The Sea Change Trust is a mental health charity based in Shropshire. Our vision is a world where the emotional and psychological needs of children and young people can be met through early interventions in the local community. We work directly with infants, children, young people, parents, and carers alongside consultation to professionals working with them. We aim to provide effective therapeutic support, regardless of financial means, background, or status.
Who we are
The Sea Change Trust is a registered charity working in Shropshire. We are formed of a team of child specialists, with experience of working in the NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services across the West Midlands as well as other settings. We launched in February 2019 and since this date we have supported children, young people, and families by delivering one-to-one specialist psychotherapy and group support sessions.
Our work to date has helped to lessen the feeling of isolation so many people have faced during the pandemic, provide support with loneliness and bereavement, reduce levels of anxiety, and prevent a decline in emotional and mental well-being.
Our Early Years Project: an accessible, community-based preventative Infant Mental Health Service.
In July 2020 we set up our Early Years’ Project. The project was formed in consultation with local families. We created a safe and non-judgemental space, where parents and carers can share their experiences with our therapists and other families, as well as forming bonds with each other. The project is primarily aimed at families with babies and children of pre-school age.
Our Early Years Project differs from other Parent and Baby/Toddler services within the community because they are delivered our team of specialist psychotherapists. In its current form the project currently consists of two weekly drop-in and group sessions and the availability of one-to-one ‘Listening Space’ sessions. The sessions are provided to families free of charge and are funded by the kind support of donors, fundraisers, and grant-makers.
Groups
The group sessions currently take place:
- Mondays, in our bell tent in The Quarry Park, Shrewsbury from 10am – 3pm
- Pontesbury, at The Pavilion Community Hub and Library from 10am – 12 noon.
Families can drop in at any time during the session.
Each group session is run by two qualified therapists, who are there to talk to parents and carers about any concerns they have. Sessions are centred around play or a craft activity, so that the children have chance to explore and be creative, which is a great form of communication and expression.
When we asked families what they valued most about the sessions, some of the comments we received were:
“Being able to talk freely and to feel supported by the therapists and other parents, while my child plays. I can see how calm he feels too when he is at the bell tent.”
“That I have been able to talk about things that I haven’t really had the opportunity to before (or really felt properly able to) like my birth experience or parenting challenges. It is also such a lovely environment for my child.”
“I very much look forward to Mondays’ Bell tent sessions! Great space for the little ones to play, whilst parents and organisers chat, share stories and experiences. Nice intimate setting not too big. The therapists are so friendly welcoming and non-judgmental.”
“My son and I adore the Talk and Play in the Bell Tent sessions. The tent is such a unique and special space for both of us. We wish we could come along more often. It’s such a nourishing environment. We could honestly stay there for hours! Having therapists at the sessions mean they are unlike anything else. The team are wonderful to talk to.”
Individual Listening Space appointments
For parents who require additional or longer-term interventions, we can offer support from one of our team of specialist psychotherapists through our one-to-one ‘Listening Space’ service. This is a short-term intervention of up to twelve sessions.
If you would like to know more about the individual and group services available through The Sea Change Trust, please contact: [email protected]
