With the purpose to create and hold spaces that are both inclusive and accessible even for those who live on the margins, Prafulta reaches out to the community at Subhash Nagar through its various outreach programmes since 2021.

Our counsellors facilitate group sessions with the women and adolescent girls every week. These sessions aim to provide a safe space for the participants to – • Express themselves • Identify personal strengths • Learn healthy ways to manage emotions and distress • Develop life skills and self-care tools • Build healthy and supportive relationships

Different modalities such as art, movement, games, activities, discussions, etc. are used in the sessions to make it relevant and engaging for the participants. The counsellors also psycho-educate the group on various mental health and child developmental issues and provide need based counselling for the participants whenever required.

Macramé per Charcha

In the ‘basti’(slum) communities, people often do not see mental health as a priority, and many do not fully understand the concept. To encourage women to participate in group discussions on mental health, we introduce them to handwork skills that they thoroughly enjoy. Every Monday, a psychotherapist, who is also a skilled handwork trainer (we have partnered with ‘Yarning with Love’), conducts sessions to teach macramé and crochet. As the women weave and yarn with love, our counsellors engage them in conversations around self-esteem, parenting, and relationship concerns. The handmade products are then sold, enabling the women to earn not just an income, but also a deep sense of confidence and self-worth.

In an endeavour to reach out to a wider demographic, we also organize large community events focused on various topics such as managing stressful emotions for children, career guidance for adolescents, awareness on substance misuse, understanding child development and emotional wellbeing of children, conscious parenting, etc.

Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham

An Emotional Development outreach event, organized by Prafulta since 2015, caters to students and parents from different schools and bastis in Mumbai. The program includes music, dance, and engaging activities for children and their parents.

In 2024, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham ‘ Mera Hero Kaun’ was organized for the children at Subhash Nagar. We invited Mr. Amin Sheikh, who grew up in the bastis and went on to open his own café, to share his inspiring journey. His story encouraged the children to dream big and believe in themselves.