Church counselling centre celebrates 50 years of service

A Church of Scotland counselling service celebrates its 50th anniversary this Friday with a special service in Glasgow.

The Tom Allan Centre is run by CrossReach, the social care arm of the Church of Scotland.

It first opened its doors in 1961 as a rehabilitation service for people with alcohol problems and it was formally dedicated on 8 June 1962.

The founding vision was to provide people with an opportunity to recover their self-esteem and self-respect by sharing their problems with others in the same situation.

The centre shifted its focus to counselling during the 1970s and 1980s, and this forms the core of its work to this day.

The centre was named after its founder, a popular Church of Scotland minister who served in North Kelvinside in Glasgow and was involved in numerous community-related projects in the city.

His efforts pioneering church social work were rewarded in 1964 when he received Glasgow’s highest honours, the St Mungo Medal and Prize.

The service at Renfield St Stephen's Church will be joined by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Albert Bogle.

Guests will include many people who have been involved with the facility over the years.

Anne Goldie, Service Manager at the Tom Allan Centre, said: “Today we welcome back many people who have had a connection with the centre from its very early days to those who work with us now.

"We want today to be a celebration of all the lives that have been changed and enhanced by God’s grace through the people he has inspired to offer their love and skill to those in need over the last 50 years.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the 100 or so volunteers that we depend on, and without whom the Tom Allan Centre could not operate. These include counsellors and other volunteers such as those who support the administration team, work in the crèche and fundraise for us.”

Mr Bogle added: “It is an honour to be invited to the 50th birthday of the Tom Allan Centre, which has provided crucial help and support for thousands of people over the years. Tom Allan was an inspirational figure and it is reassuring to see that his legacy is still going strong. I hope it will continue to thrive for many years to come.”