Following an informal contact with Ormskirk and Bootle Group Chairman Graham Chambers by Mandy, the part time manager and long-term volunteer, it was agreed that an informal visit would take place to the centre to which Graham would initially donate supplies for their drop in coffee bar project.
The project was initiated in 2016 as an offshoot of Compass Counselling and with some help from the L23 Foundation and Awards for All. Kindfulness was developed from a perceived need in the area for those suffering short- or long-term mild, moderate and stabilised severe mental health difficulties to informally socialise and receive mutual support.
It has since become a hub in the community with many of the attendees going on to become volunteers. Trainee solicitors, advice and Social Services staff run regular surgeries and there is also a dedicated counselling room. Several adjoining shopfronts were also opened for the sale of donated items which both helps to fund the organisation and provides a need for cheap affordable goods for the locally deprived area
During the visit, the centre was well attended with coffees and snacks prepared by regular local volunteer John, whilst Valerie shared that when her husband died she had felt a total isolation which affected her confidence to mix with people and attendance at the centre with equally distressed others, she said, had gradually given her a new confidence and slowly she began to socialise more easily to the point that she has now become a frequent volunteer.
A project they are developing, for which a need was presented by NHS and Social Services, is support for families with newborn babies, but limited resources towards which some commercial and private funding has been found. Morrissons’ stores often donate first size nappies and powdered milk to the project to which NHS and Social Services make regular referrals. Grants and help are also provided by Henry Smith, Reaching Communities, The Steve Morgan Foundation, John Moores Foundation and Elanor Rathbone.
Kindfullness is a locally based, well integrated and valued community organisation with a strong volunteer base providing for local needs and could be eligible for future support following further exploration. Following Graham’s lengthy conversations with Justine and the volunteer Mandy, he will now propose an application for a Masonic grant to her committee to support their valuable ongoing projects.
