FREE one to one therapy - Peckham

The Empowerment Group (TEG) is an award winning Black mental health charity and organisational member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy). We are for the community by the community.

Project description:

The Empowerment Group is requesting £30,000 to provide free online, one-to-one culturally appropriate therapy for people aged 18+ in Peckham who are struggling with mental health challenges but face barriers accessing mainstream services. Our work focuses on supporting Black and minority ethnic communities, who experience disproportionately high levels of mental distress but are often excluded from early intervention and recovery services due to stigma, cultural misunderstanding, or lack of representation within therapy.

Who the project will support:

• Residents of Peckham and neighbouring Southwark communities, particularly from Black African and Caribbean backgrounds
• People experiencing mental health challenges including obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) anxiety, depression, bereavement, trauma, workplace stress, institutional racism and more.
• Those unable to afford therapy, on low incomes, or on long NHS waiting lists
• Young adults, parents, and community members who have experienced racial trauma, discrimination, or social isolation

What the project will deliver:

• TEG will offer 45 individuals, 10 free, one-to-one therapy sessions lasting up to 50 mins per session (1 session per week). 450 free Sessions will be delivered by a qualified team of accredited culturally competent therapists with lived experiences and a range of modalities.

We will engage those from Peckham currently on our waiting list for the project. In addition, we will use local referral links with community organisations, schools, and faith groups to ensure people receive the holistic support needed beyond therapy where applicable.

What difference this project will make:

Peckham is one of the most diverse areas in Southwark, with over 60% of residents from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds and higher-than-average rates of deprivation. Mental health challenges are often intensified by economic hardship, housing instability, racism, and lack of trust in statutory services. This project directly tackles those inequalities by:

• Giving people access to trusted, culturally aware professionals who understand their experiences
• Helping people to build confidence, emotional resilience, and wellbeing
• Reducing pressure on crisis and statutory services by intervening early
• Increasing community trust and engagement around mental health conversations

How this funding will help the community:

This funding will allow TEG to deliver free, accessible therapy to residents who would otherwise go without support. It will also strengthen local partnerships and referrals across Peckham, connecting people to wraparound support such as employment, housing, and wellbeing initiatives. In the longer term, it will help to normalise therapy within Black and minority communities, breaking cycles of stigma and silence.

Why we believe this project will be a success:

TEG is already a trusted, Southwark-based, Black-led organisation that has supported over a thousand Black people through therapy. Our CEO previously served as Southwark’s Clinical Care and Professional Lead for Mental Health, and our team of therapists combines professional qualifications with lived experience. We already receive regular referrals from community groups, schools, and individuals who know and trust our work.

By funding this project, people in Peckham, one of London’s most vibrant but underserved communities, will access therapy that truly sees, understands, and supports them.