"A friend told me she'd heard about some Christian Listening courses and I managed to contact the local organiser Mary Sutton. Suddenly I felt that this was what I was meant to do next. I followed the first four week course 'Learning to Listen' with a bunch of very lively Christians in Leeswood, near Mold, and realised I had not really listened to myself, to others or to God for most of my life and how I regretted it. I couldn't wait to learn more and pestered Mary until she managed to get me onto 'Called to Listen', a 12 session course which I attended in Mold. I made some wonderful friendships and learnt much about myself. More pestering enabled me to go to Chester to follow a six session 'Time to Listen' course. Having been assessed as a listener and having passed I was now up and running and raring to tell others all I'd learnt and use my skills in the community, but how?

A few of us offered a Listening Service in Capel y Groes, Wrexham, after the morning service but response was low. I needed to spread the word. Then Art Ellinson and Rev Martin Snellgrove offered to invite Mary Sutton to speak at Mission Wrexham, an organisation made up of representatives from various churches. In no time we were running three 'Learning to Listen' courses simultaneously in Wrexham and 60 people attended. Those who felt called to follow the longer courses did so, and I was given a chance to become a volunteer tutor.

A group of us who were fully qualified began to meet at my home and we decided to offer a 'Listening Ear' Service, a chance for anyone to come and be listened to, completely confidentially.

We began at the Methodist Church, Regent Street on Thursday mornings when they held their coffee mornings. It gave us a chance to listen to others, ourselves and to publicise our courses. The coffee morning was initially hosted by Maureen Jones and then by Elaine Bennett Jones. We met many people including asylum seekers. Elaine and Maureen made us feel very welcome and it was a privilege to work alongside them in our time at Regent Street.

After discussions with Wrexham Maelor Hospital authorities and the chaplaincy team we arranged to start listening at the hospital on Thursday mornings in the café area. We are also, thanks to the Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham (AVOW), part of the GP Liaison Project. Doctors and health visitors can refer people to us when they feel they could benefit from having one or more listening sessions.

We also decided to produce a leaflet explaining what we do. This also contains contact numbers so that if anyone feels they'd like to be listened to they only have to pick up the phone.

So what has all this meant to me? Well, I've grown immensely as a person, have made some wonderful friendships and have been privileged to listen to so many different people. I have been showered with love and thanks. I have a group of amazing colleagues, my co-listeners. They are so supportive and fun-loving too!

I've now also given up teaching and work part time for the Acorn Christian Foundation as their representative in North Wales. So now I have to spread the message about listening far and wide. And all because of that first course I attended four years ago! If you'd like to know more please give me a call on 01978 822573."

Further information about Wrexham Listeners:
What is this service?
Wrexham Listeners have been trained in listening skills by the Acorn Christian Foundation, a national organisation. The Listeners are volunteers who have been chosen for their ability to accept and care for people and who are willing to give their time to listen to others. They are not trained counsellors and do not offer advice, they are simply there to listen. Sometimes problems may be such that further professional help may be appropriate. You may like to consider this if you feel it would help, after you have talked about it with the Listener.

When is Listening helpful?
Listening has been helpful to people in a wide range of stressful situations. These include: family worries, bereavement and loss, worries about work, caring for others, illness, decision making. It can be helpful in a crisis but also in the more ordinary problems of life. No problem is too big or too small if it is of concern to you, Listeners are happy to listen.

Where can you find Listeners?
Listeners are available every Thursday morning at Ysbyty Maelor Hospital (café area) or you can ring: (01978) 822573 or (01978) 846151 to find out more or to arrange to meet and talk with one of our listeners. A Welsh language service is available too.