Rain or Shine Counselling

10/01/2026

09/01/2026

Actually… following my last post! I have done big stuff alone. Did my first solo flight last year, then I drove to Manchester and did something fun and exciting just for me, I then drove to Glasgow alone and flew out to Marrakesh… then went off into the desert and did a hot air balloon ride on my todd ✌🏼

Just gonna have that moment for me!!!!!

09/01/2026

Today I did something small… but actually canny big for me. I went to the pictures alone. 🎬

Not because I don’t have friends.
Not because I don’t have children or a partner to go with but because I’ve always wanted the courage to not need another person to do the things I enjoy.

For a long time, doing things alone felt uncomfortable (like it said something about me) But today it felt peaceful. Liberating . Empowering.

There was no negotiating plans, no worrying if someone else was enjoying it, no rushing (well a little as I had clients either side of the film 🤣.Just me, my time, and the reminder that my own company is enough- although I’m a social butterfly and love spending time with all the people I have in my life too.

Learning to enjoy being with yourself isn’t about pushing people away and I also have secure relationships where nobody thought I was weird for wanting to do something for me, actually the relationships I have in my life encourage me and cheer me on to do these things.

It’s about building a relationship with you. A one that feels safe, kind, and whole.

And honestly? I’d do it again. But bigger steps!

If this resonates, you’re not alone.

Sometimes the bravest thing we do is choose ourselves.

Kirsty- Rain or Shine Counselling 🌈

23/12/2025

First week at

My Highlights have been:

Starting Project Absolute, so excited to support clients getting back out into the community

Christmas social at the (yes… mistletoe was involved 👀)

Rosie winning Volunteer of the Year

Little wellbeing walks (thanks .not.a.statistic.ne )

Getting out in nature… including hugging a tree (another thanks to .not.a.statistic.ne )

We still have our support group on tonight in Houghton,
Drop-ins tomorrow 10–12, and we’re back for a festive group on the 30th, 7–9pm 🎅

Feeling very grateful to be part of something that really matters.

21/12/2025

What an amazing little trooper!

Today was a scrappy game that never really flowed. Mistimed passes, loose play and constant stoppages made it a tough watch.
The goals came through probably the only bits of quality from ourselfs in the game, with both sides cancelling each other out again and again.
In the end, it finished 3–3, but despite the scoreline, it wasn’t a very good watch.

Time to recover and re charge after Christmas and we go again!

MoM - Nate, scored two very good goals despite struggling prior to the game with a knee injury.

21/12/2025

👏 proud to be part of it 👏

21/12/2025

Little superstar 👏

21/12/2025

Walk complete this morning 🙌 Not A Statistic Northeast CIC Liza Hills

19/12/2025

How could anyone do this to their own pet 😭

18/12/2025

📅 Introducing the Not A 2026 Wall Planner

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More than just dates on a wall, this planner was created with wellbeing and accessibility in mind. Simple, clear, and easy to use, it supports routine and planning without pressure.

Every planner sold helps fund our free, peer-led mental health support across Sunderland, Houghton-le-Spring, and Washington - ensuring no one has to face things alone.

🖨️ Large A1 size (841 x 594mm)
🗓️ Full-year 2026 overview
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Only £8, an absolute bargain!!

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📦 Limited print run available

16/12/2025

We know first hand how hard this time of year can be.

Whether there's a reason or it's simply that time of year, we are here.

If you'd like to talk, or even just see a friendly face, we've got you.

No matter how dark it gets, let us be a light in the dark 💡

We have our Tuesday Peer Support Group Session The Old Rectory in Houghton-le-Spring

And a daytime drop in Wednesday 10am till 12noon at The Old Rectory in Houghton-le-Spring!

Our Wednesday Peer Support Group Session in Washington

And Thursday Peer Support Group Session

16/12/2025

💞Relationships are basically like IKEA furniture. They look great on display, but once you get them home, you realize: “Wait… why are there 4 screws missing, why does this piece wobble, and why am I crying in the corner?”
✨️When relationships hit testing times, it’s not always about “love running out”—it’s often about old unhealed trauma sneaking into the room like a raccoon at 2am.
✨️Trust issues? Sometimes that’s not your partner texting their coworker, it’s your 12-year-old self still convinced everyone will leave.
✨️Infidelity? Sometimes it’s not about desire—it’s about using chaos as a coping strategy instead of sitting with discomfort.
✨️Confidence issues? That little voice saying “I’m not enough” isn’t your partner talking. It’s your past.
Partners becoming parents? If you’re doing more “Did you brush your teeth?” than “How was your day?”, chances are the relationship has slipped into caretaker–child dynamics. And spoiler alert: nobody signed up to date their mom/dad.
💫So how do we fix it?
Name the raccoon. Notice when trauma is running the show. You can’t evict what you don’t acknowledge.
Therapy > silent treatment. A professional can help you unlearn old survival strategies. ✨️Your partner is not your therapist (they’re also busy eating the last slice of pizza).
Adult-to-adult connection. ✨️Practice relating as equals, not rescuer/child. Less “I’ll fix you” and more “I’ll sit with you.”
Tiny acts of trust. Repair happens through small consistent actions, not one grand gesture. Think breadcrumbs, not fireworks.
Laugh sometimes. Healing doesn’t have to be grim. Shared humor in hard times builds resilience.✨️✨️
Testing times don’t have to mean breaking times. With awareness and effort, you can turn that raccoon of trauma into… well, maybe a slightly more polite raccoon who at least knocks before rummaging through the fridge.😀🤪😂💞