Finding Purpose Again: A Volunteer Counsellor’s Journey with Young People at The Haven

By John Reid

When I first trained as a counsellor over a decade ago, my focus was on adults, including those caring for others who, once exploring their own histories had childhood trauma’s which they sometimes buried, but deeply affected their personalities as they grew older particularly around their feelings of self-worth, and  those navigating the complex and often invisible wounds of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Over the years, I sat with clients as they unpacked painful histories, rebuilt trust, and slowly reclaimed their lives. But something began to shift during those sessions. Time and again, I found myself hearing about their children, children who were also struggling, bearing silent burdens, and showing signs of emotional distress that mirrored their parents’ trauma.

It struck me deeply: healing doesn’t happen in isolation. When a parent is in pain, their children often feel it too, sometimes without the words or support to process it.

That realisation planted a seed. Though I had stepped back from regular counselling practice for a time, I knew I wanted to return, not just to support adults, but to reach the younger generation before their pain became entrenched. That’s when I found The Haven in Hartlepool.

From the very first conversation with the Dawn at The Haven, I was met with warmth, professionalism, and a shared passion for young people’s mental health. As someone returning to practice after a break, I worried I might feel out of my depth. But the support, guidance, and ongoing supervision offered by The Haven made all the difference. They didn’t just welcome me back, they equipped me to thrive.

What I didn’t expect was just how profoundly this work would move me.

The young people I’ve had the privilege to sit with at The Haven have not only surprised me, they’ve inspired me. Their resilience in the face of adversity, their honesty, their courage to show up week after week, even when it’s hard… it’s nothing short of awe-inspiring. Many carry experiences no child should have to endure, yet they engage with openness, curiosity, and a quiet determination to feel better.

Counselling is often described as a space for clients to heal, but what it gives practitioners is harder to articulate. For me, being at The Haven has reignited my sense of purpose. It’s become the highlight of my week. In that quiet room, with a young person trusting me enough to share their story, I feel I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

More than that, I carry hope, that through this work, these young people can build brighter, more empowered futures. Not just for themselves, but for the families and communities they’ll one day shape.

To anyone considering volunteering or returning to counselling after time away: don’t underestimate the power of showing up. And if you’re drawn to supporting young people, I can’t recommend The Haven in Hartlepool highly enough. They don’t just change lives; they help you rediscover your own calling in the process.

— John Reid, Volunteer Counsellor at The Haven, Hartlepool

If you’d like to learn more about volunteering at The Haven, click here