Our Journey

It seems like a long time ago and yet like yesterday: an idea passed through our mind to open a counselling centre and make skilled, professional counselling available to those who need it.

We came across the notion of "excellence without ostentation" and made it the bench mark of our operation - from the décor of our consulting rooms to the standard of the art practised there.

We began small, just the two of us, in two small rooms in a house overlooking Durham City centre and we eyed the future with trepidation and the kind of optimism born of a good idea.

We opened our doors on 1st December 1993 and wondered if anyone would come.

At the time, we had a job share as counsellors in a college of further education and while one of us looked after the psychological and emotional needs of the college community, the other kept vigil in the embryonic Road Centre. Eight months after our tentative beginnings, circumstances beyond our control meant that we had to vacate our new premises and find alternative accommodation.

After a few weeks of fruitless searching, someone said, "Have you tried Alington House?" We hadn't heard of Alington House and walked wearily up the hill to meet the now deceased Joan Trowbridge, who received us warmly and was sympathetic to our cause. She showed us one medium sized room and a cupboard, yes, literally a cupboard and we said, "YES PLEASE". Out came the paint brushes again and The Road Centre mark two was born. We stayed in Alington House for 13 years, during which time our business grew and our staff numbers increased.

The Road Centre, Chester le Street

In December 2007 we relocated The Road Centre to Chester le Street.  The premises initially afforded us four rooms and an office.  In 2008, after Nuala’s retirement, Oonagh became a Co-Director with Kevin.  Not long after that we expanded the centre into the next door premises which means we now have a waiting room and another three counsellors rooms.  Two of the seven rooms are now dedicated to children and young people. 

As well as expanding the rooms available, we have also expanded our service into primary and secondary schools throughout the north east.  This expansion has allowed us to increase our associate counsellors. 

Sadly, Kevin passed away during the pandemic and is dearly missed by all.  In our 30th year, Catherine who was our Business Manager, became a Co-Director.  And so, our journey continues and we continue to be optimistic and confident of it's long term development.