Room To Talk
Room To Talk, Room To Grow.
Currently, we are at capacity for volunteer placements (April 2019) and do not expect to be able to offer new placements until Jan 2020.
We are always interested in hearing from qualified or suitably experienced counsellors & therapists in training who would like to volunteer for Room to Talk. We particularly welcome volunteers with professional or personal experience of mental health conditions and counsellors with dual heritage and or additional language skills as we are currently under represented in these areas.
We recommend a visit to HMP YOI Styal to meet us and to have a look around the establishment to ensure it’s an environment that you would feel comfortable in. There is no obligation; working in a prison doesn’t suit everyone and it’s a demanding and challenging placement, although hugely rewarding. If after a visit and an informal interview you would like to go ahead we will start the security vetting process. Please note that the process can be lengthy and you will be required to attend compulsory training before you can gain entry.
We ask for a minimum commitment of 1 year to provide continuity for our clients and out of respect to the prison governors who provide us the autonomy to develop our service within HMP YOI Styal.
Success Stories
“My counselling has improved my wellbeing massively. It has given me so much confidence, I haven’t self-harmed since I started my counselling 3 months ago and I don’t think I will again because my counsellor helped me to understand why I did it. If women are willing to commit 100% like it did, they too can have their lives changed. It’s been great, you’re great, thank you!”
“Thank you for helping me understand my problems”.
“I feel I’m in a much better place, I have been able to offload and declutter my mind. I feel less tense and much calmer. My counsellor was really nice and very understanding”.