A new wellbeing centre in City of London will be officially opened on 7 October by Lord Mayor William Russell.
The new site, backed by £451,000 from the City of London Corporation, offers counselling and psychotherapy for workers in the Square Mile and those who live in or close to the City.
The centre, located on Middlesex Street in the east of the City, has been offering virtual services during the pandemic and will now open within government Covid-19 guidelines.
Randall Anderson, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Community and Children’s Services Committee, said: “Supporting good mental health among our residents and workers is a key priority for the City Corporation.
“We know that the coronavirus pandemic has and continues to have a huge impact on people’s mental, physical, social and financial health.
“We are delighted to open this new service, with its new quick, safe and effective access to professional advice and treatment.”
Marianne Fredericks, Chairman of the City’s Health and Wellbeing Board, added: “Good health and wellbeing comes from a combination of physical, mental and social activity. We are delighted to be working with Tavistock Relationships on this programme.
“The City Wellbeing Centre is an extremely positive addition to the City and will serve Londoners from a range of boroughs.”
Sessions will be provided by staff from Tavistock Relationships, which has over 70 years of experience in working with people’s mental health concerns and relationship difficulties.
As a non-profit organisation, Tavistock Relationships makes its services accessible to everyone by providing therapy on the basis of what they can afford.
Although a paid for service, the centre will deliver subsidised mental health and well-being support for residents and workers on low incomes, improving access to treatments that are not available through the NHS.
Tavistock Relationships CEO Andrew Balfour said: “In establishing the City Wellbeing Centre, the City of London Corporation has shown great vision.
“The need for easy-to-access evidence-based help has never been greater, and Tavistock Relationships’ community of therapists will offer counselling and psychotherapy for individuals and couples who are experiencing a range of difficulties, including depression, anxiety, bereavement and struggles with work or family life.
“A unique feature of the services offered by the City Wellbeing Centre is that the therapy is accessible to all, charged on the basis of what individuals and couples can afford.
“Although these services are currently being offered online, it is hoped that in time there will be a return to face-to-face work as well as online therapy.”
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