YORK experts are providing support to help carers cope with sharing the traumatic experiences of many asylum seekers.

The York psychotherapy and counselling clinic, the Tuke Centre, is running workshops on behalf of The Retreat, addressing specialist problems that people working with asylum seekers are experiencing.

Running the new scheme is Gill Martin, a psychotherapist at the specialist centre. She said the courses were a much-needed support network for social workers, counsellors and anyone who is in direct contact, particularly on a mental health level, with asylum seekers and refugees.

She said: "Our workshops every month will act as an umbrella for the network of people working with asylum seekers in Yorkshire.

"It can be very painful to listen to some people's stories and help them to move forwards.

"Many people want someone to listen to what they have witnessed and those listeners also need support. They are often hearing some very traumatic things about torture and violence and that can be taxing on the mind." The workshops are bringing in experts from around the country to the centre, in Green Dykes Lane, off Heslington Road, on the first Saturday of every month. They give advice and help on how to cope and continue their productive work with those who are needy.

Chris Powell, manager of the centre, and a psychotherapist, said the work they were starting to do could be vital for the well-being of support workers.

He said: "We are offering an open service directly to support the people who are supporting others. There is a need for staff and volunteers to have specialist training to be able to work appropriately with people. But more than that, it takes a lot out of you and you really need support to be able to cope with it."

Updated: 11:33 Monday, October 22, 2001