There are times in all our lives when we need more than anything else to be listened to. We may be facing a crisis through, for example, bereavement, redundancy, the breakdown of a close relationship or the onset of a serious illness.

Since April Vine Counselling Services has offered over 80 professional counselling sessions to people living, or registered with a doctor, in Banwell, Burrington, Churchill, Congresbury, Langford, Sandford, Winscombe, Wrington and Yatton.

The charity has opened the doors of a second venue - Birch Cottage (next to St James' Church Hall) - in the centre of Winscombe. Appointments will continue to be available at St Andrew's Refectory in Congresbury. It is hoped that there will be a venue in each of the villages covered by the charity.

Vine Counselling Services does not make a fixed charge for the help it offers and each counsellor gives his or her time voluntarily to the charity, but in real terms the cost of each counselling session is in the region of £40. Because of this, people receiving help are asked to make a donation of whatever they can afford towards the cost. The charity believes that no one should be barred from receiving help because of the inability to pay for counselling.

Vine Counselling Services is a member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists. To make an appointment, please phone 01934 876377 (a 24 hour message line operates and messages are picked up from Monday to Friday).