Christian Counselling Centre
Levin NZ
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Christian Counselling Centre Levin NZ |
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STATISTICAL INFORMATION
.TOP SERVICE SUMMARY 2010 Our Mission Our Vision Our Strategy Area Serviced Contents Personnel Supporters History Service Summary Inputs Students Administration Reputation Facilities Equipment Funding Sources of income 2005 - 2010 Outputs Annual comparison chart Presenting Issues Outcomes Clients story and client feedback
HEALING THE WOUNDS OF THE BROKEN HEARTED
To provide counselling, education and support based on Christian ethics and values, within a context of caring relationships, where change is encouraged and assisted in ways which confront barriers to personal growth, and may deepen an experience of God, and strengthen our community.
To provide affordable, accessible and professional services for….
· Individuals, couples and families,
· Adults, youth, and children
· All cultures, faiths, gender,
· A wide range of issues,
· Therapy, education, support,
…..in a wide range of venues.
The Centre provides services to the Horowhenua region from Himatangi in the North to Otaki in the South, (plus to a lesser degree, Kapiti and Palmerston North).
Mission/Vision/Strategy 1
Contents 2
Personnel 3 History 4 Service Summary 5 Inputs: Staff & students 6 Management 7 Administration 7 Board of Trustees 7 Reputation 8 Facilities 8 Equipment 8 Funding 9, 10 Sources of Income chart 10 Activities 11 Outputs 12 New client comparison chart 13 Referrals & ethnicity 14 Outcomes 15 Client Story 16
GOVERNANCE Levin Christian Care Trust o Malcolm Russell (Chair) CEO of Horowhenua Learning Centre
o Jeremy Cooper Partner of Coopers Law Office
o Gillian Bell Speech Language Therapist
o Jane Eyles Social Worker
o Sandra Teal Dispensary Technician
o Debbie Gray Independent Counsellor & Programme Coordinator Laidlaw College
o Robert Nicholson BNZ Business Partner
Management
o Carol Parkinson Practice Manager MSW – MANZASW
Counsellors o Jean Russell Dip. Counselling – MNZAC
o Di Pearce Dip. Counselling – MNZCCA
o Moira McCall-Corlett Dip. Counselling – MNZCCA
Administration
o Meryl Jenkinson Receptionist
Supervised Practice (interns) o Samuel McCosh Dip. Counselling in progress
o Karl Palmer Dip Counselling in progress
o Felicity Sutherland Dip Counselling (graduated Nov 2010)
TREASURER Bev Page Diploma of Business Studies
INDEPENDENT ADVISOR o Graham Montford: Proprietor McDonald’s Family Restaurant Levin
SUPPORTERS For the past 20 years several Horowhenua Churches have provided on-going support in a variety of ways including representation on the Board of Trustees. They Include: Queen Street Chapel; Levin Baptist Church; AOG Levin; Catholic Presbytery; Levin Uniting Church; St Mary’s Anglican Church.
Although the fragile economic recovery continued to restrain our dreams of service expansion, the year was highlighted with the move into bigger and brighter premises. Despite the insecurity around not being able to maintain current service provision levels due to funding cuts, the Counselling Centre has seen an increase in client numbers. In a continuingly strained economic environment, families and individuals are finding it increasingly difficult to manage their lives. Stress, depression, anxiety and alcohol issues were prevalent in our clients this year. As people’s resilience has decreased, their vulnerability has grown causing a rise in people accessing the service seeking help for relationship issues in their home or work environments.
The move into centrally located bigger and brighter purpose-built premises was the highlight of the year. This was a momentous occasion for the Centre. It was a culmination of several years worth of searching, effort and faith. A large open-plan office space was transformed into four high quality yet relaxing counselling rooms, reception area and offices. A successful Open Day, attended by staff, supporters of the Centre, the public, and MPs Nathan Guy and Darren Hughes, and Mayor Brendan Duffy, was held on the 30th of October. It was a fantastic opportunity to recognise the entire community for their assistance in making this organisation a primary provider of critical social services in Horowhenua. It was also an opportunity to pay tribute to the volunteers, staff and participants who have made this move possible. The rooms are a triumphant example of a community pulling together and tenacity. The move positions us for future expansion and co-location opportunities with other similar social services. We continue to be proactive: we are innovatively and creatively developing a service that meets the needs of our present clients and what may be needed in the future.
Our financial limitations meant we were unable to employ extra staff to help with the increased clientele; however our two competent and willing students stepped up to take on heavier case loads which saw us meet the demand. This volunteer arm of our service is highly valued by us and the students. Students get to work in a professional, friendly and embracing team environment while they hone their skills and complete their placement requirements.
Ongoing financial difficulties is a familiar story for us, however we continue to manage our resources efficiently and to demonstrate the worth of our service through positive client feedback and outcomes. Through the continued development of outcome based stewardship we strive to bring the “returns” or “results” that clients and stakeholders anticipate. Through the persistent efforts of staff, management and board members we continue to fulfil our vision of providing caring, supportive, affordable and professional counselling undergirded by our Christian values and ethics.
These are the materials and resources that the Christian Counselling Centre uses in our programmes, activities and processes to serve clients.
Staff:
Our staff was inspirational this year as they handled the transition into new premises. They put in a strong and cohesive effort to minimise the effect of change on their clients. At the same time they put in numerous hours packing, cleaning, unpacking, helping the construction of the new rooms and reconstructing rooms to an excellent level of presentation. Counselling hours were up on 2009 as staff mobilised to meet the demand for services, particularly the upsurge mid-year.
Our volunteer students were an integral part of our team effort this year.
Management:
Board of Trustees:
Apart from their oversight responsibilities the focus for the Board this year was on successfully negotiating the acquisition of new premises.
Horowhenua based: Nationally respected; acceptance, trust and endorsement of local social services, local schools, MP’s, and Government agencies; on and off site work; affordability; reputation for a quality service; alliance with national counselling training programmes.
After many years of searching a new premises was sourced in a central location. The move into the Kent & Little Building occurred in mid September. This re-location was only possible due to a large number of volunteers putting in some extra hard yards. The empty office space was transformed into 4 professional and comfortable counselling rooms, a welcoming reception area and relaxing staff spaces thanks to volunteer builders and supporters. A successful Open Day held on the 30th of October was attended by approximately 60 people. They were hugely impressed with the remarkably fresh and contemporary presentation of the counselling rooms and surrounding areas. Importantly, the new premises have a lift to aid clients’ access to our services. It is honouring to our clients to work with them in an environment that is pleasant, relaxing and professional.
Along with the move to bigger, brighter and better accessed premises, a revamp of the counselling rooms and reception has successfully been achieved through donations and skilled use of limited resources. New counselling room and reception area décor has reshaped the image. Free office equipment including desks, filing cabinets, whiteboards and chairs from BNZ helped add to the more professional image we have been developing. A computer suite was established thanks to a BNZ initiative called Remarkit Solutions who donated 3 pre-loved computers. A new computer for reception, acquired with funding from the Horowhenua Community Trust, keeps us abreast of database and communication requirements of a modern small business enterprise. The team was very grateful for the new dishwasher which was donated to the Centre by the Crowther family at Delwyn’s farewell.
Due to the continuing insecurity of income streams, we were extremely stretched for resources by September/October. In fact we had our lowest income for 6 years! We found that on a number of occasions during the year the funding process was not responsive to emerging needs. For instance, one major application didn’t deposit their grant (applied for in June) until January 2011 which was outside our financial year cut off date of 31 December and therefore did not alleviate our earlier crisis.
a) retain staff that have achieved a high level of professional expertise b) plan in the medium and long term c) build reserves
We continue to hold a crucial position in the community due to our affordability compared to other counselling services. We work on a donation only basis which is essential in this low income community.
Contributing factors to our deficit: $10,000 spent on shift to new building $ 34,500 received too late for December deadline but deposited 10th January 2011
Thankfully staff donated 140 volunteer hours to help meet the increased demand for services. Breaking news! In mid December Child Youth & Family offered the Centre the option of moving onto a High Trust Contract in June 2011. This new way of funding groups trusted enough by Government to fund to help families help themselves, is an exciting leading edge move forward for the Centre. Only trusted, viable services with a strong track record for providing quality services that communities need are to be contracted under this new funding scheme.
Activities These are the activities or processes that the programme or service undertakes with the client in order to meet the client’s needs: that is, counselling.
These are the units of service regarding our programme or services.
Total number of new contracts: 234; an increase of 25 on 2009
36 new contracts in June 2010 was the highest ever monthly intake
Total face-to-face counselling hours for the year: 1944.5 (up 211 on 2009)
Total number new clients by category:
Adults 209 60+ 5 Youth 18 Children 22 = 254 people
Although the number of children accessing services decreased in 2010 compared to 2009, the number of parents accessing services increased as parents sought help and skills to improve their family dynamics and behaviours. This is a positive step for those struggling with violent or abusive parenting styles or attitudes.
98 Males and 156 females accessed services. This is a high percentage of males compared to previous years.
Referrals
Self 84 GP 6 EAP 58 PHO 10 Court/Probation 21 Schools 5 Family member 42 Other social services 26 Other 2
Collecting data on over 60’s and ethnicity were only introduced this year, so we have no reliable figures to compare them with. However, we have noticed an increase in older persons accessing services. 60+ clients tend to remain in the service for longer periods of time compared to any other group. They average 20 sessions each.
Youth counselling is another growing area with 10 males and 8 females accessing services.
Ethnicity
NZ / European 224 Maori 26 Other 04
10% of our clientele were Maori
We have seen a significant increase in client’s, particularly young people and older people, presenting with high anxiety and depression. Although the majority self-refer, 25% of these clients admit that their GP’s have recommended they seek counselling for their depression and anxiety issues. Many are finding that the economic recession has triggered instability causing negative thinking and behaviour leading to anger and violence. Significant numbers of clients are presenting with anxiety induced stress related to their work, family and/or education environments. They commonly feel worthless and lacking hope for their futures. Parents presenting with high anxiety often impact negatively on family dynamics as fear around income stability and their future wears them down often leading to increased anger, tension, alcohol consumption and despair. The other noticeable presenting issue is relationship issues. The continued economic strain can be contributed to a number of these issues. Alcohol and drug abuse are also contributing factors.
These are the actual impacts/benefits/changes for participants during or after our counselling services have been accessed.
Importantly for clients the move to new premises acutely improved access to our service: the lift removes the barrier of access for the elderly and disability sector of our community.
The following outcomes were registered verbally, observationally or in client goal sheets or evaluation forms. The overall and driving goal of counselling is to encourage change that improves the clients’ wellbeing or quality of life; this may also help them become a positive functioning responsible community asset. Each client has different needs; nevertheless some of the predominant changes identified during counselling are listed below:
Client outcomes:
Increased capacity to cope with difficulties Increased ability to maintain functioning in the face of stress Increased level of security in everyday living Increased social networks Increased problem-solving skills Increased tolerance of others’ difference Increased communication skills Increased understanding of parenting roles and responsibilities Increased understanding of relationship dynamics
Achieved part-time employment for the first time in several years Improved appearance Improved self-esteem or self worth Improved relationship with peers, whanau, or workmates Improved care of children Improved care of self Improved understanding of emotional triggers Improved attitude to: parents; authority figures; partner, children.
Less dependence on alcohol/drugs Reduced crime Decreased and/or overcome suicidal thoughts Decreased periods of depression Decreased stress levels
Anger understood, addressed, and managed more positively Violence addressed and positive changes made Reduction in violence
One clients’ story: (names and identifying information have been changed to protect the client:
Jane is 38 years of age, she lives alone but is responsible for a disabled brother who lives nearby. Jane came to us for help with an abusive relationship that was leaving her traumatised and severely anxious. Jane has a learning disability which slowed down her ability to process information. However, Jane was committed to learning to care for herself and to change the way she was living her life. Jane’s goal was to “be stronger.” For Jane this would mean being able to take care of herself better and to stand up to her abusive and controlling friend. As Jane built a trusting relationship with her counsellor she became more aware of her strengths and her options. As her confidence and self-worth grew she began to take back control of her life. Through role plays she learnt some techniques to use to stand up for herself. She began to see that she was important too and that she could manage her life again. After 5 months of weekly sessions, Jane re-entered the work force after 4 years of being on the sickness benefit. This part-time work was another boost for her self-esteem. Noticeably, Jane began to dress more carefully; her social networks were increasing and most importantly her level of security increased dramatically. From this more secure base she also increased her volunteer work in the community. At Jane’s final session she was a much happier and more confident person. She had positive goals for her self and was looking forward to spending time with her brother over Christmas.
Some client feedback
“I feel ready now to go onto once a month appointments – I am coping much better in my life”
“It’s amazing how different things are – things I’ve never thought about before”
“That’s why I keep coming: even though it hurts so much, I want things to be different
“It really helped a lot I know what to do now” |
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