Report on alcohol counselling provision across SACC member organisations 2024/2025

We are pleased to share our annual report on alcohol counselling provision across SACC member organisations for 2024/2025.

The 2024/2025 reporting period presents a complex and, at times, contrasting picture with an overall decrease in referrals for the first time since the pandemic years. However, this trend is far from uniform.

Half of our member organisations have experienced growth, some significantly so, while others have seen notable reductions. This variability reminds us that local contexts matter deeply. Demand for services is shaped by a range of factors, including community need, referral pathways, partnership working and organisational capacity. Even in the face of fluctuating referral numbers, the total volume of counselling delivered has increased.

One of the most heartening aspects of this year’s report is the enduring and evolving contribution of volunteer counsellors. Volunteers continue to deliver a substantial proportion of counselling hours and it is particularly positive to see an increase in those choosing to remain in voluntary roles beyond formal placements.

This speaks to the strength of our training pathways, the supportive environments within member organisations and the shared sense of purpose that underpins our work.

At the same time, the report does not shy away from highlighting ongoing challenges. The provision of supervision remains a significant pressure point, particularly within a constrained funding landscape.

Similarly, efforts to broaden our understanding of who we are reaching, through improved demographic data, have exposed inconsistencies in data collection that we must now work collectively to address. These are not new issues, but they are pressing ones and they require coordinated, sector-wide responses.

You can view the full report here.