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Testimonials
Find out what Hope Project schools and clients think of our mental health support services.
Parent testimony about son’s care
Following my son’s accident I was really concerned about getting Thomas the help he needed following his traumatic accident. He was in a really bad state physically and mentally; I just didn’t know where to start to find the help he needed. I was also worried whether he would cope talking to a stranger or even be comfortable as he’s very clingy. He wouldn’t talk about what happened and would always put his head down and go really quiet when anyone asked what happened with him having a full leg cast and being in a wheelchair.
Rachel was highly recommended by one of my friends who said how great she was. I went onto The Hope Project Website and had a look at what Rachel was all about. Something was telling me that this was the lady who would be able to help Thomas. A meeting was arranged with Rachel. We went away with a good feeling; we had found someone Thomas clicked with straightaway and if it was okay with Thomas then we were happy.
Throughout his therapy I found Rachel to be very nice, friendly and helpful; she was clearly good with children and also easy to talk to. The longer we went on the more Thomas felt like he was being helped and it was helping him cope with what had happened. He was in such a dark place at the time of his accident leaving him very frustrated, angry, upset, terrified and resenting his siblings because it had happened to him.
I couldn’t have chosen a better person than Rachel Rayner to help us. I found Rachel was always there to help me too when things weren’t good with Thomas at home. I could let her know what had happened before sessions then she would have an idea in case Thomas wouldn’t talk much. Some days he went into a session very upset and not very talkative and when he had finished he would be all smiles and happy because they would finish a session with games; it was nice to see Thomas and Rachel giggling.
We had to do an exposure programme, where we as a family went back to a theme park and Thomas had a counselling session for him to just be around the park and take in the atmosphere. This day was a big test not just for Thomas but for us, especially me, I was nervous of how he would feel and react as we hadn’t been since his accident. Rachel came with us to give Thomas the help and support he needed. By the end of the day he had been on a few rides and was a lot calmer thanks to her support; he felt like he wasn’t on his own as she was there to talk him through it.
Thomas now has many different coping strategies that he can use to help him keep calm that Rachel has taught him that he didn’t have before his therapy. I would definitely recommend Rachel. Big thanks from myself and Thomas.
Mrs Emily C
Feedback from pupils and parents of a HOPE School
All children and parent/carers accessing the Hope Listening Ear are asked to give feedback. Here are some comments:
Pupil – name something you have learned from using HOPE
“That if I ever need to talk I can go back.”
Parent – What did you like best about HOPE?
“The fact that my child has the confidence to talk to someone about anything that is bothering or concerning them.”
“That it helps in a non-invasive way.”
Parent – Has HOPE been helpful?
“Yes – it has really helped my child’s confidence and they are now back to their old self enjoying school – they are also much happier talking to me about their problems.”
Parent – What suggestions do you have for changing the HOPE project?
“For you to carry on offering such good support to any child who needs help/support – Thank you [name] x.”
Feedback from Hope Schools’ training
“Lots of information to be able to get started. The training has opened my mind to different things and has changed some of my opinions. The ‘ACES’ video was particularly striking. I feel less scared about certain situations now.”
“I have found this training very helpful. It has been good to have the 4 days to go through the information and it has been delivered excellently. I am excited to adapt what I have learnt to support children in need in school. I am also keen to think about my colleagues’ wellbeing and I am gong to plan half-termly slots for them to have ‘supervision’ times to ensure they are getting supported too.”
“I have really enjoyed the training and it will help me within my role. Thank you.”
“The delivery of the training was excellent and very informative. The course has given me a new found confidence in my job role. Thank you!”
Read the Full Audit into Our Services Below:
Teacher feedback from a Hope high school in Burton
The Hope Project has undoubtedly made a difference to students, which in turn has an impact on their parents and school. It makes a difference to students knowing that they have allocated time; which is dedicated to them where they are listened to carefully and given one-to-one support and advice. The fact The Hope Project worker is someone who is attached to our school, I believe, makes it easier for students to talk. The Hope Project is valuable in that it provides schools with another avenue of support.
Feedback from a HOPE SENCO primary school
We have been helped greatly by the training received from The Hope Project because we have several pupils with various difficulties who are perhaps not quite in need of CAMHS service but are in need of some level of help. We wanted to be able to help them in school as they were finding it difficult to focus on learning when there were other things going on in their heads and have been given the tools to achieve this.