A women's mental health charity that helps hundreds of people a year has been saved from closure at the eleventh hour.

Threshold, which provides face-to-face counselling sessions at low cost, has been taken over by BHT, formerly Brighton Housing Trust.

Threshold has been running for 20 years but was due to close on November 20.

The takeover means it will be able to stay open in the same premises in St George's Place, Brighton, and four out of six members of staff can keep their jobs.

It will be run under the same name, remain women-only and the 20 volunteer counsellors will be kept on.

About 100 people marched through the streets of Brighton on September 28 to protest at the proposed closure.

Brighton and Hove City Council and Primary Care Trust give Threshold £70,000 a year in total but it needed an extra £20,000 to survive.

That cost has now been shared by Brighton and Hove District Nursing Association and an unnamed private donor.

Kat Williams, director of Threshold, said: "The most important thing for us is the continuation of services to women in Brighton and Hove experiencing mental health problems. What we have agreed with BHT is for our services to continue, including our creche which is important if we are to remain accessible to all women."

Andy Winter, chief executive of BHT, said: "Threshold has provided excellent and much-needed services to women in Brighton and Hove since the 1980s. We felt that Threshold just couldn't be allowed to close. We are delighted that Threshold has decided to join with BHT."

Peter Field, chairman of the Brighton and Hove District Nursing Association, said: "It is a tragedy to see charities such as Threshold reach the point of closure, so my fellow trustees and I were delighted to offer support to BHT in their efforts to save Threshold. I understand that our support has made it possible and I am thrilled that Threshold will continue."

The money will keep Threshold going for at least 12 months but more money is needed to secure its long term future. It is hoped this might come from the city council and primary care trust.

The Argus reported in September that Threshold was in talks with a larger charity but Ms Williams did not know if the takeover would happen.

Each year Threshold provides support to more than 200 women with difficulties including depression, anxiety, relationship problems, self harm, eating disorders, phobias, drug misuse, bereavement, prolonged illness, acute crisis, rape, problems with being a carer and past physical, emotional or sexual abuse.

Counselling costs from £1 to £5 for unemployed women, to £10 to £30 for full time employed women.

Anyone who wants to help with the running costs can send donations to BHT, 144 London Road, Brighton, BN1 4PH.

Threshold's national Infoline telephone counselling service was forced to close last month due to a lack of funding and will remain closed.

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