Welcome to Athena Mentors CIC: Our Story
- Jul 1
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 29
Every organisation has a story and every founder has a reason for creating it.
This is the story behind
Athena Mentors CIC.
It Began with Listening
Hi my name is Charly and as a Relational Psychotherapist, I have had the privilege of supporting people across many different identities and cultures, each with their own lived experiences, challenges and strengths.
Time and time again, I witnessed how important it was for people to have access to culturally safe, compassionate therapeutic support, somewhere they felt understood, somewhere they could pause, breathe and feel less alone.
Those conversations taught me that holistic wellbeing is deeply personal. No two journeys are the same, yet so many of us long for the same things: connection, compassion, understanding and a space where we can simply be ourselves.
My passion for this work, however, was shaped by more than my professional experience.
When Life Took an Unexpected Turn
In 2017, my own life changed in ways I could never have imagined. I was diagnosed with a rare, life-changing condition that suddenly reshaped everything I thought I knew about myself. As someone who is also neurodiverse, navigating that uncertainty felt overwhelming. My needs changed almost overnight and I found myself searching for something that could bring a sense of steadiness back into my life.
That search led me to journaling.
I began writing at all hours of the day and night. What started as scattered thoughts and reflections gradually became a way of making sense of everything I was experiencing. By taking life in small, manageable pieces, I slowly found greater clarity, balance and acceptance.
Years later, journaling remains one of the most valuable tools I use, both personally and professionally. It reminded me that lasting change is rarely achieved through one big moment. More often, it is built through small, intentional steps that help us reconnect with ourselves. It also reinforced everything I already believed through my work.
Whilst journaling helped me find greater clarity, I know that my wellbeing was also strengthened by the people around me. I was fortunate to have a trusted circle of family and friends whose support reminded me that we all need people we can lean on from time to time.
Finding Strength in Others
That experience reinforced something I already believed through my work as a Psychotherapist. Wellbeing is not only shaped by the relationship we have with ourselves but also by the relationships we build with others and the communities we feel part of.
After all, we each carry experiences that have shaped who we are.
Over the years, the conversations I have shared with people from all walks of life have continually reminded me that although our stories are different, our need for connection, compassion and belonging is something we all share.
The Birth of Athena Mentors
Back then, holistic wellbeing was not only about finding support during life's most difficult moments. It was and still is about creating regular opportunities to slow down, reflect and care for ourselves. So many of us spend our lives caring and worrying for everyone else, meeting expectations and moving from one responsibility to the next without ever stopping to ask ourselves how "am I" are really doing.
I wanted to create the kind of space I had needed, and one that I knew many others needed too. A place where people could give themselves permission to pause, reflect and simply be. Not because they had reached breaking point, but because their wellbeing mattered every day.
Wellbeing is not about doing more. It is about making space for what matters most.
Together, my professional experience and personal journey laid the foundations for what was to become Athena Mentors CIC and as the vision became clearer, so did the name.
Why the Name Athena Mentors?
I had long been fascinated by Greek mythology and was particularly drawn to Athena, the goddess of wisdom, courage and thoughtful guidance. Those positive qualities reflected everything I hoped Athena Mentors would represent. One part of her story also stayed with me. In some accounts, Athena disguises herself as a man in order to offer guidance in a world where women were not always heard. As a woman supporting others, that symbolism resonated deeply with me. It reminded me that true guidance is not about recognition or status. It is about walking alongside people with compassion, wisdom and purpose.
Looking Ahead
Although counselling and psychotherapy remain at the heart of what I do, Today, Athena Mentors has grown into an organisation that offers a range of services and workshops designed to meet people where they are and support holistic wellbeing in many different ways.
Every service is designed to encourage you to make space for yourself in ways that feel realistic, welcoming and sustainable, as everyone deserves access to compassionate, culturally safe spaces where they feel seen, valued and supported.
Our work has a particular focus on supporting women, children and young people from the black community, however, we also welcome people from all ethnic communities.
Athena Mentors was never created to tell people how to live their lives. It was created to remind people that their wellbeing deserves time, attention and care. If our workshops, retreats, therapeutic services or resources help just one person feel safe to pause, fully engage, reflect and connect, then Athena Mentors is already fulfilling the purpose it was created for.
Anything Else!!!
More recently, I created...
My 10-Minute Dawn to Dusk Journal: Mindful Mornings & Reflective Nights | Self-care to encourage simple moments of reflective writing, affirmations, gratitude practices and mindfulness, as part of everyday life. It is based on the belief that even a few mindful minutes each day can become meaningful habits over time.
The Inspiration Of Blogging
My hope is that my blogs will encourage conversations around mental health, inspire people to make time for their wellbeing and show that there are many different ways we can support ourselves and one another.
Ps. I will also be producing a monthly newsletter as a natural extension of Athena Mentors, which you can subscribe to.
Here, I will be sharing therapy-informed insights, practical wellbeing ideas, self-care inspiration, journaling prompts, reflections from nature, updates about our workshops and retreats and the work we are doing within the community, so why not sign up today, to which you will also get a FREE self-care checklist, designed to help you gently explore how you are supporting yourself across key areas of your holistic wellbeing. It is simple, clear and designed to take just a few minutes, while giving you meaningful insight into where you are and what you may need next.
✨ Click the button to subscribe to Athena Mentors monthly newsletter and to receive your FREE self-care checklist
A Final Thought
Whether this is your first visit or you have been following Athena Mentors for some time, thank you for being here. I look forward to sharing this journey with you.
Warm wishes, Charly 😊
