A walk-in counselling service described as innovative is being trialled in Wanaka from next week.
Called ''Make One Hour Work'' and provided by the Upper Clutha Women's Support Network, the initiative gives people an hour with two counsellors who then give advice on what, if any, ongoing help they need.
One of the counsellors, Yvonne Perkins, said a similar service was offered in Canada but she was not aware of it being available in other parts of New Zealand, although a Dunedin counselling provider was in the process of setting it up.
She said there were many support services in the Upper Clutha area but people were often not aware of them.
One of the main aims of the initiative was to make existing services more accessible.
''Often, people find it quite hard to know which way to turn and how to find these people,'' Mrs Perkins said.
''It's also an opportunity to discuss a problem with some outsiders that might help find a different way through it or give a new perspective on it.''
She said Wanaka could be a hard place to live in.
''It's not the cheapest place to live, for housing and that kind of thing. Often, people who move here are surprised to find how difficult it is and they find it hard to ask for help ... everyone has times in their life when things get hard and they just need help over a difficult time.''
The service was for everybody, although anyone under the age of 16 needed their parents' permission, she said.
Another aim was to make the service affordable.
If people could not afford the $90 cost of the initial session with two counsellors, it would be subsidised by up to $70.
To make an appointment, people could telephone the Upper Clutha Women's Support Network or visit 73 Brownston St between 9.30am and 1pm on Wednesdays, from July 22.
The other co-therapy counsellor is Rachel Cassaidy and trainee counsellor Frankie Dean is also involved.
