Cardboard Citizens has partnered with City Bridge Trust, the City of London Corporation’s charity funder, to develop a trauma-based approach to supporting and understanding the mental health requirements of our Members.
Around 40% of our Members – those with experience or at risk of homelessness – have mental health needs.
A trauma-based approach places emphasis on understanding and addressing past trauma, such as neglect, abuse and conflict, as part of our offer to those who have experienced homelessness.
Geetha Rabindrakumar, Director of Social Change at Cardboard Citizens said:
“Our members often tell us they come in feeling lost, unhappy, scared and alone, but they find an open, welcoming space that is free of judgement, where they can develop their creative talents and feel part of a community.
“This approach means addressing symptoms and behaviours resulting from trauma, recognising them as a normal response to abnormal stress. Our own contribution lies in how we work with our members as artists with individual talents rather than people with deficits to be fixed.
“The funding will enable us to do more to help members make sense of and recover from trauma in their lives, while taking part in artistic work that can inspire and challenge other people.”
Dhruv Patel, the Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s City Bridge Trust Committee said:
“Poor mental health is both a cause and a consequence of homelessness, and many homeless people live with experiences of past trauma which still impact on their lives today.
“This funding will enable the charity to address these issues in its theatre work and the one-to-one support it offers members, putting them on course for recovery and improved wellbeing.”
