Counselling service to breakdown cultural and language barriers for people struggling with mental health
The service has already been nominated for a number of awards
Trained counsellor Chompa Syeda Begum has set-up a counselling service aimed at removing the barriers to seeking help which may be experienced by women from ethnically diverse communities across the city.
Chompa decided to set-up community interest company Al-Falaq Counselling after experiencing her own wellbeing challenges and becoming aware of the cultural, language and faith-based barriers that can prevent people from seeking mental health support.
She said: “Through my own experience of grief and loss, and later through my work as a counsellor, I became aware of how many women – particularly from faith and culturally diverse communities – struggle in silence.
“I wanted to create a service rooted in compassion and cultural understanding, where people feel seen, heard and respected. Al-Falaq Counselling is about ensuring community wellbeing remains at the heart of mental health support.”
The company’s name, Al-Falaq, means ‘daybreak’ and reflects its “mission of bringing hope and renewal to individuals navigating loss, bereavement, grief, trauma and a range of emotional and psychological challenges”.
Chompa said: “While mental health services exist, many women from culturally diverse communities still struggle to find support that reflects their lived experience. We aim to bridge that gap and ensure no one feels they have to navigate emotional distress alone.”
Chompa set the business up in 2025 with the support of the social enterprise team at the North East Business & Innovation Centre (BIC), which provided guidance on governance, legal structures and regulatory requirements.
Al-Falaq has received a special recognition award for community contribution and been nominated across small business award categories.
Chompa added: “The response we’ve received shows how urgent this need is, not just locally but more widely.
“My vision is to see cultural competency embedded across mental health services so that support is not only clinically effective but also emotionally and culturally meaningful.
“The support I received from the BIC during the start up phase was incredibly valuable. It gave me confidence knowing there was practical, tailored support available to help me build a sustainable foundation for the CIC.”
Al-Falaq has formed a partnership Wearside Women in Need to deliver specialist domestic abuse support, advocacy and safe referral pathways.
Ernest Dodds, BIC social enterprise adviser, said: “Al-Falaq Counselling demonstrates how lived experience can be transformed into meaningful social impact, and we were thrilled to support Chompa in starting her CIC to deliver a culturally focussed service that responds directly to a community need.”
The BIC’s social enterprise support in Sunderland helps the development of the social economy within the city through the Wear Together Initiative, working with local residents and groups to start a social enterprise or co-operative and help the city’s social enterprises to develop and grow.
The Wear Together Initiative has received £148,638 from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund Programme which is managed in Sunderland by Sunderland City Council on behalf of the Sunderland Partnership.
Whilst aimed at breaking down cultural barriers, the services are open to people from all different backgrounds.