Brighter Horizons 4U

St. Andrews Maghull CE Primary School

I am pleased to be able to endorse Brighter Horizons Counselling Service.

I have used this service over the last 3 years to assist pupils in two different schools and every child referred has gained benefit from working with the trained counsellor who has a deep understanding of young children, their emotional and social development and techniques to help them deal with crisis situations.

The pupils who have used this service have found it to be a source of comfort during difficult times and looked forward each week to the chance to unburden to independent confidante. They have gained in confidence and in understanding their own emotional reactions to situations which, through techniques taught, they are able to manage independently

Referral have been made for children suffering bereavement, family divorce, anger management issues, friendship difficulties and a variety of other emotional problems.

The impact on individual pupils’ learning has been very and each one has made progress in their learning following referral.

there is currently no other service of this kind offered to schools. There is a long waiting list for local authority counselling for children and usually a child has to be at severe crisis point to qualify. Without the service of Brighter Horizons my school, and lots of others, would have a significant number of unhappy children, an increase in disruptive behaviour and parents anxious for help to support their child.

If i can be of further help please contact me on the above telephone number

Sue Kerwin
Head Teacher
St. Andrews Maghull CE Primary School 

Christchurch CE Primary School

I am writing in support of ‘ Brighter Horizons 4U’ counselling service which has provided an invaluable service to our school since April 2010.

The Counsellor has worked weekly with numerous pupils and their parents and has made a big impact on addressing their needs in an empathetic and understanding manner.

The service was first offered on a free trial basis, but because of the positive impact we have felt as a school we are more than willing to pay out of our budget for accessible, highly professional service.

Many of our pupils are in need of counselling services and often waiting lists are long or Parents do not keep appointments. Brighter Horizons 4U can provide this service in school in a non-threatening environment and ensure children access the required support quickly.

Brighter Horizons 4U is an important part of our school community support and i would fully endorse any application made for funding to continue them to provide their service.

Caroline Tattersall
Family Learning Mentor / Pastoral Manager
Christchurch CE Primary School 

Formby High School

We have been using BH4U for some time now and since we began the programme in Sept 2008 and since then the programme has supported around 25 students with emotional difficulties, behaviour, confidence and anger management.

The service that is provided by Liz Hulse has been excellent – Liz attends all scheduled appointments, meets with students, offers to meet with parents as well as liaising with school staff on how to support the cohort of students that she sees weekly.

Students who have left programme do so after some personal development and improvement – attending school more often, less referrals to school sanctions, improved friendships and relationships as well as seeming happier around school.

The feedback from students is that the programme has supported them, that Liz is very personable and easy to talk to and they find it comforting and helpful to have someone from an external agency in school to speak to – rather than speaking to parents, teachers or other school staff.

As well as supporting the students, Liz also liaises with staff to give them support when dealing with certain students and situations, which has been very beneficial.

We hope to secure funding to continue the programme next academic year.

Caroline Mitchell
Pastoral Support Manager,
Formby High School