How it all started
The Adhar Project was set up in 1989 and is a registered charity. "ADHAR" originates from the Indian language and means "SUPPORT". Trustees manage the project and the management committee is made up of professionals from a range of background and diversity, who work within social care/health and the independent sector.
The Adhar organisation offers support to:
- Adults with mental health difficulties
- Young carers ages 8 to 18 (mental health).
- Young and adult carers of adults with learning disabilities.
- Families and carers of people experiencing complex mental health difficulties.
We operate a referral system and referrals from social services and community mental health teams are given priority. Adhar staff and volunteers can offer health in all the main asian languages and these services are offered in a variety of ways, e.g. Through group settings at various community venues. The activities offered are educational, therapeutic, social, leisure and cultural. Often these activities provide clients the opportunity to experience feelings of security in, and of belonging to, a caring and nurturing environment.
Aims & objectives
To provide support for people in the community with a range of health and social care needs.
- To assist service users families and carers to increase and maintain the service users quality of life.
- To provide support and information to adults and young carers.
- To provide a network for people and carers caring for adults with learning disabilities and mental health difficulties.
- To share ideas in an appropriate cultural setting.
- To provide support for educational, social and leisure activities.
- To provide advocac and family interventions.
- To act as a referral group.
Group activities
The Adhar Project runs several groups that meet regularly to provide support and offer service users and their carers an opportunity to socialise in an appropriate cultural setting. These groups also provide opportunities to share information and experiences.
Programmes are planned in consultation with the group members and activities include the following:
- Educational sessions on welfare benefits, health issues and community awareness.
- Arts and Crafts.
- Outings and day trips such as visits to museums, market towns for shopping, bowling, theatre, cinema.
- Indoor sports such as table tennis, snooker, badminton.
- Guest speakers on various subjects such as health issues and/or safety issues.
- Session workers are hired to provide instruction on keep-fit, aromatherapy, IT, cookery and other activities.
The majority of the sessions are conducted in an Asian language.
Service co-ordinators
The Adhar Project employs experienced and trained personnel who facilitate the various groups and work closely with a wide range of professionals from health and social welfare services.
In addition to the group work, our service co-ordinators provide telephone support and advice.
Home visits and one-to-one support are provided for service users and carers where possible.
Adhar is pleased to have access to the services of several volunteers to assist in their work.
Company Registration No. 5524738
Registered Charity No. 1074772