So, who are Keeping Families in Mind (KFiM)?

This is a service that offers support to the families of serving and veteran Armed Forces personnel.

The work is delivered by Sheffield Mind, Doncaster Mind and Rotherham and Barnsley Mind. All have been providing  mental health support in South Yorkshire for many decades and between them have a wealth of experience in delivering innovative support services.

KFiM is funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and our team have worked closely with partners to make

sure the service is engaging and relevant to the people at which aimed. The team are committed to the very highest standards of care and are always looking for new and innovative approaches to engaging with the target group.

Click on the image to hear more about it. 

We believe that family members are most able to support one another when they are able to access the support which they really need.

Our service is available to the families of current and veteran personnel from all branches of the armed forces. 

Family members include:

Spouse/Partner
Parent
Child
Sibling
Carer

This service is available for families over the age of 18. 

We support family members living in South Yorkshire regardless of where their relative is currently living or stationed.

What are our services?

Counselling

We offer free, confidential counselling from a qualified (BACP registered) therapist.

Available therapies:

Individual talking therapy
Counselling offers a safe space where you can explore matters which may be too hard to discuss with other people who are close to you.  The space is non-judgemental and a counsellor can walk alongside you whilst you try to make sense or understand more about what is going on for you right now. 

Counselling has no bias to anyone or service and it is wholeheartedly aimed at working with you in a way which can potentially have long lasting effects.  Such progress could include a greater awareness of you and how you are in other important relationships.  This improved awareness can allow you to make choices which are more in keeping with your true self.  Counselling can also improve confidence and give you that sense of what is really important in your life. 

There is often a gap between who we really are and what we portray to the world, the difference between these two states can manifest in many ways but most commonly are feelings of unhappiness and unease within yourself.  Over time counselling can bring you more in line with who you want to be and this can allow you to feel much more content.  This can have a positive knock on effect in other areas of your life.

It's important to remember that counselling is not a quick fix and progress takes time.  You may not always feel a week by week positive benefit.  Some weeks will be tough but in order to achieve the potential benefits mentioned above its important that you stay committed even when it’s hard or you feel it’s not helping.

The service is flexible in its delivery; we can see people in our offices throughout South Yorkshire, at community venues or visit people in their homes. We also offer telephone counselling and video counselling via zoom.

Support Groups

We run monthly groups across South Yorkshire. Our support groups encourage peer support and provide people with the

space to talk and be heard, as well as to listen to others. Groups are open to families.

Currently there is a writing group and craft group which operate monthly.

KFIM Craft Group

A group of lovely people who come together every month to get crafty.  We make fun things and teach new craft skills and techniques. There’s plenty of lively chatter and laughter too along with the obligatory cuppa. A great opportunity for “me time” with like-minded people.

The group meets every second Tuesday of the month. Click here for further information 

KFIM Book Club

Book groups are a great way to make friends and you are never short of something to talk about! Come together with friends to discuss what you have read, why you couldn't put it down - or why you didn't pick it up - Did you guess whodunnit? Will there be a Happy Ever After? 

These informal meetings are a great opportunity to have a chat and enjoy a bit of escapism.

The group meets the first Tuesday of the month, see here for further details

Peer Support Group.

Join our Peer Support Group, a safe place to talk about any difficulties you are experiencing. Whether your loved one has been deployed or you’ve had to relocate your family and feeling a little isolated and lonely in your new home. Or just want to meet people with a similar experience to yourself. These groups run every Wednesday from 11 am till 12.30 and are run online via zoom.

Click here, for more details.

Events

In the past we have organised a Family Fun Day every year with information stalls, children’s activities and a football tournament. The event is intended to bring families together and promote greater awareness of services and support networks.

See here for details of the latest events and activities