The Mustard Seed recently held the official launch and opening for their Wellness Centre, which is essentially a small clinician's office located within the Mustard Seed. 

The idea behind the Wellness Centre is to provide barrier-free access to medical, dental or other health services, even including massage or counselling. 

They've got the space, they have a doctor and a mental health clinician and now, they are hoping to bring in more volunteers to help round out those services. 

"The grand opening was really about introducing our doctor and mental health clinician. It was a grand opening, but we are still trying to find more volunteers and more uses for this building and for this room,"  said Joshua Adams, a Registered Psychologist and the Manager of Clinical Operations and Programs for the local Mustard Seed.

"For example, we're hoping to get a dentist or two to come in. We're in conversation with a chiropractor and a number of other professionals. We're thinking about any services that would be helpful for our guests, where there is a significant barrier for them to access that service in the community."

Those barriers include physical disabilities, mental health issues, substance use disorders or people who feel they can't reach out to professionals for other, more personal reasons.

"Transportation is definitely one big one but I think one of the biggest barriers is that a lot of our guests have trust or relationship issues with "the system". They have been treated poorly, or have difficulty getting proper services and treatment at, for example, hospitals or clinics. Over time, they have developed struggles in terms of trust. Coming here, we have the opportunity to sit down with them and do an intake and do some case management, and look at them as a whole person to figure out how we can best help them," Adams said. 

Adams explained that part of what they can offer at the Mustard Seed Wellness Centre is the advocacy and connecting people to additional resources that may help them navigate other issues they are facing. 

"For example, many of our clients haven't had access to a doctor for many years or are dealing with some serious mental health issues that aren't being treated," Adams explained. " If we can, through our initial relationship, say, "Hey, I know this person and he/she is over in this room and could help with one or more of your needs", that can reduce some trust-related barriers."

Adams adds there are also financial barriers, making it to appointments on time, a lack of benefits or even awareness of programs available. 

"I think that a lot of people don't understand what people who live in poverty or who are experiencing homelessness go through. By bringing in people here, we can have someone work with our clients and get to know them and their issues, and that can be very helpful. 

Right now, Adams is looking for professionals who are willing to donate their time to assist the clients of the Mustard Seed. He said they are always looking for volunteers for other programs as well, including people to help with the meal delivery or preparation or people who might be willing to bring in a social event or program. 

To get involved with the Mustard Seed's Wellness Centre, you can contact the facility at  (403) 347-1844.