WHAC - Women's Health and Advice Centre

Case studies

We're proud of the range of services and support we provide for women and girls in Northumberland, and the positive effect it has on communities in our region. 

These case studies, written by our volunteers, counsellors and staff, give an insight into how we have made a difference to people's lives. 

We need more volunteers! Click here to find out how you can get involved or read volunteer case studies below.

 Christine Carruthers, Volunteer Counsellor

"It was 18 months ago that I came to WHAC as a trainee counsellor. It's staggering when I look back and see how far I've come, the knowledge I've gained and how much I've grown as a person. I have WHAC to thank for this.

I think WHAC provides one of the best counselling training programmes. It is thorough and in-depth. Members of staff came in to talk to us on the first day and right from the beginning I felt like part of the team, a team that was committed and dedicated. I knew there would always be someone ready to support me and offer help; this was reflected in the training, which was focused but at the same time fun. This gave me the knowledge and the confidence to see clients.

The training at the Village Hotel was wonderful. It was a case of work hard, play hard; I had fun and learnt a lot. It was extremely well organised - each group had in it a counsellor, a volunteer, a trustee and a member of staff. I got to know trustees, to work with people that I wouldn't normally work with and I got to find out more about their roles at WHAC. This gave me insight and a greater respect for the work they do. Finding out personal things was fun and I think everyone had a good time.

In July I was put on the New Deal Programme. I was lucky enough to be able to do my twelve week placement at WHAC. I was really pleased and I learnt so much. Jen helped me with my computer skills, she was very patient. Judith is extremely knowledgeable about finance and funding and I learnt a lot about how WHAC works and how we can help our clients. Cath and Linda were supportive and taught me how to counsel over the phone which is completely different to one to one (face to face) counselling.

Throughout my time on 'New Deal' and my time as a volunteer counsellor, Linda has always been supportive and insightful, as has everyone at WHAC. Because of this on-going, non- judgemental support I feel confident in my counselling abilities, more equipped to deal with clients, as well as improving my computer skills.

I love counselling and I love working at WHAC; the supervision they provide is excellent. I have grown so much in confidence and as a person by working here; because of the skills and the knowledge I've obtained at WHAC I have signed up for the European Driver's License computer course. I'm also doing the honours year of a degree course which I would not have done without WHAC's support and resources.

Everyone is always appreciative of the work I do. However, I think that what I have given to WHAC in the last eighteen months doesn't come close to what they have given to me. Thank you."

Counselling client: Laura

Laura (22) came to the Women's Health Advice Centre after an initial referral by Children's Services. She had been arrested for leaving her children home alone whilst she went to see her partner. This resulted in her mum temporarily being given custody of the children. There were concerns over the level of neglect and also the control that Laura's partner had over her; the relationship had impacted on her ability to care for her children.

When Laura came for counselling she had been allowed to have her children back at home to live with her full time. During the sessions we looked at the loss of her dad at a young age, but primarily the focus was on her relationship with her ex-partner, the level of support she received with the children, her episodes of anxiety and low self-esteem.

Through the sessions Laura was able to explore the guilt she felt, associated with the sudden death of her dad when she was seventeen. Over a period of time she gained an understanding of the source of stress that triggered her anxiety; she was able to look at the different levels of her anxiety and we discussed relaxation techniques that she could practice when she felt anxious. We worked on self-esteem issues and discussed the relationship, past and present, she had with her ex-partner. We explored the range of feelings that Laura had regarding her partner.

By the end of the counselling sessions Laura had a clear idea of what she expected from her ex-partner regarding the children and eventually she felt that he was becoming more supportive with regards to childcare. Her confidence in daily life increased and she started to be less dependent on support from her mum. She decided to move into a new home and life became very different for her.

 Staff case study: Amanda Sayers, Education and Training Officer

"Having taken up the post of Education and Training Officer with the Women's Health Advice Centre at the start of May 2011 I quickly realised I had big boots to fill taking over the role from Dianne Keetch who was a very well respected member of staff at WHAC.

My background is as a training and community development worker for the last seven years and some people may know me from my previous role at Wansbeck CVS, working on training projects and with the Wansbeck Community Empowerment Network. I live locally 

with my husband and two small children, having moved to the North East 22 years ago and decided I liked it so much I didn't want to leave!

One of my first tasks was familiarising myself with the types of learning and education opportunities provided by WHAC for people throughout Northumberland, and meeting many of the tutors and organisations we work in partnership with. The focus of WHAC's courses is around health and wellbeing, so I look forward to being able to provide a wide variety of interesting courses which fulfils this brief.

Initially in July we were able to provide the Weight Management ten week programme facilitated by the Healthy Living Initiative, which was well subscribed and has had consistently high attendance. WHAC is looking to continue supporting the outcomes achieved working in conjunction with the Health Trainer. Alongside this, a new programme of classes, education and training started in September this year. Together with the regular, well established Creative Writing, Relaxation and Tai Chi sessions WHAC is now also offering Expressive Art, Feel Good About Yourself, It's My Life! and Empowering Women courses with self-development principles at their heart. As one of the volunteers said "It feels like getting back to what WHAC's about". All courses are provided by local, experienced and well respected tutors in a supportive learning environment.

As the newest member of staff at WHAC I have been warmly welcomed by everyone here. I would like to thank them and say I hope that I can make an effective contribution to the outstanding work undertaken by WHAC, its staff and volunteers."

 Client case study: Chloe

Chloe (18) arrived at the Women's Health Advice Centre in crisis, having been referred by a local housing authority after being made homeless in relation to Domestic Abuse issues involving her partner of one year.

As a response to her crisis, several members of staff were involved in the intervention of Chloe's care and phone calls were made to other organisations to secure temporary overnight accommodation for her. Chloe was initially referred to CEASE 24, a domestic abuse project, but as she did not fit the remit at the MARAC* they were unable to proceed with the referral.

As Chloe's mobile phone had been taken and smashed up by her partner, we provided a mobile phone that allowed us to maintain regular contact and also some basic toiletries etc as she had no personal belongings with her.

Our Support and Advice Volunteer accompanied Chloe to the DWP* and managed to secure a crisis loan payment of £30. As a result of a homelessness referral Chloe spent several nights in the De Paul Night Stop and was then moved to a refuge where one week later we were able to carry out a full assessment.

In the assessment Chloe it seemed had previously had hopes for her future and enrolled on a college course to further her education and learn new skills. As her personal circumstances worsened she was unable to continue and dropped out. Her family have never been particularly supportive and she has no close friends who could offer support. Chloe had drifted from various hostels and became influenced by others resulting in drugs/alcohol misuse. Chloe had taken a serious overdose in the past as she felt there was no hope for her future.

Initially, Chloe did have suicidal thoughts, and because of this we maintained regular daily contact with her. During the assessment it became apparent that there was a very complex and difficult history of family emotional/physical abuse; Chloe was the middle sibling and seemed to have been a target for her father's anger.

Chloe, although in a very difficult place emotionally, does now have hopes and aspirations for the future which includes a continuation of her studies. Her counsellor feels that with continued support through counselling she will achieve this. Chloe continues to work with the SWAN Counsellor/Project Worker until such time is appropriate.

*MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference) – A multi disciplinary meeting which allows Police and professionals to identify high risk clients experiencing Domestic Abuse

*DWP – Department of Work and Pensions

 Client case study: Lorraine

Lorraine (36) was unemployed when she first came to the Women's Health Advice Centre for a counselling assessment. She had a complexity of issues which began in childhood and have continued throughout her life. Lorraine attended a total of nine counselling sessions.

The most beneficial aspect of counselling for Lorraine was being understood, heard and listened to. For many years she felt that she had to justify herself to others, having felt judged and alone with very little control of her life. Being listened to whilst attending counselling appears to have had a huge impact on her. Lorraine was able to discuss and explore issues from her past and look at how past issues have affected her life now which helped her gain a better understanding of herself and where she is at.

She was experiencing difficulties with her Landlord at the time, so Lorraine was referred to DAWN Advice Ltd for help with her divorce and housing issues. The appointment helped to alleviate any immediate concerns that she had.

Lorraine experiencing positive feedback during counselling sessions made a huge difference. Identifying and building on her strengths helped Lorraine gain confidence and self-esteem which in turn helped her regain a little more control in her life.

Lorraine's counselling ended after she successfully gained employment.

 Counselling case study – Sandra

Sandra (38) came to the Women's Health Advice Centre for counselling with relationship issues. Her partner had had an affair and she was finding it difficult to come to terms with and was unable to reconcile her feelings. Sandra lacked confidence and had very low self esteem. She had stopped doing the things that she had enjoyed in the past and had withdrawn on a social level, becoming more and more isolated from her family and friends who were a valuable support network.

Sandra attended six sessions where we were able to explore her relationship with her partner. She was able to look realistically at her relationship and view it from a different angle which enabled her to make the decision that she was no longer able to sustain the relationship.

As a direct result of counselling, Sandra's confidence and self-esteem steadily improved. She was able to end the relationship and asked her partner to leave. Gradually she began to do some of the things she used to enjoy. Sandra left counselling feeling much more positive and able to look towards a brighter future,

To read more about the outcomes we achieve with a range of partners and funders, you can read our published research and evaluation reports here.