Hi, my name is Helen and I am currently studying to become a counsellor in the UK. I completed and passed my Level 3 in May 2025 and am now on the Level 4 course studying Integrative counselling. I'm enjoying the course very much and have bonded well with my classmates.

I did work full time but have had to reduce my working week to 4 days to allow me to attend college 1 day per week, this reduces my salary significantly.

I have two daughters, aged 23 and 21 who both have disabilities. They both suffer with Ehlers Danlos syndrome and POTs which causes them to faint often, pour with sweat and suffer dizzy spells and other unpleasant symptoms. I am extremely proud of them as they are both studying and do their best to persevere every day despite their chronic pain and fainting. One daughter is studying via the OU so is fortunate enough to be in the comfort of our own home. My other daughter is doing a Masters but is very poorly again since moving away.

Unfortunately, she is not well enough to work as well as study and I am now in a position where I have to cover half of her rent each month until she feels well enough to apply for a part time job which is likely to be at least 4 months off as a minimum.

I plan to use any money raised to pay off my course loan so that I can put my financial focus into helping my daughter.

I am now £1150 per month worse off due to losing one day per week of salary, repaying my loan and paying my daughters rent. I desperately want to continue my studies as I feel very passionate about being able to help the younger generations by contributing to help the mental health crisis.

The Ehlers Danlos syndrome myself and my daughters have is genetic and I also have an interest in the area of counselling individuals that suffer with chronic pain.

Many thanks for your consideration