|
|
 |
The idea of "ACCEPT" came about following a year's voluntary work spent by Aidan and Francesca Lucas in Nigeria, West Africa in 2001. Here, they were given responsibility for overseeing the development of a Methodist Church Nigeria mental health project called Edawu.
Within this setting Aidan and Francesca, on a personal level, experienced acceptance and the warm hospitality of African culture. However, they also witnessed the results of oppressive cultural beliefs, due to misunderstanding about mental health related issues, and met many people experiencing stigma and alienation from their communities . On returning to the UK in 2002 Aidan and Francesca maintained their support of Edawu, including raising awareness, generating funds and arranging training visits to and from Nigeria.
The vision for those with mental health problems in Nigeria to experience "ACCEPTance" rather than alienation also applied to communities around Hinckley, Leicestershire. Therefore, alongside the partnership with Edawu, the Friendship Group Model was piloted in 2004, when ACCEPT became a UK registered charity. |
|
|
