Do you know about our Learner Counselling Self- Referral Scheme?

The Learner Counselling Self-referral scheme was introduced in September 2020, it allows any of our learners to seek and access help. Learners can complete a self-referral counselling form which is submitted and reviewed by our trained and experienced members of staff Tracy Fletcher and Gail Davies. Tracy or Gail will make initial contact with our learner following receipt of a request. They will establish what support requirements our learner may need and where applicable refer/signpost learners to the appropriate support, which could include referral to counselling.

Tracy Fletcher

I joined Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales in 2015 as a Tutor. Previous to that, I had been combining three jobs – Speech and Language Therapy, Counsellor and Tutor. I left Speech and Language Therapy to focus on counselling and teaching. As a tutor, I deliver counselling courses and personal development courses such as resilience, emotional wellbeing and confidence building. Since being with the organisation, I have qualified as an IQA (Internal Quality Assessor), so I now teach and assess courses. In 2020, I was part of the team which set up the counselling screening service, which I’m very proud of. It’s a free service for any learner who does a course with Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales. I feel very passionately about counselling and feel it should be available to everyone. My motto is “We go to the gym to keep ourselves physically fit and we should go to counselling to keep ourselves mentally fit!” For my own wellbeing I enjoy reading, crocheting, cycling and spending time with family. I also love going off to different places in our campervan called “Olive”. I’ve lived in Wales all my life, and currently class myself as a Welsh Learner; trying very hard to use the language of Wales.

Gail Davies

Following a background in Social Work, in 2005 I returned to education and in 2008 gained a B.A (Hons) in Counselling Studies & Society followed by my PGCE in 2009. I then joined Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales (formerly WEA) in 2009 as a Community Education Tutor teaching a variety of courses including Welsh language/history, Counselling skills, Personal Development, Psychology, Sociology, Domestic Abuse and Crafts. Over the years I have worked both as a Tutor and as a Community Development Officer on various projects under the auspices of Addysg Oedolion Cymru/WEA. I continue to work as a tutor within the community and in November 2021 I joined the learner counselling self–referral scheme team, where I support the screening of referrals and making initial contact with learners who are seeking help and support. Born in Ystradgynlais and raised in Cwmtawe, I have lived in Tredegar for 25 years and am a first language Welsh speaker. My hobbies include, current affairs, Welsh history, reading, practicing Mindfulness meditation and crafts.