The Cornwall Counselling Institute (CCI) has officially opened its new home and the newly rebranded CCI Counselling Service at Tamar Tower, Cornwall College Camborne.

This milestone marks a significant advancement in accessible mental health support and professional counselling training in Cornwall, offering a crucial additional option for those facing long NHS waiting lists.

Deborah Williams, head of Cornwall Counselling Institute, commented: “This is a landmark moment for Cornwall College and the wider community. The demand for mental health support has never been higher, and our new state-of-the-art facilities will allow us to train the next generation of counsellors whilst providing affordable, high-quality therapeutic support.”

The launch event saw legendary broadcaster and mental health advocate Laurence Reed, ex-BBC presenter and award-winning journalist, cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the new facilities.

Cornwall Counselling Institute Counselling Service.
The opening of the new home and the newly rebranded CCI Counselling Service at Tamar Tower (Cornwall College Camborne)

Deborah added: “We are deeply grateful to Laurence Reed for helping us celebrate this occasion and for his ongoing commitment to promoting mental health awareness. His presence emphasised the importance of mental health awareness and the vital role that The Cornwall College Institute is playing in expanding professional counselling education and services for the local community.”

The CCI Counselling Service provides affordable, high-quality mental health support at just £10 per session for the public and £5 per session for learners studying at Cornwall College, Duchy College, Falmouth Marine School, Bicton College and Cornwall College University Centres at Newquay and the Eden Project.

For Lucy Johnson, CCI Counselling Service manager, this growth enables the services to play a significant role in providing valuable and much needed therapy for the local area.

Lucy explained: “We are committed to working alongside a wide range of counselling agencies, and the NHS, to provide a comprehensive network of much needed emotional and psychological support. Our new space in Camborne has eight dedicated counselling rooms and extra teaching areas, making it the perfect place to train future counsellors whilst providing vital care to those who need it most.”

The launch also highlighted the Cornwall Counselling Institute’s rapid growth, with a 30 per cent increase in professional counselling Diploma students and a 25 per cent rise in course applications for 2025.

Additionally, the introduction of the new Foundation Degree in Counselling Psychology with Criminology offers students innovative career pathways in mental health, criminal justice and social support.

The new CCI Counselling Service and its cutting-edge facilities will provide immediate, affordable and professional support to the local community.