	Stockport Christian Counselling Service
	Living abroad is never an obvious thing. It involves a lot of changes. You may have to learn a new language, new culture, to get acquainted with things that make people laugh, which are not necessarily the things you used to laugh about. It takes time to enter fully into a new culture, to understand things that are important to people. In a way, you may always feel as an outsider, unless you meet people who will help to make that transition easier, who will put trust in you without knowing much about you. When I came to Manchester in July last year, I was a bit lost. It was a big change after Africa where I have spent the last few years of my life. Life is different here and weather as well! Initially I came in contact with SCC by accident (if such a thing exists looking at it from a Christian point of view!). I was looking for an agency that would help me to get experience as a counsellor. I believe SCC was the very first one that I called and received a letter from. I took my time to answer because I wasn't sure about many things related to the course. At that time I thought that Stockport was far from Heaton Mersey as well! I met some of you for the first time during a training day. It was a very good experience for me, not only because I have learnt a lot about ritual abuses, but also because I met some of you, and had a chance to talk to many people. A few days later I had an interview after which I was accepted as a trainee counsellor. I have to say - and I always repeat it when talking about Stockport Christian Counselling - that it is a great organisation. I have always felt very welcome there. People whom I meet, especially Geraldine and all others, who are many - receptionists, counsellors, management..., are always there, ready to help you, to support you, to be with you. It feels that you are a part of a family that is very supportive. That family understands well that you may make mistakes at the beginning and when they happen they are there for you, not to criticise you, but to help you to learn from them. It is Jesus Christ who unites us all. We come from different denominations. We do not pay attention to those religious differences. What we focus on, is how to serve our Lord in a better way by being good counselors and helping people to help themselves. That aspect, the most important aspect that unites us, is very visible in SCC.	I experience it every time we have a meeting. We are not just a bunch of people trying to help others, we are a group of Christians who fulfil their vocation of loving God through the ministry of counselling. That focus is always there: we are called by God, and you can see His presence among those running that service. I think that is the divine element that makes SCC a special place. We are there not only because we want to help people, not only because we need to fulfil certain requirements for the university, but also we are there to serve God. I am very happy and grateful to God and to the management of SCC for giving me this opportunity to become a part of SCC. I have learnt a lot from you and many of you are an inspiration to me. It is a privilege. Thank you, God bless. Dominik Waclaw Representatives of all the churches established the Charity over 15 years ago in Stockport. Over 60 Christian volunteers including trained counsellors, supervisors, reception staff and a management team now staff it. All our counsellors abide by B.A.C. and A.C.C. Codes of Ethics and Good Practices. We offer counselling services to people 16 years of age and over who feel in need of help when life's difficulties make it hard to cope. These services are there for all in Stockport and surrounding areas irrespective of views or beliefs. We now have our own premises at The Town House next to Stockport Baptist Church. We have rooms here for individual counselling sessions and our drop-in centre, Hear and Now. This opens 1.00pm to 3.00pm each Monday afternoon. No appointment is needed and there are always trained volunteers on hand to provide information about our other services and indeed other groups who might help them move for-ward in some way. Most of all at Hear and Now there are always trained volunteers ready to listen and value those who visit. The Town House, Hope Terrace, Thomson Street, Stockport SK3 9DU Telephone: 0161 428 7388 Web site: www.stockportchristiancounselling.org
	Norbury Parish Church, Hazel Grove, Stockport, Cheshire. Telephone: 0161-483 6325

Stockport Christian Counselling Service

Living abroad is never an obvious thing. It involves a lot of changes. You may have to learn a new language, new culture, to get acquainted with things that make people laugh, which are not necessarily the things you used to laugh about. It takes time to enter fully into a new culture, to understand things that are important to people. In a way, you may always feel as an outsider, unless you meet people who will help to make that transition easier, who will put trust in you without knowing much about you.

When I came to Manchester in July last year, I was a bit lost. It was a big change after Africa where I have spent the last few years of my life. Life is different here and weather as well!

Initially I came in contact with SCC by accident (if such a thing exists looking at it from a Christian point of view!). I was looking for an agency that would help me to get experience as a counsellor. I believe SCC was the very first one that I called and received a letter from. I took my time to answer because I wasn't sure about many things related to the course. At that time I thought that Stockport was far from Heaton Mersey as well!

I met some of you for the first time during a training day. It was a very good experience for me, not only because I have learnt a lot about ritual abuses, but also because I met some of you, and had a chance to talk to many people. A few days later I had an interview after which I was accepted as a trainee counsellor.

I have to say - and I always repeat it when talking about Stockport Christian Counselling - that it is a great organisation. I have always felt very welcome there. People whom I meet, especially Geraldine and all others, who are many - receptionists, counsellors, management..., are always there, ready to help you, to support you, to be with you. It feels that you are a part of a family that is very supportive. That family understands well that you may make mistakes at the beginning and when they happen they are there for you, not to criticise you, but to help you to learn from them.

It is Jesus Christ who unites us all. We come from different denominations. We do not pay attention to those religious differences. What we focus on, is how to serve our Lord in a better way by being good counselors and helping people to help themselves. That aspect, the most important aspect that unites us, is very visible in SCC.

I experience it every time we have a meeting. We are not just a bunch of people trying to help others, we are a group of Christians who fulfil their vocation of loving God through the ministry of counselling. That focus is always there: we are called by God, and you can see His presence among those running that service. I think that is the divine element that makes SCC a special place. We are there not only because we want to help people, not only because we need to fulfil certain requirements for the university, but also we are there to serve God.

I am very happy and grateful to God and to the management of SCC for giving me this opportunity to become a part of SCC. I have learnt a lot from you and many of you are an inspiration to me. It is a privilege.

Thank you, God bless.

Dominik Waclaw

Representatives of all the churches established the Charity over 15 years ago in Stockport. Over 60 Christian volunteers including trained counsellors, supervisors, reception staff and a management team now staff it. All our counsellors abide by B.A.C. and A.C.C. Codes of Ethics and Good Practices. We offer counselling services to people 16 years of age and over who feel in need of help when life's difficulties make it hard to cope. These services are there for all in Stockport and surrounding areas irrespective of views or beliefs.

We now have our own premises at The Town House next to Stockport Baptist Church. We have rooms here for individual counselling sessions and our drop-in centre, Hear and Now. This opens 1.00pm to 3.00pm each Monday afternoon. No appointment is needed and there are always trained volunteers on hand to provide information about our other services and indeed other groups who might help them move for-ward in some way. Most of all at Hear and Now there are always trained volunteers ready to listen and value those who visit.

The Town House, Hope Terrace, Thomson Street,
Stockport SK3 9DU
Telephone: 0161 428 7388
Web site: www.stockportchristiancounselling.org

Stockport Christian Counselling Service

Norbury Parish Church, Hazel Grove, Stockport, Cheshire. Telephone: 0161-483 6325