OUR BEGINNING
Established in 2019 out of the ashes of the West Essex alcohol drug and alcohol service (ADAS), the Sunflower Community Project now has a team of 28 qualified counsellors, students, volunteers, supervisors and directors. Our mission has always been to provide affordable high quality, long term therapy, we worked throughout Covid adapting our face to face counselling and wellbeing groups to online formats to ensure that those most in need of help were able to access this during a period of what was for many a period of isolation and emotional distress.
OUR WORK SO FAR
We have provided over 1,100 hours of counselling in an average year span and that is increasing as more referrals come in. Our referrals come from a range of sources such as social prescribers at GP practices, VitaMinds and the NHS. Furthermore, clients can self refer by completing a form on our website, where they can also access support around a range of topics.
OUR OFFERINGS
Along with face to face and online counselling, we also run a range of self help and creative groups. From Conscious Coaching to pod casts, drum making to wellbeing programmes: we have lots of ideas and plans to develop these, but are limited in our ability as we are currently having to rent a small space away from our main office. This is where the the Hub comes in. We are passionate about the work we do and the funds we raise will increase our ability to provide a bigger space to hold more groups and counselling sessions.
OUR VISION
We are therefore in the process of expanding to have a community drop in hub. Which will enable us to have group work more often, encourage engagement with the local community and businesses, and reach more of those in need for a safe space to grow, learn and be less isolated.
This Fundraiser will Kick start us and the Hub. The funds we raise will go towards folding tables, chairs, and other furniture for groups, for guest facilitators to come and give workshops and classes. To purchase supplies and materials. To pay our qualified counsellors, clinical supervision, and the upkeep of our new hub. Furthermore, the funds will help with the longevity of the service.
AND LASTLY, BUT NOT LEAST
We love hearing from our community of clients and participants:
Jack says "The Create for Wellbeing group is that opportunity to socialise and connect with people in a face to face capacity, being able to leave expectations at the door and being able to express yourself through arts and crafts, or the written word, an opportunity to develop an understanding of your personal journey, as well as developing new skills and possibly a hobby. A very welcoming group to help you grow and express yourself."
SP sent an email stating “I was so pleased to be placed with Kath. She has been such a good listener, approachable and kind, intuitive and giving me tools to go forward with. I had one specific problem I wanted to work on and she has allowed me to work through this in my own way and this was really empowering. I asked Kath if she could give me some strategies and she came back to me on the next session with mindfulness meditation and using a vision board (as she picked up on my creative spirit and thought that what would work best for me) and I can say that my anxieties and worries have been a lot easier to deal with knowing I have these physical and tangible things to bring me back to the present. I cannot thank Kath enough, as I feel like she has made a huge impact on how I will deal with my anxiety in the future. I cannot recommend Kath enough and I feel I have been made to feel so welcome and so looked after by the Sunflower Project.”
Grant spoke of a workshop he attended "What a vast improvement to my usual Saturday - instead of doing washing and ironing I went to a CREATIVE DAY. Which was an extended version of our Fridays. Claire (our glorious leader and chief inspirational figure), Showed us how to create layers with Jessop & acrylic, paint on cardboard etc…For me this was great fun and a complete escape because I was
constantly concentrating on the task in hand. LUNCH - was provided - apart from being fantastic - so much thought went into this meal. Claire made a special veg chilli because for one member of our group who problems bell peppers and gluten. Really above & beyond. Thank you for a lovely day and lovely people."
We hope that you will come by and see our progress and feel inspired to try something creative that is on offer. We also hope that our story will motivate you to contribute to our cause and help us grow together as a community.
Thank you! 🌻