A Journey of Growth: How bursary funding helped Daniel train as a counsellor with Place2Be

30 March 2026

Daniel is a recipient of Place2Be's bursary.

Daniel’s counselling training journey with Place2Be began with a simple introduction: a colleague mentioned the organisation in passing. A quick conversation resulted in a visit to Place2Be’s website, which turned into something more – the start of his counselling training journey.

A group of 3 adults in a training session. They are talking together in a discussion.

“I was immediately drawn to Place2Be’s mission and their whole-school approach to supporting children and young people. I booked the Taster Day that same night.”

The Taster Day is a one-day training full of reflection, group connection, and creative exploration. Taking part in this confirmed what he was looking for: a supportive, challenging training environment with meaning.

This experience marked the beginning of Daniel’s journey to becoming a qualified children and young people’s counsellor. The real turning point came when Daniel learned about the funding support available through Place2Be’s bursary and scholarship pathway.

Removing barriers through the bursary pathway

Training to become a counsellor is a financial commitment. For Daniel, the bursary he received for his Level 3 training played an important role in making it possible to pursue his dream of becoming a children and young people’s counsellor.

“The bursary was a major help. Without it, I would have needed to pause my training and save for a longer period. That would have delayed my progress. Thanks to the bursary, I was able to continue without interruption.”

The financial support not only helped Daniel manage the cost of training, it also reinforced his sense of belonging within the wider mental health workforce and Place2Be community by showing that the organisation believed in his potential and wanted to invest in his development. This made Daniel feel valued, included, and encouraged to keep progressing towards his goal of becoming a counsellor.

A learning environment built on sharing

When asked to identify a single highlight from his training, Daniel finds it difficult to choose.

He describes leaving each session feeling ‘mentally and emotionally full’, an indication of a learning environment that encourages openness, self‑expression, and thoughtful reflection.

“What stands out most is the sharing. Each week, I notice myself becoming braver in what I contribute to the group. I share more openly, and that development is something I value deeply.”

Developing self-awareness

Among the many skills Daniel has gained, building his self-awareness has been the most transformative in his personal life.

“I find myself reflecting on most of my behaviours, thoughts, or actions. I pause and think about why I have responded in a certain way and where that reaction has come from.”

This reflective habit, encouraged throughout Place2Be’s training, has helped Daniel better understand his emotional responses and patterns of behaviour.

“This awareness is enlightening and useful. It helps me process experiences and continue learning about myself.”

An adult is writing on a big piece of white paper as part of a training session

Learning through creative exploration

One unique feature of Place2Be’s counselling training is the use of play and creative exercises to facilitate reflecting on one's own experiences as part of the learning process.

“The training sessions are carefully designed and thoughtfully planned. Each activity offers something valuable to reflect on, both individually and as a group.”

These experiences have strengthened Daniel’s understanding of group dynamics and emotional expression - key skills to learn for counselling work.

Guidance from experienced trainers

Daniel attributes much of his positive experience to Place2Be’s trainers. Their ability to hold space, encourage thoughtful dialogue, and guide complex discussions has been fundamental to Daniel’s development.

“The trainers are exceptional. They bring a wealth of professional experience, and they create an environment where everyone feels safe to share openly and honestly.”

Looking ahead

As Daniel completes Level 4, he reflects on how the bursary didn’t just fund his training - it opened a door to a new chapter in his life.

He recognises that the confidence he has gained will influence how he builds relationships, approaches challenges, and carries himself in future roles.

“Through this training, I’ve learned to be more open, more reflective, and more genuine.”

Learn more about Place2Be’s Bursary Pathway

Daniel’s journey was made possible through the support of Place2Be’s bursary programme – designed to remove financial barriers and open doors for aspiring counsellors from all backgrounds.

If you are considering counselling training but worried about the cost, explore the options available through Place2Be’s Bursary Pathway.

Learn more about our bursary