A CARLISLE charity that provides free counselling and therapy for children and young people dealing with mental health challenges is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

The charity, based on Lowther Street, was established in 1984 as the 'Practical Alternative to Custody' (PAC), aiming to keep young offenders out of trouble.

Over the years, it has evolved into a broader organisation dedicated to providing support when it comes to mental health and is now known as Promoting Autonomy and Change (PAC). 

Jenna Sutherland, the charity's development manager, said: "With the nature of our work, we’ve always got one-to-one therapy sessions on so we very rarely have people in.

"It was really lovely to have a celebration and invite our stakeholders down.  A huge thank you to everybody who has supported the charity over the last four decades, fundraisers, funders, volunteers, and our board of trustees who volunteer their time—it’s a massive team effort."

Louise Porter with the High Sheriff Christopher Holmes and his wife SueLouise Porter with the High Sheriff Christopher Holmes and his wife Sue (Image: PAC)

Read more: PAC Therapy appeals for fundraisers ahead of 40th year

With five therapists and one trainee working with the charity currently, they assist 64 young people with individual sessions each week.

The charity provides therapy for young people aged 7 to 19, or up to 25 if they have additional needs or are care leavers.

One of PAC’s unique features is its flexibility—there is no set timescale for therapy. While the average is around 25 sessions, young people may attend anywhere from six to 40, depending on their needs.

Guests visit PAC on Lowther Street for 40th celebrationsGuests visit PAC on Lowther Street for 40th celebrations (Image: PAC)

PAC has reduced its waiting list from 12 months last year to about three to four months now.

Ms Sutherland said: "The therapy we do is quite unique, we have music and creative therapy alongside talking therapy.

"For young people, that’s quite an important option because they don’t always have the words – so if they can express themselves through music and art, it can be more helpful." 

While demand for PAC’s services continues to grow, resources remain stretched.

"We could easily double what we offer if we had the capacity.

"The demand far exceeds our capacity as a small charity.

"People in Carlisle and Cumbria are fantastic at fundraising—whether it’s a marathon, a bake sale, or something wild and wacky.

"I’d love for more people to think of us when planning their next fundraiser.

"Additional funding would enable us to hire another therapist and help more young people," she said. 

To learn more about PAC or to fundraise, you can visit the website at www.pactherapy.org or contact Jenna Sutherland at Jenna.Sutherland@pac-therapy.org.