AN ORGANISATION which helps troubled teenagers in Tamworth's has received a cash boost of more than £7,000 to help secure its future.

CHOICES Ltd – Community Help Offering Individuals Counselling and Equine Services – provides support for young people who cannot afford professional advice.

Child and adolescent counsellor Sarah, who was unable to reveal her full name, said: "We're really pleased to receive this funding because it means we can continue to keep this service, which has a good reputation, going. It's a relief."

"It's also great that the funding organisation recognises CHOICES is a much-needed service in the area.

"It enables young people to work through any issues they may have that prevent them engaging socially, at work, in education or relationships."

Based at the Cottage Healing Centre, in Lichfield Street, CHOICES must secure funding to ensure its survival.

The £7,045 donation from Staffordshire County Council follows the recent £5,000 grant from the Community and Learning Partnership.

CHOICES is a non-profit organisation which offers one-to-one, group and family counselling, as well as on-site training.

It also runs the Equine Assisted Psychotherapy service in Staffordshire.

And the counselling team have helped hundreds of young people – most aged 16 to 24 – since the organisation was founded in 2006.

The equine service uses horses to encourage young people to develop communication and interaction skills to overcome emotional and behavioural problems.

Referrals can be made by GPs, schools, HomeStart, SureStart and Connexions.

Clients can also refer themselves.

For more details, log on to www.choices-ltd.co.uk.