Welcome to Sandhurst Counselling Service
Who We Are
Sandhurst Counselling Service is a registered charity (registered charity no 1143572) that has been providing general, affordable, short and long term counselling since 1990 to adults irrespective of age, gender, sexual orientation, religion or ethnic origin.
Our work is based in counselling rooms at St Michael’s Pastoral Centre, Lower Church Road, Sandhurst, GU47 8HN.
All the counsellors in our team are carefully selected and professionally supervised, and all have undertaken professional counselling or psychotherapy training. Our team includes both qualified and trainee counsellors.
SCS is an Organisational Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), membership No 221912. The service is fully committed to the ethical framework for good practice of BACP.
We Have An Excellent Team
Meet The Team
Our Management Team
Lucia Pool –
Clinical Manager
I’m a qualified integrative counsellor with a genuine passion for working with people. My background includes a range of roles, including nursing, and it was my personal experiences that inspired me to train as a counsellor. This diverse journey has deepened my self-awareness and empathy, and shaped my ability to connect meaningfully with people from different backgrounds.
I currently volunteer and work part-time at Sandhurst Counselling Service, where I also hold the role of Clinical Manager. Alongside this, I’m studying counselling psychology. These experiences continue to strengthen my belief in the importance of mental health and wellbeing. Witnessing the positive changes in people’s lives is what inspires me and keeps my passion for this work alive.
Staying physically and mentally active is important to me, as it helps me remain grounded and authentic in both my personal life and professional practice.
Sunita McIntosh – Administration Manager
‘I have been working for charities for 20 years and been working in counselling administration for 18 years. I have a finance background with administration but poor mental health has affected people close to me. I have experience of working through difficult things myself which gives me a good understanding of where people start on the journey of recovery.’ I was also trained as a CAP addiction coach so supporting others is important to me.
Our Trustees
Dave Percival – Chair
Dave is a retired Chartered Engineer and Chartered Director who has been involved in leadership in the Voluntary Sector for the past 40 years. I am married with three children and eight grandchildren and am passionate about relationships between people and organisations. I am a founder Trustee of Sandhurst Counselling Service.
Fun fact: I have built three homes in the past 40 years!
Sarah Ashton – Secretary
I am a retired teacher who likes to put her Christian faith into action through service. I am married with two adult children and two delightful granddaughters. My hobbies include gardening, travelling and cooking. I have been a Trustee for seven years and act as minute secretary.
Fun Fact: I don’t like tea!
Nicky Thomas
I have worked in Local Authorities since 1989 and have a wealth of knowledge both in benefits and Adult Social Care. During this time, I have seen the problems caused by poor mental health and the resulting issues, but have also seen the positive impact of addressing them. I am a regular attendee of St. Michael’s church and do voluntary work there supporting the church.
Dr Martin Thomas
Martin is an engineer who has spent periods in education, skills and training around his central career in engineering research and development. For 6 years Martin was the Chief Executive of The Arkwright Scholarships Trust where he oversaw a significant increase in client engagement, sponsors and income. Martin has also spent a period in secondary education in the private and state sectors, becoming a fully qualified teacher, Head of Year and Head of Department Martin has lived in Sandhurst for the past 19 years and regularly attends St Michael’s church.
Eric Wilkinson
Eric trained as a registered mental nurse at Broadmoor Hospital spending a lengthy time working on the specialist young persons unit.
He then moved between the high dependency units and the intensive care units. until he retired.
Since then he has started a small gardening business, volunteers at the COATS day centre in Crowthorne, and mentored teenagers through a care trust.
Fun Fact: He is Group Secretary for the Surrey Hedgelaying Group.
Where We Come From
Our Background And History
Sandhurst Counselling Service began in 1990 when Rev Sue Smith, a qualified counsellor, offered free weekly support for divorced or separated individuals, supported by St Michael’s Church. Initially focused on divorce, the service expanded to address marriage repair, depression, anxiety, and young people affected by family breakdowns. After Sue’s departure in 1998, Di Taylor led the service, supported by Rector Alan Wilson.
By 2010, the service had grown significantly, with 12 practitioners delivering over 1,600 sessions annually. In 2011, it became an independent charity. Over the years, the service has positively impacted thousands, training hundreds of practitioners and responding compassionately to complex client needs.
Helen Wells became Clinical Manager in 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, leading a swift shift to remote counselling. Under her leadership, the service adapted well and continued to thrive.
The service remained reliant on donations, grants, and church support until 2025 when Public Sector funding ceased to be available. Despite funding challenges, the service remains resilient, thanks to dedicated management, volunteers and trustees.
Sandhurst Counselling Service’s mission of care, respect, and emotional support continues, holding both clients and practitioners alike. Its journey from a small drop-in group to a trusted community resource reflects its deep commitment to healing and transformation.
How You Can Help
Funding And Support
Sandhurst Counselling Service relies entirely on the generous support of grants and donations from a range of sources, to maintain our year-on-year activity. We do not benefit from a financial endowment.
For the first 35 years of our existence, growing from a simple drop-in centre to the 1500+ session, client centric, counsellor training organisation we have now, we have had strong support from St Michael and All Angels church, and other local organisations. This has been augmented by personal donations and grants from charities further-afield with a specific focus on counselling, the wider geographical area that includes Sandhurst, or on more general community support.
We Are Professionals
Quality And Professionalism
Everything we do is structured and controlled to ensure that we are delivering a safe and professional service to the high standards required by BACP.
We have set out our Core Values, and how we live them out, in our Charter which is displayed in our Counselling Rooms.
All the policies and procedures are contained in our quality manual the content list of which can be downloaded here.
Our Safeguarding Policy and Procedure can be found here.
Should you have a concern or complaint please use our contact form to outline your concern and we will advise who will be responsible for resolving the issue, and send the procedure for formal complaints.
