FOCUS on Charity: Freedom Community Project

July 2024, written by Freedom Community Project

Brief History of the Freedom Community Project

Since our inception in 2008, Freedom has been a pillar of support for individuals and families grappling with the harsh realities of poverty within our local communities. Our mission isn’t solely about alleviating financial hardship. We are dedicated to uplifting lives, inspiring positive change, and championing hope for a brighter future for individuals and families alike.

Our vision is to empower individuals, families and communities to transform. To do this we believe that every community needs four elements to move forward: good support, good housing, good training, and good employment. Our provisions include support centres in the local region, social events to help build self-esteem and break isolation, and food provision with our foodbank and low-cost food pantry.

Details of Project Supported by BHMT Grant

The counselling service is part of Freedom’s innovative multidisciplinary mental health project which provides additional support services that run alongside the counselling service.

The additional support services include the following projects:

• Weekly friendship club which incorporates therapeutic arts and crafts;
• Telephone and face to face befriending to reduce isolation;
• ‘Grow Your Own’ allotment project to increase connection with nature, physical fitness and enable people to grow, prepare and cook nutritious meals on a budget.
• Referrals into other specialist partner agencies, such as B:Friend, to provide a holistic service for clients to ensure that their needs are met fully.

The support services are designed to result in sustained wellbeing by addressing the root cause of the trauma / issue, building individual’s resilience, facilitating friendships to blossom, building local networks of support and promoting physical and mental wellbeing.

In addition, to address many of the key underlying issues that contribute to poor mental health, Freedom also provides free access to professional social welfare advocacy support concerning issues with debt, homelessness, housing crisis, benefit claims, provision of food parcels and support with fuel poverty.  We have also recently launched a Job Club so that we can support more people into paid employment so that they may achieve financial wellbeing and independence.

The Counselling service is available for adults who are experiencing poor mental health and are unable to afford private counselling and where they are struggling to access an NHS counsellor due to the waiting list (currently over a year).

Areas of Mental Health Addressed and Profile of the Recipients

1. Anxiety Disorders Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – Male (34).
2. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) (Bipolar Disorder; Persistent Depressive Disorder) – Female (29).
3. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder – Male (27).
4. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Male – (57).

Impact of the Project

3 people are benefitting from Freedom’s free BACP registered counselling service; 5 people are benefitting from our Grow your Own project, 6 people are benefitting from our Friendship club; we have 6 trained befriender volunteers who support clients across 5 busy support centres and free cafes, and we have supported over 20 people within our Job Club.

The impact of this project is profound and multifaceted, affecting individuals, communities, and broader societal systems. Here are some key areas of impact:

1. Individual Impact

Improved Mental Health and Well-Being

• Reduction in Symptoms: Counselling can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health disorders.
• Enhanced Coping Skills: Our clients learn strategies to manage stress, cope with challenges, and improve their emotional resilience.
• Better Quality of Life: Improved mental health leads to better sleep, enhanced relationships, increased productivity, and overall life satisfaction.

Increased Self-Awareness and Personal Growth
Counselling helps individuals identify and understand the root causes of their issues.

Self-Improvement
Through therapy, clients often experience personal growth, developing healthier habits and mindsets.

2. Community impact

• We have been able to raise awareness about mental health issues, reducing stigma and promoting understanding.
• We have been able to normalise help-seeking; when communities see the positive outcomes of counselling, seeking help becomes more socially acceptable.
• The project has enhanced community resources such as support networks and training and education. This project has led to the creation of support groups and partnerships with specialist services and agencies, furthermore, our staff and volunteers have been able to access professional training on mental health awareness and first aid.

3. Wider societal impact

• Improved mental health leads to higher productivity, reduced absenteeism in the workplace and more people joining the workforce.
• Early intervention through this project can prevent more severe mental health crises, reducing the burden on the NHS.
• This project has emphasised preventive care, reducing the incidence of mental health disorders.

Case Study (Anonymised)

Case Study: John Doe – An individual who received counselling with our qualified BACP counsellor.

Background Information
Name: John Doe
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Occupation: Software Engineer
Marital Status: Married, no children
Presenting Issue: Anxiety and Stress

Initial Assessment
John Doe sought counselling due to experiencing significant anxiety and stress related to his job. He reported symptoms including:

• Difficulty sleeping
• Persistent worry about work performance
• Physical symptoms such as headaches and muscle tension
• Feelings of being overwhelmed and unable to cope

John’s job as a software engineer involved long hours, high pressure to meet deadlines, and a recent increase in responsibilities after a colleague left the company. He was also concerned about job security in the ever-evolving tech industry.

Counselling Approach

1. Initial Consultation and Assessment:
During the initial sessions, a thorough assessment was conducted to understand John’s background, current life situation, and specific stressors. Our counsellor used the Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) scale to measure John’s anxiety levels, which scored high, indicating severe anxiety.

2. Goal Setting
John and our counsellor set specific goals, including:

• Reducing anxiety levels
• Improving sleep quality
• Developing better coping mechanisms for stress
• Enhancing work-life balance

3. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT was chosen as the primary therapeutic approach. This involved:

• Identifying and challenging negative thought patterns related to work and performance.
• Developing healthier thinking patterns and beliefs about his capabilities.
• Practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation.

4. Mindfulness and Stress Management
The counsellor introduced mindfulness techniques to help John stay present and reduce his anxiety about future events. Sessions included:

• Mindfulness meditation practices
• Stress management strategies such as time management and setting boundaries at work

5. Lifestyle Adjustments
John was encouraged to make lifestyle changes to support his mental health, including:

• Regular physical exercise
• Improved diet
• Ensuring adequate rest and recreation

Progress and Outcomes

1. Mid-Therapy Review
After six sessions, a mid-therapy review was conducted. John reported noticeable improvements:

• Reduced frequency and intensity of anxiety episodes
• Better sleep quality
• Feeling more in control of his work tasks

2. Techniques Practiced
John actively practiced the techniques learned in therapy:

• Implemented a daily mindfulness routine
• Used CBT techniques to reframe negative thoughts
• Started a regular exercise regimen, which included jogging three times a week

3. Final Evaluation
At the end of twelve sessions, John’s GAD-7 score had significantly decreased, indicating mild anxiety. He reported feeling more balanced and capable of managing work stress. His physical symptoms had reduced, and he was sleeping better.

4. Long-Term Strategies

To maintain progress, our counsellor and John developed a long-term plan:

• Continued practice of mindfulness and relaxation techniques
• Regular check-ins with the counsellor every few months
• Joining a support group for professionals experiencing work-related stress

John Doe’s case illustrates the effectiveness of a structured counselling approach in addressing anxiety and stress. By utilising CBT, mindfulness, and lifestyle changes, John was able to regain control over his life and improve his overall well-being. This case highlights the importance of a holistic approach in counselling, addressing both mental and physical aspects of health.”

Please visit Freedom’s website.

We are incredibly grateful for the financial support provided by Beer-Harris Memorial Trust and the difference this has made; thank you.