By Róise Collins

THE Raphoe Pastoral Centre Counselling Service is undergoing a significant transformation as it prepares to become an independent organisation, formally separating from its church roots.

This marks a significant milestone for the long-standing mental health service, which has supported individuals and families across Donegal for decades.

With a new name chosen, a dedicated leadership team in place and plans underway to secure an independent premise in Letterkenny, the service is laying the foundation for the constantly growing services.

Since October last year, the service has been supported by a core team funded by the HSE and Tusla, following a determined campaign led by former director Liam Cannon. His tireless efforts secured funding for staff, ensuring the future of this vital mental health resource.

Currently based at the Pastoral Centre in Letterkenny, the service offers a range of therapies for children, adolescents, adults and families.

They operate in several locations across the county, partnering with Hughie’s Corner in Carndonagh, the Dunfanaghy Resource Centre, and Gemma’s Legacy of Hope in Dungloe. Additional services are also available in Stranorlar and Buncrana.

This September, they will expand their child and adolescent services to Killybegs, and interviews are underway as part of a partnership with the community centre in Bundoran.

With the growing demand for their services, the organisation is also ensuring the implementation of a robust clinical governance framework to improve the quality of the service and to ensure that risk is managed appropriately.

“That has been a big part of my role,” explained Julie Breen, the recently appointed Director of the counselling service, who along with her colleague Mags Whyte, has overseen their transition so far.

Speaking to the Donegal News, Julie explained that a major focus over the past year has been establishing a new board to lead the service into its next chapter.

The newly formed board is made up of nine members with a wide range of expertise, including business leaders, safeguarding specialists and accredited therapists.

The move is more than just a structural shift. It also includes plans to rebrand the service with a new name that better reflects its expanded services across the county.

“We want something to reflect that we are working across Donegal,” Julie explained.

While the board has already agreed on a new name, it has yet to be announced publicly as they are currently going through the process of registering as a Company Limited by Guarantee.

They are also in the midst of the process of applying for charitable status with the Charities Regulator.

The separation from the church, which began in February, is expected to be completed in the next year.

Julie has been navigating this transition while managing the day-to-day responsibilities. In addition to her role as Director, she also works as a family therapist for the service.

“I really wanted to sit in the role and really understand what the need was,” she explained.

Julie shared that it’s hard to put into words just how much the service is meeting those needs.

“All of the really difficult, tough things you read about in the paper, all of them come our way in some way or another.

“A brother or a sister or a partner or a family, because it really is a sanctuary for people to come to.”

This is why Julie and the team are committed to ensuring the transition is as robust as possible.

“The service has been meeting that need for decades, it’s just about how we do that as safely and professionally as possible.”

Julie explained that both the HSE and Tusla also recognise the critical role their services are playing.

“There is early intervention and prevention supports being provided,” she said, “but because the resources are so vastly under what we would expect them to be we are also moving into serious intervention and they recognise that.”

Julie acknowledged the incredible work of the therapists who are not only addressing significant needs but also managing highly complex cases, especially with children and adolescents.

SANCTUARY

She also spoke highly of their in-house team, which includes administrative support from Lottie Boal and Natalia Olejniczak.

Rhona Healy, who handles finance support, has played a key role in the separation from the church, including the search for new premises in Letterkenny.

“Operationally and financially, we will have to undergo a massive transition to become fully independent,” Julie added.

The support they receive from the HSE and Tusla covers staffing costs, but beyond that, there are overheads to consider, including day-to-day operational costs from electricity and cleaners, right down to their phone bills.

Julie explained how the board have currently been looking at how they can forecast their future financially. She expressed that it will take a significant fundraising effort from communities across Donegal to help keep the service alive.

“We have been able to do this within the church setting, and that has worked really well- but how do we expand and become a not-for-profit that is able to generate enough profit to keep ourselves afloat and running a really robust service?”

She stressed that an important element of this transition is ensuring they maintain the well-established connection within communities across the county that was established by the church.

The Raphoe Pastoral Centre Counselling Service also have a new contact number for those wishing to access their services, 074 930 4025.