MAKING WORK - WORK. One job at a time

Aim: This project supports 100 Orthodox Jewish families with integrated mental health and employment support during the cost-of-living crisis.

Previous Project: Walk and Talk Therapy
Lev Shomeia (Registered Charity 1140551) previously addressed pandemic-related relationship strain with the "Walk and Talk" project. Recognizing a 250% surge in domestic abuse cases, this initiative provided 200 hours of free outdoor therapy to low-income families in Salford 7. Combining traditional and nature-based therapy, the project offered both professional support and the benefits of outdoor settings, along with therapist-led support groups.

The Growing Need: Cost-of-Living Crisis and Mental Health
Feedback from this project highlighted the growing need to address the emotional and mental health challenges exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis within the Orthodox Jewish community. Many individuals and families face increased stress, anxiety, and depression due to financial hardship, social isolation, and family conflict. Existing barriers to accessing culturally appropriate mental health services, including stigma, language, and religious sensitivities, are further compounded by the current economic climate.

Integrated Support: Addressing Mental Health and Employment Needs
This project directly addresses the critical need for emotional and mental health support within the Orthodox Jewish community, intensified by the cost-of-living crisis. Beyond the increased stress, anxiety, and depression stemming from financial hardship, social isolation, and family conflict, many individuals struggle with securing and maintaining employment. Existing barriers to accessing culturally appropriate mental health services are compounded by a lack of skills and support for navigating the job market. People often find themselves unable to hold down jobs due to emotional challenges, lack of training, and difficulty adapting to workplace environments. This project aims to address these interconnected needs.

Our project aims to support 100 primary earners and their families (100 families total) by providing culturally appropriate emotional and mental health support services tailored to the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis and employment difficulties.

Each individual will be triaged by a counsellor and offered the most appropriate pathway of support.

We will run:

• Three weekly coaching sessions designed to help individuals recognize and address unhealthy patterns such as work avoidance, fear of commitment, fear of failure, lack of aspiration, procrastination, time management difficulties, negative self-talk, limiting beliefs, lack of confidence, difficulty setting realistic goals, and feeling overwhelmed by stress.
  
  
• Five weekly counselling sessions will focus on supporting individual clients with employment-related challenges. These sessions will provide guidance on securing employment, addressing emotional barriers to workplace success, and navigating workplace dynamics.
  The focus will be on developing individual skills, improving emotional wellbeing related to work, and enhancing the client's ability to navigate the workplace environment. Recognizing the interconnectedness of emotional wellbeing and financial stability, this integrated approach provides holistic support.
  
  
• Three weekly Family Counselling sessions will support families in navigating financial pressures, relationship challenges, and strengthening coping mechanisms. These sessions will focus on the family unit as a whole, addressing how financial strain, relationship problems, and other stressors impact the family dynamic. The goal is to improve communication, coping skills, and mutual support within the family to address these shared challenges.
  
  
• Signposting to other community resources such as:
  Jcom for CV writing assistance,
  The Paperweight Trust for guidance on legal, financial, and welfare issues, and
  Mesila for careers advice.
  
  
• Offer ongoing support through monthly 30-minute check-ins with a mentor to address any workplace challenges faced by participants, ensuring they are emotionally coping and not overwhelmed.

Project benefits - Breaking the Cycle: From Dependence to Self-Reliance
This project will significantly improve the mental health and wellbeing of 100 primary earners and their families facing the combined pressures of the cost-of-living crisis and employment challenges. By addressing emotional barriers to work and providing coping mechanisms for financial strain and family conflict, individuals will experience reduced stress, anxiety, and depression. The project's integrated approach, combining employment support with mental health counselling, will foster greater emotional resilience and improved overall wellbeing, leading to more stable lives and stronger family units.