Breaking Down Barriers to Counselling & Psychotherapy
It is with deep respect and heartfelt reflection that we announce the closure of the Sarah Agnes Foundation in Autumn 2025.
Since its founding by the late Agnes Rees, the Sarah Agnes Foundation has stood as a beacon of compassion, resilience, and hope. Guided by Agnes’s unwavering belief in the dignity and worth of every individual, the charity has served thousands through counselling, advocacy, and support services. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives transformed by her vision and in the enduring spirit of community that defined our work. Over the years, the Foundation has been privileged to work alongside a dedicated team of staff and volunteers whose commitment has been nothing short of extraordinary. Their passion, professionalism, and care have been the heart of this organisation, and we extend our deepest gratitude for their service.
We also wish to express our sincere thanks to our grant funders, partners, and supporters, whose generosity and trust have enabled us to fulfil our mission over the years. Their belief in our work made everything possible. And to our clients, thank you for allowing us to walk with you on your journey.
As we prepare for closure, we remain deeply committed to acting with integrity and compassion. All current client sessions will be brought to a respectful and ethical conclusion, with the necessary time and resources in place to ensure appropriate closure. Our team will continue to support clients through this transition and communicate clearly at every stage.
Though the Sarah Agnes Foundation is coming to an end, its spirit and impact will endure in the communities and individuals it has touched. We are immensely proud of what has been achieved, and we honour Agnes Rees and all those who stood beside her in making her vision a reality.
Thank you for being part of this remarkable journey.
With warmest regards,
The Board of Trustees
Sarah Agnes Foundation
Collaborating in the community to reach those in need.
We thank all of our community partners and everyone who has funded our vital work over the years. Working accross the community has enabled us to share resources with our partners and create a wide and lasting impact.
Grant funders have played a vital role in helping us fulfill our mission to support individuals and families living in deprived areas and on low incomes. Their generous support has enabled us to expand our reach and deliver essential services to thousands of people in need, many of whom would otherwise face significant barriers to support. Thanks to this funding, we have been able to create lasting, positive change in communities that need it most, bringing hope, opportunity, and practical help where it’s needed the most.
We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has referred individuals and families to SAF over the years. Your trust in our services has been instrumental in connecting people in need with the support they deserve. These referrals have allowed us to reach those facing hardship more quickly and effectively, ensuring that no one has to face their challenges alone. Your continued support has helped us make a real difference in countless lives, and we are truly grateful for your partnership.
With thanks to our volunteers
We are incredibly grateful to all of our volunteers whose dedication, time, and passion have been pivotal in delivering our work. Their unwavering support has strengthened every aspect of our charity, from running community events to providing one-on-one support and behind-the-scenes help. Volunteers are the heart of our organisation, and their commitment allows us to reach more people, make a greater impact, and continue our mission with compassion and energy. We simply couldn’t do what we do without them.
Tackling health inequality.
Mental health difficulties are more prevalent in socially deprived areas of our country which is why our services were delivered directly in the heart of communities to ensure we could meet those most in need.
Through our pay-as-you-can scheme and funded projects, we have been able to take meaningful steps toward tackling health inequality in the communities we serve. By removing financial barriers to access, we’ve ensured that individuals and families on low incomes can benefit from vital health and wellbeing services that might otherwise be out of reach.
Thousands of clients have used our services.
Through our counselling, wellbeing worshops, and schools programmes, we have supported a wide range of clients.
SAF made me feel in control of my life
“After a messy divorce I reached out to SAF for private therapy and was seen within 2 weeks. At the beginning, my life felt so out of control but my therapist was amazing and she helped me to reflect and get back in the driving seat. I strongly recommend SAF services.”
SAF helped my son
“My 12 year old son was experiencing really low moods and a teacher suggested I contact SAF. We’d tried so many different things with him and he didn’t meet the criteria for CAMHS so we decided to give it a go. He’s doing really well with his therapist and we’re seeing small positive improvements already. Highly recommend.”
SAF made me feel at ease
“I saw a SAF leaflet in my local community centre and had put it off for months before contacting them. My family aren’t the sort to chat about emotions and things so I felt a bit nervous about it. I finally plucked up the courage and I’m so glad I did. The team were totally helpful and made me feel at ease. Wish I’d done it sooner to be honest.”
SAF helped me access therapy
“I’ve got three kids and I don’t earn a lot so therapy is something I just can’t really afford. I’d been on the NHS waiting list for about a year and I was really struggling so my social worker referred me to the SAF pay-as-you-can programme and I had my first appointment arranged within a week! What a brilliant organisation.”
School partnerships
As child and adolescent mental health issues have risen dramatically in the UK, schools in disadvantaged areas are often left struggling to provide pastoral and therapeutic support to students due to budgeting issues, staffing, and funding cuts.
SAF’s school programmewas introduced in 2019. Since then, our team have supported over 1600 children and young people to improve their mental health addressing issues such as anxiety, trauma, grief, and self-harm.
Trainee Counsellor Placement
Programme.
Working with universities, colleges, and training providers, SAF has supported hundreds of supervised trainee counsellor placements and qualified counsellors undertaking further training, or students studying for counselling qualifications.