Published: 11 August 2021
Since the first lockdown, Kintsugi Hope has seen a 645% increase in partnerships with churches and Christian organisations, to provide safe and supportive spaces for those who are struggling with their mental health.
This enormous growth has been coupled with 67% of adults believing that the pandemic will have a long term negative effect on their mental health.
With the support of more than £80,000 of Benefact Trust funding over three years, Kintsugi Hope is partnering with churches and charities to ensure less people struggle alone. The organisations that partner with Kintsugi Hope, are trained and resourced to run Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Groups that look at 12 weeks of topics ranging from Anxiety, Perfectionism to Shame and Forgiveness. The Groups aim to be inclusive spaces where there is no shame or judgement.
Kintsugi Hope has now partnered with 300 Organisations and trained over 1,000 Group Leaders from all over the UK. These groups have been delivered in churches, coffee shops and homes, as well as prisons and homeless shelters. By the end of the 12 weeks 100% of the participants recommended attending a wellbeing group and reported an increase in their self-worth and confidence.
"The materials and resources covered have provided me with a metaphorical tool-box to refer to on difficult days." – Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Group Participant.
“Understanding better that we all make mistakes and we're not perfect and we shouldn't expect to be perfect ourselves.” – Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Group Participant.
“Being able to talk, share and listen to each other. It makes dealing with difficult situations easier and you feel that you’re not alone.” – Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Group Participant
Kintsugi Hope is helping churches connect with their local community and a quarter of participants report not being members of the host church. This is a powerful way to reach a community in a practical way and for the church to not be a museum, but a safe space for the broken.
"For me personally as a Christian in church leadership the Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Groups are a simple and practical way I can love my neighbour." - Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Group Leader
People can feel that they aren’t “fixed” enough to be able to facilitate a space for others or that they need to have it all together, however, when it comes to Kintsugi Hope, it is the contrary. Your brokenness makes you human, your flaws are to be celebrated. Kintsugi is a Japanese word meaning “broken joinery”. In Japan instead of casting away broken crockery or using superglue to hide the imperfection, they choose to celebrate it.
"As the group leader I have been honest and open about my own struggles, you can't expect other people to be open and honest if you don't show your own vulnerability." – Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Group Leader
If you would like to find out more about Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Groups, visit the website at www.kintsugihope.com.
