RESIDENTS of a Flintshire town are being encouraged to make use of a new free-to-access mental health counselling service.

Buckley Town Council is funding the cost of the service on an initial one day per week basis.

Located adjacent to the town council offices in Mold Road, it will begin on Wednesday (December 2) at 1pm following an official opening by Buckley Mayor Cllr Arnold Woolley at midday.

He said: "There has been a difficulty for people who feel uncertain, worried or depressed, for example, actually being able to talk through their problems with a professional listening ear.

"This has grown during the period of covid, which itself has not helped.

"It is part of the town council's function to take care of the community and respond to this clear need."

Cllr Woolley said the service, provided by Mold-based charity The Counselling Hub, will "back-up" volunteer run sessions currently offered at Hawkesbury.

He added: "My encouragement as mayor of the town if for anyone who feels a need - please use the service.

"Any friend or family member who is concerned about someone, please let them know about it, for the simple reason; it's good to talk."

The opening hours of the service are 1pm to 3pm every Wednesday commencing on December 2.

The main Counsellor will be a qualified member of The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy as well as an accredited Civil Commercial Mediator.