A survey of nearly 1,000 members of the Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC) found 92 per cent of respondents said this should apply for large organisations, for example major charities, schools and NHS bodies.

Almost 60 per cent said smaller charities should pay for counselling services also.

Kathy Spooner, director of counselling and psychotherapy for ACC, told Premier sometimes the compassion of therapists can be taken for granted, and it is about time that they are respected for what they do.

She said during Premier News Hour: “We cannot keep doing this work for nothing.

“We are compelled by compassion but we still need to put a roof over our head.

“There are many different historical roots [contributing to] why there’s an expectation this is a loving, giving, missional work that shouldn’t be paid, but that doesn’t always apply to other missional work.

“Youth pastors are often paid; pastors and priests in church often have remuneration.”

ACC said there has been a growing concern in the profession about the tendency for many well-established organisations to advertise for fully qualified counsellors and psychotherapists to work on a voluntary basis, despite the fact that in nearly all other respects these organisations are willing to pay for staff, and other services.

Spooner said: “It’s absolutely routine; I’ve recently seen adverts for an NHS cancer unit and for a major university, [they] are…

The Palace of Westminster is among dozens of public buildings across the country which will be brightly illuminated next Wednesday evening for the #RedWednesday initiative.

Other landmarks taking part include cathedrals in Ayr, Edinburgh, Paisley, Birmingham, Norwich, Wrexham, Derry and Armagh.

#RedWednesday is organised by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) and Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), two organisations which advocate from Christians around the world who live under pressure for their faith.

Find out how you can get involved with #RedWednesday and show solidarity > https://t.co/WI8WWPZbPc pic.twitter.com/VJ6zwCxAXr

— Aid to the Church (@acn_uk) October 11, 2017

The speakers of the House of Commons and the House of Lords both agreed that Parliament support the campaign, as it did last year.

Trevor Harrison from Sevenoaks in Kent lobbied his local MP, Sir Michael Fallon of the Conservative Party, to endorse #RedWednesday.

He was quoted by ACN as saying: “Turning Parliament red is a wonderful way to get the message about religious freedom to as wide an audience as possible.”

“We all need to get behind #RedWednesday – we need to stand together against violence carried out in the name of religion – we need to speak up about regimes which persecute people of faith.”

A solidarity service outside Westminster Cathedral at 6pm will feature speeches by Coptic Orthodox Bishop Angaelos, National Director at ACN UK Neville Kyrke-Smith and Chief Executive of…

The charity, which is one of the country’s longest-established Christian organisations for younger people, spoke out as it announced plans to reach more than 100,000 kids with the true Christmas story this year.

Head of fundraising, Paul Stockwell told Premier: “We see surveys from different retailers where they ask children and young people what they think Christmas means.

“They’re a bit of fun but they do show that knowledge of the Christian faith and the Christian story is slowing dwindling amongst the next generation.”

Scripture Union unveiled on Thursday a new free and “accessible” story book, ‘The First Christmas’ [pictured above], which is written by award-winning author, Gemma Willis.

Most of the 105,000 copies already printed are being distributed to disadvantaged children – via foodbanks, hospitals and a charity which supports families where a parent is in prison.

While claiming youngsters are increasingly ignorant to the Gospel, Mr Stockwell added: “We were talking to children who don’t attend church and they had a natural thirst… to ask the big questions and want to find the answers, and a natural inclination to pray.”

Click here to listen to Premier’s Alex Williams speaking with Paul Stockwell at Scripture Union: