A Christian counselling service who is celebrating their 40th anniversary, says they have seen a ten percent increase in their services after the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Manna House Trust, in Northampton has been working to support people across the area and further.
Charity director, John Nightingale, who was a founding member back in 1982, has paid tribute to all the dedicated volunteers, staff and trustees who have helped the charity become a leading influence among the Christian counselling profession locally, nationally and internationally.
Mr Nightingale told Premier of the struggles people have been facing post pandemic: “We've had a ten per cent increase in inquiries and referrals and they include things like isolation.
“A number of people have had bereavement that they've never really been able to handle because of the pandemic, or they weren't allowed to go to a funeral or something similar.
“Some people have lost jobs. I mean, there's all sorts of stuff that are connected to the pandemic, but not exclusive to the pandemic. But we found that we are much busier.”
Mr Nightingale also spoke of the rise of cost of living being another factor for people’s worriment: “I think there are huge pressures in the media to comply and to be of a certain type or ilk, or whatever.
“I just think people are struggling with that, I think some of the expectations, not going to be helped by the increased inflation going on.
“I just think the general expectations that people get themselves under are having a huge impact on people's lives.”
Mr Nightingale described how the charity see themselves and what prayer would be needed and appreciated for the charity currently: “I suppose we see ourselves here a bit like a safety net, we try and catch people when they when they need help.”
“My intention is to retire next year, I'll have been here from day one.
“We're praying that we'll get somebody with a vision to take the work on and my hope for us that we will be able to expand our reach.
“That we can do some work with Christian folk with unchurched folk, and our desire is to help more and more people.”