Port partners with local charity to support the launch of their new systemic family therapy service

Shoreham Port strives to support their stakeholders and give back to the local community that they serve. As a Trust Port, Shoreham Port has many wide ranging stakeholders with varying needs. In order to build meaningful links with the community, a one size fits all approach doesn’t work for Shoreham Port.

Over the past couple of years, the Port has been working with As You Are, a local mental health charity in Southwick. As You Are provides affordable counselling and group work for depression, stress and anxiety for people living all across Sussex. One of their major challenges is finding affordable space to be able to deliver their much needed services in.

In January, the Port will be opening up the doors to their newly renovated Visitor Centre, which will be available for hire. The relaxed office space is self-contained, fully accessible and kitted out with key facilities. In order to provide relevant and valuable help to As You Are, the Port will be providing this space to the charity for one morning a week. This has made all the difference to As You Are and enabled them to be able to launch their Systemic Family Therapy service, which will be taking place in the Port’s private Centre.

Nicky Hitchcock, Service Manager at As You Are said “We are very grateful to Shoreham Port for their generosity providing this space and enabling us to deliver more therapy to the local community.”  The Family Therapy will work with family members to identify and develop strengths within the family. The sessions aim to improve communication while noticing any interactions that might limit communication.

Nicky Goldsbrough, Director of Corporate Services at Shoreham Port said “Affordable space is at a premium in the local area. As You Are is currently one of only a handful of organisations locally offering inexpensive therapy. By providing this secure and private environment to As You Are to launch their new service, the Port hopes to make a real difference to local families. Additionally, we hope that by opening up our doors and supporting As You Are, other businesses will follow suit and offer any available office space they have for other charitable causes as well.”  

The sessions will be facilitated by Nicky Hitchcock and Laura Hewitt.  Nicky is a qualified Psychotherapist with over 15 years’ experience; having completed the foundation year of Systemic practitioner training at Great Ormond Street Hospital, she continues to enjoy the training in systemic therapy and looks forward to welcoming families to As You Are. Laura holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Humanistic Therapeutic Counselling and is a registered Member of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP).

Laura said “We aim to provide a structured, empathic and confidential setting, where all family members impacted will have the opportunity to communicate their thoughts and feelings, if they wish to do so.” 

As You Are is a registered charity and has been running for over a decade in Southwick, West Sussex. If you would like more information about the new Systemic Family Therapy service, please contact the As You Are team on 07952 754 859 or email info@asyouarecentre.co.uk. Further information is also available on the As You Are website - http://asyouarecentre.co.uk.

Category: Community