## **AURORA COUNSELLING SERVICES** **ANNUAL REPORT** **AGM 2024** Aurora Counselling is a registered charity on the Charities Commission Register No: 105846 ## **Chairperson Report** ## Welcome ! The challenge of the pandemic, the lack of a Stormont executive, the cost of living crisis and inevitable compassion fatigue have challenged Aurora greatly over recent years. Both the team and working practices have continued to evolve in response and this year, in particular, has highlighted the resilience of the Aurora team as they worked earnestly to offer support to the highest number of individuals since pre pandemic . This was also a year of partnership working has Aurora sought to strengthen both existing partnerships and form new ones. Effective partnerships and referral systems are essential to ensure our local community can access help when they need it , where they need it at a time when more and more people are reaching out for help. The mental health statistics across all demographics continue to be alarming , government funding for the Mental Health Strategy continues to be far below what is needed . At times,the task ahead can seem like an ever more difficult mountain to climb. However ,as recent challenges have shown ,the true strength of Aurora is in the team it has built. Highly skilled , committed and motivated the team and ethos of Aurora continues to place the client at the heart of all it does . That is the key to ensuring we make a real difference to our client's lives and contribute to building positive mental health across our City . I would wholeheartedly like to thank all the staff and therapists for their steadfast approach and hard work over the year and our funders and partners for their continued trust and commitment. ## **Joan Collumb** ## **Chair** ## **Funded Projects 2024** ## **Victims and Survivors Service ( VSS)** Aurora's core funder remains the Victims and Survivors service ( VSS ) who contributed a grant of towards core running , staffing and programme costs to assist with the delivery of therapeutic services t individuals and families affected by the legacy of the Conflict. Over year 23/24 we supported 120 adults, 30 teenagers and children and 4 families through talking therapy and complementary therapies . We also supported an additional 56 parents and children through the delivery of play based emotional wellbeing and connection based programmes and workshops. Over the year Aurora has also participated in workshops regarding the setting up of pathways for clients within community/voluntary settings into the Regional Trauma Network . Aurora also, in collaboration with the VSS conducted a clinical review of all internal procedures and processes relating to clinical services within Aurora ## **CLEAR ( PHA small grants)** Following on from 2022/2023 Aurora was once again awarded funding in 23/24 from the PHA small grants fund administered by the CLEAR project to build upon the learning from the previous year by delivering our " Playing to learn : Learning to Play" project . Through this grant we delivered 3 Power of play programmes to preschoolers and their parents, 2 power of play programmes to young primary school age children ( 4 years to 6years ) and their parents and a range of workshops to parents covering various topics. In total we worked with 91 individuals. The project was highly praised by all who attended and acted as a natural and organic referral pathway for families in need of additional support within therapeutic services. The project highlighted the importance of children's play and how it can help aid their development emotionally, socially cognitively and physically. Parents indicated that they had benefitted from setting the time aside to connect and play with their child. They stated that the programme had helped them recognise with clarity their child's interests , skills and personality and they felt lucky to be availing of this the high quality play experience ## **Partnership Working 2023** ## **Schools** Throughout the year we worked in partnership with 12 schools, both primary and post primary ,across the City. We delivered both schools based counselling sessions and emotional wellbeing groups to 55 children. The need for counselling services for pupils within schools continues to grow. Society has become an increasingly complex environment for children and teenagers and many need support to navigate through the challenges they encounter. The Western trust area continues to have some of the highest rates of mental and emotional distress amongst children and teenagers. It is clear that further substantial investment in schools based counselling services is essential to meet the demand coming through. ## **Claudy HC** In the summer of 2024 our partnership with Claudy health centre faced challenge in the form of brutal cuts to the counselling budget. Fortunately by working collaboratively we were able to mitigate the fallout from the cuts and the impact on patients. As we move towards the end of 2024 the budget has now been reinstated and we continue to offer this valuable and mush needed service to these rural communities. Over 2023 /24 28 patients availed of the support available through our CBT ( cognitive behavioural therapy) service ## **Culmore Community Partnership** We were delighted to form a new partnership with Culmore community partnership to deliver play and child therapy from their new community centre targeting local children living in the area. The pilot worked very well and has supported 8 children to date. Plans are currently afoot to utilise the historic Culmore fort as an emotional wellbeing hub for the local community upon completion of renovation works. This will further increase the level of support available to the local community. ## **New Therapists** This year we welcomed two new therapists to our team. Following a tender process conducted in summer 2024 we were delighted to have Caroline Barnett join us as a sessional Complementary therapist and Jade Lyttle as our new Play therapist. We are excited to work in partnership with both as we continue to expand upon services offered to clients Thank you to all our Staff and Therapists for their continued hard work and commitment to Aurora throughout the year Francesca Kelly Sinead Logue Natalie Kelly Joan O Hagan Majella Coyle Dawn Kelly Shauna Gallagher Sarah Rutherford Dale Mitchell Bridgeen Mc Cann Eilish Nicholas Anne Meehan Michaela Mc Laughlin Donat Desmond Jade Lyttle Caroline Barnett And a very big thank you to our funders and all those who donated to Aurora throughout the year