A COUNSELLING service which helps vulnerable families ‘pick up the pieces’ has celebrated its first year in action.

Child Action North West’s Jigsaw programme was launched in the Ribble Valley last year after it was backed by Clitheroe businessman Roger Dugdale.

Mr Dugdale, who owns Dugdale Nutrition, got together with the charity to help ‘make a difference’ and stop the cycle of ‘repeated problems in struggling families’.

It was a welcome addition to the charity’s existing counselling service which had been experiencing long waiting lists.

The project provides support to people struggling with issues surrounding family crises, divorce and bereavement. Now backed by Lancashire County Council, Ribble Valley Borough Council’s Health and Wellbeing Partnership, schools and GPs, it has so far helped 160 family members tackle their problems.

People are referred to the scheme from other departments in the charity where counsellors use talk therapy to help them find ways to move on.

Mr Dugdale said: ”I really wanted to put something back into the community and make a difference to the lives of people in the Ribble Valley.

“I was interested in Jigsaw and the issue of repeated problems in families which are passed on from generation to generation.

“The response to the service has been overwhelming and the number of referrals has proved there is a need.”

Child Action North West service manager Rob Dickinson said: “Roger’s donation has helped us to make a huge difference to the lives of vulnerable families involved with our charity.

“We would like to express our enormous thanks to Roger, because without his help many, many people would not have been able to access this crucial support which helps build emotional resilience in people who have had difficult pasts.”