17 Jun 2014

Counselling service may face closure

7:50 pm on 17 June 2014

A Christchurch counselling service may be forced to close its doors if it does not get funding within the next two days.

The Rata Counselling Service sees about 200 clients a month and has a waiting list of up to three weeks, but a meeting on Wednesday will decide its future.

Carol Hannagan, a member of its executive board, says the service is pleading for funding - and if none is found, it could close.

Ms Hannagan said many sources of funding have either dried up or been delayed.

The service helps many vulnerable people in the South Island city badly affected by recent earthquakes. Ms Hannagan said it is one of the only ones that, in some cases, does not charge a fee to see a counsellor.