A counselling service for people in emotional crisis and financial need benefited from a £5,000 grant from Qualis Community Benefit Fund.
Affordable Counselling Epping Forest (ACEF) is a charity set up in 2015 to provide affordable counselling for adults (18 and over) living in Epping Forest District.
It strives to keep costs low, and recommended donations from clients are based on individual means.
Counselling is offered in four locations – Waltham Abbey, Epping, Loughton and Chigwell – with around two thirds of clients coming from Loughton and Waltham Abbey. Clients self-refer or may be signposted to ACEF by statutory services, advertising within the community, or family and friends.
The Qualis Community Benefit grant funded the counsellor and administrative costs for three months last year, so that the service could continue to support those clients who can only afford the minimum donation.
“Clients pay between £5 and £40 according to what they can afford and any shortfall in the counsellors’ fee of £40 was met by the grant,” said Jane Walters, Chair of Trustees.
“We are very grateful to Qualis Community Benefit Fund for underpinning the delivery of ACEF’s counselling services between March and May 2025 and for their support with our project.”
ACEF’s annual review for the period September 2024 to August 2025, shows that 90 clients used the service. Where comparisons of the beginning and ending of counselling could be made, 55 out of 64 clients said that their anxiety had decreased following counselling and 56 out of 60 clients that their depression had decreased. 48 clients returned feedback forms which indicated a 93% level of satisfaction with the service provided, commenting:
- Their counsellor listened to them
- They now have more insight into their problems
- They feel more able to address their worries and concerns
- And can cope better with their problems.
Ben Johnson, Managing Director of Qualis Property Solutions said:
“We are proud to be able to support organisations like ACEF, community groups and charities across the district who are making a positive difference in our community.
“Applications are open now for our next round of grants and details of how to apply can be found at https://qualisgroup.com/community-benefit-fund/