Tameside counselling service receives prestigious King’s award

A Tameside counselling organisation that has spent nearly two decades supporting local residents has been recognised with the highest honour a voluntary group can receive.

Side by Side Counselling has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, placing it among just 231 volunteer-led groups across the UK to be honoured this year. The accolade is considered the voluntary sector equivalent of an MBE.

The Ashton-based service, which offers free, open-ended counselling to people across Tameside and Oldham, has been running for more than 18 years. Remarkably, it receives no external funding, relying entirely on voluntary client donations, fundraising events and the dedication of its fully voluntary team.

Side by Side’s nomination was supported by Action Together as well as several clients who wanted to highlight the compassion, commitment and community spirit of the organisation’s volunteers.

The service offers weekly counselling to anyone aged 17 and over, covering a wide range of issues including anxiety, depression, bereavement, relationship difficulties, trauma and gender dysphoria. Clients see the same counsellor each week for as long as they need, with no limit on the number of sessions, a rare and valued approach at a time when many people face long waiting lists for mental health support.

Side by Side’s ethos centres on ensuring that no one in Tameside has to struggle alone. Volunteers focus on building trust and rapport, creating a safe space where clients feel accepted and supported while discussing deeply personal challenges, often things they may never have said aloud before.

The organisation also plays a vital role in developing the next generation of counsellors, supporting students from Tameside College and other trainees to gain experience and complete their required practice hours.

Tameside Council Executive Leader Cllr Eleanor Wills, who has volunteered with Side by Side as a qualified counsellor for almost two years, praised the award and the team behind the service.

“Side by Side Counselling’s service offer across Tameside massively impacts people’s lives. I absolutely think that the organisation deserves this recognition for the excellent support it offers,” she said.

“Everyone can recognise the need for community-based mental health support and what is great about Side by Side is the lack of barriers and short waitlist. I look forward to seeing its dedication and commitment to transforming the lives of local people continue.”

Residents who feel they may benefit from support can self-refer to Side by Side Counselling’s Ashton service by calling 07376 799 797.