Frequently Asked Questions.

What is a Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Group?

A Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Group is a safe and supportive space for people who feel or have felt overwhelmed, providing tools for self-management in a facilitated peer-mentoring style setting.

How does the Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Group work?

Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Groups consists of a structured, yet flexible series of content for adults (12 weeks), youth (6 weeks) and students (4-8 weeks) which includes group and individual activities designed to help participants accept themselves, understand their value and worth, and grow towards a more resilient and hopeful future.

The Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Group covers deep topics (see below) but with the aim of everyone completing a session feeling more positive than when they arrived.

Each week has a title and specific aims, with flexible content to be used in any setting or context. For example, some groups may enjoy lots of information, details and opportunities for writing and reflection while others may prefer group discussions. There are options for more creative activities to outwork the sessions' theme, or material for reflection and prayer.

The material is split into 7 different learning styles that the Group leader can pick and choose, depending upon the context of their group:

• Hear it
• Discuss it
• Think it
• Create it
• Do it
• Watch it
• Pray it

Content will constantly be monitored and updated in response to evaluation as the Wellbeing Groups develop.

What topics are covered in a Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Group?

Each week has a theme as follows:

Adult

Youth

Student

What Safeguarding Requirements are there?

For organizations applying to be a partner:

A copy of the organisation's safeguarding policy must be uploaded to our Group Management System (GMS) as part of the application process.

For those applying to run the adult version:

All Group Leaders must have an up-to-date basic adult DBS (enhanced is accepted but not essential, unless leading a Youth Group) in place and must have been recruited in line with their church or organisation’s safe recruitment policy, procedures and expectations. The recommending church/organisation will be required to provide the date of the Group Leader's most recent DBS check, and let us know if they are registered for the update service (enhanced only).

For those applying to run the youth or student version:

All the above applies, however an Enhanced DBS is required rather than basic, and in addition, all youth group leaders must provide details (date and level) of safeguarding training attended. Safeguarding training should have been undertaken at a level deemed ‘above basic’.

If you require any further information or advice about safeguarding, safe recruitment or DBS checks, please contact your DBS check/Safeguarding consultant. We recommend Thirtyone:Eight; their helpline number is 0303 003 1111. If at time of applying you do not have a DBS check in place, we can continue processing the rest of the application, but the recommended Group Leader will not be given access to start running groups until this is in place.

What is the application process to run a group?

The application process takes place through our online portal to which we refer to as GMS (Group Management System). It is summed up below in the following steps:

You can access our GMS portal by clicking on the following link: https://groups.kintsugihope.com/

You will need to register as a new user, verify your email address then you will be invited to fill in an Organisation Partnership application. Following approval, you will be prompted to invite people from within your organisation to apply as a Group Leaders. The invitation will direct the potential Group Leaders to a personal application form, including details of two referees.

If you have any questions during the application process or any trouble with it, please email groups@kintsugihope.com

Are there any financial commitments required to become a Church Partner?

As we are a charity, we rely on financial contributions from both individuals and organisations such as yours. As a partner organisation, we would be grateful if the leadership team could consider standing financially alongside us through regular gifting on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. We need financial support, but we don't want finance to be a defining issue. We understand that each organization has different budgets and sizes, so the size of that gift is up to you, but as a guide, contributions range from £100 to £3,000 a year, with the average monthly contribution of £30, or £360 annually. One of our main values is relationship, and we look forward to working this out together.

Our preferred method to receive payments is by monthly direct payments, however we realise that every organisation has their own financial policies and procedures, so we try to be as flexible as possible.

Who can be a Group Leader?

All Wellbeing Group Leaders must be part of a Kintsugi Hope Partner Church/Organisation. This is so they are supported and also accountable.

Below are the qualities we ask a Church/Organisation to consider before inviting someone to apply as a Group Leader:

Essential Skills required:

• Organised, quick thinker.
• Excellent listening and communicating skills.
• Confident, respectful, not judgemental.
• Able to work on own initiative as well as part of a team.
• Commitment to a personal Christian faith.
• Passionate about people improving their wellbeing.
• Open to learning and receiving guidance.
• Great at developing a good rapport with people from all backgrounds and life experiences.
• Realises and accepts their beauty in their brokenness.
• Willing to be vulnerable and honest and journey with people in their local community, to share in their common humanity.
• Passion to see people grow and flourish to be all God has called them to be.
• Some understanding of mental and emotional health challenges.

Desirable Skills required

• Previous experience of leading a group or running workshops.
• Mentoring and training experience.
• Pastoral care experience.
• Peer mentoring experience.

What is the role of a Group Leader?

• To facilitate peer mentoring
• To demonstrate honesty and vulnerability
• To introduce difficult subjects in an accessible and hopeful way
• Preparation - To select material to use in their group based on context and participant make up.
• To manage group dynamics
• To keep things running to time
• To create a good rapport with participants
• To set an example and look after your own wellbeing
• To liaise with Kintsugi Hope, (evaluation forms!!)
• To signpost participants on as and when necessary
• To do yourself out of a job!!
• To orchestrate a route for continuation after the 6 weeks of material.
• To generate ownership from within the group.
• To encourage group members
• To represent Kintsugi Hope

Once we're a Church Partner, how do we get Group Leaders trained?

Once you are a Kintsugi Hope Partner Organisation, there is no limit to the number of group leaders you can get trained. Each group leader must be linked to the partner organisation (for support and accountability purposes). This is an important part of the application process and can be completed via your login on our Group Management System

Please carefully consider the list below of essential and desirable skills when inviting someone to become a Group leader:

Essential Skills Required

• Excellent listening and communication skills
• Confident, respectful, non-judgemental
• Able to work on own initiative as well as part of a team
• Commitment to a personal Christian faith
• Passionate about people improving their wellbeing
• Open to learning and receiving guidance.
• Great at developing a good rapport with people from all backgrounds and life experiences.
• Realizes and accepts their beauty even when feeling broken
• Willing to be vulnerable and honest and journey with people in their local community, to share in their common humanity
• Passion to see people grow and flourish to be all God has called them to be.
• Some understanding of mental and emotional health challenges
• Organized, quick thinker.
• Access to technology to provide online groups.

Desirable Skills Required

• Previous experience of leading a group or running workshops
• Mentoring and training experience
• Pastoral care experience

What happens once a Group Leader has been recommended?

Once a partner organisation is approved, and they have invited their group leader(s), the potential group leader(s) will be invited to fill in their group leader application form online. This form asks for information about the Group Leader around their skills, experience and suitability to become a group leader with Kintsugi Hope. Each group leader is also asked to provide 2 referees, one from a church such as their church leader or someone on the leadership team of their church, and another additional referee. The second referee does not have to be a church leader or part of their church leadership, it could be a friend or colleague and the only requirement is that they’ve known the applicant for at least 2 years and is not a member of their family.

How is a Group Leader Trained?

Our group leaders’ training takes place online and consists of a mixture of pre-recorded modules with videos and reading material. At the end of each module there are some quiz questions that need to be correctly answered before you can move onto the next module.

The group leaders’ training is currently offered free of charge, as our hope is that the partner organisation is able to train several leaders without being restricted by cost.

As the training is all online, it can take place at the Group Leader’s preferred pace and time. The training consists of 10 modules lasting approximately 3.5 hours in total with a separate stream of training for adult, youth and student (you will be assigned to a training stream dependant upon whether you have applied to be running adult, youth and/or student wellbeing groups). Group Leaders training training to run the adult wellbeing groups are also required to attend a live online 90 minute Group Experience session where you will be led through the first week’s theme in order to experience first-hand how it feels to be part of a Wellbeing Group, as well as the opportunity to ask any further questions you may have.

How do you access the Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Group Material?

Once a Group Leader has completed their training, all safeguarding documentation and details have been provided and everything is approved, the Group Leader will be added to a strictly controlled Private Facebook Group where all the material for each of the weeks’ sessions is held. This is a temporary platform and will be replaced with a bespoke platform by end of 2021: you will be kept up to date with how to access this once the platform is available.

This Facebook group includes full information on how to run each individual week, all the resources you need, and access to an active forum used by all the other current group leaders who are keen to encourage, answer questions and share tips and advice.

There are also regular online meetings for all group leaders to catch up with the Kintsugi Hope Team, chat either generally, or about a specific subject, ask questions and check in with each other. If you do not currently have access to Facebook, information is included in the training to help guide you through setting this up to ensure complete privacy and security.

Can I sample the material used for the groups?

We do not make the content of the weekly material public, however, if you would like to view a sample, we can send that to you. Email groups@kintsugihope.com and ask for week 1 sample.

How do you equip Group Leaders to present difficult subjects?

Although some topics covered in the material can be challenging, group leaders are given all that is needed to present the material in a way that is non-judgemental and accessible through the resources given, and training received. All weeks are designed so that participants leave the session feeling more positive, confident and loved than when they arrived.

Group leaders are not required or expected to be experts in mental health. A basic introduction to mental and emotional health understanding and information are included in the Resource Modules of the Group leader's training.

Where can you hold a Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Group?

Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Groups can be run face to face or online. Physical locations (Government guidelines and social distancing restrictions permitting) to date have included people’s homes, church, community centres, coffee shops, workplaces, homeless shelters, schools, colleges and universities.

Who can attend a Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Group?

The group is suitable for anyone who is interested in learning self-management tools and techniques to help them in times of feeling overwhelmed or isolated in a safe, facilitated peer-mentoring style setting. They are also suitable for anyone interested in better understanding themselves and their emotions, in order to maintain or improve their overall mental health and wellbeing.

All participants for the adult version must be over the age of 18.

This group is not suitable for people who may be at risk of harm to themselves, or others or who are currently receiving treatment for a severe mental health disorder.

Participants can be from any walk of life and background, and do not need to have a Christian faith.

What if a participant needs expert help?

Whilst Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Group Leaders are not counsellors, therapists or experts in mental health, they are expected to have information of all locally available services, together with national helplines as well as details of resources and counsellors, so that they can signpost those needing additional support to the right services. Guidance and full information on signposting is included in the Group Leader training.

I want to join a group, but my church are not running them.

Unfortunately, Kintsugi Hope do not currently have the capacity or infrastructure to place people into groups. Occasionally, however, group leaders do let us know if they have a space to join an online group where geography is not an issue. You are welcome to email groups@kintsugihope.com to ask to be placed on a small list we hold, but you must be aware places become available on an ad-hoc basis.

Does Kintsugi Hope only partner with churches?

Kintsugi Hope is a Christian faith-based organisation and as a result primarily partner with Churches and other Christian organisations who share its vision and values. Kintsugi Hope are happy to consider partnership with any organisation providing they are able to meet all of the four key outcomes for Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Groups participants, and with reference to this question, in particular the third outcome: "A deeper understanding of the reality of God's love for them". Please Do get in touch if you would like to explore this further.

What is Kintsugi Hope's Mission, Vision and Values?

Mission:

Kintsugi Hope exists to create safe and supportive spaces for those struggling with mental and emotional health challenges.

Vision:

A world where mental and emotional health is accepted and understood, with safe and supportive communities for everyone to grow and flourish.

Values:

• Authenticity
• Generosity
• Honesty
• Loving
• Non-judgemental
• Relationship

Aims:

• Safety and support where there is no shame and embarrassment in struggling
• An increase in self-worth, confidence and wellbeing
• A deeper understanding of the reality of God's love for them
• Clear pathways to receive additional support if needed.

Have you any has any Feedback from Group Leaders?

Yes, you will find below feedback we have received from group leaders.

“Why did I want to be a leader? Because I've experienced the pain of remaining hidden, and the freedom that comes from being courageous enough to be honest and show vulnerability. I believe God wants us to be authentic... the people He made us to be rather than hide behind the masks we can so often wear. Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Groups allow people the safe space to be real, be validated without judgement and start to heal the mental health epidemic in today's society! It's an honour, and a privilege to facilitate people to find that the truth can set them free!

What do I get from such a group? Seeing true healthy relationships begin and movements towards wholeness develop. Probably what I was most concerned about was that people wouldn't open up and be vulnerable together and that as facilitators we might fail their expectations! It's been lovely to see people want to come back week after week and miss it when we had a break for Easter.”

Jean Allchorne, Stoke Gifford, April 2019, Pilot Phase 2

“I have done Pilot 1 as a participant and Pilot 2 as a leader, and I can honestly say I am learning more and more about myself at each session. Both groups have been completely different and the discussions and experiences of each session have been unique.

Kintsugi is for everyone (even those who don't know it yet!). Even for those who feel they have it all together. The best thing about being a facilitator of a group is seeing the support for each other, the care, the honesty and vulnerability being shared in mutual respect. It really is a privilege to see and to be part of. I am excited to see Kintsugi spread out into the bigger wider world. It does change lives, but people need to be brave!

It is nerve-wracking as you are listening to some tragic and very sad stories/life experiences, but I can honestly say there hasn't been anything that we haven't been able to support or signpost. My advice to any potential leader/facilitator is to be vulnerable... the more you are the more people will open up.”

Jane Wareham, Nantwich, April 2019, Pilot Phase 2

“Leading the Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Group has been an absolute privilege. Even if I'm feeling tired after a busy day at work, the sessions always leave me feeling inspired and invigorated. The course is brilliant, I love it … (God bless you for all the work you are doing on this)... you need to know what a positive impact it is having! I can see others growing in their ability to take back and share in their own churches or to face their own personal challenges. There is such great LOVE in the group, and it's a huge privilege to spend time with everyone.”

Jan Harrison, Crewe, January 2019, Pilot Phase 1

“I had the idea I wanted to run the Course with the residents of Hope House Essex, a charity for the homeless, none of them were Christians, they are all broken people, I was scared it would flop or no one would come. All 5 of our residents came and engaged with the course, it has been difficult to stop the conversations and to end the evening! It has opened up great conversations and touched people's lives.”

Tony Britten, Chair of Trustees Hope House Essex, April 2019, Pilot Phase 2

Are Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Groups available in other countries?

At present Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Groups are only available in the UK. Please get in contact with us if you have any questions regarding international possibilities via groups@kintsugihope.com

My question hasn't been answered, where can I go for more information?

Email your query to groups@kintsugihope.com