We are delighted to have received a generous £15k grant to boost our counselling provision ahead of World Mental Health Day and World Homeless Day (both on October 10).
Our charity received the donation from the Panacea Charitable Trust to fund an additional counsellor to enhance our mental health support for people recovering after the trauma of homelessness.
It is the second £15k grant we have received from the charitable trust. Last year we were given financial support to help with the refurbishment of our central Dom Gregory administration building into a new Support and Wellbeing Hub for our companions.
Our Chief Executive Officer, Donna-Louise Cobban, said:
“A huge thank you to the Panacea Charitable Trust for this generous grant which means we can now expand our counselling offer by adding a second counsellor into the support team. This will provide greater choice to our companions who will now have a choice of either a male or female counsellor, with Jonathan and Sharon both able to provide ongoing counselling to companions.
“We are hugely grateful that our second grant application was successful as we’re doing all we can to keep on improving the mental health and wellbeing of our companions. Homelessness has a huge impact on mental health, so it’s no surprise that World Mental Health Day and World Homeless Day are held on the same day.
“The Panacea Trust is a wonderful charity based in Bedfordshire which provides grants to the local community, supports academic research and operates The Panacea Museum, which houses the former religious charity’s archive of books, manuscripts and papers.”
Jonathon, who specialises in psychodynamic counselling, said:
“Counselling can mean different things for different people, and I’m very proud and honoured to help Emmaus provide this service and comfort for the companions.
“Whether it’s work such making sense of the past, rediscovery, or helping people process past or present challenges, Emmaus has put a ring of internal and external support in place to give people a chance to be safe as they explore and address their challenges. I’m privileged to be part of this recovery and healing process provided globally, and locally at Emmaus Village Carlton, and to sit with the companions’ vulnerability, honesty and courage.”
Sharon, who specialises in integrative, person-centred counselling, said:
“Our sessions are focused on what the companion wants to bring and what they want to explore. This allows them to focus on their own experience, beliefs and potential for growth. It also fosters a self-acceptance and personal development for them by providing a safe confidential space where they find empathy, congruence and no judgement.
“They are the expert in their life not me, I do not tell the companions what to do or how to solve their problems. We have a therapeutic relationship that is safe to explore and discover solutions that might benefit them with their emotions and feelings.”
Sharon added: “When I was asked if I could provide counselling for companions at Emmaus, I knew that this was a great opportunity to work with amazing people. Mental health is a big part of the care that is provided at Emmaus Village Carlton. Companions are offered a place to live and work within a community and when they are ready, short or long-term counselling is also available.”
“Time to prioritise mental health in the workplace”
The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is, ‘It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace’, and the day is dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and encouraging conversations about mental health.
World Homeless Day is an international day serving as a platform to celebrate good works, benchmark progress and advocate for improved policies and funding that can help prevent and end homelessness.
Therapeutic and developmental support
Emmaus Village Carlton’s Support and Wellbeing Hub provides bright and modern spaces to enhance companions’ wellbeing, including rooms for therapeutic and developmental support, recreation and training needs. It also includes an inner courtyard for companions to relax in, as well as refurbished administration offices featuring bright and modern decor and facilities.