Supporting Signpost Counselling

The Bugler Foundation has been a staunch supporter of Signpost Counselling since 2018. Signpost provide counselling services for young people aged 10-25. Signpost’s clients include young survivors of domestic and/or sexual abuse, parental drug and alcohol misuse, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and depression aged 10-25. The service also partners with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) to deliver early intervention support for children and young people experiencing mental health challenges.

One YMCA were delighted to welcome Andy Bugler, Bugler Group CEO and Thomas Bugler, Head of Marketing, to their Signpost offices recently to talk about the positive impact the Foundation’s support has had on the service, and the charity’s plans to further its reach. Signpost offers face to face counselling at its Watford base with the option for outreach in local educational settings. The service also offers flexible support with telephone and video appointments for young people who work, live or study across Hertfordshire.

As well as the great improvement the service sees in their young client’s mental health, with 3,778 sessions delivered in the last financial year, Signpost and Bugler Group are incredibly proud of the remarkable decrease in wait times from referral to receiving counselling. The current average wait time is just 35 days, significantly less than the 90 days Signpost are contracted to deliver. Although the need for the service continues to grow, the waiting list has reduced from over 400 to less than 20 in the last year.

Andy Bugler, Bugler Group Chief Executive said: “We have been proud supporters of the vital work that Signpost Counselling provide for young people in Hertfordshire since 2018. These latest figures from the team including the reduction in numbers on the waiting list, in addition to the amazing decrease in time to start counselling, are fantastic statistics and a testament to the hard work of all involved. We look forward to continuing our partnership into 2025 and beyond.”

Image shows left to right: Gemma Beiny – Signpost Therapeutic Services Manager, Nicola Lee – One YMCA Head of Therapeutic and Specialist Support Services, Andy Bugler – Bugler Group Chief Executive, Thomas Bugler – Bugler Group Head of Marketing and Guy Foxell – One YMCA CEO.

For more information on how you can support Signpost and One YMCA, please visit oneymca.org or contact [email protected]