Targeted support through Counselling
8 January 2024
At Roshni Ghar we were referring service users onto mainstream counselling services for more targeted support. However, we found that clients would drop out after a couple of sessions and not find the sessions beneficial or accessible due to them being offered in English only or because the therapists lacked understanding of the culture and backgrounds they came from. Therefore, there was little or no benefit from this existing provision for the communities we served.
Due to barriers in accessing appropriate counselling as highlighted by some of the women we support, Roshni Ghar developed a bespoke Culturally sensitive counselling service – Sahara Counselling, to meet the needs of its clients. The Sahara Culturally Sensitive Counselling Support Service involves both one-to-one counselling support and group therapy. All sessions are delivered in the client’s spoken language with special consideration to religious and cultural needs. The setting is accessible and supportive and is a safe space for clients to openly share and discuss their issues. Clients are offered 6 bespoke sessions after which they are directed into Roshni Ghar support groups.
We have had an overwhelmingly positive response from our serves users who have told us that they have been able to effect positive and lasting changes because of the counselling they have received. They felt understood and any advice or coping strategies offered were realistic and meaningful. From April 2021 – March 2022 alone, 97 clients received 1:1 support consisting of a total of 670 sessions.
In response to the vast number of referrals we have received from men and boys in the community, we have opened our Sahara counselling service to men and boys; thus, reducing gender barriers to seeking mental health support.
Tips for people who want to replicate the model
- Find out the reasons why existing services/provisions are not working (barriers) by speaking directly to the people they are meant to serve.
- Always work directly with clients and experts within communities using a down up approach to collaboratively produce and improve any provision. Simple is always best!
Website: www.roshnighar.org.uk
Email address: Roshni Ghar info@roshnighar.org.uk
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