Our history
Our history
How it all
began
In 1985, Bruce Pearce witnessed a moment of deep human pain — a woman sobbing in a courthouse waiting room, overwhelmed by family breakdown. That encounter inspired him to create a service where people, especially children, could find support in times of crisis.
Just one year later, Valley Trust opened its doors — the first county-wide counselling service of its kind in the UK. We’ve grown purely from word of mouth and people valuing what we do.
1985
Bruce Pearce has the vision for a community counselling service
1986
Valley Trust is founded
1994
Counselling expands into schools
2000s
Growth across Surrey, with more schools and counsellors joining
2013
Counsellors were distinguished by being accredited by the BACP – the “gold standard” for experienced therapists
Today
A service available to thousands of students in schools throughout Surrey and the neighbouring counties.
For Schools
The Bruce Pearce
Fund
Honouring a Founder’s Compassion
In memory of Bruce Pearce, the inspiring founder of Valley Trust, the Bruce Pearce Award has evolved into the Bruce Pearce Fund. This fund offers financial support to schools that work with Valley Trust, empowering them to run projects outside of standard counselling, from peer mentoring groups to wellbeing workshops and more.
How It Works
Schools using our services can apply at any time.
Grants typically range between £500–£1,000, assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Awardees receive a certificate to display, reinforcing the school’s commitment to emotional wellbeing – ideal for publications or prospectuses.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered, schools should demonstrate:
Excellence in supporting students’ emotional needs.
A clear, specific purpose for extra funding, such as extended support for a pupil or a wellbeing initiative beyond usual provision.
A proactive approach to emotional wellbeing through existing funding streams like Pupil Premium or dedicated school fundraising
Fund Details
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Supports pupil wellbeing projects beyond counselling |
| Award Range | £500–£1,000 (each application assessed individually) |
| Application Type | Open to any school using Valley Trust services, at any time |
| Recognition | Certificate awarded for display and promotional use |
| Criteria | Emotional support excellence, specific project purpose, proactive funding |