SYNERGY / DONATE
SYNERGY CREATIVE COMMUNITY CIC
OUR HISTORY
Synergy Peer Support is a mental health peer-led community organisation based in Brighton, East Sussex. Synergy started in 2009. We take a creative approach to well-being and mental health by running weekly sessions where members can take part in art, music, eating together and other mutually supportive activities.
OUR APPROACH
At the core of Synergy’s ethos are the concepts
of individual freedom and collective support. By unlocking individuals’ potentials and working to their strengths, Synergy aims to empower members to manage their own recovery and support others in their recovery. Our peer approach means that people work together, sharing ideas and resources to support others through social connection and exchange: this is a strong feature of our group.
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Through peer-support and building links within the community, we aim to break down barriers associated with mental ill-health. We believe in promoting a sense of individual and collective identity, confidence, strength and support.
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At the heart our approach is the aim to create a non- judgemental, inclusive space, for people to connect and share experiences of rediscovery, recovery and reintegration.
HOW IT STARTED
Odi Oquosa
Odi Oquosa moved to the UK in 2001 from Nigeria. He was seen
by the mental health services but felt that his needs were not met.
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​Odi became a mental health advocate for holistic treatment and was chair for 4 years for the Patient and Public Involvement Forum NHS. Odi went on to train as a peer support specialist and also studied art psychotherapy at Goldsmith in London.
In 2014, he graduated from the University of Brighton with a BA Hons in Social Science and later gained his MA in Social Work from the University of Sussex. He continues with his successful career.
It was Odi who first proposed the idea of Synergy as a weekly meeting place for people with mental health challenges, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, stress-related disorders, autism and others.
HOW IT IS NOW
After 15 years, Synergy was hit by the economic downturn. Our hitherto successful professional fundraiser was no longer able to get funds and felt it best to resign. The Community Interest Company that had been in charge of Synergy folded.
The members of Synergy, knowing what a huge asset it is to the community, decided somehow to carry on. It has been tough – we are new to this, and we all have our health problems – some quite serious. Our main expense is renting the hall where we meet every Tuesday afternoon. We have successfully raised some money online, but the economic climate has meant we are having trouble getting long-term support.
DONATIONS
All donations will go to keeping Synergy Peer Support in existence. At core, we are about 15 people, but we are always welcoming newcomers for as long as they find us useful. This may be for a few visits, or they can join long-term.
You can make donations via the James Marlow Memorial Fund’s People's Fundraising page using the button below:
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