This is a bilingual article, scroll a little for the English language version.
Mae’r ganolfan wedi bod yn gweithio mewn partneriaeth gyda’r cwrs MSc Cwnsela a Seicotherapi i gynnig lleoliadau gwaith i’r myfyrwyr ers 2020 bellach. Roedd y bartneriaeth newydd yn ychwanegiad pwysig i’r gwasanaethau rydym yn eu darparu am ddim, gan fod y cymorth roeddem yn gallu ei ddarparu i unigolion yn gyffredinol iawn tan hynny. Roeddem yn gallu gweld fod gwir angen am y math hwn o gymorth yn y gymuned ac nid oeddem yn gallu ei ddarparu. Rydym wastad wedi cynnig gweithgareddau grŵp a chymunedol, ynghyd ag awgrymiadau ar gyfer cymorth wedi’i deilwra (neu ‘cyfeirio’ fel rydym yn ei alw). Dyma enghraifft o’n hamserlen weithgareddau:
The centre has been a work experience placement partner with the MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy since 2020 now. The partnership was a very welcome inclusion to the services that we provide free of charge, which were limited up until that time as the one to one support we could provide was generic. We could see that there was a real and high level of need in the community and it was missing from what we could offer. We have always offered group activities, community and suggestions for tailored support (we call that signposting). Here’s an example timetable of our activities:
Er ein bod yn darparu ein gwasanaethau ein hunain, mae llawer o’r gwasanaethau sydd ar gael yn Abbey Road yn cael eu darparu gan dimau eraill, er enghraifft, gwahanol dimau sy’n gweithio i GIG Cymru, neu wasanaethau eraill, ac maent yn llogi ystafelloedd gennym i’w defnyddio fel canolfan. Fel arfer, bydd pobl yn cael eu cyfeirio at y gwasanaethau hyn gan eu meddyg teulu. Yn ogystal â hyn, gall cost y gwasanaethau atal rhai pobl rhag cyfeirio eu hunain at wasanaethau cwnsela gan fod llawer o gwnselwyr yn hunangyflogedig, neu’n gweithio i gwmnïau preifat. Roedd ehangu ein gwasanaethau yn bwysig iawn felly.
Many of the services accessed at Abbey Road aren’t provided by us as a team, but by a variety of teams working for NHS Wales, or other services and they hire rooms from us to use us as a base. Generally speaking, these services are accessed via a GP referral. In addition, cost can prevent people from referring themselves to counselling services as many counsellors are self employed, or work for private companies. Expanding our services was therefore really important.
Mae’r myfyrwyr cwnsela yn eu hail flwyddyn o’u cwrs hyfforddiant ôl-raddedig dwy flynedd. Maent yn hyfforddi i ddod yn gwnselwyr cymwysedig ac mae’n rhaid iddynt “ddarparu” 100 awro gymorth cwnsela. Os hoffech gael rhagor o wybodaeth am gwnsela ac a yw’n addas ar eich cyfer, cliciwch ar y ddolen isod.
Student counsellors are in the second of two years of post-graduate training to become quaified counsellors and they must achieve a target of 100 hours of “delivery” (providing counselling support). You can find out more about what counselling is and if it might appeal to you by clicking this link https://www.bangor.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-taught/counselling-msc
Mae’r Myfyrwyr Cwnsela sy’n dod atom wedi cwblhau Asesiad Addasrwydd i Ymarfer ac mae’n rhaid iddynt dderbyn cymorth cwnsela eu hunain ar ffurf “Goruchwyliaeth” am o leiaf 1 awr am bob 8 awr o gwnsela maent wedi’u darparu fel hyfforddeion. Mae goruchwylwyr yn cefnogi llesiant emosiynol a datblygiad proffesiynol y myfyrwyr cwnsela mewn ffordd gwbl gyfrinachol. Mae’n hanfodol bod cwnselwyr yn cael eu goruchwylio drwy gydol eu gyrfaoedd ac mae’n ddisgwyliedig yn y rhan fwyaf o yrfaoedd ym maes iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol, fel gwaith cymdeithasol a seicoleger enghraifft, yn ogystal â bod yn rhan o dîm Abbey Road.
Student Counsellors come to us having completed a Fitness to Practice Assessment and they must access their own counselling support through something called “Supervision” for at least 1 hour for every 8 hours of counselling they have undertaken as trainees. Supervisors support the emotional wellbeing and professional development of the student counsellors in a fully confidential manner. Supervision is something that counsellors must access throughout their careers and it is an expectation found in most areas in health and social care careers such as social work and psychology, for example-as well as being an expectation for the Abbey Road team.
Pan fyddwch yn dod atom i gael cymorth byddwn yn cofnodi eich manylion er mwyn sicrhau y gallwn roi cymorth priodol i chi bob amser. Rydym hefyd yn gofyn i chi gwblhau hunanasesiad CORE 10. Mae hyn yn ein helpu i roi’r cymorth gorau posibl i chi, a gall hyn olygu eich cyfeirio at asiantaethau eraill sydd yn y sefyllfa orau i’ch cynorthwyo.
When you approach us for support we will register your details, this ensures that we can support you appropriately at all times. We also request that you complete a CORE 10 self assessment. This assists us to support you to the best of our ability, which may mean referring you to other agencies best placed to support you.
Gallwch hefyd lenwi ffurflen gysylltu ar ein gwefan www.abbeyroadcentre.co.ukneu gallwch anfon neges uniongyrchol atom ar Facebook https://www.facebook.com/abbeyroaddropin/neu Instagram https://www.instagram.com/canolfanabbeyroad/. Rydym yn cyfeirio achosion at fyfyrwyr cwnsela ar sail eu llwyth gwaith a phwy sy’n fwyaf addas, e.e.siaradwyr Cymraeg, profiad o weithio yn y maes cymorth dan sylw, profiad blaenorol, ac ati. Rydym yn cynnal sesiynau cwnsela yn y ganolfan lle bo’n bosibl, yn ystod oriau agor arferol(dydd Llun – dydd Gwener 9-12, 12.30-4.30).
You can also complete a contact form on our website www.abbeyroadcentre.co.uk or dm us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/abbeyroaddropin/ or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/canolfanabbeyroad/. Referrals are allocated to student counsellors on the basis of their work load and who is most suitable, eg. Welsh speaking, experienced in the area of probable support, previous experience and so on. Counselling takes place on site in the centre where possible, during opening hours (Mon-Fri 9-12, 12.30-4.30).
Mae Megan yn aelod presennol o’r tîm ac yn gyn-fyfyriwr cwnsela a fu ar brofiad gwaith gyda ni. Dyma rai o’i hargraffiadau:
“Fel myfyriwr cwnsela sy’n ceisio dod o hyd i leoliad gwaith, mae’n bwysig eich bod yn dod o hyd i rywle sydd nid yn unig yn addas i chi, ond sy’n eich galluogi ac yn eich annog i ffynnu. Llwyddodd Canolfan Abbey Road i wneud hyn a llawer mwy.
Dechreuais fy mhrofiad gwaith yma a sylweddolais yn fuan iawn pa mor anhygoel yw gwerthoedd a nodweddion Canolfan Abbey Road, o’r bobl mewn cymuned fach sydd wrth galon popeth mae’r Ganolfan yn ei wneud, i ddarparu amrywiaeth o wasanaethau am ddim er mwyn rhoi cymorth gwirioneddol i’r bobl mae ei angen arnynt fwyaf – rhywbeth rwyf yn ei werthfawrogi’n fawr fel cwnselydd. Roedd y cymorth a dderbyniais yn ystod fy lleoliad gwaith yma yn anhygoel hefyd. Roedd pawb bob amser yn barod i ateb unrhyw gwestiwn oedd gennyf, ac roedd teimlad gwirioneddol fod pobl wir eisiau helpu, gan wneud yr holl brofiad yn llawer gwell.
Wrth i mi ddod at ddiwedd fy lleoliad roeddwn yn teimlo fy mod wedi cyflawni cymaint o wybod fy mod wedi helpu pobl roedd gwir angen y cymorth hwnnw arnynt, ac roeddwn yn gwybod mai dyma’r maes roeddwn am barhau i weithio ynddo. Ar ôl cwblhau’r cwrs gradd, cefais gyfle i weithio fel Cwnselydd ac roedd hyn yn brofiad cyffrous iawn i mi gan fy mod bellach yn gallu parhau i weithio ar sail 1-1 gyda phobl mewn angen, yn ogystal â gweithio gyda’r bobl anhygoel yng Nghanolfan Abbey Road sy’n dal i fy ysbrydoli”.
A previous student counsellor placed with us and current team member, Megan reflects on her experience:
“As a student counsellor trying to find a placement, it’s important to find somewhere that not only suits you, but somewhere that allows and encourages you to thrive. Canolfan Abbey Road did just this and more.
I started my work experience here, and quickly became aware of the incredible values and characteristics within Canolfan Abbey Road, from people within a small community being at the heart of everything they do, to providing a range of services free of cost to really support the people that need it most, which is something I value as a counsellor. The support I also received whilst doing my placement here was unreal. There was never a question to big or small, and there was a real feel of people genuinely wanting to help which made the experience all that much better.
When coming to the end of my placement hours I felt such an accomplishment knowing I had helped people who desperately needed it, and knew this is what I wanted to continue pursuing. I was given the opportunity to work as a Counsellor after my Degree had ended, which was so exciting for me as it means I can now continue to work 1-1 with people in need, as well as with the amazing people within Canolfan Abbey Road that continue to inspire me”.
Dyma adborth a dderbyniwyd yn ddiweddar gan un o’n cleientiaid cwnsela:
"Rwyf wedi talu am gwnsela preifat yn y gorffennol ar ôl i mi golli fy mam yn annisgwyl yn 2021. Ym mis Rhagfyr 2022 roeddwn yn cael problemau iechyd meddwl unwaith yn rhagor ac fe wnes i ddod o hyd i’r cyfeiriad at wasanaeth cwnsela am ddim Canolfan Abbey Road ar Facebook. Fe wnes i hunangyfeirio gan feddwl 1) does gen i ddim byd i’w golli drwy wneud cais a 2) byddai amser hir yn mynd heibio cyn i mi gael ateb felly byddai’n well i mi beidio codi fy ngobeithion. Cefais ateb cyn pen pedair wythnos er ei bod yn gyfnod gwyliau’r Nadolig ac, yn well fyth, cefais gynnig cwnsela drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg – rhywbeth sy’n gwneud gwahaniaeth enfawr i mi yn bersonol gan fy mod yn gallu siarad am fy nheimladau a’m emosiynau yn yr iaith rwy’n teimlo’n fwyaf cyfforddus yn ei siarad. Doeddwn i ddim yn disgwyl i’r cwnsela fod yn debyg i’r sesiynau preifat roeddwn wedi’u cael yn y gorffennol, o ystyried bod y cwnselwyr yn dal i gael eu hyfforddi – ond roeddwn yn hollol anghywir! Rwyf mor ddiolchgar i’m cwnselydd am ei holl gymorth, doethineb ac awgrymiadau ac adnoddau ymdopi. Rwyf wedi gweld fy nghwnselydd yn wythnosol, a hynny ar amser cyfleus ac mewn lleoliad diogel, i sgwrsio am unrhyw beth rwyf awydd ei rannu.
Buaswn yn argymell yn gryf fod pobl yn cysylltu â Chanolfan Abbey Road. Doeddwn i ddim yn gymwys i dderbyn gwasanaethau cwnsela ‘am ddim’ eraill ond nid yw Abbey Road yn gwahaniaethu yn erbyn pobl sy’n gweithio/yn ddiwaith neu sydd wedi talu am gwnsela yn y gorffennol. Mae’r gwasanaeth cwnsela ar gael i bawb ac mae’r cymorth rwyf wedi’i dderbyn wedi bod yn llawer gwell na’r disgwyl. Rwy’n ddiolchgar iawn fy mod wedi derbyn cymorth ganddynt ".
A recent counselling client shared their feedback with us:
"I’ve previously paid for private counselling following unexpectedly losing my beloved Mam in 2021. In December 2022 I was struggling with my mental health again and found Abbey Road’s free counselling offer on Facebook. I self-referred thinking 1) I have nothing to lose by applying and 2) it would take a long time to hear back so not to get my hopes up.
I heard back within four weeks despite the Christmas Holidays and, even better, I was offered counselling in the Welsh language which for me makes a huge difference, to be able to speak about my feelings and emotions in the language I feel most comfortable. I didn’t expect the counselling to be on the same level as the sessions I’d previously had privately given that the counsellors are still in training – I was wrong! I am so grateful to my counsellor for all their support, wisdom, and coping tools. I’ve been able to see my counsellor weekly, at a mutually-convenient time and in a safe space to talk about anything that I feel I want to share.
I highly recommend reaching out to Abbey Road. I was not eligible for other ‘free’ counselling services but Abbey Road does not discriminate against those who are employed/unemployed or have had paid counselling in the past. It is really for everyone and the help I have had surpassed my expectations. I am very grateful to have received their support".
Dyma oedd gan arweinydd y cwrs, yr Athro Fay Short i’w ddweud am ein partneriaeth:
"Mae myfyrwyr cwrs MSc Cwnsela Prifysgol Bangor wedi bod yn cwblhau eu lleoliadau hyfforddiant cwnsela gyda Chanolfan Abbey Road dros y tair blynedd diwethaf. Ar hyn o bryd mae deg o’n hyfforddeion yn cwblhau eu lleoliadau yn Abbey Road, ac mae tîm Abbey Road wedi rhoi amrywiaeth eang o brofiadau, cyfleoedd, ac arweiniad iddynt. Rydym wedi datblygu perthynas waith agos gyda’r sefydliad, ac yn ein barn ni mae’r ganolfan yn foesegol, yn rhoi lle blaenllaw i’r cleient, ac wedi ymrwymo i ddatblygu ei gwasanaethau yn barhaus. Gallaf dystio i’w hymroddiad a’i hymrwymiad i ddarparu cymorth iechyd meddwl a llesiant i’r unigolion mwyaf agored i niwed yng Ngogledd Cymru. Mae’r tîm sy’n gweithio yn y sefydliad hwn yn angerddol dros helpu pobl, ac mae’r cymorth maent wedi’i roi i’n hyfforddeion wedi eu galluogi i ddarparu gwasanaethau cwnsela i lawer o bobl na fyddai wedi gallu cael cymorth fel arall. Yn ogystal â’r gwasanaeth cwnsela, maent wedi gweithio gyda’n hyfforddeion i ddarparu amrywiaeth o wasanaethau llesiant a chymorth eraill i bobl leol, gan olygu fod y ganolfan wedi dod yn hafan gobaith i lawer o bobl mewn angen.
Mae gennym 10 o fyfyrwyr cwnsela eleni, yn ogystal ag un cwnselydd cymwysedig ac aelod tîm all ddarparu seicotherapi a gweithio gyda phobl sy’n cael eu cyfeirio atom ar lefel uwch ar CORE 10, neu sy’n trafod materion gyda myfyriwr cwnsela y byddai’n fwy priodol i’w trafod gyda chwnselydd cymwysedig."
I gael rhagor o wybodaeth am gwrs MSc Cwnsela Prifysgol Bangor, dyma’r ddolen: https://www.bangor.ac.uk/cy/courses/postgraduate-taught/cwnsela-msc
Course leader, Professor Fay Short had this to say about our partnership:
"Students from the MSc in Counselling at Bangor University have been completing their trainee counselling placements with Abbey Road for the last three years. We currently have ten trainees completing their placements at Abbey Road, and the Abbey Road team have provided them with a broad range of experience, opportunity, and guidance. We have developed a close working relationship with the organisation, and we have found them to be ethically minded, client-centred, and committed to the ongoing development of their services. I can testify to their dedication and commitment to providing mental health and wellbeing support to the most vulnerable individuals in North Wales. The team who work within this organization are passionate about helping people, and their support for our trainees has enabled them to deliver counselling services to many who have been unable to access help elsewhere. Alongside counselling, they have also worked with our trainees to provide a range of other wellbeing and support services for local people, resulting in their centre becoming a refuge of hope for so many in need.
We have 10 student counsellors this year, as well as 1 qualified counsellor and a team member who can provide psychotherapy who are able to work with referrals who are higher on the CORE 10, or who explore issues to a point with a student counsellor that it is more appropriate for a qualified counsellor to continue exploration".
For further information about the MSc in Counselling at Bangor, here's the link: https://www.bangor.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-taught/counselling-msc
O fis Ebrill 2023 byddwn yn codi tâl bach bob wythnos am y sesiynau, gyda pholisi canslo 24 awr. Y prif reswm dros hyn yw lleihau nifer y cleientiaid nad ydynt yn mynychu’r sesiynau. Byddwn yn gofyn am isafswm cyfraniad o £5 y sesiwn, a fydd yn ei dro yn cyfrannu at gost llogi’r ystafell ac amser y staff. Yn yr hinsawdd sydd ohoni rydym yn gweld bod ein costau yn cynyddu ar raddfa llawer uwch na’r arian grant, er y derbyniwyd cyfraniadau bach.
From April 2023 we will be applying a small fee per week for the sessions, with a 24 hour cancellation policy. The main reason for this is to reduce the number of clients who do not attend. We will be asking for a minimum contribution of £5 per session, which in turn will contribute towards room hire and staff time. In the current climate of increased costs we are not currently seeing parity in our grants funding, although small contributions have been made.