Hertfordshire dignitary Lady Verulam has cut the ribbon to open a refurbished counselling centre in St Albans.

The re-opening of The Counselling Foundation on Lower Dagnall Street was held on Time to Talk Day, a national event intended to help break the silence around mental health.

The foundation’s training manager, Mimie Hollist, said: “We have seen a significant increase for those needing someone to talk to via enquiries for our affordable counselling service.

“This demand has led to a surge of people wanting to train to become counsellors and this year we have received a record number of students applying for our part-time training.

“The desire to have a career supporting others is so rewarding and we are very proud that we’ve been helping people achieve this since 1974.”

The charity is planning to launch a forum in May, coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Week, for local businesses who deal with people with mental health problems.

Lady Verulam, a patron of the foundation, praised the forum: “Thinking of a way forward can only be a good thing. The idea of pulling together is a really excellent one.

“For the health of the nation, help is needed.”

The forum is designed to help groups form partnerships to apply for grants, and work on promoting positive well-being in Hertfordshire.

Chief executive of the foundation, Robert Cuming, said: “Any organisation this appeals to is invited to our think tank in order to contribute to the improvement of mental healthcare, so that we can support as many people as possible in the areas we serve.

“This is an exciting opportunity to make change happen within our communities.”

For more information on the foundation, visit www.counsellingfoundation.orgIf you would like to be involved in the forum, contact becci.murtagh@counsellingfoundation.org or call 01727 582602.