30 November 2020
Communities First Wessex (trading as Community First) and Basingstoke Rape and Sexual Abuse Crisis Centre (BRASACC) are pleased to announce their intention to merge on April 1st 2021.
BRASACC will be amalgamated with Community First’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling service (RASAC), creating a new service which will operate across Mid- and North-Hampshire. RASAC already provides services in the North of the county where BRASACC operates and by bringing the two organisations together we will create the best chance of long-term sustainability, whilst offering greater service capacity to our clients.
The decision to merge was made by BRASACC members at their AGM on November 4th 2020, authorising the BRASACC Board to proceed with the merger on April 1st 2021, assuming no significant issues arise in completing Due Diligence, and to subsequently dissolve BRASACC. The Board of Community First have approved the merger and it will be put to the membership to endorse at their AGM in January 2021.
The merger will have no impact on clients in counselling on April 1st 2021, with counselling continuing as normal, with the same counsellor, until their sessions come to an end. The enlarged organisation will continue to deliver counselling from bases closest to our clients, currently in Winchester, Andover and Basingstoke, with plans to provide a facility in Rushmoor in the coming year. In response to COVID-19 restrictions, both services have moved their counselling online using secure technologies, and are now able to serve a wider geographic area. Online counselling has been very successful and will be available to clients going forward, in addition to traditional face-to-face counselling.
Trevor Lewis, Vice-Chair of Community First says:
‘This is an exciting opportunity for both RASAC and BRASACC, we look forward to the enlarged service working for the benefit of our service users, staff and volunteers, focusing on reducing waiting times and broadening our service offerings.’
Kathy Wilson, Chair of BRASACC says:
‘Both BRASACC and RASAC have been providing specialist counselling services in a very complex area for many years and we have shared ethical and professional values which make us a good fit. BRASSAC joining Community First gives us a better opportunity to sustain this much needed service for the long-term.’
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Testimonials
"I have gained a new understanding of what happened to me. I am feeling better and my thinking is more positive."
"I am now in control of my thoughts and my life. I have gained self-confidence in so many ways and I am no longer haunted by the past."
"I have been given the tools to cope with everyday life. Without counselling I would have continued to deny my situation and feelings which was having extreme detrimental effect on myself, family and friends… RASAC has saved me from self destruction without the support I would have crumbled – a true life saver."
"My RASAC counselling has completely changed my life… I am a better mother, a more involved member of the community and I am able to keep myself safe."
"I was counselled for almost a year. I had a wonderful counsellor who helped me through a very difficult and unpleasant time in my life. It has been a process of healing by revisiting past places which at one time felt unimaginable. The journey has been raw and unnerving but slowly I came to see how I was repairing my damaged self. I finally accepted ownership of what had happened to me and was able to let go of my guilt and shame. My counsellor understood my outlook on life and created a connection with me that was very special. I eventually looked forward to my session as a weekly debrief rather than a purge. I am as happy and confident as I have ever been and I tell people about what I have learnt to help turn their negativity into positivity. Fear can be a very powerful emotion and prevent us from moving on in our lives but once it is confronted the clouds separate and you can focus on that hint of sunshine."
"Thank-you for the support, for the first time since talking about the sexual abuse to someone it is really helping me."
"Thank you so much for all your time and support while I was working through all of the stuff that happened - I really couldn't have done it without your help and input." Male client - June 2021
"The support, understanding and guidance that I've received from START has been life-changing. The whole process has been crucial for me to understand some of the trauma I'd experienced during my childhood. Who I've become as a consequence, who I am today, and how I process some of my thoughts, feelings and emotions." - April 2023
"I cannot thank Sarah at START enough for the counselling I received. I was a bit sceptical of the EMDR therapy I was offered at first but it really has helped me a great deal and I'm grateful for having the opportunity to go through it." - April 2023
"I'd like to thank everyone involved at START. You're doing a phenomenal job. I can't stress how important this journey has been for me. It's been a life altering experience." - April 2023
