FAQs
About the Uprawr Mental Health Foundation
What is UPRAWR?
UPRAWR is an alternative club night mainly playing rock, pop punk and metal music, which launched in 2010. Since then, we’ve operated all over the UK, within various club nights, festivals and gigs. We also have music studios and launched a music publishing company.
Why do you have a mental health charity?
We understand that struggling with your mental health is no joke and there can sometimes be a feeling of judgement or discomfort within formal medical settings, which people can find off-putting, meaning they don’t get the help they need. Our aim is to change that by providing a laid-back, comfortable environment specifically aimed at those within the ‘alternative’ community to get the help they need, among likeminded individuals in a place that understands them.
What else do you do?
Honestly, here at UPRAWR, we do lots of really cool stuff. Obviously with UPRAWR Mental Health Foundation being the coolest one.
Also, you might of heard of our 1000 Lights events?
If you’re interested in seeing the other cool stuff we get up to, maybe check out the UPRAWR social media in our footer.
Counselling Sessions
How do I book a session?
Booking either a group or individual session with us is super easy. Just submit our booking form and we’ll aim to get back to you within 24-hours.
What can I expect at my session?
Our sessions are super relaxed, as we aim to make you feel as comfortable as possible.
Individual and group sessions typically last 50-minutes and occur once a week. You will be allocated 6 weekly sessions completely free of charge.
For your very first counselling session, your counsellor will chat to you, getting to know you and your specific needs to assess what is most helpful to you. Your counselling sessions will be scheduled for a mutually convenient day and time for a 6 week period.
What is the cancellation period?
Cancellations/Rescheduling should be done by contacting your counsellor directly. We ask that you give us 48-hours notice of any cancellations (excluding weekends). Otherwise, there are late cancellation fees which are as follows:
In-person session:
Less than 48 Hours notice: £35
Less than 24 Hours notice/No show: £45
Online session:
Less than 48 Hours notice: £30
Less than 24 Hours notice/No show: £35
We understand this may seem harsh, but our funding and therefore sessions are very limited. If you don’t need your session, someone else will and with enough notice, we can fill the gap and give them the session they need.
In the event of a late arrival, please inform your counsellor if possible and please be aware that your session cannot be extended.
Is this a completely free service?
Yes, our counselling is 100% free. Once you’re assessed and registered, you’ll receive six completely free counselling sessions.
However, we do charge fees for no-shows and late cancellations. We understand that schedules change, and we’ll always do our best to accommodate you. But if you miss a session without notice, we still have to pay for it, so we pass on a percentage of that cost to you. While we aim to keep everything free, we can’t justify covering sessions that don’t happen. That’s why we ask you to take responsibility if you don’t attend.
Do you work with any type of mental health condition?
We offer a short term intervention for 6 weeks which is only suitable for mild to moderate presenting issues. We are totally committed to keeping everyone safe and this means if a presenting issue is severe or complex, we may signpost you to a more suitable service.
Are your counsellors qualified?
Yes our counsellors are qualified and registered members of a professional body. We do sometimes have student counsellors and this would be discussed with you before allocating your counsellor.
What type of counselling is it?
We offer face to face counselling and also online sessions. Our counsellors are trained in a number of modalities from CBT to Person Centred therapy and will work with you to best meet your needs.
How will I know what to expect?
One 2 One:
Once you’re registered, we’ll contact you with the next steps. This will be your opportunity to ask any questions before being matched with your counsellor. A highly experienced counsellor will reach out to answer any concerns and ensure you’re paired with the right person. From there, you’ll be able to schedule a day and time for your first session.
Groups:
Clicking the link will allow you to join the group session instantly. You’ll be welcomed by our trained counsellor, Heather, and there’s no obligation to speak or share anything you’re not comfortable with.
Sessions typically include 6-10 participants, creating a supportive and understanding environment.
Donations & Fundraising
How can I make a donation?
So you’re feeling generous? Making a donation to us here at the UPRAWR Mental Health Foundation is super easy, just click here to be taken to our Donate Now page and fill in the information.
Is there a minimum donation?
For now, there’s a £5 minimum donation requirement through our Donate page. We’re doing what we can to change this, however our payment gateway Stripe requires this minimum for security purposes (sorry). Despite this, any and all donations no matter how big or small are hugely appreciated and 100% of donations go towards us improving the quality and availability of our services.
How can I fundraise?
Fundraising is super easy. For more information on fundraising ideas, be sure to check out our blog posts by clicking here.
Where to find us
Getting to us by train
The closest train station to us is Birmingham Snow Hill (BSW), which is only a 5-minute walk away from UPRAWR. Click Here for directions from Snow Hill station to UPRAWR.
For directions from Birmingham New Street, Click Here. Approx. a 15-minute walk, or you could hop on the 16/16A/74 bus.
And for Moor Street Station, Click Here. Approx. a 20-minute walk, or you could hop on the 16/16A bus.
Getting to us by bus
The closest buses to us are: 16/16A/52/74 which stop at Stop CN4 Constitution Hill/St Paul’s Metro Stop a 3-minute walk away from UPRAWR.
7 which stops at Lower Loveday Street on Summer Lane, a 4-minute walk away.
33/51/907/907A/934/935/036/937/937A/997 which stop at Lower Tower Street on New Town Row, a 9-minute walk away.
Getting to us by car
Our address is 41 Hampton Street, B19 3LS. There is usually on-street parking available around the studios as well as multiple paid car parks.
Volunteering
How can I sign up to volunteer?
You can sign up by filling out or volunteering form. Once you’ve submitted your details, we’ll reach out when volunteer opportunities become available.
What kind of volunteer roles are available?
Most of our volunteer opportunities are for event support, but we also welcome volunteers with skills. Graphic design, marketing, and media are always particularly welcome, but if you have any skills that may help behind the scenes please let us know.
When will I be contacted about volunteering?
If you’ve signed up for general event volunteering, we’ll reach out when we start recruiting for specific events throughout the year.
Do I need any prior experience to volunteer?
No prior experience is necessary for event volunteers! We’ll provide any training or information you need before the event.
How can I put my professional skills to use?
If you have a specific set you’d like to volunteer, we’d love to know! If you have skills in graphic design, marketing, or media, email sarah@uprawrfoundation.org for a specific form to fill out.
Do volunteers need to be a certain age?
Yes, all volunteers must be 18 or older to participate in our events and activities.
Will I get free entry to events if I volunteer?
Volunteers working at events will usually receive free entry, but this may vary depending on the event. More details will be provided when we contact you.
Can I volunteer for multiple events?
What should I expect as an event volunteer?
Event roles vary but may include helping with setup, merch stalls, directing attendees, or assisting with general event operations. It’s a great way to be part of the scene and make a difference!
Who can I contact if I have more questions?
If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out to sarah@uprawrfoundation.org.
Can't find the answer to your question?
If you can’t find the answer to your question, just send it to us on our Contact Us page and we’ll aim to get back to you within 24 hours.
