Addressing inequality through counselling

Since 1983, Arun Counselling Centre’s (ACC’s) mission has remained the same: to deliver accessible, high-quality mental health support across the region.

As a charity, everything we do is focused on providing part-funded or low-cost services for those who might otherwise be unable to access counselling. We can offer this thanks to the generosity of our funders and donors, as well as income from full-paying clients, our workplace wellbeing programmes, and the CPD we deliver to counselling professionals.

Arun is often described as a mixed district, but local data shows that many residents face significant challenges, including economic hardship, poorer health, lower qualifications, and unstable employment. Around 18,000 people live in neighbourhoods ranked among the most deprived 20% nationally, and nearly one in five children are growing up in poverty. These pressures contribute to higher rates of mental health concerns, including self-harm admissions, and result in noticeable differences in life expectancy across the district. In this context, counselling is not just valuable, it is essential. It offers early support for people carrying the greatest social and emotional burden and helps reduce the long-term impact of deprivation on individuals, families, and the wider community.

Counselling also plays a vital role in reducing inequality. By ensuring that people who cannot afford private therapy or face lengthy NHS wait times can still receive timely support, it helps prevent problems from escalating and offers stability to those managing multiple disadvantages. It reduces the emotional strain linked to poverty, insecure housing, and unemployment, while strengthening confidence, resilience, and family wellbeing. With good mental health forming the foundation for education, employment, and social participation, accessible counselling gives people a fairer chance to thrive.

For people in work, many employers provide counselling through an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), which offers confidential support without individuals needing to cover the cost themselves. EAPs are typically available to all contracted staff, including part-time workers, giving more people the chance to access timely emotional support. Working with a local EAP provider also brings the benefit of counsellors who understand the area, the pressures people face, and the realities of living and working in Sussex. By removing financial barriers, widening access, and offering support rooted in local knowledge, EAP provision helps working people manage stress, anxiety, and personal difficulties before they escalate.

People seek counselling for a wide range of reasons, often related to how they are feeling rather than a formal diagnosis. Common concerns include anxiety, low mood or depression, challenges linked to neurodiversity, stress at work or home, and relationship difficulties. Counselling provides a safe, supportive space to explore feelings, develop coping strategies, and better understand personal patterns and triggers. It can also help people respond to modern pressures such as constant news updates, social media, or day-to-day stressors in healthier ways. Importantly, you don’t need a GP referral to access counselling; if you know how you are feeling and want support, you can take the first step yourself. By addressing challenges early, counselling promotes emotional resilience and overall wellbeing.

At Arun Counselling Centre (ACC), we provide a safe, confidential, compassionate, and non-judgmental space where you can pause, reflect, and make time for yourself – no matter what you’re experiencing. Counselling at ACC is about listening, understanding, and supporting you. It can help you navigate life’s pressures so you can find balance, clarity, and a sense of control.

Suzanne’s story:

When Suzanne first came to Arun Counselling Centre (ACC), she described herself as “emotionally wrecked.”

Life felt unmanageable, and her self-esteem was at rock bottom. “I often had suicidal thoughts,” she recalls. “I didn’t know who I was and couldn’t navigate the world around me.”

With regular, weekly counselling sessions, over time, the impact became clear not just to Suzanne but to her family and friends.

“They noticed a big difference in me, especially that I was more assertive and started putting myself first sometimes,” she shares. “I’ve learned techniques to stay calm and navigate life more easily. It’s even helped my family, because I’ve been able to teach them how to cope too.

“I would highly recommend ACC. Give it a go, you won’t regret it. They’re kind, flexible, and affordable. It’s an amazing service.”

Arun Counselling Centre is a BACP Accredited Counselling Service and registered charity.

If you, or someone you would know, would benefit from counselling, or you are an employer or employee who wants an EAP, visit our website at aruncounselling.com or call us on 01903 714417 to find out more.