STUDENTS training to become counsellors are being given a helping hand to complete their qualifications by a Southampton charity keen to meet the city’s demand for therapists post-pandemic (September 2021).

Options Wellbeing Trust says it has placements available for 15 trainees doing their second-year diploma or above as it needs more practitioners to help residents requiring support following the lockdowns.

Wendy Lee, Head of Health and Wellbeing, explains: “There’s an urgent need for counsellors in the city now because of Covid and the impact on residents during the last 18 months.

“We’re currently recruiting self-employed, fully trained professionals to meet this need but we’re also keen to assist with training up the next generation of practitioners too.

“We’re urging anyone who is looking for a free placement to get it touch with us and to join us as a Trainee Counsellor and become part of our friendly community at Options Wellbeing.

“They’ll receive a comprehensive induction, be fully supported by a team of experienced counselling professionals and have access to ongoing training opportunities.

“We’re committed to developing our trainees’ careers. When they’ve qualified, they’ll have the opportunity to become one of our Associate Practitioners too. We offer a calm, therapeutic and supportive environment, free clinical supervision from experienced supervisors, frequent de-briefing sessions, regular discounted CPD sessions and training opportunities.

“We also provide post-qualification Career Pathway, access to clients, paid travel expenses and access to our serviced reception areas at our venues with free coffee and tea making facilities.”

Options Wellbeing Trust is a long-established registered charity with more than 50 years’ experience in offering a range of professional and affordable therapeutic support, counselling training and development services to people across Southampton, Hampshire and Dorset.

Wendy continues: “We’re seeing a much greater demand for our services following the various lockdowns. People have struggled with coping with Covid and its on-going impact.

“We’re now dealing with these issues and are supporting people with their general wellness while making a positive difference to their daily lives. Our services cover a whole range of topics including issues connected with loneliness and isolation brought on by the restrictions.

“Also, we’re now dealing with anxiety about the ‘new normal’, plus self-harm, trauma and bereavement, which could be related potentially to the pandemic and long Covid, as well as alcohol and gambling addictions, possibly exacerbated by the lockdowns.”

Options Wellbeing Trust is proud to assist people in communities at a grassroots level, making a difference to their lives, leading to a brighter future

The charity supports people and helps them explore ways of recognising what is negatively impacting on their lives and finding ways of addressing and improving their wellbeing.

It delivers workshops on a number of life issues including anxiety, stress management, relaxation, and educational awareness groups on a range of topics such as gambling and drinking.

Wendy adds: “If you’d like a Trainee Placement with us, please get in touch with our friendly team today through our Facebook and LinkedIn pages, by emailing us at support@optionscounselling.co.uk or calling us on 023 8063 0219.”

Options Wellbeing is part of Social Care in Action (SCiA), which is based on Dukes Road in Southampton and is a not-for-profit group of charitable social enterprises working together to improve health and wellbeing in communities across the south of England. 

For further details, please visit www.optionswellbeing.co.uk. 

For further media details, please contact Porcupine PR on 01278 446801 or email Rachel@porcupinepr.co.uk. Wendy is happy to be interviewed and can be contacted via Porcupine PR.

A SOUTHAMPTON charity is looking to recruit 85 Associate Therapists and Practitioners this month (September 2021) in a bid to help meet the rising demand for counsellors in the city post-lockdowns.

Options Wellbeing Trust, which offers a range of professional and affordable support to people across Southampton, is searching for qualified therapists or practitioners to join its team.

Wendy Lee, Head of Health and Wellbeing, explains: “We’re seeing a much greater demand for our services post-pandemic and following the lockdowns this and last year. People have struggled and have understandably found it difficult coping with many of the issues it has raised.

“We’re now dealing with the aftermath and the impact of Covid and are supporting people with their general wellness, making a positive difference to their daily lives. Our services cover a whole range of topics including issues connected with loneliness and isolation brought on by restrictions.

“Also, we’re now dealing with anxiety about returning to ‘normal’ and leaving the safety of home, plus self-harm, trauma and bereavement related potentially to illness, long Covid and pandemic deaths. As well as alcohol and gambling issues, as people struggle with spending much more time potentially on their own, without their usual positive external distractions and the support of friends and family.

“To help meet the demand we’re seeing now, we’re looking for 85 Associate Therapists and Practitioners to join our friendly and supportive community at Options Wellbeing Trust. If you’re a qualified therapist or practitioner and registered with a recognised professional body such as BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), UKRCP, CA & ANLP, contact us to find out more and please apply today, as people in Southampton urgently need you and the professional support you can offer them.”

The roles Options Wellbeing is currently looking too fill are on a self-employed basis and those that join the charity will be able to take advantage of a whole host of benefits by becoming an associate.

These include the support of experienced practitioners, referrals between colleagues, complimentary clinical supervision and regular discounted CPD (Continuing Professional Development) sessions and training opportunities.

New recruits will be able to use Options Wellbeing Trust’s serviced reception area with its free coffee and tea making facilities, receive reduced rates for room rental, have access to marketing and feature on the charity’s website.

Wendy continues: “Working with us will provide people with great development opportunities, plus we provide a calm, supportive and therapeutic environment to work in. We offer free Wi-Fi use, full access to rooms, remote access to our calendar, and a method for recording our client notes through our Case Management System (CMS).”

Options Wellbeing is a long-established registered charity with more than 50 years’ experience in offering a range of professional and affordable therapeutic support, counselling, training and development services to people across Southampton, Hampshire and Dorset.

It is proud to assist people in communities at a grassroots level, making a difference to their lives, leading to a brighter future

The charity supports people and helps them explore ways of recognising what is negatively impacting on their lives and finding ways of addressing and improving their wellbeing.

It delivers workshops on a number of life issues including anxiety, stress management, relaxation, and educational awareness groups on a range of topics such as gambling and drinking.

Wendy adds: “Do you have experience working with people with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationship, alcohol and gambling issues?

“If so, we would love to hear from you. As part of our Options Wellbeing Associate Community, you would benefit from being part of a therapeutic supportive community, with free clinical supervision, serviced reception and regular discounted CPD events.

“Please get in touch with our friendly team today through our social media pages including Facebook and LinkedIn or by emailing us at support@optionscounselling.co.uk or calling us on 023 8063 0219 to find out more.”

Options Wellbeing is part of Social Care in Action (SCiA), which is based on Dukes Road in Southampton and is a not-for-profit group of charitable social enterprises working together to improve health and wellbeing in communities across the south of England. 

For further details, please visit www.optionswellbeing.co.uk.  

For further media details, please contact Porcupine PR on 01278 446801 or email Rachel@porcupinepr.co.uk. Wendy is happy to be interviewed and can be contacted via Porcupine PR.

SOUTHAMPTON residents are being invited to help shape future provision of activities and services for older people in the city as the nation moves away from lockdown scenarios (August 2021).

Southampton Living Well (SLW), a partnership between the charities Social Care in Action (SCiA) and Age UK Southampton* (AUKS), is asking residents to complete an online or paper survey to give their views.

Alison Fisher, SLW’s Day Opportunities Manager, who is helping co-ordinate the survey, says: “We’ve been tasked to consult with Southampton residents aged 60 and over to be able to find out what services they require, so together we can help shape future provision across the city.”

SLW is commissioned by Southampton City Council to deliver its service in partnership with SCiA and AUKS, which provides a range of services for older people and their carers.

Alison adds: “We’ve devised a survey that we want as many people as possible to fill in. It is available via our Facebook and LinkedIn social media platforms, as well as online at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/M8J68XF, and in paper form across the city too.

“We’re also asking GPs’ surgeries, cafés, restaurants, supermarkets, leisure venues and garden centres to display our posters, which includes a QR code for people to scan to access the survey online. It is anonymous to do and should only take a few minutes to complete.

“We want to spread the message far and wide and we would like to ask anyone who can help with popping up a poster to get in touch too. Those who aren’t internet savvy can fill in paper copies and we’re inviting them to get in touch with us so we can send one out to them to complete and return in the post.
“We have until September 17 to gather our responses and after this we will be holding focus groups across the city to discuss our findings.”

SLW offers daytime activities and a safe, welcoming place to go for older people living in Southampton.
It has transformed former day care centres into thriving activity hubs promoting friendship and fun, as well as hosting day trips and activities.

Alison continues: “We understand that people have different life experiences and interests – our flexible and tailored approach means we cater for a wide range of requirements and preferences.

“If life has changed in some way, or an individual is feeling lonely and would like to meet new people and make new friends, we offer a wide range of activities they can choose to join in with. This survey is helping us find out exactly what people would like to do now restrictions are easing and we’re able to re-start our activities.”

SCiA, which is based on Dukes Road in Southampton, is a not-for-profit group of charitable social enterprises working together to improve health and wellbeing in communities across the south of England.
It provides services in Central Southern England focused in areas of disadvantage and provides employment for 200 staff and volunteers.

SCiA has more than 30 years’ experience working in Southampton and Hampshire communities meeting the needs of residents, delivering care, health, transport and counselling services.

As a social enterprise, it reinvests any profit back into its services to ensure it can continue to support the communities where it is based.

Its services are a mix of publicly commissioned ones and those directly purchased by those living in the area.

To access the SLW survey, please click here https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/M8J68XF or scan the following QR code below.

Details of where you can find and fill in a paper copy are on the SCiA website, or you can call SLW on 02380 516 024 to be sent a paper copy to fill in and post back.For further details, please visit https://www.sciagroup.co.uk, call 023 8036 6663 or follow SCiA online via  https://www.facebook.com/SocialCareInAction/ or https://www.linkedin.com/company/sciagroup/

For further media details, please contact Porcupine PR on 01278 446801 or email Rachel@porcupinepr.co.uk. Alison is happy to be interviewed and can be contacted via Porcupine PR.

Notes to editors from Age UK Southampton:
*Age UK Southampton is a local independent charity that has worked for almost 60 years to make Southampton a place in which older people have the opportunity to thrive; the charity is responsible for their own funding and utilise their resources for the benefit of older people aged 50 and over in Southampton.

We are seeking to appoint high calibre Trustees and to increase Board diversity to expand and strengthen our Boards to better represent the communities we serve, as well as to help steer the organisation as we refresh our strategic ambitions and enter a new and exciting phase of growth and development.

Experience in any of the following areas would be particularly welcome:

• Health and Social Care sector – knowledge of policy and regulation e.g. CQC, Safeguarding;
• Business Development;
• Legal – HR/employment law, charity law/governance, benevolent funds, GDPR and property;
• Marketing, Media, PR;
• Networking/Stakeholder engagement.

The Boards meet formally a minimum of 5 to 6 times a year (4 Management Board Meetings, 1 AGM, 1 Away Day). The role is voluntary but reasonable expenses are paid. Attendance by video conference links will be considered for up to 50% of meetings.

If you would like to have an informal chat in the first instance with our Chair about the role, please email/phone Ros Lucas who will arrange the meeting for you.

E: RLucas@sciagroup.co.uk
T: 023 8051 6035

For further details or to apply, please follow the link below:
https://jobs.theguardian.com/job/7270997/trustee/?LinkSource=PremiumListing

SCA Transport, part of the Social Care in Action group of social enterprises, has launched a brand new transport service, which offers free transport to vaccination and medical appointments for people aged 50+ in Southampton.

Commissioned by NHS Southampton City Clinical Commissioning Group and Southampton City Council, this new service supports people across the city who do not have a safe way of means of getting to their medical and COVID 19 vaccination appointments. Transport is currently running Monday to Saturday and must be booked in advance.

SCA Transport also offer a free Hospital to Home transport service for people registered with a Southampton GP, and who have been admitted to the hospital and are ready to be discharged. It is a dedicated free transport service to help if you do not qualify for Patient Transport and are unable to use mainstream public transport. This service runs Monday to Friday, at specific times throughout the day.

If you are interested in learning more about our transport services or to book a place, please contact our
SCA Transport team on 02380 222 033 or by emailing dialaride@sciagroup.co.uk

In partnership with Southampton City Council, local charity Options Wellbeing Trust, part of the Social Care in Action group (SCiA), are now offering free counselling support for frontline health and social care workers in Southampton whose mental health and wellbeing have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Frontline health and social care workers have been at the heart of the response to the crisis, working tirelessly to support people during these difficult times. The pandemic has had a profound negative impact on many people’s mental health and wellbeing, particularly those who have witnessed first-hand the effects of COVID-19.

In light of the pressures these frontline heroes continue to face, Options Counselling are proud to offer its support for those health and social care workers that feel they would benefit from the opportunity of talking in confidence with a Counsellor.

Our professional team of counsellors will listen without judgement and support those who need it in finding the best way to deal with the impact together, giving people the tools and skills to maintain wellness independently and supporting them to a brighter future.
Counselling sessions are offered on a 1:1 basis or in small groups, online or over the telephone. The free service, available exclusively to health and social care workers, includes up to 8 sessions, completely free of charge.

Director of Options, Nikki Keeley, who oversees the service, says: “We’ve already had wonderful feedback from people we’re supporting and we’re seeing a positive impact on people’s lives as a direct result of this new service. There is more work to do! We know that there are many frontline health and social care workers, who either cannot afford normal counselling or would just like someone to talk to – we are here for you and urge you to contact us.”

If you or one of your colleagues would like to talk to someone confidentially, please contact the team on 023 8063 0219 or email enquiries@optionscounselling.co.uk for further information.

We’re delighted to announce that we’ve added speech, reading and translation support to our website with Browsealoud. This new addition to our website reflects our commitment to accessibility and inclusion.

This innovative tool makes our website accessible for people who may find it harder to access and understand information online. In the UK over 12 million people have print disabilities such as dyslexia, low literacy and mild visual impairment.

Browsealoud works by reading our website out loud. It can translate our website pages into 99 languages. Give it ago by clicking on the orange launchpad on your screen!

Thursday 11 July 2019, saw the official launch of the newest location for the innovative Southampton Living Well service.

Social Care in Action, a local charity working to support people to live independent lives across the south of England, has joined forces with Age UK Southampton to develop and run the service commissioned by Southampton City Council.

Following a campaign in the local area earlier this year for new premises we were delighted to welcome invited guests to Southampton Living Well Chamberlayne, based in Chamberlayne Leisure Centre, run by Active Nation, a fellow charity in Southampton.

Our guests included Caroline Dinenage, Minister of State for Care and MP for Gosport, Royston Smith, MP for Southampton Itchen, Cllr Blatchford, Cllr Payne and Cllr Filker from Southampton, and Trustees and staff members from Social Care in Action, Age UK Southampton and members of local community organisations and groups.

Caroline Dinenage, Minister of State for Care said: ‘“Living longer is something to be celebrated but as our population ages it’s vital we support people to remain healthy and happy. This is a key aim of our Ageing Society Grand Challenge, but can’t be achieved by government alone.

“This innovative partnership from Social Care in Action and Age UK is making this possible and I was touched to hear how much people like Valerie value it. Fun and flexible activities help people stay active and connected, tackling the loneliness that affects too many people in our society.”

Valerie, one of the people who regularly attends Southampton Living Well Chamberlayne also said: ‘I love every one of these people, I love the staff, this is my life. I love this place very much’.

Caroline Dinenage Minister of State for Care and other invited guests took the opportunity to take part in a range of innovative therapeutic activities that are offered as part of the support Southampton Living Well gives to older people in the city and those living with dementia.

Our physical activity session was a big hit, with games of tennis for some of our older people. We have great success here at Southampton Living Well in improving mobility and physical strength for those we support. We have recently seen a couple of people who previously used wheelchairs to get about able to walk increasingly longer distances without aid.

Intergenerational therapy, and music therapy have hit the headlines recently showing the improvements they can give to quality of life for people living with dementia. We have fully embraced this here in Southampton and regularly have children’s music groups attend our services.

Southampton Living Well launched in April 2018 as a new offer for older people in our city. Historically, support for older people has been via a traditional day centre model, with a number of centres across Southampton offering shelter, lunches and low key activities for the city’s older population. This new service offers innovative activity sessions and day trips with proven benefits to people living with dementia and other conditions associated with old age. The more holistic approach to supporting people in later life has the ultimate aim of increasing health and wellbeing and reducing loneliness and isolation.

We know that the older population across the city is growing rapidly, people are living for longer, with more complex health needs and less access to traditional models of family support and care. We know that by focusing on reducing loneliness, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and enjoying activities that are of interest to the individual, people are able to stay living independently in their communities for longer. Which is what people tell us they want.

Southampton Living Well brings together community organisations from across our city, working together to make life more meaningful and relevant to our older population. We have a range of activities and groups on offer, from day trips to local places of interest such as beaches and cafes, to intergenerational music sessions with local pre-school children. We also offer a range of exercise options to maintain health for as long as possible, from seated exercise for those with mobility problems to gentle trampolining for our more adventurous visitors, and a range of other activities in between.

Dan Freshwater, CEO of Social Care in Action said: ‘We are proud to have been at the forefront of this new service for the people of Southampton. Our ageing population, who are living longer and with more complex health needs than ever before, deserve to benefit from the latest research and therapies out there in order to maintain their chosen lifestyle. It is through the hard work and determination and experience of staff that we have been able to transform the day centre model to one offering proven therapies, activities and health support, keeping people in their communities.’

Peter Bennie, Chief Officer of Age UK Southampton said: ‘Over the past year we have seen many organisations come together across our city to focus on each individual and what best inspires and suits them. Our experience in listening to what older people want, and our connections across the city have allowed us to play a pivotal role in facilitating and delivering Southampton Living Well’.

If you are interested in finding out more about Southampton Living Well or coming along to find out for yourself please contact Matthew Gwynn on 023 8051 6021 or email hello@southamptonlivingwell.org.uk

Minister to attend official opening of new venue for Southampton Living Well.

Thursday 11 July 2019, sees the official launch of the newest location for the innovative Southampton Living Well service.

Social Care in Action, a local charity working to support people to live independent lives across the south of England, has joined forces with Age UK Southampton to develop and run the service commissioned by Southampton City Council.

Following a campaign in the local area earlier this year we are delighted to welcome invited guests to Southampton Living Well Chamberlayne, based in Chamberlayne Leisure Centre, run by Active Nation, a fellow charity in Southampton.

Our official opening will see us welcome Caroline Dinenage, Minister of State for Care and MP for Gosport, along for the day. We will also be bringing together many of the people who have been supported by the Southampton Living Well service for the past year, along with other local community groups and organisations that run sessions as part of the service and members of Southampton City Council who commissioned the service.

There will be several activity zones demonstrating our innovative offer for the older people we support, including intergenerational music therapy, sensory therapies, animal therapies and an activity zone including trampolining.

Our guests will be have the opportunity to talk to some of the people who regularly attend Southampton Living Well activity sessions across our city.

Southampton Living Well launched in April 2018 as a new offer for older people in our city. Historically, support for older people has been via a traditional day centre model, with a number of centres across Southampton offering shelter, lunches and low key activities for the city’s older population. This new service offers innovative activity sessions and day trips with proven benefits to people living with dementia and other conditions associated with old age. The more holistic approach to supporting people in later life has the ultimate aim of increasing health and wellbeing and reducing loneliness and isolation.

We know that the older population across the city is growing rapidly, people are living for longer, with more complex health needs and less access to traditional models of family support and care. We know that by focusing on reducing loneliness, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and enjoying activities that are of interest to the individual, people are able to stay living independently in their communities for longer. Which is what people tell us they want.

Southampton Living Well brings together community organisations from across our city, working together to make life more meaningful and relevant to our older population. We have a range of activities and groups on offer, from day trips to local places of interest such as beaches and cafes, to intergenerational music sessions with local pre-school children. We also offer a range of exercise options to maintain health for as long as possible, from seated exercise for those with mobility problems to gentle trampolining for our more adventurous visitors, and a range of other activities in between.

Dan Freshwater, CEO of Social Care in Action said: ‘We are proud to have been at the forefront of this new service for the people of Southampton. Our ageing population, who are living longer and with more complex health needs than ever before, deserve to benefit from the latest research and therapies out there in order to maintain their chosen lifestyle. It is through the hard work and determination and experience of staff that we have been able to transform the day centre model to one offering proven therapies, activities and health support, keeping people in their communities.’

Peter Bennie, Chief Officer of Age UK Southampton said: ‘Over the past year we have seen many organisations come together across our city to focus on each individual and what best inspires and suits them. Our experience in listening to what older people want, and our connections across the city have allowed us to play a pivotal role in facilitating and delivering Southampton Living Well’.

If you are interested in finding out more about Southampton Living Well or coming along to find out for yourself please contact Matthew Gwynn on 023 8051 6021 or email hello@southamptonlivingwell.org.uk