About Us
Making Everyone Equal is a Social Enterprise based in Whitehaven, West Cumbria.
We support & empower survivors of complex trauma; so that they can reclaim their self-worth and thrive.
What is Complex Trauma?
When an individual experiences a traumatic event (or multiple events over time) it can have a significant impact on their mental health and wellbeing.
In an attempt to protect ourselves in the moment of a traumatic event, our mind and body can respond by activating a ‘fight, flight, freeze’ response. This response restricts the brain’s ability to process the event and it is subsequently stored in our limbic system.
When a person is later triggered, the trauma can be reactivated in the form of flashbacks. This can feel as though the traumatic event is re-occuring in the present moment, causing significant distress for the individual. Other symptoms can be more subtle; and destructive behaviours can arise in an attempt to cope with the conflicting mix of unprocessed emotions.
Common Causes of Complex Trauma
Traumatic accidents
Physical, emotional or sexual abuse
Rape
Sexual violence
Domestic violence
Witnessing violence
Childhood neglect
Racism & discrimination
Life-threatening events
Military conflicts & war
Loss of a loved one
Symptoms of Complex Trauma
Low self-worth
Difficulty concentrating
Anxiety
Depression
Disrupted sleep and nightmares
Flashbacks or resurfacing of memories
Feeling triggered by reminders of the event
Suicidal thoughts
Anger
Irritability
Avoidance
Feeling ‘jumpy’ or on edge
Emotionally detatched
Self medicating with drugs and alcohol
Addiction
Isolating yourself socially
Relevant definitions in relation to complex trauma :
Rape
The legal definition of rape is when a person intentionally penetrates another's vagina, anus or mouth with a penis, without the other person's consent. Assault by penetration is when a person penetrates another person's vagina or anus with any part of the body other than a penis, or by using an object, without the person's consent.
(Source : The Metropolitan police)
Sexual Violence
Sexual violence means that someone forces or manipulates someone else into unwanted sexual activity without their consent. Reasons someone might not consent include fear, age, illness, disability, and/or influence of alcohol or other drugs. Anyone can experience sexual violence including: children, teens, adults, and elders. Those who sexually abuse can be acquaintances, family members, trusted individuals or strangers.
(Source : National Sexual Violence Resource Center)
Who do we support?
We work with our clients in a person-centred and non-judgemental way. Our main goal is to address the current gap in mental health provision; that is leaving individuals feeling isolated and unsupported in our community. This is often due to the incompatibility of the client with the service they have been referred to, or it might be because of certain limitations or restrictions of their policies and practices.
We recognise that our clients have complex histories and we strive to facilitate meaningful engagement, so that the client can feel safe and are able to begin their journey to recovery.
Stabilisation work
When a client is referred to us, our first priority is to help stabilise their emotional state and ensure their safety. This prevents further harm and decreases the risk of re-traumatisation occuring; while they await the next stage in their recovery.
Below are some examples of referrals we are able to accept:
Individuals that have been recently discharged from statutory mental health services following a mental health crisis. They may be waiting for a CPN or be on long waiting lists to receive further support.
Traumatised individuals who have found themselves in the criminal justice system and don’t meet the criteria of other organisations. Other services may have restrictions on working with clients with criminal convictions or involvement with court cases.
Individuals that have had negative experiences with statutory services and require a more tailored approach.
We also work with Individuals that have a previous history of trauma. They could be acknowledging this for the first time and need a safe space to explore what they are feeling.
We believe it is essential for everyone to have the opportunity to make sense of their experience, in order to feel validated. This empowers the individual to make positive decisions that will lead to self initiated changes in their current situation.
To facilitate this process, we offer one-to-one support, support groups and educational courses that are designed to foster the individual’s recovery.
For more information, please contact us.
Our Services
Person Centred Support
One to One Support
Telephone Support
Educational Courses
Hope to Recovery (Group Setting)
This is a 6-week psycho-educational course for individuals who have experienced domestic violence.
Tackling Trauma Together (Group Setting)
This is a 10-week psycho-educational course for individuals to develop their self awareness and confidence.
Therapeutic Journaling (Group Setting)
This is a 10-week course that is designed to develop self reflection.
Each week we explore different themes to access our creativity. It is an excellent way to express your thoughts and feelings in a safe space with writing, drawing and collage.
Clients have commented that they found this way of working “enlightening and fascinating”.
Peer Support Groups
Relax & Unwind (Group Setting)
This is a weekly peer support group for individuals to socialise in a safe space and benefit from the support of others on a similar journey to recovery.
If you have any questions or would like more information on our services, please contact us.
Trauma-Informed Practice
Making Everyone Equal follows a trauma-informed model. The six guiding principles of trauma-informed practice are at the core of our delivery.
Guiding Principles
Safety
Trustworthiness & transparency
Peer support
Collaboration & mutuality
Empowerment & choice
Cultural, historical & gender issues
Our Story So Far
Making Everyone Equal was founded in 2022. Our vision was to create a new service that provides person-centred support for survivors of complex trauma in Cumbria.
We set out to address the gap in provision - between an individual leaving a crisis programme (or mental health facility) and their transition back into the community.
For vulnerable individuals, this can be a very daunting and problematic situation to find themselves in.
Potential risks factors for vulnerable individuals left unsupported after a crisis:
Re-traumatisation
Unbroken cycles of abuse
Addictions re-triggered or acquired
Elevated risk of mental and physical health problems
Longer periods of unemployment
Involvement with the criminal justice system
Implications for the community:
Further stresses on statutory services
Increase in crime and anti-social behaviour
Dependence on financial support and benefits
2022 - New Beginnings
We started as a self-funded venture. Over the past two years, we have been fortunate enough to receive an incredible amount of support from a small team of qualified professionals and volunteer board members. They have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the cause, without which M.E.E would cease to exist today. We have overcame many hurdles, including finding a suitable space to deliver our work.
2024 - A New Chapter
Two years later, we are now settled in our premises at Gordon Thomson House and have supported over 500 individuals to date with their recovery journey. We have built the foundations for a close-knit community, making a positive difference to many of our client’s lives.
The key challenges we currently face as an organisation include:
Securing additional funding
Growing our team of trained professionals to increase our impact
Increasing awareness of our services
If you can help us achieve any of these aims, please contact us.
About M.E.E’s Founder & CEO
Rebecca Todd has over thirty years experience working with people in the community as an Advanced Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA), trained Child Psychologist and Trauma-informed practitioner.
Throughout her career, Rebecca has witnessed first hand the devastating impact that trauma has on individuals, their families, and the wider community.
In her current role as Executive Officer, Rebecca uses her knowledge and expertise to help survivors of trauma and support them on their journey to recovery.
Our Purpose
To provide person-centred support for survivors of complex trauma, regardless of gender, sexual orientation or cultural background; so that they can live autonomously and thrive.
Our Future
We aspire to become the leading organisation for survivors of complex trauma in Cumbria. We dream of developing our Centre, with an expanded team of mental health professionals so we can help more people.
Can You Help Us?
Making Everyone Equal is only made possible by the generous support of our funders & donors.
If you would like to make a donation to aid our mission, we would appreciate any contribution, no matter how large or small.
100% of the proceeds go towards our core running costs, meaning that with every donation we become one step closer to achieving our goals.
The stronger we grow as an organisation, the more survivors of trauma we can help.
We would like to take this opportunity to say a huge THANK YOU! to all of our supporters.