By Barbara Robinson, Trustee
New Refugee Friends acupuncture clinic opens 18th August!
Nearly there – on 4th August volunteer acupuncturists gathered at the Jesuit Refugee Service* day centre in Wapping to acquaint themselves with the space they will be treating in and to meet Dallya, the JRS Refugee Activities Coordinator.
The meeting was heart warming and productive with everyone buoyed by the thought of opening this new clinic for Refugee Friends. The friends are offered 6 weekly sessions of acupuncture to help with a range of health concerns, particularly trauma, anxiety, depression, insomnia and grief. Treatment is primarily auricular with the friends seated; however distal points may also be used.
The first clinic will take place on 18th August at 2pm, with the last friend being treated at 4pm. Friends are encouraged to attend for all 6 treatments as we know that acupuncture is a cumulative experience and that will give greatest benefit. At the end of this 6 week ‘block’ there will be one week break then another block of 6 weekly treatment will commence.
My thanks go to Sarah, Julia, Suzannah Caroline, Najma, Sally and Catherine for their commitment and wonderful enthusiasm.
The volunteers are all qualified acupuncturists or NADA practitioners with insurance and DBS checks in place. When allocated to deliver treatments in a 6 week block, volunteers are asked to commit to 3 afternoons in that block. They may then miss a block but commit to 3 afternoons in a subsequent 6 week block.
We are always looking for new volunteers, so if you feel you would love to help at the Friends’ clinic, please contact me at Barbara@worldmedicine.org.uk
Barbara xx
*The Jesuit Refugee Service can be found at www.jrsuk.net has been operating for over 40 years. It is a Catholic organisation providing legal advice, small grants, emotional support and befriending to destitute asylum seekers in London and at the Heathrow detention centre.
They welcome all nationalities, people of any faith and no faith.
