Crewe man with cancer who was treated very poorly by former employer launches new counselling business
A Crewe man with cancer who was treated poorly by a former employer has converted his garage into a consultation room and office - for a new counselling business.
Steve Pointon Counselling & Support, Dane Bank Avenue, officially launched on Thursday (October 27) at 7pm.
Mr Pointon was joined at the launch ceremony by Crewe West Labour councillor, Cllr Connor Naismith and his first counsellor after cancer diagnosis - Mrs Alison Manning.
"I was diagnosed with Kidney Cancer in 2016 whilst working as general manager for a local security company. I was advised it was incurable and I likely had four years to live," said Mr Pointon.
In September 2018, Mr Pointon was told he was in long-term remission. It has stayed that way since.
At that time he was treated very poorly by his then employer and forced to leave.
He told Nub News: "A subsequent employment tribunal found I was constructively dismissed and harassed.
"They also found the company was in breach of the Disability Discrimination Act.
"The stress and cost of an employment tribunal along with the side effects of my treatment left me floored and throughout the ordeal I found help in receiving counselling."
Mr Pointon also became a member of online support group, Action Kidney Cancer.
He believed talking about the disease was 'invaluable' for his own mental health.
Mr Pointon said: "I undertook a couple of evening introduction to counselling courses which helped me too, but as my employment issues developed, I decided on a complete career change and enrolled on a counselling degree course.
"I decided I could help people as I was in their hour of need and it is the best decision I have ever made.
"I completed my degree and a placement in the loss and bereavement team at Douglas Macmillan Hospice in Stoke.
'I now work for Action Kidney Cancer talking to patients and carers - along with building links with hospital departments."
Mr Pointon also works for a local social enterprise as a telephone counsellor.
The new Crewe business owner is now excited to see where his own counselling career will take him.
Mr Pointon's launch event was attended by a number of people who have helped him to regain his confidence mental health,
Attendee, Cllr Connor Naismith added: "I know how hard Steve has worked to get to this point and the challenges he has overcome.
"Mental health, anxiety and other issues are a huge challenge facing our society, particularly in a post-pandemic landscape.
"People like Steve are rightly at the forefront of tackling those problems, using real life experiences to relate to and support others.
"I've been honoured to attend the launch event for this new local business and would encourage anyone who is struggling to get in touch with Steve."
Steve Pointon is now available for face to face and online appointments. Check out the website HERE.
READ MORE: Police hunt for man who vandalised Crewe Conservative Constituency office.
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