Caring for Those Who Care for Our Communities
Every day, people working within grassroots charities dedicate themselves to supporting others through extraordinary challenges.
From helping survivors of domestic abuse and supporting people living with disabilities to working alongside families affected by cancer, illness, homelessness or mental health difficulties, their roles can bring them into contact with deeply personal, distressing and sometimes traumatic experiences.
It’s vital work, but it can also take an emotional toll.
Listening to difficult stories, navigating complex situations and supporting people through moments of crisis can affect even the most experienced and compassionate professionals.
We believe that those who spend their days caring for others deserve the same compassion, understanding and support in return.
That’s why the Breathing Space programme exists, to help Charity Partners explore counselling support for the employees who dedicate so much of themselves to helping others.
Introducing our Breathing Space programme for Charity Partner Employees, Volunteers and Trustees
Delivered in partnership with qualified counselors, this initiative provides access to professional therapeutic support, helping individuals navigate difficult experiences and prioritise their mental health and wellbeing.
Through this service, we want to help our Charity Partners access counselling for individuals whose work may expose them to emotionally demanding or traumatic situations.
Whether someone is struggling with the emotional impact of their role, finding it difficult to process experiences they have encountered or simply feels they would benefit from speaking to a professional, Breathing Space offers an opportunity to explore additional support.
It’s about recognising that looking after the wellbeing of those delivering vital frontline services is an important part of sustaining the work they do.
Currently, this service is delivered in a face to face setting, so therefore is only available to those that can be present in the Sussex area.
Who Could Benefit From This Support?
Working in the charity sector can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also mean regularly witnessing hardship, listening to traumatic experiences or helping individuals and families navigate life-changing circumstances.
You do not need to have reached a point of crisis to benefit from additional support. Sometimes, having a safe space to talk, reflect and process difficult experiences can make a meaningful difference.
Employees
The frontline support dealing directly with beneficiaries and trauma.
Volunteers
Those giving their time, to support the causes other shy away from.
Trustees
Who regularly encounter distressing stories, challenging situations, or emotionally demanding responsibilities.
Explore Breathing Space for Your Team
If you believe someone within your organisation could benefit from counselling, or someone has expressed an interest in receiving support and is able to attend face to face sessions in Sussex, then please reach out to us.
Email our team at [email protected], but please never disclose any names or identify personal details/information in this communication.
We would be happy to discuss how the initiative could support your organisation and we can send you further details, to refer you to the programme.
Participation is entirely voluntary, and any employee, volunteer or trustee considering counselling, should be comfortable with and agree to the referral. Individual therapeutic needs and suitability for support can then be discussed directly with the therapy provider.
Helping Your Team Continue Making a Difference
The strength of a grassroots charity often lies in the compassion, commitment and resilience of its people.
But even the most dedicated employees need space to look after themselves.
By making emotional wellbeing a priority, charities can help create an environment where employees feel valued, supported and comfortable seeking help when they need it.
Breathing Space is an opportunity to recognise the demands placed on those working in challenging roles and explore professional support that can help them care for their own wellbeing, alongside the wellbeing of others.
Because supporting the people behind our charities is another way of helping grassroots organisations continue their vital work.