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 all the Chichester and Arun Districts. We provide over 220 hours of free counselling a year. 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, 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.
Why the community needs usAn 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.
Our impact on the communityIn 2019 we delivered over 220 hours of free counselling; 29% unplanned pregnancy, 23% post abortion, 22% miscarriage. 12% of clients were male. 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.
