Our Programme
What is Mercy Ministries?
Mercy Ministries provides a structured residential based programme providing accommodation and support for young women facing life-controlling issues.
We offer a holistic approach to recovery addressing every aspect of a young woman’s physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual well-being. Mercy Ministries is faith based organization and uses a counselling model based on Christian principles, delivered by professionally qualified counselors.
Who does our program help?
Our programme is designed to help young women aged 16 to 28 years who need help and who have a strong desire for change.
Young women who apply to our programme are dealing with issues such as:
- Eating disorders
- Self harm
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Suicidal ideation
- Unplanned pregnancy
- Drug & alcohol abuse
- Effects of sexual, physical and emotional abuse
OR any issue which may not be listed above that is controlling a young women's life.
How is Mercy Ministries unique?
Individual care plan
Each young woman who enters our programme requires individual care and attention. We work with the young women to assess the individual issues they are facing and how best we can stage their recovery process. The length of stay for a young woman is around 6 months according to her individual issues and progress. Graduation occurs when a resident has worked through the stages of recovery and consistently demonstrates that she is equipped with the necessary life skills and strategies to integrate back into society and lead a productive and fulfilling life.
Voluntary Programme
Mercy Ministries is a voluntary programme. Residents must be willing to work with the staff and be involved in all aspects of the programme. Each resident makes her own choice about how she will apply herself to, and participate in our program and commits to making the necessary changes the program requires.
No Cost
Our programme is provided at no cost to our residents. The purpose of this is to demonstrate that we value any young woman who is serious about changing her life, no matter who she is, what background she is from or what her financial circumstance.
Equine Assisted Therapy
Unique to the UK home, our newly introduced Equestrian Programme is designed to create a partnership between the horse and resident based on trust and understanding. Aimed at developing confidence, overcoming fear and learning new life skills, the horses are having a great impact in the girls’ lives.
The two ex-abused horses – Danny and Charlie – belong to a trained ‘Horse Whisperer’ and qualified EAP therapist Beccy Fox. Beccy brings her experience of working with ill-treated horses and mixes it with troubled young people to get amazing results.
Over the past few month since introducing the technique, we have had the pleasure of watching many of our residents grow and learn in unique ways.
Complete Restoration
We believe that change is possible no matter what situation or circumstance the young women find themselves in if they are willing to face and work through the issues affecting their lives. We understand that this is enormously difficult and challenging, and requires a great deal of courage, but we do believe it is possible. Working with the staff and facilities made available, the residents have the choice to move beyond minimal function and in most cases, into a life that is rewarding and fulfilling.
Location of Mercy Ministries homes
Mercy Ministries UK currently operates one residential home in Oxenhope, West Yorkshire with plans to expand across the UK in due course.
Mercy Ministries UK church affiliation
Mercy Ministries is a non-denominational organisation. All young women are welcome to apply regardless of religious or spiritual background.
Each residential home is affiliated with a local church in the community that supports the programme. The young women attend church services as part of the programme.
Who financially supports the program?
Mercy Ministries is financially supported through individual donors, corporate partnerships and fundraising events that are held throughout the year. These raise the funds to support our residential programme as our programme is provided at no charge to young women.
