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Removed
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This charity was removed from the register on 29 Jan 2024
Public benefits
The direct benefits flowing from purpose 1 include improved mental health of those who use the service, reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, raised awareness of services available for mental health issues. The direct benefit flowing from purpose 2 include support being easily accessible for those who need it, promoting safe and effective
coping mechanisms for mental health issues leading to reduced incidents of self-harm. The direct benefits flowing from purpose 3 include rooms purposely designed and decorated to promote feelings of relaxation and safety, services users are assured that confidentiality is key. The benefits from purpose 1 can be demonstrated through all counsellors using GAD-7 form during 1st and every 6th session to track clients progress, all volunteers are encouraged to share their own experience of mental health, our organisation uses local radio stations and newspapers along with linking in with local charities to raise awareness. The benefits from purpose 2 can be demonstrated through referral forms are available in the shop, by email and in waiting area all counsellors attend safe talk and mental health first aid yearly. The benefits from purpose 3 are demonstrated through client feedback, all rooms are fitted with a personal safety alarms and our zero tolerance policy clearly visible, and all contracts include our confidentiality policy. We have strict policies and procedures put in place to ensure that no harm arises from any of the services. All volunteers and staff are made aware of and given a copy of our GDPR policy. Managers carry out monthly GDPR checks to ensure polices are adhered to. The beneficiaries are the community of the north west of Northern Ireland who are over 16 years old. There are no private benefits coming from the purposes.
... [more] [less]What your organisation does
Oak Counselling Services provides free counselling to those aged 16 and over, this is made possible through a team of qualified and student counsellors who all work on a voluntary basis. All counsellors, qualified and students are fully insured and registered with a recognised body, all counsellors must have supervision at the ratio of 1 hour to
every 8 client hours, as per our policy, students also receive 1-1 meetings with an agency appointed mentor per month as well as 1-1 meetings with the mentor available on request. Within our counselling services we have the ability to offer specialist areas of therapy such as addiction, trauma, suicide prevention, self harm awareness and after care, domestic violence, historical and recent sexual violence, grief and bereavement. in an effort to allow clients to ease in and out of counselling, we also offer a range of alternative therapies carried out by a fully qualified and insured alternative therapist. access to this service is only via referral, referral forms are available on request from our charity shop, through email and in our main waiting room in the counselling service building. on receipt of a completed referral form, if possible, contact will be made with the potential client within 48 hours to arrange an assessment appointment with our counselling manager. during this assessment, a brief history will be taken along with the reason for referral, the client will then be referred to the most suitable counsellor. Oak counselling services runs a charity shop to raise funds to cover the cost of rent and utilities along with providing any money needed for the counselling service. the shop relies solely on donated goods. fundraising events will also be organised to help with funding the services in the future.
... [more] [less]The charity’s classifications
- The advancement of health or the saving of lives
- The relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage
Who the charity helps
- Addictions (drug/solvent/alcohol abuse)
- General public
- Mental health
- Unemployed/low income
- Voluntary and community sector
- Volunteers
How the charity works
- Counselling/support
- Medical/health/sickness
- Volunteer development
Charitable purposes
To promote and protect the mental health of the public, in particular, those living in the North West of Northern Ireland, through the provision of counselling and support for people in need. Provide support and assistance to those suffering from emotional and personal issues. helping them find a way through their difficulties. Provide a safe and welcoming confidential environment for the provision of these services.