BCT is seeing a significant rise in service users turning to the unregulated gambling market. This market carries severe dangers: no ID or age checks, unprotected payouts, zero customer safeguards, and near-impossible account deletion. These figures reflect the prevalence of service-users at BCT that have engaged with the unregulated market over a 12 month period.   Software blocks and self-exclusion tools are necessary but are practical interventions. To truly protect people, we must address the root urge to gamble using a wider determinants approach, looking at the hidden triggers that escalate harm, including biological, psychological and social factors.   We need a proactive, holistic approach embedded across all support systems to address this growing issue. Through BCT’s specialist services, we provide person-centred care that helps individuals manage their urges and supports long-term recovery. If we fail to treat the whole person, the urge remains and this predatory market will continue to exploit people.   Educators, clinicians, self-exclusion specialists, NHS and public health need to be aware of this rapidly growing market, and work together to find a solution.   For more information on our gambling harms support you can give us a call on 0151 226 0696

Thank you to a good friend of Paul’s Place, Ian Semmel, and his GAMA Golf Society for  fundraising in support of our Paul’s Place Suicide Bereavement Programme.   GAMA Golf Society raised an amazing £4287 from their recent Golf Day.   Please follow all of our social media channels to keep informed of future fundraising events and if you have any fundraising ideas of your own please contact us on 01512260696 to see how we may be able to support.

We're proud to be attending the BuildForce Armed Forces Insight Day today at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate. As part of the Wellbeing Hub, Beacon Counselling Trust is delighted to join organisations committed to supporting serving personnel, veterans, and their families. This event provides an important opportunity to connect, share learning, and raise awareness of the impact gambling-related harms can have within the Armed Forces community.   We're particularly pleased to help promote conversations around the Armed Forces Gambling Support Network, ensuring those affected know that support is available and that no one has to face these challenges alone.   We're also keen to engage with employers and recruitment organisations about the Workplace Charter and how workplaces can play a vital role in preventing and responding to gambling-related harms.   We look forward to meeting attendees, building new partnerships, and continuing to champion early intervention, prevention, and recovery.    #ArmedForcesCommunity #Veterans #BuildForce #GamblingHarms #BetYouCanHelp #BeaconCounsellingTrust #ArmedForcesSupport #Wellbeing #Collaboration

Our Paul’s Place Peer Support Group were happy to welcome service users Abby and Sue to group yesterday for a “cheque presentation” following Abby and her sister Jessica’s incredible fundraising. An amazing £5222 was raised through a 10K run by Abby and Jess, in memory of Mike. Paul’s Place Community and Engagement Support Lead Andrew said “it means so much to have our fundraisers in to meet our peer group and to see the great work that goes on at Paul’s Place.” “Paul’s Place service users are so kind in the ways that they look to give back for the support that they have had, for many it appears an important part of their journey, thank you to all that have supported us and all that continue to do so, this is greatly appreciated” Please follow all of our social media channels to keep informed of future fundraising events and if you have any fundraising ideas of your own please contact us on 01512260696 to see how we may be able to support. justgiving.com/charity/beaco…

Celebrating 9 Years of Paul’s Place! Since launching our Paul’s Place programme 9 years ago, we’ve been able to provide much needed specialist support to hundreds of people across Merseyside who have been bereaved by suicide. This vital service wouldn’t be possible without the incredible generosity of everyone who has fundraised, donated and supported Paul’s Place over the years. We would like to say a massive THANK YOU to each and every one of you. Your kindness, generosity and support have helped us make a real difference to the lives of so many people during some of their most difficult times. Here’s to continuing to support those who need us for many years to come. ❤️ For more information on Paul’s Place please call 0151 226 0696

Thanks to Kush for his personal account of the importance of supporting Paul’s Place. Kush (and his great friend Jo) were taken to the nation’s hearts as winners of the 2026 BBC Race Across The World. Merseyside is very proud of them both and we thank Kush for his support. The story behind this campaign started with a simple conversation. “If every person putting £1 into a supermarket trolley could give that coin to a local charity, then the whole community could benefit”; this was one fundraising event but what if this was rolled out across a community for a month? Why October? Today Paul’s Place Suicide Bereavement Programme is celebrating the ninth anniversary of its unique and vital support! 10/10/2026 was also World Mental Health Day. Paul’s Place is now working with a number of organisations across Merseyside to take donations, no matter what size, to help us to continue to provide free support to adults bereaved by suicide in this area. It doesn’t have to be a £1, it could be 10p, £10 or a £100. The £1 is just to illustrate that an affordable amount can be given and when this is then multiplied by the number of people using shops, entertainment venues and other businesses over a month the community as a whole as well as individuals needing support can greatly benefit. Donations of £2 or more can also be made through our Just Giving Page. Thank you to Aimsleys, Clubmoor Garage, A & L Components and Premier Townsend Avenue in Clubmoor, M and S staff Queens Drive, The Anfield Wrap, The Windsor in Walton Vale, The Swan Inn, The Denbigh Castle, The Pen Factory and The Bridewell in town, Blossom Tree at The Port of Liverpool Building, Liverpool Olympia, Sureseal Windows; The Elephant and Brocante in Woolton and The Nelson and The Moss Bank in St Helens. Cash donations can also be made at our Beacon Counselling Trust office on Townsend Lane, Clubmoor. If your business, venue or community group would like to support this campaign then please make contact with Andrew on 01512260696.

World Mental Health Day 10/10/26 | Gambling-Related Harm For every person experiencing gambling-related harm, an estimated 6 to 10 other people can also be affected. The impact can reach far beyond the individual, affecting families, friends and loved ones. This World Mental Health Day, we want to remind you that you are not alone, and support is available. Whether you are experiencing gambling-related harm yourself or are worried about someone you care about, Beacon Counselling Trust is here to help. Call us on 0151 226 0696 Visit our website to find out more about the support and advice available. Beacon Counselling Trust Reaching out can feel daunting, but taking that first step can make a difference. You don’t have to face it alone. #WorldMentalHealthDay #GamblingRelatedHarm #MentalHealthMatters #BeaconCounsellingTrust #YouAreNotAlone

Our Paul’s Place Team were at The Elephant Pub and Bakehouse in Woolton on Saturday 03/10/2026 for their inaugural Oktoberfest Event. The Elephant kindly invited us to have a stall to raise funds and awareness for our Paul’s Place Suicide Bereavement Programme.   The event was a great success with the weather as kind as the customers in attendance helping us to raise an amazing £1045! We very much look forward to working with The Elephant on future events and thank the team there for their welcome and support.   If your business, venue or community group would like to support Paul’s Place then please make contact with Andrew on 01512260696.   Please follow all of our social media channels to keep informed of future fundraising events and if you have any fundraising ideas of your own please contact us on 01512260696 to see how we may be able to support. @elephant1934

Paul’s Place are launching the £1 for Paul’s Place fundraising campaign across the month of October!   Thanks to Liverpool FC legend Bruce Grobbelaar for sharing this message about our campaign!   The story behind this campaign started with a simple conversation. "If every person putting £1 into a supermarket trolley could give that coin to a local charity, then the whole community could benefit"; this was one fundraising event but what if this was rolled out across a community for a month? Why October? On 13/10/2026 Paul’s Place Suicide Bereavement Programme will be celebrating the ninth anniversary of it’s unique and vital support! 10/10/2026 also happens to be World Mental Health Day.   Paul's Place is now working with a number of organisations across Merseyside to take donations, no matter what size, to help us to continue to provide free support to adults bereaved by suicide in this area. It doesn't have to be a £1, it could be 10p, £10 or a £100. The £1 is just to illustrate that an affordable amount can be given and when this is then multiplied by the number of people using shops, entertainment venues and other businesses over a month the community as a whole as well as individuals needing support can greatly benefit.   Donations of £2 or more can also be made through our Just Giving Page. Thank you to Aimsleys, Clubmoor Garage, A & L Components and Premier Townsend Avenue in Clubmoor, The Windsor in Walton Vale, The Swan Inn, The Denbigh Castle, The Pen Factory and The Bridewell in town, Blossom Tree at The Port of Liverpool Building, Liverpool Olympia, Sureseal Windows; The Elephant and Brocante in Woolton and The Nelson and The Moss Bank in St Helens. Cash donations can also be made at our Beacon Counselling Trust office on Townsend Lane, Clubmoor.   If your business, venue or community group would like to support this campaign then please make contact with Andrew on 01512260696.   Please follow all of our social media channels to keep informed of future fundraising events and if you have any fundraising ideas of your own please contact us on 01512260696 to see how we may be able to support.

A big thank you to Ricky Tomlinson, for supporting our campaign! The story behind this campaign started with a simple conversation. “If every person putting £1 into a supermarket trolley could give that coin to a local charity, then the whole community could benefit”; this was one fundraising event but what if this was rolled out across a community for a month? Why October? On 13/10/2026 Paul’s Place Suicide Bereavement Programme will be celebrating the ninth anniversary of it’s unique and vital support! 10/10/2026 also happens to be World Mental Health Day. Paul’s Place is now working with a number of organisations across Merseyside to take donations, no matter what size, to help us to continue to provide free support to adults bereaved by suicide in this area. It doesn’t have to be a £1, it could be 10p, £10 or a £100. The £1 is just to illustrate that an affordable amount can be given and when this is then multiplied by the number of people using shops, entertainment venues and other businesses over a month the community as a whole as well as individuals needing support can greatly benefit. Donations of £2 or more can also be made through our Just Giving Page. Thank you to Aimsleys, Clubmoor Garage, A & L Components and Premier Townsend Avenue in Clubmoor, The Windsor in Walton Vale, The Swan Inn, The Denbigh Castle, The Pen Factory and The Bridewell in town, Blossom Tree at The Port of Liverpool Building, Liverpool Olympia, Sureseal Windows; The Elephant and Brocante in Woolton and The Nelson and The Moss Bank in St Helens. Cash donations can also be made at our Beacon Counselling Trust office on Townsend Lane, Clubmoor. If your business, venue or community group would like to support this campaign then please make contact with Andrew on 01512260696. Please follow all of our social media channels to keep informed of future fundraising events and if you have any fundraising ideas of your own please contact us on 01512260696 to see how we may be able to support. justgiving.com/charity/beaco…

Paul’s Place are launching the £1 for Paul’s Place fundraising campaign across the month of October! The story behind this campaign started with a simple conversation. "If every person putting £1 into a supermarket trolley could give that coin to a local charity, then the whole community could benefit"; this was one fundraising event but what if this was rolled out across a community for a month? Why October? On 13/10/2026 Paul’s Place Suicide Bereavement Programme will be celebrating the ninth anniversary of it’s unique and vital support! 10/10/2026 also happens to be World Mental Health Day.   Paul's Place is now working with a number of organisations across Merseyside to take donations, no matter what size, to help us to continue to provide free support to adults bereaved by suicide in this area. It doesn't have to be a £1, it could be 10p, £10 or a £100. The £1 is just to illustrate that an affordable amount can be given and when this is then multiplied by the number of people using shops, entertainment venues and other businesses over a month the community as a whole as well as individuals needing support can greatly benefit. Donations of £2 or more can also be made through our Just Giving Page. Thank you to Aimsleys, Clubmoor Garage, A & L Components and Premier Townsend Avenue in Clubmoor, The Windsor in Walton Vale, The Swan Inn, The Denbigh Castle, The Pen Factory and The Bridewell in town, Blossom Tree at The Port of Liverpool Building, Liverpool Olympia, Sureseal Windows; The Elephant and Brocante in Woolton and The Nelson and The Moss Bank in St Helens. Cash donations can also be made at our Beacon Counselling Trust office on Townsend Lane, Clubmoor.   If your business, venue or community group would like to support this campaign then please make contact with Andrew on 01512260696.   Please follow all of our social media channels to keep informed of future fundraising events and if you have any fundraising ideas of your own please contact us on 01512260696 to see how we may be able to support. justgiving.com/charity/beaco…

Our Paul’s Place Community and Engagement Support Lead Andrew will be at The Elephant Pub and Bakehouse in Woolton on Saturday 03/10/2026. @elephant1934 The Elephant will be hosting an Oktoberfest on Saturday from 12-6pm and have kindly invited Andrew to raise funds and awareness for our Paul’s Place Suicide Bereavement Programme. This invitation is part of ongoing support provided by The Elephant who are also backing our £1 for Paul’s Place Campaign across the month of October. Please come down to this great venue and donate if you can. justgiving.com/charity/beaco… If your business, venue or community group would like to support Paul’s Place then please make contact with Andrew on 01512260696. Please follow all of our social media channels to keep informed of future fundraising events and if you have any fundraising ideas of your own please contact us on 01512260696 to see how we may be able to support.

A big thank you to the Shop Floor Charity from Ford’s Halewood plant for their kind support of our Paul’s Place Suicide Bereavement Programme. The shop floor charity was established in 1983 and has helped so many local charities and causes since then with over £1 million raised and put back into the community, providing vital support.   The lovely team from Ford were met by our Paul’s Place Coordinator Andrew, Service User and fundraiser Rowena and BCT / Trek Therapy’s Ian.   The donation of £2000 will go directly to supporting adults bereaved by suicide across the Merseyside region.   Thank you to all who have contributed and helped the local community for such a long time.

Our Paul’s Place Journey of Discovery group recently had a trip to the Forest of Bowland with a lovely afternoon then spent in the sunshine in Clitheroe. The Journeys of Discovery are an important and popular holistic activity for our Paul’s Place Service Users, offering social connection. #paulsplace #bct