Free & low-cost counselling: how much should I contribute?
As a UK registered charity with the Charity Commission (No. 1175641), we believe everyone should be able to access support when they need it. Our service is funded through donations and is free for anyone facing financial hardship. If you're able to contribute, please use our sliding scale below to choose a donation amount that feels right for you. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us continue providing vital support to parents and families in our community.
Consider paying £30-£50 per session if you:
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own the home you live in
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have investments, retirement accounts, or inherited money
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travel recreationally, e.g. regularly go on holiday or take small trips
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have access to family resources in times of need
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work part time by choice
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have a relatively high degree of earning power due to your level of education, gender, racial privilege and/or class background
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are dedicated to supporting other people's access to Frome Birth Talk
Consider paying £10-£30 per session if you:
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have a regular, but not excessive income
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are able to afford the rent on the home that you live in
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are able to afford your household bills each month
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have a level of disposable income that allows you to eat out or buy new things occasionally
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may have to make some small sacrifices as a result of contributing to sessions (e.g. you may not be able to afford to eat out at a restaurant that week, but you could still afford your regular groceries)
Consider paying £0-£10 per session if you:
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are struggling with debt
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are in receipt of benefits
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are in full-time education
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would face financial hardship as a result of paying more than this amount (e.g. if you were unable to purchase basic supplies, food or afford your rent as a result of contributing more than this towards your sessions)
Our service will always be free for anyone facing hardship. Finances are never a barrier to you receiving professional counselling support with Frome Birth Talk.
FAQs
How should I donate?
You can set up a monthly donation via our Localgiving page, or you can send a donation via the same page each week, as individual one-off donations. If you are able, you could also donate the full amount in one go. It’s up to you. Donating a smaller amount (e.g. £2 a month) over a longer period of time is also very welcome.
I thought Frome Birth Talk was a free service. Why is there now a sliding scale for contributions?
Our service has always been free, and it always will be for anyone experiencing financial hardship.
As a UK registered charity, we do not make a profit and we do not receive government funding to run our counselling service. Instead, we rely on donations, fundraising and the generosity of our supporters to keep our services available.
We know that some people are in a position to contribute towards the cost of their counselling, while others are not. Our sliding scale gives those who can afford to donate the opportunity to help sustain our charity, while ensuring that anyone who needs support can access it regardless of their financial circumstances.
For context, each counselling session costs Frome Birth Talk around £50 to provide, while private counselling in our area typically costs around £70 per session. Every donation, whatever the amount, helps us continue supporting parents when they need us most.
Will my counsellor know if I am contributing?
No. Your counsellor will never know whether you have made a donation or how much you have contributed. They may provide information about how to donate, but your individual donations are handled separately and are never discussed with them.
Will you check whether I have contributed?
No. We trust our clients to choose a donation amount that reflects what they are able to give. There is no income assessment or verification process, and there is no obligation to donate. If you are able to contribute, your donation helps ensure other families can continue accessing our services.
What if I really can't afford to donate?
If making a donation would affect your ability to pay for essentials such as food, housing, utility bills or travel, we consider this financial hardship.
Our counselling service will always remain free for those in this situation. We never want cost to be a barrier to accessing support, and there is no expectation or pressure to make a donation if you cannot afford to do so.
Got questions?
If you have any questions about contributing towards your sessions, please get in touch: info@fromebirthtalk.org.uk. Thank you.