TVO and The Wallich partnered in 2015, initially to deliver workshops to The Wallich residents and service users across Wales. The workshops explored homelessness and related issues, looking at how these issues affect the people The Wallich supports and how they can break away from the labels and stigmas that are often forced upon them.
These workshops used the methods of applied theatre – a participatory approach to working with stories, created by people who would not usually make theatre, which is inclusive and challenges discrimination and marginalisation.
The workshops helped form the basis for the hugely successful ‘Behind The Label’ theatre project which offered people who had experienced homelessness and addiction the opportunity to use their voice and challenge stigma and discrimination. The project continues and is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
As the partnership progressed, in 2016 The Wallich and TVO formalised their working arrangement to explore the use of therapeutic interventions with people experiencing addictions and mental health issues.
This, in turn, led to the two organisations working together as The Wallich works towards becoming a psychologically informed organisation. They embedded PIE principles (Psychologically Informed Environments), not just across the physical spaces of the charity’s buildings, but throughout their ways of working and supporting people at every level.
Going forward, TVO is moving its focus back to its therapeutic projects both nationally and internationally they are so well known for.
The Wallich would like to wish TVO every success in their new endeavors.
The Wallich are at an advanced stage of negotiating a new partnership to support their psychological services, which they expect to announce shortly