Family Welfare is a long-established charity offering free, independent and confidential counselling, advocacy and community development services to people across the Wigan Borough. Our services are accessible to adults, young people and children from the age of 4 upwards.
Who we can support
Working together with other local organisations, including schools, family support organisations, hospitals and care facilities, we are able to support:
- Vulnerable people
- Individuals in crisis or facing challenges in life
- Victims of crime
- New parents preparing for, or adjusting to, family life
- Bereaved families
- Children in care or about to leave care
- School and college students
- Elderly people living in care
- Individuals detained under the Mental Health Act
- Individuals detained under the Mental Capacity Act
Counselling & Advocacy Services
Access Counselling Support
With NHS counselling waiting lists longer than ever, Family Welfare could help you access counselling support quickly, so you can tackle challenges, explore solutions, and move forward in life. Sessions are confidential, fully accessible and designed around your personal needs.
Access Advocacy Support
Experienced advocates represent and safeguard vulnerable children, young people and adults with a level of care, empathy and understanding that ensures every individual has their voice heard. We operate to the highest standards of service and support, always putting the client first.
9,552 sessions were delivered throughout all of the counselling projects in 2022!
In 2022 Family Welfare dealt with over 1,300 counselling referrals in the North West.
We provide Advocacy support to over 830 people in Wigan & Leigh areas alone!
Latest news
How we do it
Counselling, advocacy and community support
Working in partnership we serve the whole community, of all faiths and none, by celebrating the gift of family life in all its variety and helping heal where it is bruised and broken.
Our focus is on offering accessible counselling, advocacy and other services to support families and individual family members in a variety of life situations, from birth to death. This can mean helping people adapt within the family environment or, when necessary, helping individuals rediscover and value themselves in new circumstances and following trauma.
Making a difference to the lives of local families
We are proud of our incredible, committed team of counsellors, advocates, volunteers and support staff who share a common goal to make a difference to the lives of families across the borough. Everyone at Family Welfare believes in learning through experience. Listening to the community guides us to develop and deliver new programmes of person-centred therapy and other activities.
Flexibility in delivery is key to the success of our support. From single session therapy to multi-session counselling and school visits, adults and young people can access free counselling services online, in-person, or at a location of your choice.
Volunteer with us
Can you spare a few hours a week to give back to your community? If you are interested in becoming a Family Welfare volunteer, please get in touch. We welcome applications from volunteer and student counsellors, advocates and support staff.