The PF Counselling Service -; proud winner of a CSV Action Earth Award -; welcomed an enthusiastic team of volunteers from First State, family and friends, on 10 August, for an energetic day of gardening therapy to refresh the charity’s overgrown garden.• The PF Counselling Service•in South Edinburgh•is provided by fully trained and qualified voluntary counsellors, supported by volunteer receptionists, a governance Board, and a small staff team.•The service is available to individuals over the age of 18, with clients contributing what they can afford.

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The purpose was to transform the gloomy jungle of shrubs, weeds and brambles into a quiet space of calm and refreshment for premises users, and provide a source of flowers and greenery to enhance the working environment and everyone’s mental health. The transformation is completed tomorrow with an early morning bulb-planting and autumn clear-up.

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The PF is the largest independent charity providing counselling in Edinburgh. It offers over 12,000 sessions of therapy a year through 98 qualified volunteer counsellors, helping around 350 adults weekly.

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Chris Hewitt, the PF volunteer counsellor who is co-ordinating the garden project, said “We were delighted we could match up the CSV Action Earth Award with the team from First State, who serendipitously were looking out for a volunteering day opportunity in the community which could use their skills and time! The activity is part of the CSV Action Earth (Community Service Volunteers) campaign supported by Scottish National Heritage designed to help groups of volunteers take practical action to improve the environment and create places for wildlife.”

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For further information about CSV Action Earth , phone 0131 222 9083, or•http://actionearth.csv.org.uk•to register a project.

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For further information about PF Counselling Service, phone 0131 447 0876, or contact website:www.pfcounselling.org.uk