Connect Newsletter | July Edition   

Welcome to this newsletter from Connect.

Connect was established at the request of survivor groups to provide a helpline and phone counselling service to people who have suffered abuse.

This July bulletin provides groups with the latest information on Connect being awarded The Helplines Association quality standard and the upcoming inaugural 2006-2009 Annual Report launch.

NEWS

Connect Receives The Helplines Association Standard

Connect is delighted to announce that it has achieved The Helplines
Association (THA) quality standard. THA is a UK based internationally
recognised accreditor of Helpline services.

In doing so Connect is the first Irish based helpline to achieve the standard.
To receive the quality mark Connect had to meet 100 criteria for quality
service delivery in terms of the organisation, management and standard of
service provided.

This follows a full service evaluation which was carried out in 2009 and also
reported favourably on the quality of Connect’s service and recommended
the opening hours of the service be extended.

Upcoming launch of Connect 2006-2009 Annual Report

Connect is currently finalising its first Annual Report which will detail statistics
on usage of the Connect service for the first four years of the service from
2006 to 2009. It also includes details of the findings of the Evaluation carried out
by Kelleher Associates.

Connect plans to launch the report with an event in Central Dublin during
August or September and all interested groups will be invited to attend.

More details to follow…

ABOUT CONNECT

What is Connect?

Connect is an out of hours helpline and phone counselling service for adults who were abused in childhood. It is available Wednesday to Sunday, from 6-10pm.

Connect is funded by the HSE and the freephone number is 1800 477 477. It also provides a freephone service for former residents of institutions living in the UK at 00800 477 477 77. More information at
http://www.connectcounselling.ie

How was Connect established?

Connect was established following specific demands from survivor groups that a professional helpline and phone-based counselling service be established.

At the time of establishment it was intended to provide Connect’s services on a full-time basis. However, funding has not been available to deliver this to date. In 2009 Connect received 3,500 calls outside of its current opening hours.

What services does Connect provide?

Connect’s services are not confined to people who have experienced institutional abuse but are available to all adults who have experienced sexual, physical or emotional abuse, trauma or neglect in childhood. Connect is also available to partners or relatives of people with these experiences.

Experienced and qualified psychotherapists / counsellors answer all calls. The Board of Connect is made up of survivor groups and the HSE. At its core the service is guided by user needs as defined by the support groups.

Kind regards,
Anne Richardson, Chief Executive Officer