About us
Since 2012, Listening 2 U has established itself as a trusted counselling, clinical supervision, training, and workplace wellbeing service, supporting individuals, professionals, organisations, and communities across Lincoln, the UK, and beyond.
Built on compassionate, person-centred foundations, Listening 2 U is dedicated to creating safe, supportive spaces where people can feel heard, valued, and empowered. We are a passionate team of qualified counsellors, supervisors, trainers, and student practitioners who share a commitment to promoting mental health, wellbeing, personal growth, and professional development.
Our team is at the heart of everything we do. Alongside experienced and fully qualified counsellors, we are proud to support and develop the next generation of practitioners through our student placement programme. Together, our team brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, diversity, and dedication, helping us provide high-quality support to the individuals and communities we serve.
Founded by Kerry Hirst, Listening 2 U has grown significantly over the years. Kerry brings extensive experience within the mental health sector and, prior to qualifying as a counsellor, spent over 15 years working in the public sector. During this time, she collaborated with a range of organisations including the NHS, Lincolnshire County Council, Lincolnshire Police, MAPPA (Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements), and Circles UK, a programme that works in partnership with criminal justice agencies to reduce sexual offending and increase community safety.
Kerry qualified as a teacher in 2014 and is a visiting lecturer at colleges and universities. She is also a BACP Accredited Counsellor, an experienced clinical supervisor supporting both qualified and trainee practitioners, and a qualified and authorised trainer in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).
Throughout her career, Kerry has personally delivered more than 18,000 counselling and supervision sessions. Positive client feedback, long-standing professional relationships, and ongoing referrals reflect the trust, quality, and effectiveness that
Listening 2 U has become known for.
Alongside her counselling, supervision, and training work, Kerry has developed her own compassionate suicide intervention model, LISTEN, which forms the foundation of the Holding Hope Suicide Intervention Course delivered through Listening 2 U Training.
In recognition of her dedication to mental health and suicide prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kerry was honoured with a Global Unsung Hero Award, recognising her commitment to supporting others during one of the most challenging periods in recent history.
Today, Listening 2 U continues to provide evidence-informed counselling, clinical supervision, suicide intervention training, workplace wellbeing services, and continuing professional development opportunities. Whether supporting someone through personal challenges, helping practitioners develop their skills, or delivering training that inspires confidence and change, our mission remains the same: to provide compassionate, professional support that helps people thrive.
Built on compassionate, person-centred foundations, Listening 2 U is dedicated to creating safe, supportive spaces where people can feel heard, valued, and empowered. We are a passionate team of qualified counsellors, supervisors, trainers, and student practitioners who share a commitment to promoting mental health, wellbeing, personal growth, and professional development.
Our team is at the heart of everything we do. Alongside experienced and fully qualified counsellors, we are proud to support and develop the next generation of practitioners through our student placement programme. Together, our team brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, diversity, and dedication, helping us provide high-quality support to the individuals and communities we serve.
Founded by Kerry Hirst, Listening 2 U has grown significantly over the years. Kerry brings extensive experience within the mental health sector and, prior to qualifying as a counsellor, spent over 15 years working in the public sector. During this time, she collaborated with a range of organisations including the NHS, Lincolnshire County Council, Lincolnshire Police, MAPPA (Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements), and Circles UK, a programme that works in partnership with criminal justice agencies to reduce sexual offending and increase community safety.
Kerry qualified as a teacher in 2014 and is a visiting lecturer at colleges and universities. She is also a BACP Accredited Counsellor, an experienced clinical supervisor supporting both qualified and trainee practitioners, and a qualified and authorised trainer in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).
Throughout her career, Kerry has personally delivered more than 18,000 counselling and supervision sessions. Positive client feedback, long-standing professional relationships, and ongoing referrals reflect the trust, quality, and effectiveness that
Listening 2 U has become known for.
Alongside her counselling, supervision, and training work, Kerry has developed her own compassionate suicide intervention model, LISTEN, which forms the foundation of the Holding Hope Suicide Intervention Course delivered through Listening 2 U Training.
In recognition of her dedication to mental health and suicide prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kerry was honoured with a Global Unsung Hero Award, recognising her commitment to supporting others during one of the most challenging periods in recent history.
Today, Listening 2 U continues to provide evidence-informed counselling, clinical supervision, suicide intervention training, workplace wellbeing services, and continuing professional development opportunities. Whether supporting someone through personal challenges, helping practitioners develop their skills, or delivering training that inspires confidence and change, our mission remains the same: to provide compassionate, professional support that helps people thrive.
Listening 2 U is a multiple award-winning company.
Leading Mental Health & Wellbeing Service 2026/27 – Midlands
Health & Wellbeing Managing Director of the Year 2026 (Midlands) - (Awarded to Kerry Hirst)
Best Mental Health & Wellbeing Counselling Service 2025/2026
Best Counselling & Mental Health Training Provider 2025/2026 - East Midlands
Mental Health Support Service of the Year for Lincolnshire 2024/2025
Counselling Service of the Year 2023/2024
Mental Health Support Service of the Year for Lincolnshire 2023/2024
Outstanding Contribution to Suicide Intervention 2023 - East of England
Counselling Service of the Year 2022/2023
Global Unsung Hero Award 2022 - (Awarded to Kerry Hirst)
Best Mental Health Counselling Service Provider - East Midlands 2020/2021