A new community counselling service is now available for adults across Birmingham and Solihull.

Developed in partnership between the NHS and the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector, it brings free, early mental health support directly into local communities — reaching people who may not be met by existing NHS services.

Many adults experiencing mild to moderate emotional distress do not meet the threshold for NHS Talking Therapies or Neighbourhood Mental Health Teams but still need support. This service is designed to bridge that gap, providing earlier, community-based counselling in accessible local settings, delivered by organisations that communities already know and trust.

Locality model and delivery

The service operates across six localities: Birmingham north, south, east, west, central, and Solihull. Each locality has a designated lead provider working alongside a network of VCFSE partners to coordinate and deliver services.

Birmingham North, East, West, Central and Solihull: Trustees Women’s Consortium leads delivery, working in partnership with Kapella Counselling, Cruse Bereavement Support, university providers, and a range of community and faith-based organisations. Women’s Consortium coordinates the referral hub, triage and allocation. Kapella Counselling provides relationship-focused and trauma-informed counselling, while Cruse Bereavement Support delivers specialist bereavement and grief support, including one-to-one and group sessions where appropriate.

Birmingham South: Gateway Family Services CIC leads delivery, working in partnership with Spring to Life, Murray Hall Community Centre, and Karis Neighbour Scheme.

Both lead providers work with university providers, community organisations and faith-based groups to promote the service and strengthen local reach across different communities.

Who is this service for?

The service is open to adults aged 18 and over across Birmingham and Solihull who are experiencing mild to moderate emotional distress, including those whose needs may not currently be met by NHS Talking Therapies or Neighbourhood Mental Health Teams.

Where NHS Talking Therapies or Neighbourhood Mental Health Teams may also be appropriate, people will be supported to choose the option that best meets their needs.

Community counselling can help with:

  • Low mood or depression
  • Grief and loss
  • Trauma
  • Relationship or family challenges
  • Adjusting to life changes
  • Low self-esteem or confidence
  • Identity and cultural wellbeing concerns

This service is not suitable for people in immediate crisis, experiencing active suicidal thoughts, or living with severe or complex mental health needs.

What the service offers

Sessions are delivered by British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or UK Council for Psychotherapy accredited counsellors, supported by appropriate clinical supervision and safeguarding processes.

  • One-to-one counselling
  • Group therapy, where appropriate
  • Person-centred and trauma-informed support
  • Relationship-focused counselling
  • Culturally sensitive counselling
  • Bereavement and grief support
  • Signposting or onward referral where another service is more suitable

Support is available in person, by phone or online. Interpreter support and accessible formats are available on request. The offer is tailored by locality, recognising that each area of Birmingham and Solihull has different community needs, languages, cultures and access barriers.

How to access the service

Self-referrals

You can self-refer into the counselling service, you do not need a professional to refer you. If you live in north, east, west or central Birmingham or Solihull, complete the online self-referral form. If you live in south Birmingham (Edgbaston or Northfield) contact Gateway Family Services on 0800 599 9880 or email gatewayfs@nhs.net.

Professional referrals

If you are a health or social care professional and wish to make a referral:

For patients/service users living in North, East, West, Central and Solihull, please complete the professionals online referral form. For patients/service users living in south Birmingham (Edgbaston or Northfield) contact Gateway Family Services on 0800 599 9880 or email gatewayfs@nhs.net.

You can self-refer into the counselling service, you do not need a professional to refer you.

If you live in north, east, west or central Birmingham or Solihull, complete the online self-referral form. If you live in south Birmingham (Edgbaston or Northfield) contact Gateway Family Services on 0800 599 9880 or email gatewayfs@nhs.net.