The Wales Co-operative Centre's General Support for Business project has been running for just over a year in south east Wales. Many co-operatives and social enterprises have benefited from having a FREE business health check, followed by specialist support.

One organisation which has benefited from the FREE support is One2One - a counselling and mediation service run by Donna Boycott and Sian Jones.

Established three years ago, and registered as a company limited by guarantee in 2005, One2One manages group work, training, workshops and individual consultation sessions.

Before joining forces to set up One2One, Donna and Sian saw there was a need for counselling services in the Bettws area of Newport and both felt this is where their strengths lay.

Based in Bettws, Newport, One2One has been helped by Wales Co-operative Centre Business Development Officer Geraint Jones.

Over the past few years, the organisation has forged good links with three local schools. Donna and Sian work on school sites and are available for pupils to discuss any issues they may have.

Headteachers from the three schools also refer pupils to the organisation if they need life skills support. Bullying, depression and sexual health are just some of the issues the group can assist with.

The drop-in centre element of the group's work has also gone from strength-to-strength. The group's Bettws project' is for people on Bettws estate but the service will expand if funding becomes available.

In the future, Sian and Donna aim to expand the organisation. It is hoped that funding could cover employees' wages so that current volunteers could become paid counsellors. Sian and Donna also aim to start a service which trains the trainers'. Sharing their counselling experience and expertise with other people interested in counselling would enable more people in the Bettws area to benefit from advice and guidance in times of need.

Donna said: "We are very grateful for all the support the Centre has given us and look forward to receiving further advice and training in the near future through the Centre's General Support for Business project."

Would your organisation benefit from a FREE business health check and specialist business support? If so, please call FREEPHONE 0808 144 3234 or see www.walescoop.com