Self-harm awareness charity SAFA is set to receive almost £300,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund to help support its counselling programme.
The charity, based on Duke Street in Barrow, provides counselling and support for those who self-harm, and for their immediate families and carers.
The funding will enable the charity to continue their learning and development and provide counselling support for 240 clients over a three-year period.
Cindy Daltioni, chief executive officer of SAFA Cumbria, said: “We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way. Now, thanks to National Lottery players, we will be able to continue to provide the range of services that we offer for a further three years.”
Project manager of the Barrow branch Keiran Hart said the funding would help provide vital support for clients.
He said: “The funding is going to help over-18s receive one-to-one counselling with trained counsellors.
“I think people have a preconception about what self-harm is.
“We help people suffering with bulimia, anorexia, burning themselves and cutting – it’s a range of things which this funding will help provide counselling sessions for.
“There’s always a backlog of clients who need seeing so we’re always on the lookout for more funding.”
In total, 37 community projects in Cumbria are receiving a share of the £1,086,500 awarded by the organisation.
