North East Edinburgh Counselling Service (NEECS) offers professional counselling to anyone over the age of 16 living in North East Edinburgh. The charity provides an alternative to long NHS waiting lists and private counselling services, the cost of which can be prohibitive for many.

Due to the devastating effect that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the mental wellbeing of many, demand for the service has greatly increased. There are currently 50 people on its waiting list.

As a charity, NEECS relies on grants, fundraising activities and client contributions, which range from £5-£45 depending on what each client can afford. NEECS was funded by Edinburgh Council until November 2019.

The pandemic has meant alternative funding sources are scarce and the charity must now raise £80,000 to meet its financial shortfall and continue to provide an essential service to the local community.

NEECS supports people with a wide range of mental health needs. Waiting lists for counselling services on the NHS can be up to two years, so the service that NEECS offers makes counselling much more accessible for people who require direct and urgent support with their mental health.

NEECS has a valuable Young Persons Service that offers counselling to people between the ages of 16 to 25. This is a service that is more in demand than ever.

Mairi Norman, NEECS Service Co-ordinator, says: Mental health services are more in demand now than ever. However, the funding to support charitable organisations such as NEECS -- which helps to bridge the gap between supply and demand on NHS services -- has become less available due to the impact of the pandemic on funding sources.

She adds: We know our service changes lives and has supported countless people in North East Edinburgh through various challenges and struggles over the past 25 years.

Raising this money will allow NEECS to continue to fulfil its vital role in the North East Edinburgh community and to support people who are seeking help.

An anonymous NEECS client says: My mental health and overall wellbeing have improved beyond my expectations. My counsellor has helped me to rebuild my life -- a life where I have a choice and I am no longer a helpless victim of bad circumstances.

A donation of £5 pays for telephone and internet per day, £25 pays for a counselling session, and raising the full sum of £80,000 will ensure that NEECS is able to continue offering counselling and support to people in North East Edinburgh for the next year.

NEECS has been operating in North East Edinburgh for more than 25 years and in that time has helped hundreds of people. All NEECS counsellors are highly qualified with many years of experience. Previously, the charity was based in Haddington Place, but all operations are now remote and all sessions take place via video call or telephone. Due to the financial challenges facing NEECS, the decision was taken to close the premises, but the charity hopes to return to renting premises and offering a face-to-face service when funding is secure.