Two youth counsellors have been recognised with Mayor’s Honour awards for their outstanding commitment to supporting young people’s mental health across Wokingham.
Paul Cassidy and Shaffrina Rogers, both from ARC Counselling, received the awards in recognition of the support they provide to local young people and families.
Paul, founder of ARC Counselling, was praised for helping to make it easier for young people to find and access free counselling support.
Reflecting on the recognition, Paul said: “Over more than 20 years, I’ve seen how powerful it can be when people are given the space to talk and the support to make sense of what they’re going through.”
Shaffrina was recognised for her compassion and dedication, and was described by families and schools as a “steady and reassuring presence”. She said receiving the award meant a great deal and hoped it would “highlight the essential and necessary work for our young people”.
ARC Counselling is a local charity providing free counselling for children and young people, alongside low cost support for adults across the borough.
