Dudley Counselling Centre
Charity 1155864
www.dudleycounsellingcentre.co.uk
Overview
Summary
Dudley Counselling Centre, operating publicly as Lighthouse Counselling, appears to be a locally rooted, volunteer-supported wellbeing organisation whose role extends beyond counselling alone. Its formal charitable purposes are broad, but the available evidence suggests a practical model centred on accessible therapeutic support, with additional material assistance, advocacy and advice for people facing vulnerability. It may therefore function as a bridge between clinical-style counselling, informal crisis support and referral networks across Dudley and nearby boroughs.
Operational geography
Coverage: District
Operational areas:
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Remaining uncertainties
- The organisation states that it supports residents of Dudley and 'the surrounding boroughs', but does not identify which surrounding boroughs are currently served, whether this includes Birmingham, or whether services are delivered in those boroughs rather than accessed at its Dudley centre.
- No current evidence identifies a service site, outreach venue, commissioned provision, or delivery partnership within any Birmingham ward or recognised place.
- The official website and the Charity Commission record differing contact addresses in Dudley, so the precise current site address should be confirmed.
- The website displays a Peddimore Birmingham sponsor logo for the Lighthouse Cafe, but this alone does not demonstrate a material delivery partnership or operational activity in Birmingham.
Additional evidence needed
- A current service-delivery or impact report showing clients, outreach activity, commissioned services, or delivery venues by local authority area.
- Confirmation from the organisation of whether Birmingham residents are served through a Birmingham-based service, outreach arrangement, or only through referrals to the Dudley centre.
- Details of any current formal partnerships with Birmingham organisations, including the location and nature of any jointly delivered activity.
- Confirmation of the current operating address and whether any services are delivered from premises other than the centre in Dudley.
Areas of work
- Education/training
- General Charitable Purposes
- The Advancement Of Health Or Saving Of Lives
- The Prevention Or Relief Of Poverty
Who they help
- Children/young People
- Elderly/old People
- People With Disabilities
- The General Public/mankind
How they help
- Other Charitable Activities
- Provides Advocacy/advice/information
- Provides Buildings/facilities/open Space
- Provides Services
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
A hybrid support model rather than a counselling-only service
The organisation appears to combine therapeutic counselling with practical support and advocacy for people experiencing homelessness, vulnerability or substance use. This may indicate that it recognises emotional distress as connected to material insecurity and social exclusion.
Why it matters
This helps distinguish its role from a conventional counselling provider: it may be positioned to identify needs that require both emotional support and practical intervention.
Show evidence
“Homeless/vulnerable people and substance users are helped providing meals, clothes, advocacy and advice.”
Source:Charity Commission“Lighthouse Counselling offers help and support services to the residents of Dudley and the surrounding boroughs.”
Source:Organisation
An accessible entry point within a wider local support network
The mix of GP, gateway-worker, agency and self-referrals suggests the organisation may operate both as a connected referral destination and as a service people can approach directly.
Why it matters
This indicates a potentially important boundary-spanning role: the centre may reach people who are already known to services as well as those seeking help independently.
Show evidence
“Our clients are referred to the service by their G.P., gateway worker, self-referral and other statutory and voluntary agencies.”
Source:Organisation“It offers a non-judgemental service to everyone.”
Source:Organisation
Child and young-person provision appears to be a current strategic priority
The website specifically signals open referral routes for play therapy and youth counselling, suggesting that children and young people are an active and visible part of current service capacity.
Why it matters
This may make the organisation a useful partner for schools, family services and youth-facing organisations seeking locally available emotional-support pathways.
Show evidence
“We are currently open to receiving referrals for Play Therapy Counselling for children aged 4-11 and Youth Counselling for a young person aged 11 - 17.”
Source:Organisation“Children/young People are among the people the charity helps.”
Source:Charity Commission
- It is unclear how counselling, practical support and advocacy are organised, funded or delivered together.
- There is no evidence on beneficiary numbers, unmet demand, outcomes or referral partners.
- The relationship between the registered name Dudley Counselling Centre and the public name Lighthouse Counselling is not explained.
Remaining uncertainties
- Recent annual reports or impact data showing service volumes, outcomes, waiting times and beneficiary groups.
- Information on referral agreements, local partnerships, volunteer roles and the funding model.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
The Counselling Centre gives support to vulnerable people in the community by providing them with the tools to make decisions that will help them, their families, friends and others. Adults and children are helped through a personalised and sympathetic counselling service. Homeless/vulnerable people and substance users are helped providing meals, clothes, advocacy and advice.
Charity objects
TO RELIEVE SICKNESS AND FINANCIAL HARDSHIP AND TO PROMOTE AND PRESERVE GOOD HEALTH BY THE PROVISION OF FUNDS, GOODS OR SERVICES OF ANY KIND INCLUDING THROUGH THE PROVISION OF ADULT AND CHILD COUNSELLING AND SUPPORT IN SUCH PARTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OR THE WORLD AS THE MANAGEMENT GROUP FROM TIME TO TIME THINK FIT; AND TO ADVANCE EDUCATION IN SUCH WAYS AND IN SUCH PARTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OR THE WORLD AS THE MANAGEMENT GROUP FROM TIME TO TIME MAY THINK FIT.