COUNSELLING might often be seen as something reserved for troubled teens or those enduring mid-life breakdowns, but a children's charity is working hard to reach youngsters who would otherwise suffer in silence.

The Place2Be trains and supports 47 volunteer counsellors working in 10 primary schools in Greenford and Northolt.

The national charity, which has been nominated in the Barclays Ealing Gazette Let’s Do It awards, says early intervention is vital to ensure children grow up into healthy, happy adults.

It helps children facing a range of issues, from bullying at school to handling domestic violence or alcohol and drug abuse at home, and strives to target early problems before they spiral out of control during adolescence.

Hub manager Rosie Paterson said: “The most important thing is supporting vulnerable children and promoting emotional awareness in schools.

“Statistically one in 10 children suffer from a diagnosable mental health issue. So in a class size of 30, that’s three children in every class in each school in this country - that's enormous really.”

Almost 1,500 Ealing children made more than 4,000 visits to Place2Be counsellors in 2010. Children are referred by teachers or parents and receive one-to-one sessions with counsellors, who work hard to include parents in the steps to recovery.

Liz Day, headteacher at Oldfield Primary School, encourages all her pupils to take the opportunity to express themselves.

She said: “For children’s personal and social development, the Place2Be is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on social skills. It’s good for everybody, as well as those with more complex needs.”

Pupils can post a letter in the yellow Place2Be postbox in the school hall for a 15-minute session in the Place2Talk room, while youngsters with more serious needs receive longer play therapy sessions. Before the charity joined the school three years ago, a social worker was paid to visit three times a week.

The £1,000 winning prize would help towards free training courses and support for the volunteer counsellors, who are either qualified or in training, to help reach even more vulnerable children.

For more information call 020 7923 5500 or visit www.theplace2be.org.uk