FAQs
About the scheme
Counselling can be inaccessible for Black Women due to costs, long NHS waiting lists and not being referred by their doctors.
In response, in 2023 we successfully launched our first counselling sponsorship scheme. We provided 15 hours of free counselling to five black women taking part in the scheme.
Again, this year we aim to provide free counselling to 10 black women. Giving them the opportunity to talk to a trained counsellor and support their mental health needs.
Why should I apply?
Counselling is an opportunity for you to talk about stress, concerns or life experiences that have affected you. It’s a process of releasing your thoughts with a qualified practitioner.
Counselling can help people open up, share confidential and personal information in a safe and secure environment.
The NHS describe counselling as a way that helps you cope with a mental health condition, such as depression, anxiety or an eating disorder, an upsetting physical health condition, such as infertility, a difficult life event such as a bereavement, a relationship breakdown or work-related stress.
Counselling waiting lists and costs can deter people from receiving the help they need. We would like to help black women receive the mental health help they need.
Who can take part?
The Counselling Sponsorship Scheme is aimed at Black or Black mixed heritage ethnicity women experiencing poor mental health and in need of mental health support.
You can apply if you are:
Black or Black mixed heritage ethnicity women
Unemployed, a carer or facing financial difficulties
Have never received counselling or therapy before
A full time UK resident
Over 18 years of age
Living in London
Able to commit to 15 hours of counselling.
What are the benefits for beneficiaries?
Beneficiaries attending the scheme can benefit from:
Free counselling with a qualified counsellor
Counselling services provided by women of Black or Black Mixed heritage ethnicity
Safe space to talk.
Gain different perspectives on problems and issues.
Gain support.
What can I expect if I join the scheme?
Beneficiaries who join the scheme will be expected to:
Select a trained counsellor from a TMAF approved list of counsellors.
Schedule 15 hours of free counselling.Counsellors will offer beneficiaries the choice of face to face or online sessions.
Complete surveys and provide feedback to the TMAF team when requested.
Report back any issues or concerns they may have relating to any part of the scheme.
Abide by the counsellor’s cancellation or rebooking processes and agree to pay any fines.
What are the issues for beneficiaries?
Beneficiaries will be expected to commit to 15 hours of counselling over 15 weeks. Counselling requires active participation. Remaining consistent by creating time to attend counselling sessions is essential to gain the benefits of counselling.
Beneficiaries will be offered face to face and online or phone counselling sessions. However, taking part in online or phone counselling sessions can be, at times, difficult. As you may encounter distractions or may not feel comfortable or able to disclose personal information with other people around. Therefore beneficiaries are advised to select the most appropriate counselling session for them. Choosing counselling sessions that are scheduled at a convenient time and location, that enables them to be present and engage fully with the process. Beneficiaries who choose online or phone counselling sessions will need to ensure that they have access to a phone and/or the internet, a quiet space, free from distractions and people.
Also, beneficiaries may fear opening up and sharing personal information with a stranger. However, all of TMAF approved counsellors are fully trained and qualified professionals. Counsellors commit to and respect your privacy as well as treat discussions and details of anything disclosed with confidentiality. However, a counsellor may involve emergency services if they deem you to be in danger or at risk of hurting others.
What if I cannot attend a session?
Beneficiaries will be provided with details of how to cancel an appointment by their Counsellor.
Beneficiaries who are unable to attend their counselling session will need to follow the Counsellor’s cancellation and rebooking policy.
What happens if I fail to attend or cancel an appointment with my counsellor?
If the beneficiary fails to attend or cancel in a timely manner on two consecutive counselling sessions, TMAF reserves the right to withdraw the beneficiary from the counselling sponsorship scheme and charge the beneficiary a penalty of £90.
What if I decide not to take part in the Counselling Sponsorship Scheme?
Beneficiaries can withdraw at any stage, without giving a reason. However, beneficiaries who would like to withdraw from the scheme will need to contact the TMAF staff and notify them of their decision immediately and cancel any appointments they have booked with their counsellor..
Will I need to speak to my GP before I apply?
No, there is no need to speak to your GP before taking part in the scheme. However, you may want to notify your GP that you will be receiving counselling services and/or discuss any prescribed antidepressants or any other medical health needs you may have..
What if I'm already receiving mental health support?
If you are already receiving any type of 1-2-1 counselling or therapy, please let us know as this scheme is designed to help those with no access to counselling.
Will I be reimbursed for taking part?
No, beneficiaries will not receive any financial reward / payment for taking part.
What happens when the scheme ends?
Beneficiaries who need ongoing counselling support will be provided with a list of resources and support services.
Beneficiaries will be invited to participate in other TMAF services such as the monthly well-being support group and will be given access to online resources and volunteer-led sessions or workshops.
Beneficiaries will be asked to complete an end-of-scheme evaluation survey and a well-being questionnaire.
What will I need to do to take part?
Complete the application form by Friday 14 June 2024.
Applicants who meet the essential criteria requirements will then be selected by the selection committee.
Beneficiaries will be notified by Friday 28 June 2024.
What if I have not been selected?
Unfortunately, we will only accept 10 beneficiaries to take part this year. However, we will maintain a reserve list in case a beneficiary does not accept their place.
Unsuccessful applicants will also be allowed to reapply to take part in 2025.
Please subscribe to our mailing list to be kept up to date.
Complaints Procedure
All complaints should be sent directly to the Thelma Matilda Alves Foundation at counsellingsch@thelmamatildaalvesfoundation.com
Complaints will be kept confidential unless TMAF requires the third-party support in resolving the matter or if there is an immediate danger.
Both parties shall strive to resolve any disputes that may arise together informally, with honesty, integrity, mutual respect, and good faith as their guiding principles.
What happens to my data?
Thelma Matilda Alves Foundation is committed to using your personal information in accordance with its purpose. We won’t do anything with your information you wouldn’t reasonably expect. We are required to provide you with the information in this Privacy Notice under applicable law which includes (but is not limited to) The General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (the "GDPR"), and the Data Protection Act 2018
This privacy notice applies to the personal information of those individuals who interact with the Thelma Matilda Alves Foundation. Processing of your personal information is carried out by or on behalf of Thelma Matilda Alves Foundation.
Under GDPR, one has the right to be erased. Therefore, should you wish to request for any data we may hold with regards to you, please contact: Thelmamatildaalvesfoundation@gmail.com
Please note that data access requests may take up to 28 days.
In the event that your request may be linked to another individual or is excessive, we have the right to refuse or charge an extra cost of £10.
For more information about how we collect, process and protect your information, please visit: https://www.thelmamatildaalvesfoon.com/privacy-policy