Our History
The charity originally called South Cumbria Rape and Abuse Service (SCRAS), was established by Christine Birchall in 1991 as a community response to the lack of support for rape and sexual abuse victims in the local area. It originally operated as an entirely volunteer based organisation supported by community fundraising. The organisation has successfully developed into an established service provider, whilst still retaining its original ethos and local identity.
We are a registered charity (number: 1109637), and a company limited by guarantee (number: 5424196)
There is high demand for our counselling service and we are proud to offer support in 4 locations across South Cumbria and North Lancashire, as well as providing online therapy. All our counselling rooms and play therapy rooms have everything they require to provide an exceptional counselling & play therapy experience. Our Head Office in Barrow has 2 offices, 3 counselling rooms, a play therapy room and an art room. The hub in Morecambe has 2 offices, 4 counselling rooms and 2 play therapy rooms. Kendal has 2 counselling rooms, 1 doubles as a play therapy room and Lancaster as 1 counselling room. The feedback we receive from our clients on our rooms is they are decorated to a high standard and extremely comfortable with both children and adults having all they need for talking, art or play therapy.
The service continues to flourish thanks to the dedication of the team of counsellors, trustees and staff and we remain ever grateful to the funders who have supported this service. With many people accessing the service over the years, the work Christine began in 1991 continues to benefit survivors of rape and childhood sexual abuse in the community we serve.
We cover issues including childhood abuse, child sexual exploitation, trafficking, sex workers and online abuse We also offer Pre-Trial Therapy to any clients who are going through a criminal investigation.
We aim to meet the needs of anyone irrespective of gender identity, sexuality, ethnicity, culture, or religion
Friends and family of survivors are also welcome to attend counselling in order to help them to support their loved ones.
The Birchall Trust agree to support all survivors of sexual violence unless they are under investigation or have been convicted of any sexual offence.