Harmless was established at the beginning of October 2007. It is a national voluntary organisation for people who self harm, their friends, families and professionals. Harmless has 3 Directors:

• Caroline Roe, 31, has over 10 years experience in the field of self harm, mental health and support work. She currently works  as a Director, trainer and support worker for Harmless and as a counsellor. She is currently studying for her Masters in psychotherapy, after graduating in psychology and training as a counsellor. Caroline has personal experience of self harm and has had a long battle to overcome her difficulties; she now hopes to inspire hope in others.
• Amy Harris, 26, has over 6 years experience in the field of self harm. She has experience of depression and recovery, and of being a carer for someone who self harms. As well as working for Harmless, Amy works at RNIB college Loughborough and volunteers as a Unit Leader for a Guide Unit locally and enjoys camping and spending time outdoors and with friends.
• Heather Williams, 23, has overcome her battle with self harm. She first came into contact with members of the Harmless Team looking for support and is now in a position where she can offer the same help to others. She works as a Child Practitioner after recently graduating with a degree in Children’s Studies. She enjoys playing rugby, and being with friends.
• Lorna Gillam, 25, is Harmless's designer. She graduated in 2006 in Design and Art Direction. Her experience of supporting a partner who self harms has driven her commitment to the work of Harmless. Her design work has enabled us to produce quality information and develop a positive image for Harmless.
• Adrienne Grove has recently joined the Harmless team as a Project Worker. Adrienne is a qualified counsellor, and has a good understanding of self harm and distress. She is excited to join the team and is enjoying her new role.
• Val Stevens has joined the Harmless team as a volunteer co-ordinator. She has followed the rising success of Harmless over the past few years and has joined the team to engage with more volunteers and to support Harmless in it's growing activities.
• Naomi Stewart has joined Harmless as a Sessional Counsellor. She has experience of working with the effects of trauma, anxiety and depression and is committed to providing therapeutic support to people in the community. She is enjoying the diversity of experience gained working within Harmless.
• Darren Whelband, 25, has joined Harmless as part of the admin team. He is very happy to have joined Harmless and excited to be part of such a wonderful organisation. He is currently a student at Nottingham Trent University studying Business Management and enjoys music and spending time with his friends and family.  
• Harmless also has an advisory group, comprised of people who have personal and professional experience of self harm. The advisory group is consulted about developments with Harmless, and help us to develop a service that is responsive to what people need. Our key belief is in giving you a voice! We aim to have a fair representation of individuals from all backgrounds on the advisory group.

Our History

Harmless began in October 2007, with myself (Caroline) and Amy hoping to turn a dream of a hopeful and positive service into reality. We began with nothing, and spent hours and hours trying to build up the service. We were lucky to quite quickly generate interest and support, and secured our first pot of money from the Big Lottery's Awards for All programme, and were given support from the Women4Women project.

The Princes Trust

The biggest time of change for Harmless was when we engaged with the Princes Trust. Not only did they see the potential in the concept for Harmless, but in us as individuals with a long standing history of overcoming adversity. They helped us, via what was the Big Boost Project (now known as Community Cash), which aims to give groups of young people the chance to turn community projects into reality. Their support of us enabled Harmless to grow and become what it is today, and they continue to support us via the Business Programme. For more information go to www.princes-trust.org.uk

Awards

From the early days we have generated much interest, and have been nominated and received many awards:

• December 2007, nominated for Women4Women Community Impact Award;
• Summer 2008, nominated for a Reach Out Award;
• Summer 2008, fnalists for an Inspiration, Proud of You Award;
• December 2008, winners of East Midlands Community Impact Award.
• March 2009, winners of Runner Up Community Impact Award.
• June 2009, semi-finalists of the National Lottery Awards fr Best Community Project.
• July 2009, given an award in recognition for our community work determined by a live vote.
• September 2009, finalists for Nottingham's Big 10 Awards, Proud of You Awards, and nominees for Social Enterprise Awards.
• December 2009, finalists for Rushcliffe Community Awards.
• March 2010, finalist for small business of the year awards.
• Heather was also a finalist for a Young Person Of The Year Award for her work in trying to challenge stigma and isolation related to self harm in December 2009, and Caroline for an Inspiration Award and Business Woman of the Year.

Over the last year we have been supported by The Community Foundation, Nottingham who enabled us to run to health and wellbeing events in Nottingham in the spring. We showed a film about self harm at the Broadway Cinema, which was a great success, and were honoured in the summer this year with an award to recognise our work.

New phase of work

Harmless is now contracted to Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust to deliver a range of new services, including a weekly drop in, and support services, alongside training and staff development to Trust staff.

Harmless would like to thank: