MF West Midlands

The following services are provided at the MF West Midlands:

• Counselling and therapeutic services for survivors who are aged 18 years or over
• Two to five initial assessment sessions to help survivors access appropriate support in the region
• Advice and support to practitioners and organisations working with survivors
• Training for therapeutic and mental health services working with survivors
• Supervision of mental health practitioners and counsellors working with survivors
• Therapeutic groups for survivors of torture
• A resource for survivors and regional agencies needing information on local support services
• A medico-legal report writing service

The Medical Foundation West Midlands covers Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, including: Sandwell, Smethwick, Solihull and Stoke-on-Trent.

Therapeutic services provided at the MF West Midlands:

The MFWM provides medium and long term therapeutic input for survivors of torture. Where we do not have the capacity to take on a client, we may offer an extended assessment in order to explore how to best ensure that their needs are met. We will always try to see survivors for a first appointment as soon as we can. Priority will be given to those clients who are unable to access appropriate therapeutic input, are isolated and in need of a specialist service. After we have received the referral, we will arrange a first appointment for assessment where appropriate.  During assessment the client and therapist will explore what kind of help is most likely to help meet the client’s needs.  Following this they may be referred to other appropriate services or offered services provided by the Medical Foundation. Due to our limited resources we are unable to provide a crisis service but are happy to be consulted and work alongside statutory agencies providing these services. 

Who can be referred to the MF West Midlands?

Survivors of torture who:

• Need a specialist service because of distress resulting from their experiences of torture;
• Their main source of distress is due to their experiences of torture, although this distress may have been increased by the losses and difficulties in exile;
• Are isolated or are finding it difficult to get support from communities, family or friends;
• Want to talk, or engage in therapeutic input.

How do I refer to the MF West Midlands?

Referrals for therapy/counselling must usually be made in writing, using our referral form. For copies of the form and guidelines for referrers, contact the West Midlands Centre (address below). To refer for a medico-legal report, lawyers must write to the Asylum Team at our central office in London.

We accept referrals from survivors themselves, GP's, friends and family, refugee community organisations and other voluntary or statutory sector bodies. For an informal discussion about referring a client or for advice and information about working with survivors, please contact the West Midlands Centre.