In the early 1980's a group of women in York opened a women’s aid centre run by volunteers offering help and services to women in need.

Two of the volunteers, themselves professional counsellors, identified the need for many women to receive professional counselling and so started an informal counselling service within the centre; this developed into the York Women’s Counselling Service, established independently in 2000 and registered in April 2001.  

As the demand for counselling grew, so did the number of counsellors.  After a period in various temporary accommodations, the service moved to its current premises at the Centre for Voluntary Services (CVS) in 2006 where it remains, with two counselling rooms and an office. 

For approaching twenty five years, York Women’s Counselling Service has provided support through its network of qualified volunteer counsellors to women whose needs cannot be met by public health services because of a lack of availability and who cannot afford private counselling.

We have established a reputation as a well-known and well respected voluntary agency in York. The experience and commitment of our staff, qualified volunteer counsellors, the growing number of other expert volunteers, and everyone’s dedication to the women they serve, freely given, results in a counselling service in York which is second to none.  

Our excellence was recognised in November 2023 when YWCS was awarded The Kings Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for charities.  We couldn’t be prouder.