don't have to wait until you're in crisis to reach out. If something doesn't feel right, or you're struggling and don't know where to turn, it's okay to ask for help. You don't need to have the right words — simply reaching out is a positive first step.

If you're worried about a young person, you can also contact HOPELINE 24/7 for advice and support about how to start a conversation and how best to support them.

At ABC, we believe that early support, open conversations and knowing where to turn can make a real difference. 💜

To find out more about PAPYRUS and the support they provide, visit:

Papyrus is a young person's su***de prevention charity. We provide urgent support through HopeLine 24/7, training, campaigns and conversations that save…

25/06/2026

Shared by the National Autistic Society, this powerful video follows Alex as he experiences sensory overload while out shopping with his mum.

It offers a glimpse into how everyday environments can become overwhelming for many autistic people, with sights, sounds, and sensations building to a level that can be difficult to manage.

By seeing the world through Alex's eyes, we can better understand the challenges that sensory overload can bring and why patience, understanding, and inclusive environments matter so much.

Take a few minutes to watch this important video and consider how small acts of awareness and support can make a real difference.

💙 Understanding leads to acceptance.
💙 Acceptance creates inclusion.
💙 Inclusion helps everyone thrive.

Thank you to the National Autistic Society for sharing this insight into autistic experiences.

Understand autism, the person and what to do. Visit http://bit.ly/2...

24/06/2026

🌞 Hot weather can affect everyone, but if you're taking antidepressants it's important to take extra care.

Some antidepressants can make it harder for your body to regulate temperature or increase the risk of dehydration. During warm weather:

💧 Drink plenty of water
🌳 Stay in the shade during the hottest part of the day
👒 Wear light, loose-fitting clothing
🏠 Keep indoor spaces cool where possible
⚠️ Be aware of symptoms such as dizziness, headache, excessive sweating, confusion, or feeling unusually unwell

Never stop taking your medication without speaking to a healthcare professional, but do seek advice if you're concerned about how the heat may affect you.

Please check in on friends, family members, and neighbours who may be more vulnerable during periods of hot weather.

19/06/2026

❤️ Making a Difference Together ❤️

ABC Director, Peter, preparing essential packs for families in need, a task that has been at the heart of our community support work for many years.

We are incredibly proud to share that since 2015, ABC Counselling, Play Therapy and Family Solutions has provided £193,288.92 worth of essential goods to families through the distribution of these packs.

Behind every pack is a commitment to ensuring that children and families facing hardship have access to the everyday essentials they need. Over the years, thousands of items have been distributed, offering practical support and a helping hand during difficult times.

This milestone reflects our ongoing dedication to supporting families and strengthening our community. Thank you to everyone who has supported our work and helped make this impact possible. A really big thank you to our volunteers and school partners who make the essentials project such a success.

Together, we can continue to make a real difference in the lives of families who need it most. 🌈

08/06/2026

A huge thank you to Kingsley Watts for another very generous donation 💙

We are delighted to be able to put this contribution towards a summer day out for our Transition Club members. Thanks to support like this, we can provide enjoyable experiences and create lasting memories for the young people who attend.

Your kindness and generosity are greatly appreciated, and we are incredibly grateful for your support. Thank you! ☀️

25/05/2026

🌊🧊 The Parent Life Iceberg – May Half Term Edition 🧊🌊

What people see:

✨ Family adventures
✨ Smiling kids
✨ Days out and treats
✨ Precious memories being made

What’s underneath it all:

☕ Early mornings powered by caffeine
🍽 Endless snack making
🧺 Mountains of washing
🚗 Non-stop trips and errands
🎨 Finding creative ways to keep everyone entertained
💸 Watching the budget while making memories
😴 Very little downtime
❤️ Giving your all, every single day

The May holidays can be busy, chaotic, expensive, loud, and exhausting… but they’re also full of the little moments our kids will remember forever.

Here’s to parents doing their best, creating memories in between the mess, and keeping the family going even when running on empty. You’re doing better than you think. 💛

11/05/2026

Good luck to all our amazing Year 6 and 11 clients starting their exams! 🌟

You have all worked incredibly hard and should be so proud of yourselves already. Remember, these tests do not define who you are - your kindness, creativity, determination and resilience matter just as much.

Take a deep breath, believe in yourselves, and do your best. We are all cheering you on every step of the way! 💙📚✨

11/05/2026

🌟 Happy Monday, Meet The Team 🌟

We love giving you the chance to get to know the people behind ABC Counselling, Play Therapy & Family Solutions. Let's say hello to another two members of the team. We asked them what they love about their role at ABC and to share a little fun fact about themselves!

Today we’re introducing Cheryl & Helen our Child & Family Therapists

Cheryl joined the team in February 2025 and said ‘I feel very lucky to do the work I do. Being able to support children and their families, and seeing the positive changes that happen through therapy, is very special’

Helen recently joined the team in February 2026 and said ‘I enjoy building trusting relationships with young people and giving them a safe space where they will be listened to without judgement and help them feel understood. It is rewarding to see resilience grow and support families through challenging times.’



What’s your favourite day of the week/why? ☀️📚

Cheryl: My favourite day of the week is Friday, because I love doing Friday Club 😊

If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be? 🎨🎸

Helen: Play Guitar


Keep an eye on our page as we continue sharing more about our wonderful team.

08/05/2026

Last night at the Thursday Transition Club at ABC Counselling, our young people spent the evening creating their own SATs positive affirmation jars 💛✨

Each jar was filled with encouraging messages, confidence-boosting reminders, and positive thoughts to help support them during the upcoming SATs period. From ''You are a SATs superstar” to “SATs don't test your inner self,” the young people created powerful affirmations they can turn to whenever they need a little extra reassurance.

Positive affirmations can have a huge benefit during exam season. They help children:
🌟 Build confidence and self-belief
🌟 Reduce stress and anxiety
🌟 Encourage a positive mindset
🌟 Improve resilience when facing challenges
🌟 Create calming routines before school or revision

With SATs approaching, it’s so important for young people to remember that their wellbeing matters just as much as their results. We are incredibly proud of the creativity, kindness, and encouragement shown by everyone who took part last night.

Good luck to all children preparing for SATs! You are all amazing, capable, and stronger than you think! 💫📚