Making a Donation

Although our programmes are fee-based (fees for services assessed by sliding scale) many programmes are further supported by charitable funding. If you are interested in supporting a particular programme with bursary positions or developing an existing programme with more resources, please let us know. Your support makes our work possible. For questions about financial and "in-kind" donations, please contact Lissa Shortt at 020 7384 9212 or lissashortt@counsellingpray.org.

Case Statement

"Family Life Skills believed in me when I had no one else and they did not give up on me when others did. They have walked with me every step of the way. Today I am free of fear and I have hope."

CPT-FLS was founded in 1993 to help families dealing with domestic violence to live abuse-free lives. We provide supportive therapeutic relationships and facilitate change for those who are suffering. Domestic violence, often linked to substance abuse depression and anxiety, severely disrupt the lives of at least 12,000 residents of London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham every year. CPT-FLS's goal is to protect our community's most vulnerable members. Women and children who are victims of abuse are already marginalised by poverty, having higher rates of disability and increased vulnerability to physical and mental illness. Families dealing with abuse are faced with multiple challenges. CPT-FLS plays a vital role in recovery by providing skilled, effective and flexible counselling; being willing to "go the distance" with families in need.

Our experience in working in partnership with local agencies and GP's is strong. CPT-FLS led an advisory task force, and wrote the London Borough of Brent's first handbook for professionals working with Domestic Violence. We represent our clients and the community in Hammersmith and Fulham and take an active stance in local advocacy.

Small responsive charity Focus on families: prevention, and flexible, effective treatments Excellence and quality, professional structure Compassionate response to client need Accessible/ affordable counselling With no expensive campaigns, resources and donations go straight to the individuals and families most needing help. Income and costs are closely scrutinised each quarter.

We have a sound reputation and work with local professionals to achieve best practice. Clients come to us through referrals from GPs, voluntary organizations, Social Services and churches. Of the GP practices, most have been referring families for 12+ years.

Current funding proposal

We provide an average of 10,000 client service units each year. We have skilled volunteers giving their time (200+ hours a week) but further growth has been stalled without a full time administrator and additional therapist. To make this happen, we raised 50% (£19,000) of the money needed to employ these staff for 18 months, and put procedures in place for these positions to be self-funding by Oct 2008. CPT-FLS's goal for the future is to open a residential care facility in Hammersmith and Fulham for short term respite for families and individuals.