Birchington has welcomed a new addition to Station Road with the opening The Cove wellbeing centre.
The centre is headed up by Minnis Bay mum-of-three Jo Hayes, who retrained in counselling after a 20 year career in beauty therapy.
Jo, 48, qualified in early 2021 and began her counselling business at premises such as The Willow Therapy Centre in Broadstairs and with support from Herne Bay Community Counselling founder Tracey West-Adams.
Now Jo plans to ‘pay it forward’ by offering space for both qualified and trainee counsellors at the new Birchington site and, importantly, launching Thanet Counselling Service to provide low cost, affordable sessions.
Jo said: “I would like to offer to others all that has been offered to me on my journey and keep the ripple effect going.”
Jo says plans were to open in the Summer but a building flood caused a set back and during that time her business idea evolved to include the low cost service from this month.
She said: “I want it to be affordable and accessible for people to be able to get some form of counselling service, this is the biggest thing. There are long waiting lists for companies like Still Waters and in Canterbury and Herne Bay Community Counselling was closed December last year.”
Jo’s close ties with the Herne Bay service founder Tracey have opened up the opportunity for her to take over the services, including for its training centre which will be closing in July 2026.
Jo said: “Tracey launched Herne Bay Community Counselling in December 2015 and then Herne Bay Counsellor Training. The community counselling service was closed December last year and the training centre will be closing in July 2026.
“Tracey has decided to step away from being fully in charge of these services and has offered to pass the baton to me and so I can continue her legacy.
“What Tracey has created and achieved over these last 10 years is all that has inspired me to launch The Cove. She has encouraged and championed me since we met back in 2020, providing me many opportunities to learn and grow and get to where I am today.
“It means that within The Cove we will be ‘housing’ fully qualified counsellors who will rent room space for their own private practice, launch and run ‘Thanet Counselling Service’ and facilitate the ‘Thanet Counsellor Training’ from April and September 2026.
“The Cove will create a community place for clients and counsellors. A space to process, heal and bring about positive change but also a place to learn, grow and make a difference.
“My hope is that clients will enjoy the environment and be in receipt of high quality professional counselling services, whilst our trainees will be provided with a rich and inspiring education and feel held whilst they become counsellors.
“By offering CPD courses, group supervision and book groups, we can create an opportunity for counselling professionals to share, inspire and learn together and spread the help and support that is so needed within the Thanet area.”
Jo says as the counselling has ‘taken off exponentially’ plans for some wellbeing services will be offered via collaboration with other local businesses, such as acupuncture, podiatry and osteopathy.
The Cove Wellbeing Centre
2a Station Road, Birchington.
It can be found on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581820414628
Email [email protected] or call 01843 663819
Thanet Counselling Service
07722103651
Jo Hayes Counselling Services
07475256491
Trouble with that end of the road is people park on the pavement.
Why is a Community Counselling Service in Birchington thought necessary? Oh, of course Peter Checksfield lives there doesn’t he, he should keep them busy!
Says someone from Dump Town.