HELPLINE: 0345 1235542  |  OFFICE: 01924 562252

We understand your
emotional turmoil

Many individuals feel lost and believe they are alone with no one to speak to who understands. We provide assistance to those bereaved or injured as a result of a road incident, whether it's a chat on the phone, organising free or low cost counselling or arranging memorial days for people to attend.

We can also put you in touch with lawyers who are experts in this area of law, and who can help with questions about criminal procedure, inquests and claims for compensation.

We also offer support to anyone who has witnessed or assisted at the scene of a road traffic collision.

 NEW SERVICE  Online Counselling

If you are not able to attend our offices in Ossett for face-to-face counselling but would like to have counselling sessions, we do offer counselling via Zoom with our counsellors. If you would like more information about this then please call our office on 01924 562252 or email us via the link below:

Counselling at SCARD


SCARD and CADD offer free counselling at our Ossett offices in Yorkshire. Our counselling room has been specifically designed to provide a comfortable, quiet and non-threatening environment to get the best out of counselling sessions. All of our counsellors have completed at least two years of a BACP-approved counselling certificate course and are undergoing continuing career development for education and counselling experiences.


If you have been affected in any way by a road incident, whether you have lost a loved one, been injured yourself, witnessed a traumatic road incident or its aftermath, or have been affected in some other way, we would like to help you. Our counsellors are all volunteers who have completed an accredited qualification in counselling and who may be further improving their skills through study and training. To learn more about what to expect from counselling, our FAQs may be of help.

Access to Other Counselling Services
If you are unable to get to Ossett, we may still be able to help you access suitable counsellors in your area. We don't actually recommend counsellors other than our own, but we will give you several to choose from, and it will be up to you to decide on one that is suitable for you. This is a free service offered to road incident victims, although the counsellors we put you in contact with may charge a fee for their services.

For further information on counselling or GP referrals, please call us on 0345 123 5542 or email us by clicking the email button at the foot of the page.

MORECOUNSELLING FORM

GP Referrals for Counselling


Counselling at SCARD is completely free of charge only when undertaken at our offices at the RCM Business Centre, Dewsbury Road, Ossett
WF5 9ND. We are also happy to receive referrals from GPs or other healthcare professionals at our offices.

If you would like to make a referral, please download our referral form then e-mail it to
info@scard.org.uk, or post it to the following address:

SCARD
RCM Business Centre
Dewsbury Road
Ossett
WF5 9ND

For further information, please call us on 0345 123 5542 or email us at: info@scard.org.uk

MOREGP REFERRAL FORM

2024 Oakleaf Service of Remembrance


Sunday 17th November at 3pm at Leeds Minster, Kirkgate, Leeds LS2 7DJ

Oakleaf Service of Remembrance is a ceremony in which the names of loved ones are written down on a paper oak leaf and then placed on an altar and read out during the service. Photographs of loved ones are placed around the font and candles are lit for each person who has died. A commemorative quilt representing the lives of loved ones is hung on display throughout the service.


The service can be seen as the first step towards starting the healing process and gives the bereaved an opportunity to speak with others who are going through their own grieving. It gives a feeling of togetherness, helping to remind people that they are not alone in their grief.

Traditionally, the service is held on the first Sunday after Remembrance Sunday and services are held throughout the country.

For further information about the service, or if you would like an oak leaf to be sent to you or filled out on your behalf, please call us on 01924 562 252 or email us via the button below.

MOREEMAIL SCARD

Have you witnessed or assisted at a road traffic collision


We also offer support to anyone who has witnessed or gone to help at a road traffic incident scene. You can call our helpline for support and can also receive free counselling if you are able to reach our office in Ossett

For further information, please call us on 0345 123 5542 or click the link below to email us.

Frequently Asked Questions


The following questions have been adapted from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) website, which is the main regulatory body for counselling in the UK.

How could a SCARD counsellor help me?
The death of a loved one under any circumstance is a deeply painful experience. But when the death of a loved one is due to a road traffic accident, the traumatic suffering and psychological effects are amplified because the death is sudden, unexpected, and violent.

Also, due to the circumstances of the loss the intense and painful effect of their bereavement often leaves the bereaved feeling completely overwhelmed and unable to cope. However, working through these feelings with a counsellor can help you navigate through your emotional turmoil and help you create a new awareness and understanding of your grief.

Our counsellors provide a non-directive form of talk therapy, the therapeutic approach focuses on the human capacity to overcome hardship, despair, and pain. Therefore, rather than being the expert and directing the therapy, the counsellor will provide empathy, understanding and non-judgemental support. There is no right or normal response to traumatic bereavement, the experience is personal to those bereaved.

Consequently, while been counselled, there will be a lot of emphasis on supporting you through some difficult emotions. But also helping you to call upon your own personal strengths, to explore potential solutions that are right for you. The counsellor may also draw on other therapies to create a tailored therapeutic approach, specifically for you.
How many appointments will I need?
  • Service provided when you wish to make changes in your life.
  • An opportunity to make sense of your individual circumstances.
  • Contact with a therapist who helps identify the choices for change.
  • Support for the individual during their process of change.
  • The end result leaving you better equipped to cope in the future.
How does counselling work then?
Counselling provides a safe and confidential environment where you can talk to a counsellor about your issues and concerns. Counselling is a proven process that helps you explore your feelings, and to relate to your thoughts differently to help you build emotional resilience. Your counsellor will help you explore your feelings, and thoughts to help you better understand yourself and help you find your own solutions to problems.
Will I become dependent on therapy?
The aim of any talking treatment is your increased self-awareness, skill acquisition and independence. During therapy, you may develop some feelings of reliance upon the counsellor, although a normal reaction to the working relationship it may cause concern. The counsellor will maintain professional boundaries and knows how to help you deal with these feelings.
Is counselling confidential?
In line with the Data Protection Act 1998, everything discussed between you and the counsellor in your counselling session will be treated as confidential. However, there are certain legal exceptions, but these will be explained during your initial appointment.
How much will it cost?
Counselling at SCARD is completely free.
What if I am not happy with the counsellor when we meet?
During the initial assessment you should trust your instinct because your relationship with the counsellor is at the heart of building a working therapeutic relationship. Having confidence in your practitioner is very important and will enable you to get the best out of the time you spend together. However, always remember you are the customer, and if you are unhappy with the counsellor ask to see another counsellor. However, this may necessitate you been put back on the waiting list.
Will a counsellor see me straight away?
Every effort will be made to see you at a time to suit you, but unfortunately, demand for our counselling service could result in you been put our waiting list. Nevertheless, every effort will be made for you to be provided with an appointment as quickly as possible.
Can I get counselling for a member of my family or a friend?
No but you could direct or signpost a member of your family or a friend to SCARD, but the final decision to access our service must be theirs alone. As the person who needs help, they must approach the service themselves.