The Elm Project Secures National Lottery Funding to Continue Free Therapy for Sexual Abuse Survivors

Funding Lifeline Saves Vital Therapy Service for Sexual Abuse Survivors 

A vital service which provides therapy for survivors of sexual abuse in Lincolnshire has been given a financial lifeline. 

NW Counselling Hub CIC in Lincoln has secured almost £300,000 from the National Lottery which will ensure that The Elm Project can continue to provide therapy for at least another four years. 

Since the project began in 2022 more than 500 people have benefited from therapy to help them recover from the sexual abuse they suffered. 

Most of the survivors are women, but the therapies are available free to anyone aged over four of any gender who has been subjected to sexual abuse. 

The most common therapy is talking therapy but The Elm Project also offers Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help process trauma, and children may be offered creative therapy through play, art and sand tray. 

Over 80% of clients who accessed the Elm Project said that they were able to better cope and recover with aspects of everyday life following support from NW Counselling Hub. 

Emma Conway, Chief Executive of NW Counselling Hub, is delighted by the news. 

“We’re all very pleased to have secured this funding,” she said. “It’s a significant amount of money which will allow us to help a large number of people and continue the amazing Elm Project. 

“The organisations and professionals who refer people to our service are thrilled by the news. When the funding for this project previously came to an end there was a large gap in service provision for survivors of sexual abuse, many of whom were left without any hope.” 

There are currently 14 counsellors in the NW Counselling Hub team who are highly qualified and have at least two years’ post-qualifying experience. 

Survivors are usually referred for therapy by support organisations such as Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Specialist Service (LDASS), Lincolnshire Action Trust, Framework and the Lincolnshire Recovery Partnership. People can also refer themselves for therapy. 

Graham Rowntree, Support Planner at Framework Lincoln, said: “We’ve used NW Counselling Hub for some years now. The team strives to ensure our clients’ needs are matched with the appropriate counsellor, and they’re empathetic and sensitive to the complex nature of Framework clients. 

“NW Counselling Hub is recognised throughout Framework for delivering a quality service, and there is always a tangible improvement for our clients. After accessing NW Counselling Hub they report empowerment, clarity, a sense of relief, reaching an understanding, optimism, confidence, hope and an enthusiasm for the future. 

“These outcomes would be a lot more difficult to achieve without the intervention of NW Counselling Hub.” 

Emma Conway added: “If you’ve experienced sexual abuse, you don’t need to have reported it to the police or asked for help elsewhere to qualify for the therapy. And there’s no obligation to talk to your counsellor about your experience. 

“If you would like our help, please get in touch with us in complete confidence.” 

If you would like to access support from The Elm Project, call 01522 253809 or email admin@nwcounsellinghub.co.uk. 

To find out more about NW Counselling Hub and the work it does, you can attend their open morning next month: 

When: Monday 20th July 2026, 10am to 12 noon 

Where: NW Counselling Hub 

Regus Lincoln 

Cromwell House 

Crusader Rd 

Lincoln LN6 7YT 

Or you can visit: https://nwcounsellinghub.co.uk

Case study 

Claire (44) from Lincoln approached NW Counselling Hub for help after she experienced domestic and sexual abuse. 

“I would like people to know how life-changing it has been receiving help from The Elm Project. After experiencing domestic and sexual abuse and long-term post-separation abuse, I had been living a cycle of never-ending trauma. That cycle closed my world completely. I had disconnected from everybody and everything. I barely left the house and felt completely hopeless. 

“NWCH were fantastic from the moment I reached out. The wait for an appointment was short, and the client co-ordinator kept in touch with me to explain how my sessions would work. During my first session with my therapist, I was reassured in a way I’ve never known before. My therapist was so genuine and gave me the safest possible space I could have asked for. I knew at that very first meeting that I could trust her, connect and finally start to explore what was holding me back. 

“My sessions were at the same time every week but it was explained to me that this was my therapy, my story and would go at my pace. If I needed longer between appointments, that was OK. Whatever I needed. I think this was the first time that something had ever worked to serve me. It was purely about my wellbeing and what I needed. 

“Some of the things I was carrying had happened over 30 years ago; I wasn’t sure I would ever be able to process them and move forward to enjoy life again, but I’m so happy to share that I have. Being able to work with my therapist in The Elm Project, with a special thanks to the funding which made it accessible for me, has helped me now return to weightlifting, which was something I loved, amongst women who empower me. 

“I’ve now booked a holiday to go away with my son. I feel like life has started again. My mindset has shifted and I feel so much lighter. I no longer have a constant sense of fear or dread every day. 

“Being able to access this support has given me tools that I’ve been able to use since my sessions have ended. I would encourage anybody stuck in that same cycle I had found myself in to reach out. You will find amazing support from people who are genuine and wonderful. 

“I’ve found myself again – not being able to recognise myself was one of the hardest things. My feelings and experiences were validated and my strength was encouraged. It’s changed everything for me! Thank you to my therapist, NWCH and the Elm Project.”