The Olive Branch - A Beacon of Hope

You are more used to seeing Lorraine Taggart behind the counter of the business she runs with her husband Melvyn - Frame It in Society Street. However, Lorraine also gives her time to The Olive Branch charity whose offices are on Brook Street (above Fairley’s Wines).

This article is featured in the Autumn edition of Our CQ Magazine - To explore more articles, please click here.

In the current climate, the important issue of mental health has never been more prevalent and The Olive Branch is there to provide a free-of-charge, self-referral, no-appointment necessary professional counselling service.

Lorraine explained: “The Olive Branch can offer support for anything that is causing an individual to feel low including depression, anxiety, addiction, grief and clients experiencing suicidal thoughts.

‘I help answer the phones to anyone who needs help or wants to speak to a counsellor. Sometimes people just want to talk and tell you about their problems.

“I make a note of calls and if someone wants to book an appointment with a counsellor. The Olive Branch have counsellors in Coleraine, Magherafelt and Ballymena and we usually have a waiting list.”

Northern Ireland has the highest rates of poor mental health of any of the four UK jurisdictions

Mental health problems are the single largest cause of ill health and disability in Northern Ireland with one in five adults experiencing a mental health problem, a rate 25% higher than in England.

“We want to really try to break the stigma surrounding mental health and get the message out there that it really is okay not to be okay,” added Lorraine. The Olive Branch’s mental health professionals are passionate and dedicated to positively impacting the mental health of the people who need help in the wider Coleraine community.”

Lorraine has been manning the phones for the charity, which was formed in 2017 by Alan Mulholland and Leone Neill, on a Monday for just over a year now.

“Leone is a good friend and I thought what she was doing is great,” said the businesswoman. “I thought if I can do a little to help so I answer the phone on a Monday, if money needs to be banked in Coleraine I do that and if Leone isn’t available to do a cheque presentation photo then I can stand in for her.

“Sometimes it is hard to hear people’s stories when they are at the lowest point in their life and it can affect you, you do think about them and hope they are okay. All you can do is listen to them and hopefully signpost them in the right direction.”

The Olive Branch is a self-funded organisation, funded by sponsorship and by the funds raised through events, competitions and individual personal challenges.

“The vital work the charity does depends on people fundraising for it. Recently JKC BMW in the town held a Spectacular BMW Car Showcase and raised over £1400 for The Olive Branch and the Bank of Ireland in town organised a raffle with all proceeds presented to us which is fantastic. The work The Olive Branch does is so important, if anyone reading this can help weather they make a donation or organise a fundraising event they will be making a real difference.”

If you are feeling low, anxious, depressed or mentally exhausted, these are just some of the things that The Olive Branch’s mental health professionals can help you with.

Call and speak to the team. The Olive Branch was set up to help as many people suffering from their mental health as possible,  and they want to help people find their path to mental wellness.

All Olive Branch’s mental health professionals are passionate and dedicated to offering ongoing support to anyone who feels the need. This service is completely free of charge and is self-referral. Over 11s only.

The Olive Branch, Brook Street, Coleraine. Telephone: 07561 647123. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheOliveBranch.RespectingMinds

If you would like to donate go to: justgiving.com/theolivebranch-respectingminds