Group appeals for essential help
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT GROUP HAS STOPPED TAKING ON NEW CLIENTS DUE TO FUNDING SHORTAGE
Yet with public sector budgets tightening and some of Impact’s volunteers finding paid employment elsewhere, the community interest group has reluctantly decided against accepting new selfreferrals.
Chief executive Sharon pressure with their budgets, I know that, and are sending their staff on training courses so they can deal with pupils’ mental health.
“But it is like asking a first aider to do heart surgery compared to what we can offer.”
Impact, based in Moor Terrace, in the city’s East End, currently employs eight part-time staff and nine volunteers.
Dealing with issues such as abuse and domestic violence, its qualified team offers life skills courses and stress management guidance as well as clothes, toiletries and sanitary products for people struggling financially.
It estimates it needs a cash injection of up to £50,000 to finance more part-time counsellors before it can accept new self-referrals.
One of the people it has helped through mental health issues, Corinne Kilvington, 37, who runs community theatre company Theatre Space, said: “I don’t do the type of telephone treatment the NHS offer so the one-toone support Impact gave me was invaluable when I was on the point of crisis.
“They have made a massive difference to my life and I worry what will happen now to others who were in my situation.”
A fundraising evening is planned at the Stadium of Light on Friday, October 25, and a Go Fund Me page has been set up at www.gofundme.com/kavf6-makean-impact-on-mental-health.
Details of Impact’s services and how to support its work are also available from (0191) 3670105.