Whac annual report 2014

30th Annual Report April 2013— March 2014

Celebrating 30 years 1984—2014

2014

Pearls of Wisdom Only when we change and grow We see a world we’ve never known

30 years of WHAC Although this year marks the 30th anniversary of WHAC'S official opening, its actual beginning was in 1982 when the now defunct Northumberland Community Health Council identified gaps in services for women in the county, too many women were not getting the support needed for their physical and mental health problems. Health professionals and CHC members spent a year looking at existing woman centres, and decided to set up a centre in our county which would work independently of the NHS and offer services in an informal non-medical setting.

By November 1983 the Centre was up and running at premises in an upstairs flat in Laburnum Terrace. We had three years' of funding from a DHSS funded consortium that supported health and social projects and the Centre was run by a part-time paid co-ordinator and a team of keen volunteers, supported by a few local health professionals. The first course organised by WHAC trained a team of six volunteer counsellors and the Centre opened one morning, one afternoon and one evening a week, seeing clients on a drop-in basis.

In May 1984 the official opening took place. In those first three years, WHAC organised health fairs, ran more courses and support groups, including relaxation sessions and courses which proved very popular. WHAC provided practical help and information on health issues like PMT and menopause. In 1986 we faced our first (and certainly not the last) financial crisis when our funding came to an end. WHAC was kept afloat by a band of volunteers and Wansbeck Council came to the rescue offering premises in Council Road for ÂŁ1 a year rent.

The original idea was that WHAC in Ashington would be just one of a number of similar centres throughout Northumberland. Our building had no central heating and we made do with a tatty collection of old furniture and one oldfashioned typewriter. We had been given a computer - or "word processor" as they were then called - as part of a commission from the Health Authority to produce a series of women's health leaflets, but nobody knew how to use it and for nearly a year it sat in the crèche room untouched.

The focus and flavour of WHAC at that time was very much in tune with the rather militant feminist agenda of the 1980s. It was from these ideas that we put together our first Charter in 1988. In 1988, a council grant enabled us to employ a part time co-ordinator (Cath). This meant we at last started to have some kind of system and organisation in the office and opened for longer hours.

Throughout the 1990s WHAC began to evolve into the organisation we know today. The pattern of counselling changed to more long term work, more referrals from the statutory sector and counsellors undergoing more thorough training, selection and supervision. We took on extra staff, including a financial worker and a counselling co-ordinator.

The organisation weathered several financial crises during this time, but by the time we reached the Millennium, WHAC had become a more business-

like and efficient organisation, working in partnership with other agencies and expanding to offer services to girls as young as 14. We became members of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, with all counsellors bound by its code of ethics. Monitoring and evaluation processes were improved and a Project Administrator was appointed. One major change came in 2007 when WHAC became a limited company, and the committee became the Board of Trustees. In 2009 a new worker directly responsible for WHAC's education programme was appointed.

An extensive external evaluation was carried out in 2011. This included in its recommendation that WHAC extend services to men and boys, carry out more focused work with young people, outreach counselling and support and focused work on domestic and sexual violence.

In line with this, WHAC's constitution was changed in 2012 to include work with men and boys - although only in outreach premises. The WHAC Centre remains a women-only space. WHAC is working towards improving its services to young people and 80% of WHAC's work is now around domestic and sexual violence.

A major development in 2012 was the launch of the Northumberland Support and Advice Service (NSAS). This allows support services to be delivered to women and men across the whole of Northumberland through contracts and commissioning arrangements.

Despite the increasingly difficult economic climate, WHAC continues to find creative and resourceful ways to meet current challenges and make positive plans for the future, while remaining true to its original aim of 30 years ago - to provide women with counselling, personal development education and information on issues contributing to their mental health and well-being.

Pru Heathcote – Volunteer, Tutor and founder member of WHAC

‘The Gang’ (2012)

The official opening of WHAC

The long-established writers group

The home of WHAC since 1986

Cath, the Manager, meets Cherie Blair

Testimonial My experience as a volunteer counsellor at WHAC. In January 2012 I joined WHAC as a volunteer counsellor on placement which was a requirement of my Foundation degree.

My employment background included various jobs in the health and social care setting from working as a carer to being a medical receptionist. I had completed a basic counselling course many years previously at 6th form college. It was, however, following the birth of my youngest daughter when necessity dictated that I become a stay at home mum that training as a counsellor seemed the route for me.

I had two other placements at the time, one specifically working with young people and one working in bereavement. The reason I applied for a placement at WHAC was because I have always had an interest in women’s issues and was keen to do something to give back to the local community and to make a difference in the lives of people in Northumberland.

From the moment I stepped into WHAC, to a genuine and warm welcome, although very nervous, I instantly felt at home.

Attending the rigorous counsellor selection and training course immediately demonstrated to me the quality of service WHAC provides and the high standard of support given not only to clients but volunteers alike.

Having been given this opportunity I was determined to give back to WHAC, not just in terms of my counselling hours, but also as a general volunteer. There is always something needs doing in the centre and learning how the centre runs on a day to day basis, for me, was best learnt by picking up the phone when it rings, speaking to the clients walking through the door and generally mucking in.

This general volunteer work enabled me to first and foremost familiarise myself with the work we do, learn new skills, update old ones, access fantastic training, increase my personal and professional development and has given me a wealth of experience I could not have gained elsewhere.

Making myself available and willing to try my hand at almost anything brought with it incredible opportunities including learning how to triage and assess clients, how to handle crisis clients entering the centre, learning how to liaise with the other agencies WHAC works with in looking after clients needs and enabled me to work on specific projects within the counselling service. The experience and knowledge I have gained by doing this has been invaluable to me.

WHAC sees a broad range of clients (now including male clients) from a diverse range of backgrounds and the presenting issues are varied but the assessment procedure allows clients needs to be quickly identified and the correct service for

them provided. Whilst at WHAC I have attended various training courses, including Counselling Men, Counselling Les/Bi clients and specific training around safeguarding, domestic abuse and the MARAC. This training was not only a requirement for my CPD but was of such a high standard that on its completion I always felt my skills and knowledge had been tested, fine tuned and increased.

In my time at WHAC I have been fortunate to work with clients with many varied presenting issues ranging from bereavement and domestic abuse to work place bullying and acute anxiety. It is rewarding to see clients make progress and movement in their lives and I am very aware of how important the service is to them, many of whom have nowhere else to turn.

When I started at WHAC I was in my second year of study on my foundation degree and the support and encouragement I received at WHAC helped me to both complete my studies and make the decision to go on to complete the top up year and achieve my BA (Hons) in Counselling. The training and opportunities I have been given have allowed me to increase my experience and knowledge and the support I have received from staff and volunteers alike has been second to none. I feel all of this has contributed to my being a more well rounded and experienced counsellor and has enabled me to secure paid employment within the service.

I am still near the start of my career as a counsellor but I am very proud to be part of a service that literally changes and saves people’s lives and I can say with certainty it has done the same for me.

Lucy Greensmith Counsellor

“Brilliant I wouldn’t change a thing. The assessment was great, I felt totally heard. Counselling gave me the space to be honest about my feelings and normalised them. Then it helped me cope better with my situation.”

“My counsellor has been exceptional, her ability to gauge my feelings and her understanding of me was essential for the progress I made. I have never been in such a dark place but my time with her was enlightening on many levels and really did save my life. I cannot praise her enough.”

Chairperson’s Report WHAC has been at the centre of the community in Ashington since it was set up 30 years ago by a group of women determined to empower their peers to improve their health and so lead more positive lives. WHAC has grown and changed since then, but is still a key resource working to help people in Northumberland improve their mental health and well being and so change their lives for the better.

Thanks to a major grant from the Big Lottery Reaching Communities Fund WHAC has been able to continue its excellent work this year and into the future. Funding was also received from Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group, , Community Foundation , Police and Crime Commissioner and several other donors and individuals. We are grateful for all the financial contributions which keep WHAC going . We ran a successful contract with Job Centre Plus through our Northumberland Support & Advice Service and It is hoped similar contracts in the future will lead to increased income.

There have been several changes amongst the staff and volunteers this year.

We've said farewell to 2 trustees, Declan Baharini and Mandy Small. I'm grateful for their hard work, efficiency and enthusiasm over the time we worked together. New trustees have been recruited to replace them and the Board is ready to lead and support WHAC over the next few years.

The dedicated team of volunteer counsellors continues to support clients effectively as they make changes in their lives. 262 counselling clients were seen over the year and the counselling evaluation demonstrates how effective and cost effective that service has been for clients. The addition of Lucy Greensmith as a paid counsellor will help the counselling service run even more smoothly as it increases our capacity to deal with regular and crisis clients. And the office works efficiently with the help of our new administrator, Lisa Noble.

WHAC's training programme has again developed in response to needs of clients and there is a varied and vibrant range of courses offered. This programme, the relaxation group and writing workshops offer a positive way to engage women and men to learn and to improve their wellbeing We achieved Continuing Excellence in the North East Better Health at Work award and passed our re-assessment of the Matrix Standard with flying colours. Both standards recognise the valuable work done by WHAC and the regular health promotion activities we deliver.

I look forward to the next stages in WHAC's work to support the women, girls, men and boys of Northumberland.

Sarah Abernethy Chairperson

Mission Statement WHAC:Aims to provide women, men & young people in Northumberland with free quality counselling, personal development, education and information on issues contributing to their mental health and wellbeing.

Offers a confidential service in a safe, supportive environment.

Is a needs led independent organisation which aims to offer a flexible and comprehensive service.

Aims To encourage everyone to take responsibility for their own physical, emotional and social well-being and to help them develop a positive attitude.

To respond to the needs of women, men, girls and boys aged 14+.

To be supplementary and complementary to the services provided by the Health and Social Services.

To increase knowledge and confidence through information, workshops, courses and self-help groups.

“I felt very comfortable at WHAC my counsellor was lovely. I never felt judged, pitied or anything negative; she helped me to see things clearly and to draw on my strengths. I certainly would not be where I am now without her.�

Contents Attendance Overview................................................................................. 1 Staff Members................................................................................................ 2 Trustees and Volunteers......................................................................... 3 Achievements................................................................................................. 4 Volunteers .........................................................................................

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Volunteer Training..................................................................................... 6 Counselling......................................................................................... 8 Issues dealt with in Counselling.......................................................... 9 Courses and Workshops.......................................................................... 10 Support and Advice Services................................................................ 14 Domestic & Sexual Violence Support......................................... 15 Awareness raising Campaigns.....................................................

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Collaborative Working..................................................................... 17 Northumberland Support & Advice Service................................. 18 Acknowledgements..................................................................................... 20 Financial Report.......................................................................................... 21 Accounts............................................................................................................ 22

Attendance Overview 01/01/2013 – 31/12/2013

No of Clients

Counselling & Assessment Sessions

183

No of Attendances 1248

(new clients only)

Information & Advice

186

267

14

116

One to one sessions

106

152

Course Enrolments

192

1140 (hours)

TOTAL CLIENTS

681

Support & Relaxation Groups

Telephone/email Info & Advice Enquiries

6,707

• 27 volunteers did over 1,642 hours of work during the year.

This does not include attendance at all meetings and training.

• A total of 262 clients accessed the counselling service throughout the year each having, on average, 6 sessions, not including their initial assessment.

• At the year end 34 clients were attending counselling.

• 18 male clients attended counselling 2013 with a further 5 enrolling on various courses

“WHAC is a fantastic service that offered me a chance to get my life on track. My counsellor was amazing and enabled me to understand my problems and make sense of them.

Thank you.”

“Thank you for this great service”

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Staff Members

Cath Hale

Manager

Linda-Jaine Clair

Counselling Co-ordinator

Judith Pleasance

Finance & Quality Assurance Officer

Amanda Sayers

Education and Training Officer

Lisa Noble

Administrator (started 11/11/2013)

Lucy Greensmith

Counsellor (started 01/06/2014)

Sharon Hepplewhite

Health Trainer (employed by Northumbria Healthcare Trust)

Cath

Linda

Judith

Amanda

Lisa

Lucy

Sharon

“The staff were really good, and very helpful, made me feel very welcome.”

“Everything WHAC has done for me over this difficult period, has meant the world to me, not just from my counsellor but from all the staff at WHAC. Their care and support has been incredible and is appreciated more than words can say. Thank you so much.”

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Trustees and Volunteers Board of Trustees Chair Vice Chair Treasurer

Sarah Abernethy Sarah Kerrigan Mandy Small x Carolanne Coomber (from 01/6/2014) Declan Baharini x Lisa Jenkinson (from 12/02/2014)

Secretary

General Board Members Carolanne Coomber Ruth Chapman * Jill Scarr * Gill Fraser *

Volunteers Marcia Ash * Marie Clark* Elaine Finlayx # Deborah Heron Ruth Chapman Anne Sporne Deborah McLean Mande Stoves x Jennifer Anderson* Marjorie Shipton*

Pru Heathcote Christine Carruthers Rebecca Shand x Brenda Potts Sangeeta Murkunde Anna Robinson * Jane Lawson x Paula Parker* Mikala Richards x Emma Hunt*

Marie Stirzaker Ann Smith Jayne Hedley Claudia Venosa Audrey Lenthall x Lucy Greensmith

Joined since last AGM * Left since last AGM × Still involved with WHAC on a non volunteer basis #

“I couldn’t possibly have received better treatment from everyone at WHAC, both from office staff and management. Plus the discretion and care from my councillor who was amazing. Seeing the same person each time helped enormously (unlike going to the GPs) I felt I trusted her implicitly and I was filled with confidence. I have and will continue to recommend WHAC. “

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Achievements Matrix Standard In December 2013 we passed the Matrix Standard re-assessment with flying colours for both internal and external services.

Welcome Lisa Following the retirement of Jen our administrator last year we have been able to employ Lisa, a local young woman. Lisa had been unemployed since leaving school and thought she’d never get a job!

“Thank you WHAC for giving me a chance” Thank you to The Big Lottery

“The Women’s Health Advice Centre demonstrated that it continues to meet all aspects of the matrix Standard demonstrating a clear commitment to providing a high quality service to its service users. As identified in this report, the organisation are able to demonstrate the difference they are making to people’s lives.”

In late 2013 WHAC was facing closure due to lack of funding until The Big Lottery Reaching Communities Fund awarded us £403,032 over three years (201316). This has allowed us to continue providing the support to clients that is so vitally needed.

We are extremely grateful to the Lottery for their continued support.

Domestic Abuse Champion Linda-Jaine Clair embarked on the Domestic Abuse Champion training (facilitated

by Allan Brown/Public Protection Service) which enables her to take the lead for Domestic Abuse issues.

She is the main contact for the centre. This training has enabled her to give support and guidance to volunteers and staff on the management of individual domestic abuse cases.

Keep Calm and Counsel On Despite being under threat of closure Staff and Volunteers worked exceptionally hard to maintain our much valued service to our clients.

Well done everyone for working under such pressure!!!

Fundraising and donations Once again we have benefitted from a number of donations from individuals. This is greatly appreciated. If you are able to make a donation or are taking part in a sponsored event and would like to raise funds for WHAC please visit our website www.whac-online.co.uk and use the ‘Just Giving’ buttons or just call in at the centre.

Thank you.

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Volunteers WHAC went through an extremely difficult time last year as a result of funding issues. Despite this, volunteers continued to work showing dedication and commitment to the organisation and their clients. We also managed to maintain a very healthy team of 7 counsellors and 8 psychotherapists, plus 4 volunteers with our Support and Advice Service.

Six of our Counsellors are qualified to either degree or diploma level and deal with issues such as domestic abuse, sexual violence, relationships, confidence and self esteem etc. One trainee counsellor is undergoing her MSc in Counselling. WHAC continues to work closely with the Northern Guild of Psychotherapy and we have 3 qualified and 4 trainee psychotherapists Our Support and Advice Service volunteers work 1-2-1 with clients who may need support to attend housing appointments, court etc, which has proven to be an invaluable service. It can also provide additional support whilst the client is having counselling. We also have volunteers who work primarily on administrational duties and one who provides much valued, free relaxation sessions to centre users.

Training continued throughout the year to include ‘Counselling Men’, a bespoke course to equip counsellors for this important change within the service. There are regular updates around Child Protection/Safeguarding and CAADA DASH/MARAC which are crucial to counsellors’ knowledge whilst working with clients who may present with these issues.

The management of the organisation lies with the Board of Trustees who are also volunteers. To date there are 7 trustees with a wide range of knowledge and backgrounds in health, family law, psychotherapy and community development.

Anyone interested in volunteering, please contact the centre on 01670 853977 or alternatively email linda-jaineclair@whac.uk.com

“WHAC has helped my progression both personally and professionally. I feel more confident than I did to begin with and feel I have learnt a lot during my time with WHAC. I have attended a lot of training that has been provided by the organisation which I have needed, found beneficial but also enjoyed” Jane Lawson, Volunteer Counsellor

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Volunteer Training In the knowledge that WHAC was facing potential closure, we felt it necessary to equip counsellors with additional skills and knowledge that they could add to their CV’s whilst looking for work.

Training Events for staff and volunteers included: •

‘Change’ training day April 2013 – dealing with changes around WHAC’s counselling procedures, short term working (with clients), writing case studies and agreeing the changes to supervision. As a result of the training event, guidelines for writing case studies were generated by the participants and distributed to all counsellors. The training was attended by 7 counsellors. “very useful training, am able to take forward pointers for writing case studies...thank you.”

•

Supervision Safeguarding Training June 2013 – planned and delivered as a result of the introduction of new procedures for multi-agency working in Domestic Abuse and legislative changes relating to Coercive Control. The training also aimed to familiarise counsellors with WHAC’s policies and practise using safeguarding procedures with confidence. As a result of the training a Safeguarding flowchart was produced and distributed as guidance for counsellors and an amalgamated Supervision Group was established.

Attended by 7 counsellors. “(I gained) better knowledge and confidence in serious domestic violence situations”

•

LesBi Relationship Counselling July 2013 – this training was to raise awareness and understanding of Lesbian and Bisexual women and their relationships, within the counselling setting, as part of WHAC’s commitment to equality and robust quality assurance. Thanks to Tyneside Women’s Health and Pink Therapy, who own the training copyright, we were able to deliver high calibre comprehensive training relevant to WHAC’s volunteers. The training provided a total of 7 hours towards volunteers’ Continuous Professional Development. The training was attended by 6 counsellors.

“Really excellent use of support and challenge – enjoyed being pushed out of (my) comfort zone”

•

Counselling Men September 2013 – generated and delivered for counsellors due to the increasing numbers of men accessing WHAC’s services and requests from the counsellors themselves. With reference to partnership working, we invited a group of men from a peer support group Gateshead Clubhouse: Moving Forward, to share their personal experience of mental health issues and counselling over lunch and during a question and answer session. Mark Coombs from Mental Health Concern, the organisation which supports the group, said “A big part of our service is about social development and this opportunity fits well with this” and from the participant 6

feedback the most valuable part of the session was talking to the men, so there really was mutual benefit. The training was attended by 7 counsellors.

“I enjoyed the discussion with male visitors from Gateshead Clubhouse, the exercise ‘Walking in men’s shoes’ and follow up discussion” •

WHAC Residential January 2014 – attended by 23 participants, this event enabled trustees, staff and volunteers to get together to consider and influence WHAC’s future plans. A full report on the event was drafted and circulated along with an action plan.

“I think these weekends are a brilliant opportunity for people to influence and understand where they fit into the organisation”

•

Emergency First Aid at Work February 2014 – a Health & Safety Executive approved course to equip participating staff and volunteers with the basic skills and understanding of how to deal with an emergency first aid situation in the workplace. All 10 participants achieved the required assessment criteria and were awarded First Aid certificates. For widest benefit places were opened up to WHAC tutors and volunteers from other VCS organisations and resulted in WHAC being able to use a venue in exchange for participant places, a cost saving.

“It was all very informative as I have never done a first aid course before ....I feel more confident now”

External Training Supported by WHAC City and Guilds PTLLS (July 2013) 1 Staff Member attended

Suicide prevention (January 2014) 1 staff member attended

Linda Jaine Clair, Counselling Co-ordinator & Amanda Sayers, Education & Training Officer.

LesBi Relationship Training at Longhirst July 2013

WHAC Residential at the Village January 2014

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Counselling WHAC offers a free one to one confidential counselling service, which is delivered by qualified/trainee volunteer counsellors & psychotherapists. We have organisational membership to the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy and are bound by its code of ethics. A total of 1248 sessions were carried out this year.

The graph below shows how clients attending counselling during 2013 showed improvement in their Mental Health and Well being. A score of around 51 shows good mental health and well being.

Counselling Evaluation The 2014 counselling evaluation is available using data gathered during 2013.

The report demonstrated that clients perceived • an improvement in the length of time they waited to be seen for their 1st assessment appointment.

• 60% of clients were seen within 1-2 weeks of being referred. A 300% improvement on the previous year.

Copies of the evaluation are available at WHAC or can be accessed on our website www.whac-online.co.uk

Issues Mental Health, bereavement, relationships and Domestic/Sexual violence continue to be the issues presented most frequently at assessment. The increase in the number of clients presenting in crisis with child protection/safeguarding issues has led to us increasing number of sessions offered. We work with a number of partners to support these clients.

Triage

Clients All clients who access the centre are triaged via a telephone call, text or email.

This additional contact prior to coming to the centre enables an accurate evaluation of the client’s needs particularly if the client is in ‘crisis’ and needs a priority appointment which would be given within a time period of 2 days. Triaging the client allows an overview of the client’s issues before they even attend the centre and also gives the client information about our service.

WHAC sees women, men and young people. The Centre remains a woman only space, however men are seen at a number of different venues, including a flat we rent situated near to WHAC. Some of our psychotherapists are trained to work with young people and are able to see them to carry out this specialised work.

“Counselling helped me to find the ‘lost’ me, it has changed my whole life”

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Issues presented at 1st appointment in 2013 by 150 New clients

ISSUES KEY 1.

Women’s Health Issues e.g. Menopause/PMT/Infertility 2.

Physical Health problems e.g. STD’s, Mastectomy 3.

Mental Health e.g. Stress Depression 4.

Abortion 5.

Bereavement/ Loss 6.

Relationship Problems e.g. Sexual issues/family/relationship breakdown.

7.

Drug/Alcohol issues 8.

Caring responsibilities 9.

Rape/sexual assault including harassment 10.

Child Sexual Abuse 11.

Domestic Violence – Physical violence/bullying 12.

Relatives/carers affected by abuse/trauma 13.

Self esteem/body image 14.

Work related issues 15.

Suicidal 16.

Financial 17.

Anger Management 18.

Eating Disorders 19.

Life Stages/Choices This graph demonstrates some of the issues that are presented at assessment. We have seen the biggest increase in clients presenting with Physical health problems, Bereavement/loss, Caring Responsibilities, Domestic Violence, Self Esteem and Work related issues.

Most clients will present with several issues and we frequently work with partner agencies to offer a holistic service to the clients who use our services.

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Courses and Workshops This time last year, whilst we were planning the summer programme of courses and workshops we did not know whether WHAC would still be open beyond September, which was a testing time for everyone. However, thanks to the generosity of the Big Lottery and the fantastic work WHAC does we are still here and going strong.

Throughout the remainder of the year WHAC was able to offer its usual range of core courses and some new ones too. The aim of the courses and workshops for participants, in line with WHAC’s mission statement, was to improve mental and physical health and wellbeing. In addition to this we sought to support personal growth and development, the learning of new skills, engaging socially with others and to allow individuals to spend some ‘me’ time on themselves.

Courses offered up to March 2014: • • • •

• Indian Head, Arm and Hand massage • Just Jhoom Bollywood Dancing • Relaxation drop-in • Welfare reform • Emergency First Aid • Acupressure Massage • Loose Ends Creative Arts project

Dru Yoga Tai Chi Creative Writing Telling Stories (fiction writing workshop) • Poetry workshop • Confidence Building • Money Counts

Courses and workshops delivered outside of WHAC premises are open to women and men (aged over 14). We continue to look for new outreach venues in order to offer courses in different areas within Northumberland and some of the sessions are free to encourage participation.

Enrolment onto courses varies with the total numbering 236 from April 2013 to March 2014. WHAC has established Tai Chi, Creative Writing and Dru Yoga as core to the education programme (Yoga has seen a two-fold increase in enrolments) and other workshops, courses and events are added each new term, frequently in partnership with other community organisations, venues and individuals.

Some of the courses and workshops received a better response than others.

For example, in response to the government’s proposed changes in welfare

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benefits, such as the ‘Bedroom Tax’, WHAC offered Welfare Reform workshops to support people who may be affected by the changes. However, for whatever reason the workshops did not attract sufficient enrolments and had to be cancelled.

WHAC continues to review how the education programme is promoted and delivered to encourage participation. For example the creative writing course in 2014 is now being delivered as monthly 3 hour workshops, each one having a different creative writing theme, to appeal to different people and their lifestyle commitments. We have already seen an increase in enrolments as a result. In Summer 2014 WHAC will be offering taster workshops to encourage people to ‘try before you buy’ if they are unsure whether to commit to a full course, and to help us to gauge interest and plan effectively.

One project we ran successfully was the Loose Ends arts project, in partnership with Headway Arts, Northumberland Tyne & Wear NHS Trust. The project participants used creative art techniques to support positive mental health and wellbeing. Their resulting artwork was exhibited in Ashington and Blyth in Spring 2014, to engage with the community, address barriers around perception of mental health and promote a positive message. ASDA has agreed to support the project with an exhibition in its Ashington store as part of Mental Health Awareness week in May 2014. The evaluation report from the project can be downloaded from the WHAC website www.whac-online.co.uk Loose Ends project

Workshop

Exhibition

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“I love doing this. Nice being out with people and doing different art techniques. The time is perfect. I feel I have got something to really look forward to”

Courses and Workshops

Loose Ends evaluation results.

Part of WHAC’s commitment and ethos is engagement, therefore the Education Focus Group has been set up to involve clients and service users in the education planning and decision making process alongside WHAC staff and volunteers. The Focus Group will meet several times throughout the year to review the education programme, act on feedback and suggest ways of taking actions forward to improve the service. In addition, the group have input into planning other WHAC events, such as the 30th Anniversary in 2014.

People said:

“Really enjoyed meeting new people. Loved learning new things....lovely” (Indian head, arm & hand massage)

“Pru continues to be an excellent tutor, she keeps the course fresh and interesting” (Creative writing)

“It was pitched at the correct level for the children but still interesting for the adults...I enjoyed all of it” (Just Jhoom)

“The tutor is great, friendly, knows her stuff and makes the class fun.....I enjoy the gentle exercises that especially help us to relax” (Tai Chi) 12

“I enjoyed all of the course. It was beneficial on all levels, physical, emotional and spiritual” (Dru Yoga)

Dru Yoga

Creative writing workshop

“Really enjoyed taking part and felt welcomed by the tutor and the other participants. Thank you so much”. (Creative Writing)

Tai Chi

“The course is great, very enjoyable, beneficial but fun...” (Tai Chi)

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Support and Advice Services The Support and Advice Services are delivered by volunteers who support clients receiving advice in such matters as debt, benefits advice, family law and housing to name a few.

Our volunteers can help complete forms and accompany clients to appointments with outside agencies if necessary.

Support volunteers have accompanied clients to benefit appeals, court appearances and other appointments.

We work with DAWN (Advice) Ltd, Citizens Advice Bureau, Homelessness and Council Tax Sections of Northumberland County Council as well as private landlords.

We also work closely with Wansbeck Food Bank referring clients to them as well as acting as a collection point for food donations.

Clients receive support with many different issues as this testimonial shows.

“For me, 2013 was a year from hell. The old adage ‘If it could go wrong .... it will’ applied. My problems kept escalating. I was financially, emotionally and mentally depressed. Doctors offered tablets and professional help – both made me feel worse. Eventually, I was introduced to WHAC for a short period of counselling. A charity group, comprising professional ladies who understand women’s problems.

They offered me no tablets, promises or analysis. Just a listening ear, empathy and real support and advice. In a short time I was starting to do things for myself again. Months later I still pop in for a coffee, chat and help with my letters and emails. Over Christmas they arranged a much needed food hamper. Their assistance is ongoing but so are my problems. Recently, I required a ‘legalised letter’. I searched the internet and contacted professional and Governmental agencies to no avail. Unbelievably, it was WHAC that solved the problem. They not only found a company who could do the service, they also arranged everything on my behalf. Well done ladies! You succeeded in ways which professional and Governmental support agencies failed!”

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Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Support A total of 80% of our counselling clients presented with domestic abuse and/or sexual violence during 2013/2014. As well as counselling, clients have been helped with financial difficulties, benefit claims, child protection issues, to secure housing and referral to food banks. There have also been clients who have been supported to report rape/sexual assault to the police and, following on from that, through court procedure which also involved working in partnership with other organisations.

Partnerships WHAC takes an active role to help plan and deliver support to clients through working with partner organisations and participation in strategic planning at multi disciplinary meetings, including the MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference) which safeguards clients assessed at highest risk from perpetrators of domestic abuse. Our service provides safety planning, referral to a solicitor where required and if there are also Child Protection/Safeguarding issues, representation at Social Services strategy meetings. We also support clients via email or text which has proven paramount in keeping them safe and in touch with our organisation.

Running alongside this, of course, is counselling which allows the client a safe space in which to explore their experience.

Training Volunteers receive specialised training around domestic abuse/sexual violence prior to them starting work at the centre. During the year, following changes to our constitution and governing documents to include young boys and men, we provided our counsellors with training in ‘Counselling Men’, ‘Safeguarding /Child Protection’ and ‘CAADA DASH’ (Co-ordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse - Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour based violence). We update everyone on any changes to the law around domestic abuse e.g. the new government guidelines that recognise 16 and 17 year olds are also open to abuse. One major change in the definition of domestic abuse was to include ‘coercive control. This vitally crucial change affects those who do not experience physical violence which is provable, but do experience ‘acts to disempower’.

Northumbria Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) WHAC received funding from the office of the PCC to pay for a volunteer to attend training to run therapeutic groups for women with experience of domestic abuse (past or present). A group is planned to begin soon for women who wish to work within this dynamic setting. This therapeutic support group is to be based on The Recovery Toolkit which enables clients to examine their own strengths, resources and coping strategies.

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Awareness Raising Campaigns As part of our health promotion strategy, WHAC has regular displays on health issues to raise awareness and provide information, advice and resources for staff and centre users. A number of health issues have been covered including: •

Male Cancer Awareness week- April 2013 Information on common cancers in men including signs, symptoms and guidance on self examining.

“Excellent Information very accessible”

•

Sun, Alcohol & Sexual Health- July/August 2013 Information and advice on sunburn and how this can damage skin, how alcohol affects the body and recommended daily unit intake for both men & women. We also covered sexual health which included signs & symptoms of STD’s, different methods of contraception and useful contacts of local sexual health clinics.

“The main part that stood out for me was the skin cancers, I noticed a mole bleeding on my friends arm and it was diagnosed as a melanoma and has since been removed”

•

World Mental Health day- October 2013 (Open day) A fun packed day with the emphasis on looking after your mental health. Those who attended (28) had the opportunity to obtain information on mental health care and to speak to a counsellor. The Health Trainer was also on hand to take blood pressure and give advice on healthy lifestyle.

“Very welcoming, open and friendly. A very worthwhile Organisation”

•

There’s no need to be lonely this Christmas- December 2013 Information on people who will be facing being lonely around the Christmas period and organisations to contact about loneliness.

“Informative, Insightful, and Imaginative- such awareness raising is crucial”

•

There’s no excuse for domestic abuse- February 2014 Advice and information on the different categories of domestic abuse, signs of these and organisations to contact for help and support.

“I found the signs of abuse and statistics very helpful and shocking at the same time”

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Collaborative Working WHAC provides representation on a number of steering groups and local initiatives they include: • • • • • • • • • •

Northumberland Well Being & Work Group (now merged with Northumberland Locality Vocational Forum) Vision Group VCS Assembly Shadow Action Group Northumberland Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Thematic Group Safeguarding/Child Protection Designated Persons Network South East Northumberland Domestic Violence Forum Northumberland Homelessness Forum Northumberland Mental Health Promotion Steering Group North East Women’s Network Loose Ends project (Headway Arts & Ashmore House)

Representation at these forums and meetings allows WHAC to maintain networks, provide suggestions and advice on improving services and act as advocates for clients, based on experience of delivering services.

Other Partnerships We continue to work successfully with a number of partners providing clients with an even wider range of services. We also work successfully with housing providers.

The services link to a variety of outside partners, some are listed below: •

NCFE

•

Northumberland CCG

•

Job Centre Plus

•

Northern Guild of Psychotherapists

•

Public Safety Unit

•

Northumbria Care Trust (Health Trainers)

•

Freelance Tutors

•

NETS

•

Wansbeck Food Bank

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Northumberland Support & Advice Service WHAC has a wealth of experience and skills that they could share with other organisations. It was felt a way forward with this would be to set up NSAS to attract commissioned work.

Successful contracts are described below.

Department of Work and Pensions – Job Centre Plus We received £15,000 via the DWP Flexible Support Fund to run a pilot project working with long term recipients of Job Seekers and Employment Support Allowances. The aim was to increase confidence and self esteem to enable them to access training and employment opportunities. Clients were referred from the local Job Centre Plus. Every client had an initial assessment to identify their current needs whether it be counselling or another form of support.

• • • •

59 people were referred 46 assessments were carried out 27 clients went on to complete their counselling (6 sessions) All clients who attended their assessment went on to attend at least one counselling session.

A number of courses were offered including Money Matters, to help with budgeting, and a Person Centred Workshop to develop confidence and equip clients with lifestyle tools. All were well attended and evaluation from these workshop positive.

As a result of this we had a number of clients progressing to voluntary and, in a few cases, paid work.

Unfortunately we could not continue this highly successful project as a subsequent application for funding was declined.

“My GP only offered medication for my depression. I was referred by Job Centre to WHAC. I was at my lowest ebb not knowing where else to turn too. Their help was invaluable. Years previously I had been offered counselling by my past workplace and I felt they were interfering and it caused me more angst than help so I did not expect WHAC to do any better, but their service and help were amazing. I cannot praise them enough. I had not known of their services before, but I will gladly promote them to others in future. I also intend to take up on other services they offer in future.”

“I am very grateful to have been able to access this counselling service. It has made a great difference to me as a person and for the first time in ages I feel more positive about the future. Something I did not expect to feel.”

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Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group This contract (£19,490) was rolled over from the previous year to provide 490 counselling sessions to clients referred to us by NHS services. Referrals came mainly from local GPs and NHS Mental Health Services and made up 52% of all referrals last year. Many of these clients have deep seated complex presenting issues which require longer term therapeutic work. In total we delivered 602 sessions to clients referred by NHS services. In addition to the contract we also received £487 as a result of us developing a triage system where clients are contacted within 10 working days of referral to determine their needs. This has been so successful we have extended the service to all clients irrespective of their referral pathway.

We are hopeful that this contract will continue in future years

Community Safety Thanks to the continued and very valuable support of Allan Brown Public Protection Officer with Northumberland County Council we were awarded £10,000 in February 2013 and a further £3000 in October 2013. This enabled us to continue our invaluable work with clients presenting with domestic or sexual violence whilst we were awaiting news of our core funding. To date 268 sessions have been delivered to 81 clients under this funding stream.

“Without a shadow of doubt my counselling was a life saver. To have someone listen was a massive help and support. I would recommend this support to anyone and already have. This support must remain in the community it is so needed.”

“My experience of counselling was better than I thought it would be. It made me understand why I went through certain situations and to find my true self worth; and what I would like for myself in the future.”

“Counselling gave back all that I lost (i/e/ self esteem, strength, positiveness, confidence; the list is endless. Thank you all”

“I am very grateful for my counselling sessions. I know I still have a long way to go, but through the help I feel hopeful that eventually in the future I will get to where I want to be and feel confident in myself to be me. Thank you very much to my counsellor.”

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Acknowledgements

Thank you to the following for financial contributions during 2013-14 Big Lottery Fund Reaching Communities Fund

Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group Northumberland County Council Public Protection Service

Ashington Town Council Community Foundation serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland Survive to Thrive Fund Lily Matthews Fund

DWP - Flexible Support Fund (Job Centre Plus) Northumbria Police & Crime Commissioner Individual Donations

We also thank all other partners and organisations we have worked with during the year for their support

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Financial Report After a difficult start, 2013-14 developed into a much better year for WHAC. Without the injection of substantial funding WHAC faced closure in October 2013. Thankfully in September The Big Lottery granted us £403,000 over 3 years allowing us to stay open and continue our valued work. Additional funding was still required to allow us to develop our services and we were successful in securing a number of smaller grants from various sources.

Our Gross Income for 2013/14 was £145,626, nearly £5000 less than the previous year. Our costs were £150,973 compared to £162, 989 in 2012-13.

Even with the reduction made in costs the shortfall of £5,347 had to met from reserves. At the Year End £82,435 (£87,782 in 2013) was carried forward, of this £19,462 is already committed to existing and future services.

Individual donations and sponsorships continued during the year and we thank everyone who has supported us.

We continue to explore every opportunity to secure additional funding whether by grant or contract/commissioned work. This, however, is becoming increasingly difficult due to the economic climate and intense competition for funding, but we will continue to work hard to ensure WHAC’s survival.

We are extremely fortunate to have a team of dedicated volunteers who give their time freely. Without this support WHAC would need to raise considerably more funds to deliver its services.

Counselling Sessions Volunteer Hours

No of Hours Based on Cost for Year full cost recovery 1248 £50 per hour £62,400 1642

£20 per hour

£3,2840

Finally, on behalf of WHAC Ltd Board of Trustees, we would like to thank all those who have provided their time, financial assistance and donations to the Project.

Carolanne Coomber Treasurer

Judith Pleasance Finance Officer

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1 Council Road Ashington Northumberland NE63 8RZ Tel: 01670 853977 Fax: 01670 858984 www.whac-online.co.uk E-mail: admin@whac.uk.com Opening Hours Monday-Thursday 9.00am-5.00pm Friday 9.00am-4.30pm Evenings and weekends by appointment only

Company No: 5987640

Charity No: 1119121