START Annual Review 2021-2022

START Annual Review 2021-2022

Over the last year we have planned and achieved the following six objectives;

Introduced the LOTUS residential programmes for both males and females and completed 6 residential programmes.
Through locality planning introduced another counselling hub at the Vine in Aldershot.
Appointed a STEPS coordinator and reintroduced our Peer Support programmes (STEPS) post pandemic for males and females, with groups operating in four locations – Aldershot, Andover, Basingstoke and Winchester.
Our friends team have become an integral part of the Lotus team delivering survivor workshops through experts by experience.
Undertaken training with Survivors UK in working with Male Survivors.
Introduced EMDR training and trained two counsellors.

START strategic plan 2022-2025

START, as part of Community First, regularly reviews and update its annual service delivery plan to ensure a long term sustainability of its services for all its clients. START is contracted to deliver services by Hampshire County Council, The Ministry OF Justice (MOJ) via the Office of Police and Crime Commission (OPCC) and the NHS until March 2023 and these arrangements are regularly reviewed. The length of contracts vary and are typically only commissioned for a short period of time – 1 to 2 years which severely impacts on sustainability and longer term planning. START’s longer term plan for 2022-2025 is to ensure that the current contracts are renewed beyond 2023 by demonstrating and positioning itself as a leading provider of sexual abuse and sexual trauma support. This is achieved through the continued diversification of income streams, obtaining specific grants for some services such as the LOTUS project and in maintaining and developing existing services with successful implementation of the annual strategic business planning.

Strategic Business Plan April 2022 – March 2023

Our six key objectives:

Continued development of the innovative residential CSA project with targeted programmes offered specifically for males, survivors with disabilities and transgendered survivors.
Review, update and improve the current START website to ensure it offers an easily accessible route into services including trialing a live chat function for core hours on the advice and support line and introduce some targeted service videos.
Improve service user interface through regular text reminders for appointments, post assessments online feedback forms, and a meet and greet service.
Promotion of START as a trauma informed service through its website and the START Trauma champions road shows.
Promote and develop the provision of the new EMDR counselling service.
Improve ways to engage with victims and survivors from marginalised groups, especially those from the LGBQ+ community and survivors with physical and learning disabilities.

Testimonials

"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

"Thank you for the Lotus week end, my life is taking a turn for the better and my new journey begins now." - July 2023