Focus Counselling Centre?s co-founder Sandy Butterfield was presented with the Distinguished Counsellor of the Year Award earlier this month.

Mrs. Butterfield, known as ?Butters? to her clients, helped found The Centre on Union Street more than a decade ago.

Because of her commitment to her clients and her motto ? that the most important thing a counsellor can give to a client is time ? she was nominated by former Health Minister Nelson Bascome for the prestigious award.

A counsellor himself ? he recently joined Focus ? Mr. Bascome described Mrs. Butterfield as dedicated and committed in her battle to establish not only the walk-in centre in Union Street, but also the transitional houses in the community.

Focus ?Club House? has maintained the front line approach to those who are addicted to come from the street seeking assistance. ?We never turn anyone away,? she said, adding that when clients were ready, they were given referrals to treatment programmes Island-wide like Turning Point.

?It?s better to have them spend their days here than out on the street where they might be using drugs, or breaking and entering,? she said about The Centre, which offers breakfast and lunch programmes.

During an interview last week, a handful of men were watching a movie on television in the Club House family room.

But Focus also offers counselling to individuals and families seeking support and advice and Mrs. Butterfield?s open-door policy means she?s always busy.

Even with the minimum support, Mrs. Butterfield has driven Focus to maintain a place for those in need and is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

When Focus? major financial donor went out of business, Mrs. Butterfield secured finances to maintain the programme, but she?s quick to admit that she?s no good at fundraising.

?I would give anything for a volunteer to offer their services for doing just that,? she said.

Besides being a full-time counsellor, Mrs. Butterfield has also managed to juggle family life and is a wife, mother and grandmother, sister and daughter who said she enjoys playing the steel pan drums.

?That?s my therapy,? she said.