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

  1. Safety

  2. Trustworthiness & transparency

  3. Peer support

  4. Collaboration & mutuality

  5. Empowerment & choice

  6. 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.

  • "I feel that I am listened to and that there is something to live for."

    Former Client of Making Everyone Equal

  • "I thought I was alone and after 10 years of thinking no one could help me, I was supported by Making Everyone Equal and will be forever grateful."

    Former Client of Making Everyone Equal

  • "The centre is a relaxed, private atmosphere where I feel comfortable discussing my issues. The professional I have been working with is pleasant, friendly, calming and knowledgeable and talks to me in a way I can understand. This has helped me to build a trusting relationship which I often find a challenge."

    Former Client of Making Everyone Equal

  • "This is an excellent service. I don't normally open up to anyone, but I felt relaxed enough to share some of my experiences knowing there was no judgement."

    Former Client of Making Everyone Equal

  • "The staff are lovely and offer support when you need it. If you have a personal issue and need help, they help you sort out the issue. They won’t sort things for you, but they will support you to help you do it yourself."

    Former Client of Making Everyone Equal

  • "The staff at Making Everyone Equal have listened to me more than anyone has ever listened in my entire life."

    Feedback from associated professional

  • "I work for the Local Authority as a Social Worker in Long Term Adults Team. I feel this is a valuable service in the North West and hope this service can continue supporting those who need it."

    Feedback from associated professional