COUNSELLING & THERAPY
A Community Counselling & Emotional Support Service (ACCESS)
Fathers Against Violence (FAV), Million Mothers March, Road Map for Business Development, Substance Misuse Service (SMS), Young MAV .
The Programme provides you with the help you require. Our qualified Counsellors structure sessions to satisfy your specific needs and requirements giving both a personal and comfortable environment.
Since August 1999, Mothers Against Violence (MAV) have supported the inner-city communities of Greater Manchester. MAV was birthed at a time when gun violence was at its worst in the inner-city community of Manchester, when three young Black males were murdered in the space of eight days in one community. The mothers of that community took a stand and came out fighting — not with guns, but with words of hope.
MAV works towards the eradication of violence in communities and to relieve victims of the effects of violence and substance misuse within the community, through education, counselling, advice, information, support, partnership working, campaigning and other means.
In 2004, MAV were awarded a Voluntary Service Award by the Queen at St James’s Palace, London.
The ACCESS Programme — Active Community Counselling & Emotional Support Service
The ACCESS Programme is a combination of services which provide Therapeutic and Cognitive Behavioural support for those in the inner city of Manchester who have suffered because of social issues.
These issues include gun crime, knife crime, anti-social behaviour, and mental health issues.
The ACCESS Programme gives easier access to a qualified counsellor for those living in the inner-city areas of Manchester. Counsellors have experience and training in issues related to trauma, violent death, and mental health.
ACCESS Programme also provides support for those who may find it hard to access public services due to finance, fear, or stigma.
The ACCESS Programme understands that sometimes the hardest part of seeking help is admitting that we require any help at all. Should you feel that you are at a stage when you may benefit from professional support, you are encouraged to make contact for a personal and confidential discussion.
The ACCESS Programme has recently received support from Victim Support. It acknowledges that we all experience difficulties or challenges which we find hard to cope with. In many cases, help from those around us — such as family, friends, church, and social groups — can be all that is needed to help us understand and overcome life’s hurdles, though there may also be times when extra help and assistance is needed.
As part of its growth, ACCESS is also developing 12 workshops that will encourage the improvement of local people’s mental health.
One such initiative is their “Breath Move Stretch” yoga programme —
hosted at the MAV UK Hulme Centre Hall as a free 10-week programme for those taking part.
The programme provides individuals with the help they require. Qualified Counsellors structure sessions to satisfy specific needs and requirements, giving both a personal and comfortable environment for each client.
Counselling and Therapy Services within the [ACCESS] programme delivered by [MAVUK]:
About the [ACCESS] Programme:
The [ACCESS] Programme is a combination of services which provide **Therapeutic and Cognitive Behavioural support** for those in the inner city of Manchester who have suffered because of social issues, including gun crime, knife crime, anti-social behaviour, and mental health issues.
The [ACCESS] Programme provides support for those who have been affected by anti-social behaviour, murder, aggression, and mental health issues.
The [ACCESS] Programme gives easier access to a qualified counsellor for those living in the inner-city areas of Manchester. Counsellors have experience and training in issues related to trauma, violent death, and mental health.
Qualified Counsellors structure sessions to satisfy specific needs and requirements, giving both a personal and comfortable environment.
Programme Lead
The [ACCESS] Programme is led by Mr Ian C. Swanston BSc (Hons) Professional Counselling Degree.
Ian lost his brother to murder in August 1999 — his younger brother was gunned down in the inner city of Manchester. The killer was never found, and Ian and his family have never been able to receive criminal justice.
This deeply personal experience has shaped Ian's commitment to the programme, driving him to ensure that no family suffers in silence without access to proper support.
As well as being a qualified counsellor, Ian is trained in three parenting programmes and is an accredited **Triple P Parenting Practitioner**, providing parenting support and training for parents who are experiencing challenging behaviour from their children.
Ian has also completed training and received certificates in areas such as **Bereavement Skills, Professional and Ethical Issues, Supporting People with Depression, Mental Health, Mindfulness Practice** and more.
What is Counselling?
Counselling is a type of **talking therapy** that allows individuals to talk about their problems in a non-judgemental environment. A team of specialists are trained to work with clients on personal and emotional issues. Sometimes it is useful to speak to friends and family, but counselling is an opportunity to speak with an impartial person and help bring about effective change or enhance wellbeing.
It may be a matter of talking through a difficult choice or dilemma, or it may involve exploring something more distressing. Some common issues include **self-esteem, anxiety, depression, low mood, motivation, family and relationships, identity, sexuality, loss, and the effects of abuse or other trauma.**
Understanding Trauma — What [ACCESS] Addresses
Trauma therapy, or trauma-focused therapy, is a specific approach to therapy that is built on the understanding of how traumatic experiences affect an individual's **mental, emotional, and physical well-being.** This type of therapy aims to help survivors heal from the effects of trauma.
There are three key types of trauma that clients of the [ACCESS] Programme may be experiencing:
**Acute Trauma** — stems from a singular traumatic experience, such as an accident, natural disaster, or assault.
**Chronic Trauma** — occurs when an individual experiences multiple, long-term and/or prolonged traumatic events. This can happen at any point in an individual's life and can include domestic violence, bullying, addiction, and long-term illness.
**Complex Trauma** — typically refers to prolonged abuse or neglect that occurs during childhood and is often perpetrated by a caregiver or someone in a position of authority.
Trauma can manifest in various ways, both physical and psychological. Symptoms may include **nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety, depression, irritability, feelings of guilt or shame, and social withdrawal.** On the physical front, trauma can lead to sleeping problems, aches and pains, changes in appetite, and even health problems with no apparent cause.
Therapeutic Approaches Used in the [ACCESS] Programme
The [ACCESS] Programme draws upon a range of evidence-based therapeutic modalities, tailored to meet each client's unique circumstances:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
**Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)** is one of the most popular forms of therapy for trauma. It focuses on helping people identify and change **negative thought patterns** that contribute to feelings of anxiety, fear, or depression after a traumatic experience. CBT teaches individuals how their thoughts impact their emotions and actions, providing tools to cope with trauma-related symptoms.
CBT is typically a **short-term therapy** that is goal-oriented and structured, making it ideal for those looking to develop practical coping strategies. It is often used to treat PTSD and other trauma-related conditions.
Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT)
**Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)** is a special form of CBT designed for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. It combines traditional CBT with trauma-sensitive approaches to ensure younger individuals get the support they need. TF-CBT helps children and their caregivers process trauma-related thoughts and feelings, develop coping strategies, and reduce anxiety, depression, or behavioural issues.
TF-CBT is a **short-term intervention**, and counselling treatment usually lasts between **8 and 25 sessions.**
Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR)
**Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)** is a trauma therapy developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987. The treatment doesn't involve much talking — it aims to help clients process and release traumatic memories through **eye movements.** The aim is to help their brain "reprocess" the memory, which wasn't fully processed due to overwhelming stress, ultimately relieving nightmares, flashbacks, and triggers.
This approach can be particularly helpful for individuals who have experienced **Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).**
Narrative Therapy
**Narrative Therapy** allows individuals to **explore and rewrite their life stories**, helping them separate their identity from the trauma they have experienced. This type of therapy empowers people to see themselves as more than their trauma, allowing them to create a new narrative that fosters healing and self-empowerment. By shifting the focus from the traumatic event to the person's **strengths and resilience,** narrative therapy helps individuals find meaning and move forward in a positive direction.
Narrative therapy is founded on the premise that individuals are the **experts on their own lives** and can access their existing intrapsychic and interpersonal resources to reduce the impact of problems in their lives.
Somatic Experiencing (SE)
**Somatic Experiencing (SE)** is a unique approach that focuses on the **body's response to traumatic events.** Trauma can get stored in the body, leading to physical symptoms like muscle tension, pain, or chronic stress. SE helps individuals become aware of these physical responses and release the tension associated with trauma. Through **mindfulness, breathing techniques, and body awareness,** SE helps individuals process trauma by connecting the mind and body, offering a holistic way to heal.
Psychodynamic Therapy
**Psychodynamic Therapy** is a type of talk therapy that explores how **past trauma and unconscious thoughts** affect current behaviour. By uncovering and processing repressed emotions, this therapy helps individuals gain insight into how their trauma has shaped their present experiences, working through unresolved issues from the past and offering a deeper level of understanding and healing.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
As part of [MAVUK]'s holistic approach, **Mindfulness-Based Therapy** supports clients in developing present-moment awareness to manage overwhelming emotions, reduce anxiety, and build emotional resilience.
Trauma can change the brain and nervous system, leading to dysregulation and symptoms such as depression and anxiety. As such, trauma therapies focus on **soothing the nervous system, integrating traumatic memories, and supporting both mind and body healing.**
One-to-One Mentoring Service
The one-to-one mentoring service the [ACCESS] Programme provides allows privacy to those who need support and advice from qualified mentors. [MAVUK]'s mentors have experience in areas such as **getting out of gangs, mediation, parenting support, relationship support, behavioural support, bereavement, and mental health.**
MAVUK also signposts to other services within the area that offer specialised support and guidance. The mentoring service takes referrals from **youth offending teams and schools** who are dealing with children and young people who need additional behavioural support.
The mentoring service provided by the [ACCESS] Programme has a particular focus on **young Black males.** Over 90% of victims of gun crime in the inner city of Manchester have been of Black origin, many having dual heritage.
In more recent years, there has been a rise in young girls getting involved with gangs, and [MAVUK] has completed work with schools in the local area providing support and guidance for girls involved with gangs and anti-social behaviour.
Holistic & Wellbeing Support
The [ACCESS] Programme recognises that healing is not limited to the therapy room. As part of a broader commitment to wellbeing, [MAVUK] offers:
- Breath Move Stretch" Yoga Programme — A free 10-week yoga programme hosted at the MAVUK Hulme Centre Hall, promoting physical and mental wellness.
- Workshops — A series of 12 workshops developed to encourage improvement of local people's mental health and emotional resilience.
- Signposting - MAVUK signposts to other services within the area that offer specialised support and guidance.
Community Outreach
Through education, outreach, and advocacy, counsellors can encourage the communities in which they live and work to develop trauma-informed programmes and early intervention efforts.
Confidentiality & Accessibility
The [ACCESS] Programme is built on the foundation of **trust, dignity, and respect.** Every client can expect:
- **Complete confidentiality** in all sessions
- A **non-judgemental space** free from stigma
- Flexible sessions tailored to **individual needs and pace**
- Support for those who may face **barriers to accessing public services** — whether financial, cultural, or fear-based
- Trauma-informed therapy that addresses the aftermath of trauma by prioritising an understanding of the root causes of distress and creating a **safe, supportive environment** that fosters healing and resilience.
Who Can Access the Service?
The [ACCESS] Programme is open to individuals from all walks of life who have been affected by:
- Gun crime or knife crime
- Domestic violence or abuse
- Bereavement and grief (including violent death)
- Anti-social behaviour
- Gang involvement
- Mental health challenges
- Substance misuse
- Parenting difficulties
- Anxiety, depression, and PTSD
No matter the modality, the goal of all types of trauma therapies within [ACCESS] is to create **a safe and supportive environment** where individuals can explore their traumatic memories, develop coping skills, and work toward recovery and resilience.
Summary
The [ACCESS] Programme delivered by [MAVUK] represents far more than a counselling service — it is a **lifeline for community members** who have experienced the most challenging and traumatic aspects of inner-city life.
Seeking support and treatment for trauma is important for individuals to cope and heal. Therapies such as CBT, EMDR, and psychotherapy can be effective in helping individuals cope with and overcome the negative impact of trauma. With the right approach and support, individuals can achieve **a better quality of life** after experiencing trauma.
MAVUK`s message is clear - You are not alone - Help is here - Healing is possible