Worthing charity welcomes High Sheriff as patron

Acorn recently moved into its new premises at Pilgrim House, St Dunstan’s Road, and the charity was pleased to show Dr Fooks around during his visit.

The new centre has been operating since November but the charity was unable to make full use of the facilities until recently, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Face-to-face counselling has now started, under strict Covid protocols, while telephone counselling continues for those who prefer it.

Dr Fooks was given a tour of the whole building, which houses a number of different organisations, and spent time chatting with Acorn’s centre manager, Angela Geach, and trustee Mary Parish in the new counselling room.

Dr Fooks said: “It’s wonderful that Acorn now has an ideal base from which to work, and I am sure that clients will feel very comfortable in these newly-refurbished, modern offices.

“As we gradually move on from lockdown, Acorn could well find demand for its services increasing and clients can be confident that the trained counselling volunteers will give them the time they need to talk about their feelings and explore their options for the future.

“I am delighted to be a patron of Acorn and fully support their valuable work.”

Acorn celebrated its 25th anniversary last year and was previously based in Buckingham Road, helping anyone affected by unintended pregnancy, or pregnancy loss such as stillbirth and miscarriage, or following abortion.