n Inner City Parent's Service

Who is the service for?
Counselling for parents carers and couples with babies and/or children (0 to 11 years). If you have anxieties about having your first child, you can come before they are born.
Bringing up children can be rewarding and enjoyable, but it can also be very hard. Parents often have anxieties they long to talk about.
It could be that you feel low, confused, irritated, lonely, desperate, unconfident, unsure, angry, depressed, anxious, or overburdened.
Or you may be worried about parenting issues, relationship issues, divorce, abuse, bereavement.
This is a free service where Parents or Carers can come and talk through any worries.
You are eligible for this service if you live in one of the following areas and have a child aged 11 or under: St Pauls, St Agnes, St Judes, Barton Hill, St Philips, Old Market and the Dings, Easton Road, Stapleton Rd, St Marks Rd, Filton Ave North, Lockleaze North, Lockleaze South.
 

What we offer

The help we offer involves talking and thinking about the difficulties which caused you to come for help. We don’t just talk about the problem you are coming with. We aim to understand how the problem may have started. We try to help parents and families look for new ways of getting on with and talking to each other. We try to help people recognise patterns of behaviour. We might look for things which have happened in the past, which might still give rise to a lot of feelings. This in turn helps in understanding the problem. Thinking about these things may be a bit unsettling, but most people feel that it is helpful.

How does the service work?
We can offer two initial appointments of 50 minutes, and then usually for up to four more, if you and your counsellor feel that it would be helpful. (Total six sessions)
The service can work in different ways. You could come on your own, or with a partner/spouse, or with your baby/small child/ren.
When you phone up, we can decide together which would suit you and your family’s’ needs.
We ask that parents ring up themselves, rather than ask a professional to do it for them.
 

Where are the sessions held?

We currently offer a service in Sydenham Rd, Cotham, and Easton Community Children’s Centre.
 

How do I make an appointment?

Any member of the family can contact The Bridge Foundation.  You can telephone us on 0117 9424510.  Please leave your name and number, and the person co-ordinating the work will ring you back (usually within 10 days) and discuss the situation.

Free Service

The Service is free. This is made possible by donations from charitable trusts and individuals.
 

Code of Conduct

Staff in all services adhere to the Bridge Foundation’s policies and procedures, including a code on confidentiality, child protection and equal opportunities.

Who will I see?

All counsellors and psychotherapists at The Bridge Foundation are qualified and experienced professionals. All receive regular supervision and work to a professional code of ethics such as British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy; British Psychoanalytic Council, United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy and Association of Child Psychotherapists.

Confidentiality

The Bridge Foundation provides a confidential setting. No information will be disclosed to anyone outside the agency without your permission except in certain rare situations where there is serious concern about the safety of someone, although wherever possible this will be discussed with you first.

Equal Opportunity

We are committed to providing high quality services and continue to strive to offer accessible services to everyone regardless of race, class, culture, physical ability, religious belief or sexual orientation.

We have wheelchair access at many or our bases and will do what we can to make our service accessible to anyone with a disability. Requirements can be discussed with the administrator.

Concerns and Complaints  

Most people are satisfied with our services but if you have any concerns please speak with your therapist in the first instance.  If the matter is still unresolved you can write to the Director at the address on the contact us page. A copy of the Complaints procedure is available on request.