Help and support for unplanned pregnancy, post abortion and pregnancy loss as well as educating youn
Pregnancy Options Centre provides free, non-directive counselling and support to women and men facing unplanned pregnancy or struggling following a pregnancy loss or an abortion. Our sessions are client led and provide a safe environment for women, partners and family members to talk about their thoughts and emotions surrounding their circumstances. We are based in Chichester, West Sussex but serve the areas of Chichester District, Arun and into East Hampshire. We are organisational members of the BACP (British Association for Counsellor and Psychotherapists) and adhere to their code of ethics. Options also works in local schools and youth settings, delivering educational sessions on healthy sex and relationships, online safety, sexual health, pregnancy, consent and the consequences of risky sexual behaviour. Young people are given tools to resist peer pressure, value their self-respect and gain confidence, helping them to build a firm foundation for adult life.
SUPPORT OUR £1,000 FOR OUR 1,000 CLIENT APPEL IN 2021Why the community needs usDuring 2020, our counselling service had it's busiest year ever, with people being isolated and away from their usual support networks. An estimated 40% of all pregnancies are unplanned, 60% of which result in abortion (DHSC). In West Sussex, 25% of abortions for women under 25 were repeat abortions (ONS,2018). An unplanned pregnancy can be a time of uncertainty, panic and isolation. During support, clients receive well informed, non-directive support. 1 in 3 women will have an abortion in their lifetime and 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage; Options is only service in the area that provides, specialised free support.
In 2018, The National Education Union (NEU) and The Sex Education Forum conducted a survey of 1000 16 and 17 year olds on their Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) experience. A staggering 92% of young people said their RSE could be improved, with over 50% stating that they wanted more learning time and topics to be covered. Options wants to ensure young people are well informed about healthy sex and relationships. These values will impact positively on their health wellbeing and safety enabling them to make considered, responsible and well-timed decisions.
Our impact on the communityIn 2020 we delivered over 250 hours of free counselling. In 2020, 47% of our clients came for unplanned pregnancy, 21% came for post abortion support and 19% for miscarriage. Options provides support for partners or relatives; 11% of clients were male and 7% relatives. Our counselling service has been described as "life-saving". A client said: 'I feel I am able to live my life as normal again'. Our education work delivered workshops to over 1,650 students aged 11-18 years old, including specialist groups with students who have additional needs and with those who have been permanently excluded from mainstream education.
Options are looking for a volunteer Treasurer to support the work of the charity. The role will involve working with the CEO and The Board of Trustees on the charity’s financial matters.
If you are interested in volunteering, please send an email outlining your suitability to the role to Anna Madge on office@optionschichester.org.uk
