Waterloo Community Counselling

Waterloo Community Counselling Low and No Cost Counselling in the heart of London

Every person has a story.Today we're honoured to share Marie's story which has been powerfully written into a narrative ...
07/08/2026

Every person has a story.

Today we're honoured to share Marie's story which has been powerfully written into a narrative by our amazing volunteer, Lu Brookes, following an oral testimonial from Marie (not her real name).

From dreams of becoming a midwife, to overcoming extraordinary adversity, her journey is a testament to resilience, courage and hope. It is also, sadly, a reminder of the creul and inhumane system facing people seeking sanctuary across the world.

By sharing her experiences, Marie helps shine a light on the realities faced by many survivors, while reminding us of the importance of compassionate, culturally sensitive support.

šŸ“– Read the full story via the link in our bio / website.

āš ļø Content warning: This blog contains references to violence, sexual assault and su***de.



Marie grew up in Cameroon with clear ambitions and hopes for her future.

As a teenager, Marie was forced to leave school and enter a marriage she did not choose.

Despite immense challenges, raising her four children became her source of purpose and strength.

Facing abuse and violence, Marie made the heartbreaking decision to leave in search of safety and a better future.

What followed was a journey marked by uncertainty, loss and challenges she could never have imagined.

Marie's story is one of extraordinary courage.

Today, she is sharing her experiences to help others feel less alone and to highlight the importance of support, healing and hope.

šŸ“– Read Marie's full story at waterloocc.co.uk

āš ļø Content warning: This story contains references to violence, sexual assault and su***de.

30/06/2026

From all of us...

THANK YOU!

Thank you for donating and sharing our Big Give fundraising appeal.

Thank you for supporting life changing mental health provision for Londoners!

Today is . It comes at the end of an amazing which has been packed full of events, activities and community building....
20/06/2026

Today is . It comes at the end of an amazing which has been packed full of events, activities and community building.

On Thursday we gathered our largest ever group to attend the iconic The London Eye. A place which for years members of our refugee social group have been wanting to visit. After an amazing spin on the wheel taking in the glorious views of sunny London we decamped for a shady picnic in Jubilee Gardens Trust. Some played football or threw a ball around and others got creative - drawing the scenery and even writing powerful haikus on the theme of .

Later on in the afternoon we made our way over to circes_rooftop - our amazing and generous partners - who laid on a fantastic space, food and drink. We had a lovely party, enjoying the amazing views and listening so some words from WCC staff and two of our longstanding members.

This amazing day of fun and togetherness was made possible thanks to support from staff and students from the . We are very grateful to them for the support.

This year, Refugee Week is centred around the theme of courage.

Courage doesnā€™t exist in isolationā€”it grows from community. Itā€™s found in the moments where we come together across cultures, languages, and lived experiences. Our refugee social group embodies this kind of collective courage.

That courage feels especially important right now, at a time when many refugees and people seeking asylum are facing increasingly hostile rhetoric and, in some cases, real threats of violence. Coming together like thisā€”standing in solidarity, building understanding, and creating spaces of safety and belongingā€”is in itself an act of courage.

Refugee Week

Something powerful is coming šŸ’™From 22ā€“29 June, weā€™re joining Big Give, Globalā€™s Make Some Noise & NCVO's Small Charity W...
19/06/2026

Something powerful is coming šŸ’™

From 22ā€“29 June, weā€™re joining Big Give, Globalā€™s Make Some Noise & NCVO's Small Charity Week with our campaign: āœØ Thriving Minds, Thriving Community

Because everyone deserves access to affordable, compassionate counselling.

šŸ’„ For one week only, every donation will be DOUBLED, thanks to the players of the Postcode Lottery UK

Be part of something meaningfulā€¦

Appeal goes live on Monday at 12pm - see you soon!

19/06/2026

ā€œI feel courageous when I am supporting others who are going through challengesā€

A third and final clip to celebrate the inspiring courage of migrants and refugees for

Today we hear from the wonderful Moses who shared when he felt šŸ§”

Moses has also very kindly shared the poem he wrote in 2024 following the racist riots in the streets of UK. Read below ā¬‡ļø

ā€”ā€”
I Am Mugenyi, a Muganda Man

I am Mugenyi,
from Buganda in Uganda,
a land once ruled by the British,
they made it theirs in 1894,
until we gained freedom in ā€˜62.
But that freedom was short,
lost to new rulers and a harsh grip.

Our leader came to power
the day I was born,
and to this day, he holds his place,
corruption grows, voices are silenced,
and power stays in the same hands.

I came to the United Kingdom,
once our ā€œfriendā€ and land of freedom,
only to feel the weight of skin, of race
something I never thought would happen.

I saw people covering their faces,
hiding themselves out of fear,
covering up so they wouldnā€™t stand out,
in the streets that claimed to be fair
but seemed far from free and equal.

In Uganda, the British came without a passport,
they signed treaties and made rules,
but today, here, no one can cross the line
unless they are ā€œallowedā€ to belong.

So I wonder, who is the ā€œimmigrantā€ here?
Can I call them such,
who came to my home
and shaped our lives with their own plans?

But Buganda is my true home,
where we eat matooke, our cherished food,
where we wear the kanzu, our pride.
I am Muganda, my family roots go deep,
in names like Enju, Oluggya, Omutuba, Essiga,
ancient traditions only we have kept.

I am Muganda, through and through,
and Buganda is where my heart belongs.

17/06/2026

Today, as part of our series during , Janet shares what helped her find courage during a difficult time in her life.

We are so grateful to Janet for sharing her story.

16/05/2026

Sometimes, action is simply showing up.

In our final clip, Thea shares how having local counselling made it possible to keep attendingā€”even during the hardest weeks.

šŸŽ„ ā€œā€¦I was able to actually turn up every weekā€¦ā€

Every action counts. And every step matters.

If youā€™re looking for support, you can take that step today. And if youā€™re able, support services that make this possible.

15/05/2026

Action also means supporting services that work for the community.

Today, Thea reflects on why services like WCC matterā€”and how they can change lives.

šŸŽ„ ā€œTalking to someone who listensā€¦ is so importantā€¦ā€

If you believe in accessible mental health support, take action this weekā€”donate, share, or support WCC.

14/05/2026

Action doesnā€™t stop at reaching outā€”it continues in the work we do on ourselves.

In our fourth clip, Thea shares how counselling supported her day-to-day life: recognising patterns, building self-compassion, and moving forward.

šŸŽ„ ā€œā€¦have more care for myselfā€¦ move on with kindness.ā€

Follow along this weekā€”and take one small action for your mental health today.

13/05/2026

What difference can one action make?

For Thea, accessing affordable counselling changed everything.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, ā€˜Actionā€™ can be as simple as finding support that works for you.

šŸŽ„ ā€œā€¦meant the difference between doing it and not doing itā€¦ā€

If cost is a barrier, taking action today could mean exploring affordable counselling at WCC.

Address

Waterloo Community Counselling, Barley Mow Clinic, Greet House, Frazier Street
Southwark
SE17BD

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

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