Wellbeing & Mental Health Support
At Black Mountains College, we recognise that learning, creativity and meaningful change are only possible when you feel supported, safe and able to thrive.
This page brings together the support, guidance and resources available to you. Whether you’re looking for someone to talk to, practical advice, or ways to reconnect and recharge, you’ll find pathways here.
Support from BMC + NPTC
BMC will undertake termly 1:1s with each individual student to discuss your progress and wellbeing. Should you ever require any other help, support or guidance your tutors are always here to help. BMC are working with NPTC College Group, meaning you have access to their facilities, guidance and support. NPTC have a team of Wellbeing Coordinators who provide a service which supports the students. The Wellbeing team draw on relationships with partner agencies to support those most at risk. Contact the team through your tutor or e-mail: wellbeing@nptcgroup.ac.uk
BMC are also currently developing additional wellbeing resources and services for our students – if you need specialist support for any personal or wellbeing issues please contact your tutor or Fenella Lloyd (Fenella@blackmountainscollege.uk) for advice and help making contact.
Many students, for a variety of reasons, may need extra help to succeed with their studies and achieve their potential. NPTC group of Colleges have an excellent record of supporting students with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) and Disabilities. BMC aim to make any reasonable adjustments required in order to accommodate all students. We are flexible in our approach and we realise that needs change over time; we carry out regular reviews of students’ learning needs and adapt any support to provide the best possible outcomes.
Our own Student Support Lead, Fenella Lloyd (Fenella@blackmountainscollege.uk) is on hand throughout the week to provide advice and guidance and has expertise with a range of learning styles, experiences and difficulties. Fenella will be able to help identify any adjustments you need as well as provide further advice and support as well as additional wellbeing and specialist resources.
You can also access the NPTC ALN team, who are located at Brecon Campus Student Zone, and are available to offer advice, guidance, and support to all students. Please visit the NPTC Study Support section on their website for more information or to speak to a member of the Student Services Team. If you require any further help, please speak to your tutor or Fenella via the contact information above.
NPTC have a professional Counselling Service. Counsellors can be accessed via self-referral or through referral by your tutors. They provide a confidential service for students across all sites, are professionally qualified, adhere to the BACP Code of Ethics and have extensive experience in a wide variety of areas.
Counselling is provided on a six-session model and the team link closely with specialist external partners. It can be done via Tearns or over the phone. To contact the counselling team, visit Student Moodie/Student Support/Counselling to complete an online referral form below and send it to counsellorreferral@nptcgroup.ac.uk or phone Brecon Counselling Service on 01686 614400.
Mental Health Support
MIND
- Mind Cymru Mental Health Support: Each Mind office may be able to provide different services – contact them to find out what you may be able to access.
- Get Help Now Crisis Advice
- Find local Mind near you
- Local contact – Treherbert – Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind 107 High Street, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8AP https://ctmmind.org.uk/ | 01685 707480 | info@ctmmind.org.uk
- Local contact – Talgarth: Brecon and District Mind. St David’s House, Brecon, LD3 7BN | http://www.breconmind.org.uk/ | 01874 611529 | info@breconmind.org.uk
Wellbeing and Crisis support for under 25’s
The Mix – For advice and support for a wide range of issues for wellbeing and in crisis: through online, social and mobile – Recommended service where you can access free counselling, crisis support and loads of resources. National organisation – easy to access.
Suicide Prevention and Support
SAMARITANS
Samaritans – National Charity for mental health support and suicide prevention; available by phone 24/7 365 days a week.
Phone: 116 123 | Welsh Language helpline: 0808 164 0123
FURTHER ADVICE
Turning Point – Free and Confidential help and support; Self Referral form here (no GP or other formal referral needed).
Turning Point Local office: Hereford: Beaumont House, 1 Offa Street, Hereford, HR1 2LH | Telephone: 0300 555 0747| Email: hello@turning-point.co.uk
DAN247.org – Free, Confidential service in Wales, 24hour helpline. Freephone: 0808808 2234, or TEXT DAN to 81066
C-Card Scheme – Sexual Health up to age 25. C-Card Scheme ran by NHS Cymru for free condoms, sexual health checks and advice. To find local services in you are not in the area check:
C-Card scheme Local to Treherbert: Treorchy
- Cwmparc Family Hub:Treorchy, Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Forest View Medical Centre
- Treorchy, Rhondda Cynon Taf
C-Card scheme Local to Talgarth: Brecon
Brecon Youth Centre, Brecon, Powys
Brecon Leisure Centre, Brecon, Powys
Brecon Outpatients, Brecon Memorial Hospital, Brecon, Powys
Welsh Women’s Aid – Information and support. If you are experiencing any form of violence or abuse, or are worried about a friend or relative you can call the Live Fear Free Helpline for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call: 0808 80 10 800 | Email: info@livefearfreehelpline.wales | Text: 07860 077333 | Visit: Live Fear Free to use their web chat service.
Bawso – BAWSO is a Specialist organisation for Black communities and other People of Colour in Wales. They run a helpline for women of colour who have experienced domestic abuse. They also give advice on other issues, including female genital mutilation, forced marriage and modern slavery.
Helpline: 0800 7318147 Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Refuge National Domestic Abuse Organisation – Free 24/7 Helpline and safe temporary accommodation
The freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 BSL and online support | Webchat available Monday-Friday 3pm-10pm.
pect – Men’s Advice Line – The Men’s Advice Line is a confidential helpline for all men experiencing domestic violence by a current or ex-partner. They provide emotional support and practical advice, and can give you details of specialist services that can give you advice on legal, housing, child contact, mental health and other issues.
Helpline: 0808 801 0327. The helpline is open Mon to Fri between 9am-5pm and is free from landlines and mobile phones within the UK.
The Dyn Project – Men suffering abuse can also contact The Dyn Project in Wales. Their free and confidential helpline is open on Mondays and Tuesdays between 10am and 4pm, and on Wednesday between 10am and 1pm.
Helpline: 0808 801 0321 | Email: support@dynwales.org
Galop – National Helpline for LGBT+ Victims and Survivors of Abuse and Violence. Call: 0800 999 5428 | Email: help@galop.org.uk
LGBTQ+ Cymru – Free and low cost specialist counselling and support
Call: 01792 316137 / 0800 917 9996 | Email: info@LGBTCymru.org.uk |
Visit: 1 The Kingsway, Swansea, SA1 5JQ
The Horizon Service – Within Cyfannol Women’s Aid offer support to women and men who have been victims of rape, sexual violence or childhood sexual abuse.
Telephone: 03300 564456 | Email: horizon@cyfannol.org.uk | Website: www.cyfannol.org.uk
24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line: – Provides free, specialist and confidential support for victims of sexual violence or abuse. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Helpline: 0808 500 2222
Rape Crisis – Umbrella organisation supporting the work of Rape Crisis Centres for women and girls across England and Wales.
Live Fear Free Helpline – Help and advice about violence against women, including sexual violence and domestic abuse. Managed by Welsh Women’s Aid.
Victim Support – Charity helping anyone affected by crime including victims, witnesses, friends, family and anyone else affected.
South Wales Rape Sexual Assault Referral Centres – There are a number of SARCs in the South Wales Police area. Ynys Saff covers Cardiff and the Vale.
New Pathways covers Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Bridgend.
The links above provide their locations and details of the support available.
In the event of access to a Rape Crisis or Sexual Assault Referral Clinic (SARC) not being possible, students can contact the local Police force. Local to BMC: Support for rape and sexual assault | South Wales Police (south-wales.police.uk)
Brecon: Trussell Trust – http://brecon.foodbank.org.uk/ Uses a voucher system (voucher issued by care professionals)
Treherbert: Trussell Trust – Rhondda Foodbank: https://rhondda.foodbank.org.uk/
Brecon Food Bank also visits Hay on Wye (usually on a Friday).
Merthyr Foodbank: https://merthyrcynon.foodbank.org.uk/
There are smaller local services which may be able to provide cheap/subsidised food; consider asking local groups for advice on their location.
Advicelink Cymru – offers free and confidential advice on a range of subjects such as:
- – Welfare benefits
- – Debt
- – Employment
- – Education
- – Housing
- – Discrimination
Telephone: 0800 702 2020 (9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday)
StepChange: National Charity for help and support in dealing with debt.
Free and Confidential and recommended! 24 hours debt advice service online, or by phone (limited hours) : Contact us on 0800 138 1111. Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 2pm
Carers Support Wales: A range of services including financial and benefits advice and online meet-ups and with content covering the UK.
Local PSYCHOTHERAPY and Counselling Services
| Name/Company Name | Location | Service(s) Offered | Standard Cost | Low cost counselling? | Low cost details | Low cost details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hay Counselling and Psychotherapy Sarah Hamilton | Hay on Wye | Counselling and Psychotherapy | £80/50 mins | Yes | 1/3 of spaces offered at reduced rate | ||
| Sarah Steel Counselling | Brilley, near Hay on Wye | Family Therapy | £50/1hr | Yes | Sliding scale for low income clients | ||
| The Therapywise Foundation, Jo | Hay on Wye | “Other (e.g. play therapy, family therapy” | £90/Session | Yes | States “may be available” | Specifically for children, young people, and families | |
| Mary Yeomans | Brecon | Counselling | £60/Session | Yes | States “apply if you may be available” | ||
| Sarah Griffith | Talfarth | Counselling and Psychotherapy | £55/Session | Yes | Offers a limited number of lower cost sessions | ||
| Lee Buttitta | Builth Wells | Counselling and Psychotherapy | £60/Session | Yes | States “apply if you may be eligible” | ||
| Wendy Harvey | Hereford | Counselling | £60 for individual, £70 for couples | No | Doesn’t appear to offer discounts, but does accept insurance | ||
| Catherine Quayle | Hereford | Counselling | £50/Session | No | |||
| Dr. Maria Love | Hereford | Counselling | £100/Session | No | Clinical psychologist | ||
| Clive Oxford | Hereford | Psychotherapy | £90 individual, £135 couple | No | Does accept insurance | ||
| Lucy Sheehan | Monmouth | Psychotherapy | £60/hour | No | Is a trainee UKCP Core Process Psychotherapist | ||
| Heather Murray | Abergavenny | Counselling and Psychotherapy | £70 individual, £90 couple | No | Initial 30 min consultation for £35 | ||
| Tom Magal | Hereford | Counselling | £60/50 mins. Couples £90/80 mins | Yes | Offers a limited number of concession slots, and accepts Bupa insurance. | ||
| Ataraxis Therapy | Hereford | Counselling | £55/Session | Yes | “Happy to discuss individual circumstances and offer some flexibility around costs and frequency of session” | ||
| Lou Padian | Hereford | Counselling | £45/Session | Yes | £40 for NHS staff, students, children and young people, EAP programmes, insurance companies. Ask about other concessions | ||
| Charlie Ward Therapy | Hay on Wye and Merthyr Tydfil | Counselling | £40/hr Hay, £35/hr Merthyr | No | Councellor in training | ||
| Wye Valley Therapy Centre | Across Abergavenny, Chepstow, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire | Counselling and Psychotherapy | £40/session | No | I think there might be a range of costs | ||
| Positive Change Therapies, Elva | Ross-on-Wye | Counselling | £85/hour | No | Counselling and hypnotherapy | ||
| Kenneth Evans | Ross-on-Wye | Counselling | £65-£120 | Yes | Limited portion of practice for clients on low income | Some trainee counsellors | |
| Penny Cole Counselling | Herefordshire | Counselling and Psychotherapy | £70/session | No | Accepts Bupa and Aviva Healthcare | ||
| Sharon Jenkins | Builth Wells and Brecon | Counselling | £60 Builth Wells, £70 Hay-On-Wye/Talgarth | No | £100 for couples sessions | ||
| Black Mountains Counselling, Rachel Philbrick | Black Mountains | Counselling | £65-100 individual, £80 couples | No | |||
| Psychotherapy Hay | Hay on Wye | Psychotherapy | £40/50 mins | Yes | Carry some low cost places | UKCP | |
| Silvia Baba Neal | Hereford | Counselling and Psychotherapy | £80 | Yes | Concessions to young adults, students, and low-waged clients | UKCP | |
| Sarah Hamilton | Hereford | Counselling and Psychotherapy | £80 | Yes | One-third of spaces at reduces rates for those on limited incomes | UKCP | |
| Nigel Rayment | Kington | Counselling and Psychotherapy | £55 | Yes | Set number of reduced price places | UKCP | |
| Chafrlotte De Sousa | Hereford | Counselling and Psychotherapy | £95 individual, £135 couples or family | No | UKCP | ||
| Sarah Devereux | Hereford | Psychotherapy | £70 | Yes | Sliding scale for lower fees | UKCP | |
| Gloria Enoe Howard | Presteigne | Counselling and Psychotherapy | £90 individual, £140 family | Yes | Sliding scale of fees | UKCP | |
| Miranda Seymour-Smith | Brecon | Psychotherapy | £75 individual, couples £95 | No | Accepts AXA, Aviva, and Vitality Health insurance | UKCP | |
| Karin Vogal | Hereford | Psychotherapy | £60 | Yes | Sliding scale | UKCP | |
| Helen Miskin | Hereford | Psychotherapy | £70 | Yes | “occasionally available” | UKCP | |
| Abigail Washington | Hereford | Psychotherapy | UKCP | ||||
| Lynda Parabi | Hereford | Psychotherapy | £60 | No | UKCP | ||
| Steven Pritchard | Hereford/Cheltenham | Counselling and Psychotherapy | £65 | No | UKCP | ||
| Sue Hinds | Abergavenny and Cardiff | Psychotherapy | £50 | No | UKCP | ||
| Louise Swanston | Abergavenny | Psychotherapy | UKCP | ||||
| Susan Harrison | Abergavenny | Counselling and Psychotherapy | £60 individual, couples £80, Supervision £60 | Yes | “For those struggling with financial difficulties, a reduced fee may be negotiated” | UKCP | |
| Sara Davies | Abergavenny | Counselling and Psychotherapy | £60 | Yes | A few low-cost spaces | UKCP | Gestalt therapy |
| Richard Lewis | Knighton | Counselling and Psychotherapy | £70 | No | Can provide invoices for insurance | UKCP | |
| Elizabeth Simpson Coaching | Brecon | “Other (e.g. play therapy, family therapy” | £25 per 45 min “START” wellbeing coaching | Yes | Free coaching offered for military spouses/partners up to three sessions | ||
| Lucy Bourke | Talgarth and Hereford | Counselling and Psychotherapy | £60 in person, £50 online | Yes | £40 for students or those claiming benefits | BACP | Also offers CBT |
| Victoria Katharine | Hay-on-Wye | Art Pyschotherapy | £50 | No | BACP | Trainee | |
| Becky Webb (play in the borders) | University of South Wales | “Other (e.g. play therapy, family therapy” | £60 | Yes | Fee can be reviewed at intake if necessary | ||
| Rachel Philbrick | Talgarth | Counselling | £65-100 individual, £80 couples | Yes | BACP | EMDR therapist | |
| David Field | Peterchurch | Counselling | £60 | Yes | 20% of current work free or pro bono | BACP | |
| Vera Altmeyer (Hay lifestyle medecine) | Hay on Wye | £150 90 min session | No | Lifestyle medicine, health coaching, and ADHD coaching. Offers coaching packages |