Absolutely brilliant evening watching @Liverpool_bball’s inaugural home game in The Basketball Super League. Great event and incredible finish. Well done to all involved
Andrew Okell retweeted
Our Paul’s Place Journey of Discovery group recently enjoyed a brilliant trip to Northumberland including a fascinating visit to the Beamish Museum which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
The Journeys of Discovery are an important and popular holistic activity for our Paul’s Place Service Users, offering social connection.
#paulsplace #bct
Andrew Okell retweeted
We had the privilege of delivering our Bet You Can Help training programme with the fantastic team at Preston Deafway!
#BetYouCanHelp #PrestonDeafway #GamblingHarms #BSL #communitypartnership
Andrew Okell retweeted
Reflecting on a wonderful night at our Paul’s Place Fundraising Music Quiz at the amazing British Music Experience venue in the prestigious Cunard Building on Thursday evening 15/10/2026.
The quiz was hosted by Brian “Nasher” Nash, our Paul’s Place Ambassador, a celebrant, musician and member of 80’s music legends Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
All funds raised are going directly to support adults bereaved by suicide across Merseyside and we will update on the figure when we can but for now we just want to say a big Paul’s Place thank you or two!
Thanks to all who attended last night and created such a great atmosphere, your support and generosity is greatly appreciated. Thanks also to all organisations and individuals who donated items for raffle or auction.
Special thanks to the British Music Experience and to our event headline sponsor The Swan, a perfectly matched to sponsor this event in one of the World’s great music cities at such a great venue, and a kind host of the after party!
Please follow all of our social media channels to keep informed of future fundraising events and if you have any fundraising ideas of your own please contact us on 01512260696 to see how we may be able to support.
#paulsplace #troyhawke #britishmusicexperience #bme #nasher
@Swan_Liverpool @thebme
britishmusicexperience.com/
Andrew Okell retweeted
Government data shows that men in the most disadvantaged areas of the country can die up to 10 years earlier than men in wealthy areas.
In addition, data shows that average healthy life expectancy among men in England has fallen to 60.9 years, the lowest rate in ten years, but it is as low as 50.9 years in some parts of the country – meaning the gap in male healthy life expectancy between the most and least affluent areas has reached nearly 19 years.
These inequalities are driven by unequal access to the building blocks of health among men including good housing, a secure income, clean air and good education.
In addition, men are disproportionately affected by cancer, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and suicide. That’s why support networks like @WalkFlorrie are so important as an open access for men to attend. #NeverAlone ❤️💙
Our Paul’s Place Ambassador Brian “Nasher” is backing our £1 for Paul’s Place campaign. Please support Paul’s Place across the Month of October by donating at multiple venues across Merseyside or at our Clubmoor Office. No donation is too large or too small.
Paul’s Place are launching the £1 for Paul’s Place fundraising campaign across the month of October!
Thanks to our Paul’s Place Ambassador, good friend, celebrant and Merseyside music legend Nasher for his kind message of support.
The story behind this campaign started with a simple conversation. "If every person putting £1 into a supermarket trolley could give that coin to a local charity, then the whole community could benefit"; this was one fundraising event but what if this was rolled out across a community for a month? Why October? On 13/10/2026 Paul’s Place Suicide Bereavement Programme will be celebrating the ninth anniversary of it’s unique and vital support! 10/10/2026 also happens to be World Mental Health Day.
Paul's Place is now working with a number of organisations across Merseyside to take donations, no matter what size, to help us to continue to provide free support to adults bereaved by suicide in this area. It doesn't have to be a £1, it could be 10p, £10 or a £100. The £1 is just to illustrate that an affordable amount can be given and when this is then multiplied by the number of people using shops, entertainment venues and other businesses over a month the community as a whole as well as individuals needing support can greatly benefit.
Donations of £2 or more can also be made through our Just Giving Page.
Thank you to Aimsleys, Clubmoor Garage, A & L Components and Premier Townsend Avenue in Clubmoor, M and S staff Queens Drive, The Anfield Wrap, The Windsor in Walton Vale, The Swan Inn, The Denbigh Castle, The Pen Factory and The Bridewell in town, Blossom Tree at The Port of Liverpool Building, Liverpool Olympia, Sureseal Windows; The Elephant and Brocante in Woolton and The Nelson and The Moss Bank in St Helens. Cash donations can also be made at our Beacon Counselling Trust office on Townsend Lane, Clubmoor.
If your business, venue or community group would like to support this campaign then please make contact with Andrew on 01512260696.
Please follow all of our social media channels to keep informed of future fundraising events and if you have any fundraising ideas of your own please contact us on 01512260696 to see how we may be able to support.
justgiving.com/charity/beaco…
Andrew Okell retweeted
Paul’s Place are launching the £1 for Paul’s Place fundraising campaign across the month of October!
Thanks to our Paul’s Place Ambassador, good friend, celebrant and Merseyside music legend Nasher for his kind message of support.
The story behind this campaign started with a simple conversation. "If every person putting £1 into a supermarket trolley could give that coin to a local charity, then the whole community could benefit"; this was one fundraising event but what if this was rolled out across a community for a month? Why October? On 13/10/2026 Paul’s Place Suicide Bereavement Programme will be celebrating the ninth anniversary of it’s unique and vital support! 10/10/2026 also happens to be World Mental Health Day.
Paul's Place is now working with a number of organisations across Merseyside to take donations, no matter what size, to help us to continue to provide free support to adults bereaved by suicide in this area. It doesn't have to be a £1, it could be 10p, £10 or a £100. The £1 is just to illustrate that an affordable amount can be given and when this is then multiplied by the number of people using shops, entertainment venues and other businesses over a month the community as a whole as well as individuals needing support can greatly benefit.
Donations of £2 or more can also be made through our Just Giving Page.
Thank you to Aimsleys, Clubmoor Garage, A & L Components and Premier Townsend Avenue in Clubmoor, M and S staff Queens Drive, The Anfield Wrap, The Windsor in Walton Vale, The Swan Inn, The Denbigh Castle, The Pen Factory and The Bridewell in town, Blossom Tree at The Port of Liverpool Building, Liverpool Olympia, Sureseal Windows; The Elephant and Brocante in Woolton and The Nelson and The Moss Bank in St Helens. Cash donations can also be made at our Beacon Counselling Trust office on Townsend Lane, Clubmoor.
If your business, venue or community group would like to support this campaign then please make contact with Andrew on 01512260696.
Please follow all of our social media channels to keep informed of future fundraising events and if you have any fundraising ideas of your own please contact us on 01512260696 to see how we may be able to support.
justgiving.com/charity/beaco…
Andrew Okell retweeted
BCT are looking for a dynamic and motivated Assessment Practitioner to join the treatment team on a full-time employed basis from our Liverpool office.
Within this role the practitioner will oversee referrals into service and be the first point of contact for many of these service-users. This role will require the individual to complete full comprehensive assessments for service-users accessing the gambling harms support and recovery programme, and the suicide bereavement programme. The role will also require the practitioner to assess and action clinical risk and safeguarding concerns, which includes referrals following a stepped care approach, and liaising with other organisations where additional support needs are identified.
The practitioner will work within the treatment team, and work closely with the wider BCT team to facilitate smooth and efficient referrals into treatment, comprehensive assessments to service-users at the beginning of their support journey and supporting with safeguarding needs. The practitioner will consult with the Treatment Manager, and wider treatment team regularly regarding referrals, additional support needs and safeguarding issues to identify needs and care pathways required.
Main responsibilities of the practitioner:
· Complete comprehensive assessments
· Facilitate the most appropriate pathways into support, and support them in the decision-making around the pathway they access.
· Facilitate onward referrals to other treatment and support services where necessary
· Assist therapists with managing treatment pathways and risk management of service-users
This role is for a full-time position on a fixed 12-month contract.
For further information, or to submit your application please email the Treatment Manager: [email protected]
Andrew Okell retweeted
BCT is seeing a significant rise in service users turning to the unregulated gambling market. This market carries severe dangers: no ID or age checks, unprotected payouts, zero customer safeguards, and near-impossible account deletion. These figures reflect the prevalence of service-users at BCT that have engaged with the unregulated market over a 12 month period.
Software blocks and self-exclusion tools are necessary but are practical interventions. To truly protect people, we must address the root urge to gamble using a wider determinants approach, looking at the hidden triggers that escalate harm, including biological, psychological and social factors.
We need a proactive, holistic approach embedded across all support systems to address this growing issue. Through BCT’s specialist services, we provide person-centred care that helps individuals manage their urges and supports long-term recovery. If we fail to treat the whole person, the urge remains and this predatory market will continue to exploit people.
Educators, clinicians, self-exclusion specialists, NHS and public health need to be aware of this rapidly growing market, and work together to find a solution.
For more information on our gambling harms support you can give us a call on 0151 226 0696
Andrew Okell retweeted
Thank you to a good friend of Paul’s Place, Ian Semmel, and his GAMA Golf Society for fundraising in support of our Paul’s Place Suicide Bereavement Programme.
GAMA Golf Society raised an amazing £4287 from their recent Golf Day.
Please follow all of our social media channels to keep informed of future fundraising events and if you have any fundraising ideas of your own please contact us on 01512260696 to see how we may be able to support.
Andrew Okell retweeted
We're proud to be attending the BuildForce Armed Forces Insight Day today at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate.
As part of the Wellbeing Hub, Beacon Counselling Trust is delighted to join organisations committed to supporting serving personnel, veterans, and their families. This event provides an important opportunity to connect, share learning, and raise awareness of the impact gambling-related harms can have within the Armed Forces community.
We're particularly pleased to help promote conversations around the Armed Forces Gambling Support Network, ensuring those affected know that support is available and that no one has to face these challenges alone.
We're also keen to engage with employers and recruitment organisations about the Workplace Charter and how workplaces can play a vital role in preventing and responding to gambling-related harms.
We look forward to meeting attendees, building new partnerships, and continuing to champion early intervention, prevention, and recovery.
#ArmedForcesCommunity #Veterans #BuildForce #GamblingHarms #BetYouCanHelp #BeaconCounsellingTrust #ArmedForcesSupport #Wellbeing #Collaboration
Andrew Okell retweeted
Our Paul’s Place Peer Support Group were happy to welcome service users Abby and Sue to group yesterday for a “cheque presentation” following Abby and her sister Jessica’s incredible fundraising.
An amazing £5222 was raised through a 10K run by Abby and Jess, in memory of Mike.
Paul’s Place Community and Engagement Support Lead Andrew said “it means so much to have our fundraisers in to meet our peer group and to see the great work that goes on at Paul’s Place.” “Paul’s Place service users are so kind in the ways that they look to give back for the support that they have had, for many it appears an important part of their journey, thank you to all that have supported us and all that continue to do so, this is greatly appreciated”
Please follow all of our social media channels to keep informed of future fundraising events and if you have any fundraising ideas of your own please contact us on 01512260696 to see how we may be able to support.
justgiving.com/charity/beaco…
I’m very blessed to work on our Paul’s Place Programme and to have the opportunity to try to build on the formidable foundations laid by our inspirational co-founders Kathy, Agnes and Joe.
Celebrating 9 Years of Paul’s Place!
Since launching our Paul’s Place programme 9 years ago, we’ve been able to provide much needed specialist support to hundreds of people across Merseyside who have been bereaved by suicide.
This vital service wouldn’t be possible without the incredible generosity of everyone who has fundraised, donated and supported Paul’s Place over the years.
We would like to say a massive THANK YOU to each and every one of you. Your kindness, generosity and support have helped us make a real difference to the lives of so many people during some of their most difficult times.
Here’s to continuing to support those who need us for many years to come. ❤️
For more information on Paul’s Place please call 0151 226 0696
The theme for World Mental Health Day 2026 was lived experience and Merseyside has a number of incredible charities founded by people who have used their life experiences to form organisations that support many individuals and have impact all across their community and beyond.
Andrew Okell retweeted
Celebrating 9 Years of Paul’s Place!
Since launching our Paul’s Place programme 9 years ago, we’ve been able to provide much needed specialist support to hundreds of people across Merseyside who have been bereaved by suicide.
This vital service wouldn’t be possible without the incredible generosity of everyone who has fundraised, donated and supported Paul’s Place over the years.
We would like to say a massive THANK YOU to each and every one of you. Your kindness, generosity and support have helped us make a real difference to the lives of so many people during some of their most difficult times.
Here’s to continuing to support those who need us for many years to come. ❤️
For more information on Paul’s Place please call 0151 226 0696
Andrew Okell retweeted
Thanks to Kush for his personal account of the importance of supporting Paul’s Place.
Kush (and his great friend Jo) were taken to the nation’s hearts as winners of the 2026 BBC Race Across The World. Merseyside is very proud of them both and we thank Kush for his support.
The story behind this campaign started with a simple conversation. “If every person putting £1 into a supermarket trolley could give that coin to a local charity, then the whole community could benefit”; this was one fundraising event but what if this was rolled out across a community for a month? Why October? Today Paul’s Place Suicide Bereavement Programme is celebrating the ninth anniversary of its unique and vital support! 10/10/2026 was also World Mental Health Day.
Paul’s Place is now working with a number of organisations across Merseyside to take donations, no matter what size, to help us to continue to provide free support to adults bereaved by suicide in this area. It doesn’t have to be a £1, it could be 10p, £10 or a £100. The £1 is just to illustrate that an affordable amount can be given and when this is then multiplied by the number of people using shops, entertainment venues and other businesses over a month the community as a whole as well as individuals needing support can greatly benefit.
Donations of £2 or more can also be made through our Just Giving Page.
Thank you to Aimsleys, Clubmoor Garage, A & L Components and Premier Townsend Avenue in Clubmoor, M and S staff Queens Drive, The Anfield Wrap, The Windsor in Walton Vale, The Swan Inn, The Denbigh Castle, The Pen Factory and The Bridewell in town, Blossom Tree at The Port of Liverpool Building, Liverpool Olympia, Sureseal Windows; The Elephant and Brocante in Woolton and The Nelson and The Moss Bank in St Helens. Cash donations can also be made at our Beacon Counselling Trust office on Townsend Lane, Clubmoor.
If your business, venue or community group would like to support this campaign then please make contact with Andrew on 01512260696.
Andrew Okell retweeted
World Mental Health Day 10/10/26 | Gambling-Related Harm
For every person experiencing gambling-related harm, an estimated 6 to 10 other people can also be affected. The impact can reach far beyond the individual, affecting families, friends and loved ones.
This World Mental Health Day, we want to remind you that you are not alone, and support is available.
Whether you are experiencing gambling-related harm yourself or are worried about someone you care about, Beacon Counselling Trust is here to help.
Call us on 0151 226 0696
Visit our website to find out more about the support and advice available. Beacon Counselling Trust
Reaching out can feel daunting, but taking that first step can make a difference. You don’t have to face it alone.
#WorldMentalHealthDay #GamblingRelatedHarm #MentalHealthMatters #BeaconCounsellingTrust #YouAreNotAlone
Andrew Okell retweeted
Our Paul’s Place Team were at The Elephant Pub and Bakehouse in Woolton on Saturday 03/10/2026 for their inaugural Oktoberfest Event. The Elephant kindly invited us to have a stall to raise funds and awareness for our Paul’s Place Suicide Bereavement Programme.
The event was a great success with the weather as kind as the customers in attendance helping us to raise an amazing £1045!
We very much look forward to working with The Elephant on future events and thank the team there for their welcome and support.
If your business, venue or community group would like to support Paul’s Place then please make contact with Andrew on 01512260696.
Please follow all of our social media channels to keep informed of future fundraising events and if you have any fundraising ideas of your own please contact us on 01512260696 to see how we may be able to support.
@elephant1934
