The Unity Holistic Lifeline project
A six month programme to provide therapeutic support to those with learning differences or physical disabilities and those at high risk from, or affected by, Covid-19, together with key workers, including NHS workers.
Introducing our Holistic Lifeline project
From 12 October 2020 (full launch 2 November 2020) we are running a National Lottery-funded six month programme in our community to provide:
- therapeutic support to those with learning differences, physical disabilities or mental health challenges
- therapeutic support to those at high risk from, or affected by, Covid-19
- physical, emotional and mental support for key workers, including NHS workers
A great variety of services, from classes to talking therapies, spa sessions and treatments to arts therapies and much more, is offered at the Centre and online. Many sessions take place when the Centre is otherwise closed to the public. This is to protect the vulnerable by reducing contact with others as much as possible.
There are also opportunities for one-to-one services delivered not only at the Centre and online but in visits to people’s private gardens and open spaces, and to residential homes.
To find out more, contact our project team: unitygrantproject@gmail.com
What’s on offer?
The support covers a wide range of services associated with the Unity Centre, as diverse as, for example, therapeutic yoga, breathing, art therapy, music, psychotherapy, floatation therapy, massage, osteopathy … among many others. For a full list of possible services, see the Holistic Lifeline FAQ.
Yoga therapy, psychotherapy, meditation and coaching can greatly help any of us feel connected, heard and understood even when we cannot be together in a room.
As well as the timetabled services below, we are offering visits for one-to-one and one-to-two sessions in people’s private gardens, open spaces and residential homes.
Our professional facilitators are available for phone, WhatsApp or Zoom communication and they’re happy to help walk you through the technicalities involved.
To ask about attending sessions, contact our project team: unitygrantproject@gmail.com
Who is it on offer to?
Our Holistic Lifeline project provides assistance to people of all ages with
- learning differences
- physical disabilities
- mental health challenges, including stroke, memory loss and dementia, as well as general stress, anxiety and depression
- long-term illnesses
- high risk from or vulnerable to Covid-19, including those who are Covid-shielding, those with Covid-related anxieties and those suffering ‘long Covid’
These can include over 65s in need, deprived families with children, marginalised adults home alone with learning differences (PMLD) and mobility challenges, teens struggling with mental health or behaviour difficulties, and those suffering with chronic anxiety, depression and chronic fatigue.
We’re particularly keen to help the most marginalised/vulnerable community members who are suffering specifically due to the challenges imposed by Covid-19.
And we’re offering physical, emotional and mental support for key workers, including NHS and carers.
Funding is also helping us to provide continuing support to our stroke club, neuro-yoga classes and cared for children.
Please note that acceptance onto any free service will be based on our eligibility criteria and on availability.
Who can approach the project for services?
Link workers (Social Prescribers) from local GP Practices are able to refer local patients to Unity, for free (grant based) or concessionary services, as we are a not-for-profit CIC (Community Interest Company)
Individuals and concerned family members and friends can also contact us for availability
In addition, we reach out to residential homes, to offer our services, and other local community projects and charities, to link up and offer whatever we can to those in need.
To apply for support, contact our project team: unitygrantproject@gmail.com
Our teachers and practitioners
Steffi Bednarek
Keith Ellis
Michael Gale
Sevanti
Lex Titterington
Amber Ward
Alasdair Warmsley
Profiles of these practitioners and what they offer will be added soon.
Yoga classes
Floatation therapies
Support sessions
Massage therapies
Our funding bodies
The Unity Centre is indebted to the National Lottery for funding the Unity Bespoke Holistic Lifeline Covid Project through an Emergency Covid-19 Grant.
We are also very grateful to the following for their grant funding that enables us to run our other community projects that are so important to us:
Sport England Emergency Covid-19 Fund
Sussex Community Foundation
Chalk Cliff Trust
And our Unity Centre members, as a percentage of membership subscriptions is used to support the centre’s community work.
The Unity Centre is a not-for-profit CIC.
Holistic Lifeline project FAQ
1. What is the project title, in full?
It is officially named the ‘Unity Bespoke Holistic Lifeline Covid Project’2. What is it, in a nutshell?
A six month programme to provide therapeutic support to those with learning differences, physical disabilities or mental health challenges, and those at high risk from, or affected by, Covid-19, together with physical, emotional and mental support for key workers, including NHS.
The support covers a wide range of services associated with the Unity Centre, as diverse as, for example, therapeutic yoga, breathing, art therapy, music, psychotherapy and floatation therapy, among many. There is a timetabled programme of services at the Centre (when it's closed to the public, to protect the vulnerable) and online, as well as opportunities for one-to-one services delivered not only at the Centre and online but in visits to people’s private gardens, open spaces and residential homes.3. How is it funded?
It's funded through a National Lottery ‘Emergency Covid-19 Grant’.4. How long does the project run?
The funding is for a 6 month project, with some areas starting on 12 October and the main body of services on 2 November 20205. Who does the project support?
Our Holistic Lifeline project provides assistance to people of all ages with
+ learning differences
+ physical disability
+ mental health challenges
+ long-term illnesses
+ high risk from or vulnerable to Covid-19, including those who are Covid-shielding, those with Covid-related anxieties and those suffering ‘long Covid’
These can include over 65s in need, deprived families with children, marginalised adults home alone with learning differences (PMLD) and mobility challenges, teens struggling with mental health/ behaviour difficulties, and those suffering with chronic anxiety, depression and chronic fatigue.
We’re particularly keen to help the most marginalised/vulnerable community members who are suffering specifically due to the challenges imposed by Covid-19.
And we’re offering physical, emotional and mental support for key workers.
Funding is also helping us to provide continuing support to our stroke club, neuro-yoga classes and cared for children.
Please note that acceptance onto any free service will be based on our eligibility criteria and on availability.
6. What services are potentially available?
Free or reduced-price services and classes including
a. Acupuncture
b. Art therapy
c. Breathing therapy
d. Dance therapy
e. Floatation therapy
f. Health and nutritional therapy advice
g. Martial arts (inc chair work)
h. Massage & bodywork and healing
i. Meditation
j. Movement therapy
k. Music – therapeutic music sessions
l. Pilates
m. Qi gong
n. Sauna – infrared sauna therapy
o. Tai chi
p. Talking Therapies including Psychotherapy
q. Yoga & mindfulness
r. Yoga – in-chair yoga
s. Yoga therapy for mental health
For classes and appointments, please see the latest timetable above7. Where are they on offer?
a. At the Unity Centre, when closed to the general public – one-to-ones, one-to-twos and small groups (capped at 6)
b. Online – one-to-one individual consultations and participation in live online classes
c. Home visits and residential home visits: people’s gardens, outside spaces or through windows – one-to-ones and one-to-twos8. Who can approach the project for services?
a. Link workers (social prescribers) from local GP practices are able to refer local patients to Unity, for free (grant based) or concessionary services, as we are a not-for-profit CIC (Community Interest Company)
b. Individuals and concerned family members and friends can also contact us for availability
c. In addition, we reach out to residential homes to offer our services, and other local community projects and charities, to link up and offer whatever we can to those in need.9. How can I apply?
To apply for one of our Holistic Lifeline services, on your own behalf or someone else's, or as a professional seeking to refer someone, please contact the project team: unitygrantproject@gmail.com10. Who are the practitioners and facilitators?
Steffi Bednarek
Keith Ellis
Michael Gale
Sevanti
Lex Titterington
Amber Ward
Alasdair Warmsley
Profiles of these practitioners and what they offer are listed separately.