Womankind

What does your service offer?

We recognise that the society in which we live affects women's mental health. Our goal is to enable women to improve and take control of their own mental health so they can participate fully in society and enjoy a better quality of life and more fulfilling relationships. We offer low cost individual counseling; long term group psychotherapy; fixed term groups; telephone Helpline offering listening support; and a befriending service which is currently only funded in South Gloucestershire. All our services are aimed at women who might have difficulty in accessing help elsewhere.

How many staff & volunteers do you have?

We are a small organisation with 4 paid staff members all of whom are part time. We employ therapists sessionally, but the bulk of our staff are volunteers.

We currently have around 40 volunteers at Womankind. There are 3 main volunteer opportunities. The telephone Helpline volunteers go through an Open College Network accredited training program and have regular support meetings. We recruit volunteers and run the training program twice a year.

The befriending service is also staffed by volunteers with a comprehensive training program and regular support. We also have volunteers who offer some time to help with the administration of the organisation.

What have been your successes in the last year?

Womankind continues to grow and prosper which is in itself quite a success story. The helpline has taken significantly more calls in the last 12 months and the number of counselling hours a week we are able to offer has increased.

What challenges are you facing as an organisation?

As always funds continue to be an issue. Also keeping up with technology - we'd like to be able to offer our helpline service via other media such as email and SMS.

Who are your funders?

We are funded by Bristol City Council Social Services, Bristol South West Primary Care Trust, South Gloucestershire Council Social Services, various charitable trusts and donations.

If you had more funds what would you spend it on?

Our services are in such demand we would be able to offer more counselling and group therapy. We would also be able to develop the Helpline to be more accessible to women who are more comfortable using other media. We would love to be able to offer a befriending service in the Bristol area.

Do you belong to any partnerships?

The befriending service is run in partnership with the Kingswood Community Mental Health Team. The helpline is involved with a training exchange with Bristol Crisis Service for Women, which has proved to be invaluable and we would really like to encourage similar exchanges. We are also members of the Bristol Domestic Abuse Forum and the Telephone Helplines Forum.

What do you get out of being a member of Voscur?

Information sharing is always so useful. It is good feel that we are part of a thriving voluntary sector that is buzzing with enthusiasm and ideas.

How can people get in contact with you?

Call us on our Helpline number 0845 458 2914 which is the first point of access to all our services, information about volunteering and administration. Or you can email at info@womankindbristol.org.uk and our website is www.womankindbristol.org.uk