Who are we?
The Asha Centre is a one-stop shop which helps women referred by other agencies who are isolated by disadvantage to gain access to the resources which they need to help them address their problems and achieve their social and economic potential. The majority of the women who use the Centre typically do not access mainstream services beforehand.
Work at Asha follows a model of change which shows that the capacity to solve problems effectively can be overwhelmed by imbalances between three key elements: an individual´s own capabilities or functioning, the demands that are made upon them, and the resources available to them. An individual´s capabilities may be weakened by eg lack of self-esteem, low confidence, substance abuse, eating disorders and critically mental illness. Demands may include eg an abusive partner or childcare issues and access to resources will be affected by eg poverty, isolation, homelessness and unemployment. Dealing with any one of these issues in isolation would be difficult, but when they coincide and interact, then the impact can be overwhelming.
The Asha Centre is an independent local registered charity dependent on funding from trusts and support from statutory services. Since its opening in 2002 it has been identified as a model of good practice in the Department of Health strategy for women with mental health problems and by the Home Office for women offenders has been commended by many other national bodies.
What do we do?
We aim to empower women to take control of their lives offering a personalised programme of support and community learning focused on building confidence and developing the skills critical to break out of the cycle of deprivation in which they are so often otherwise trapped. Partnership working is key to ensuring that women are able to access all the resources and help that they need and that opportunities are available for them to move into mainstream provision when the time is right. Asha therefore provides information, advice and guidance and acts as a signpost to other services.How do we work?
Every woman takes part in an assessment and planning interview and induction sessions using interactive exercises. This helps centre staff to begin to build a profile to determine any issues affecting their ability to function, the demands they face and the existing resources they are accessing. From this an individual personal plan is agreed which recognises and seeks to simultaneous address all issues, but with appropriate short term goals which are then reviewed and updated at three month intervals. This ongoing process is user-led, which allows women to determine what they want to achieve, how quickly and at what pace. They also decide what they want to disclose and when.The plan will identify the statutory and community resources offered at or through the Centre relevant to any of the three elements critical to achieving a balance and may take the form of:
- Advice sessions, signposting and referral to counselling support
- Centre induction programmes
- Personal support in the form of coaching and mentoring
- Review sessions
- Practical support addressing transport and childcare issues and internet access
- Referral to specialist advice covering debt management, financial planning, benefits impact reports, information and advice on disability issues and advocacy support.
- Referral to specialist advice on housing issues
- Referral to specialist advice to support women to progress in to work, training, further education or voluntary work as appropriate
- Support to access mainstream statutory services and other provision
- Access to counselling at the discretion of the support worker
Courses and educational programmes are particularly important and the Centre runs a rolling programme of courses including:
- Personal skills development including assertion, confidence building, self esteem and motivation, anger management, understanding personal relationships or domestic abuse, facing change, parenting skills
- Basic skills including ESOL, Literacy and Numeracy
- Generic work skills including ICT and job skills covering problem solving, presentation, communication skills and time management
- Social activities including swimming, walking, reading and singing, arts and crafts
Much course provision offers learners the opportunity to gain National Open College Network units of credit at Entry level, levels 1 or 2. The Centre has an OFSTED registered crèche and transport provision and works with clients to ensure they can cover travel, child and other additional costs.
What do women say about the Asha Centre?
Case 1:
When I was 6 months pregnant, my partner left. I became homeless and I was completely alone. I had lost all my confidence and became depressed. At Asha I´ve met supportive women and found an environment where I feel safe to express myself. The crèche is brilliant − without it the courses would be impossible to manage. My young son enjoys it and it´s helping him learn to socialise with other children.I had become dependent on alcohol and left my job because I thought I would lose it anyway. I was at my lowest ebb, having lost all sense of purpose and self worth. Asha helped me to recover the missing structure and routine in my life and their training courses set me on the road to becoming an aroma therapist.
It proves that if you really want something, you can do it. Believe in yourself. Thanks Asha
Case 2:
I am physically disabled and have mental health issues. Before Asha I had no desire to leave my home or even get out of bed. Being introduced to Asha was like having a lifeline thrown to me – they were the difference between going under and survival.I got so desperate I stole food to give to my children. My probation officer sent me to Asha and athough I was anxious about going there, now I would recommend it to anyone – they don’´t judge you, they just want to help you.
Thanks Asha – I have just got my social work degree and you can take the credit – for giving me back confidence in myself.
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