Every week at Community Wellness, at Cefn Mawr, we have been supporting a community of people to improve their mental wellbeing. Many of the people we see are, or have recently been, in crisis. People referred to us by their local GP surgery, who tell us that, without Community Wellness, they would be on a waiting list, waiting for vital mental health support.
Despite this urgent need, we find ourselves once more without the funding to carry on. We have been extremely grateful to Wrexham Council for supporting Community Wellness and our team to come to the George Edwards Hall over the last few months, through the UKSPF – Levelling Up fund. Unfortunately, that funding stream is now coming to an end, which means that our sessions at Cefn Mawr will also cease at the end of November 2024.
The Community Wellness Team are all passionate about our work and feel strongly that we make a positive difference to people, especially when it comes to mental wellbeing. We are extremely keen to find the funds to keep going.
Here are some words from our founder, Dr Karen Sankey:
“I have reached a crossroad in my career and have been sitting with my emotions this week reflecting on the ups and downs of my journey over the last decade.
“Reflecting on my transition from working within the traditional biomedical model to developing my approach which blends the science of traumatic stress, psychology and neuroscience with strengths based coaching and how powerful this approach is when supporting individuals , groups and communities in empowering them to become active participants of
their own health, wellbeing and healing.“Reflecting on the people who have guided, taught and supported me over this time and encouraged me to be authentic and follow my path and those that have found my work challenging. Thoughts go to my beloved father who gave me the gift of unconditional love and the bravery to keep going. Thoughts go to Gabor Mate who has been an inspirational teacher and continues to strive to spread the word re trauma and its impact on every one of us.
“Reflecting on the wonderful team of heart led people at Community Wellness that I have had the absolute privilege to work with since 2021 co- creating The Community Wellness model; a trauma informed, psychosocial model of care supporting those with most need and addressing social and health inequities. This work has been the most meaningful and impactful of my career.
“Reflecting on the fact that, despite our best efforts, we are unable to secure sustainable funding for our work and the unintentional harm caused by stopping and starting projects that participants say are transformational , life changing and a life line.
And so with a heavy heart we are forced to pause the work of Community Wellness. Hopefully this won’t be the end and brighter times will be ahead.”
Dr Karen Sankey – Founder
As a team, we have absolutely loved our time in Cefn Mawr, and our thanks go to everyone who has supported us, and who have been such a wonderful community.
We sincerely hope that we can secure funds soon to continue this amazing work – not only in Cefn Mawr, but in other areas too.
Are you able to help us?
We appreciate that times are extremely challenging at the moment, but if you, or anyone you know, is able to donate to Community Wellness, please do so here on our JustGiving page.
Any donation would be gratefully appreciated, and will enable us to keep supporting the people who need it most.
Thank you.
The Community Wellness Team
UPDATE: We were featured on ITV News Cymru on 22nd November 2024
