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Volunteer Centre re-accredited by Investing in Volunteers
Develop Partner Community Links Bromley (CLB) has been re-accredited with the Investing in Volunteers Award. The Award provides evidence of the positive way CLB manages a team of volunteers and the impact the tasks undertaken by volunteers have on the quality of services delivered to local organisations.
Diane Diamond (pictured), Volunteer Centre Manager said “I am delighted with this Award. Although we know that we all do our very best to ensure CLB’s volunteers enjoy a positive experience, this award is proof of that.”
CLB is strongly supported by 10-15 volunteers undertaking a wide variety of office based tasks, from processing applications for volunteering across the borough to helping maintain an up-to-date database and reporting systems. The volunteers are essential to the work that CLB carry out and their retention rates are high due to the way they recruit and manage the team.
The Investing in Volunteers accreditation demonstrates a commitment to high quality volunteer management to potential volunteers, funders and service users. It is a chance to assess the quality of your volunteer management and involvement, prove and improve the effectiveness of your work with volunteers and enhance your organisation's reputation.
An example of the support CLB offer to their volunteers is the great news that Robert Jansz has achieved a Business Administration Level 2 Apprenticeship qualification whilst volunteering at Community Links Bromley. He joined Community Links Bromley, on a full-time basis, as part of the Future Jobs Fund initiative. Once he had undertaken six months of work, he stayed with CLB as a volunteer to complete his apprenticeship and achieve his qualification.
Robert’s tasks included work on Health and Safety, team working and customer facing tasks like dealing with phone enquiries and greeting visitors to the Centre. He was also substantially involved with the early days of checking data for the BiG Community Directory.
Wolf Wolfensberger - A Celebration
One year after the death of Dr Wolf Wolfensberger, the Values Education and Research Association (VERA) are inviting you to participate in a one-day event. Anyone who wishes to celebrate the contributions Wolf made to the debate about, and the understanding of, ways to help vulnerable people access the good things of life is welcome.
VERA want to hear from you about the impact of Wolf’s ideas on your life and/or work and encourage a wide range of different contributions from participants, and welcome your ideas and contributions covering any aspects of his life and work.
Volunteer performers needed for London 2012 Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympics Games (LOCOG) has today begun a search for enthusiastic and energetic adult volunteer performers to participate in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Jenny Sealey & Bradley Hemmings, Co Artistic -Directors of the Opening Ceremony and Kim Gavin, Artistic Director of the Paralympic Closing Ceremony, are searching for 5,000 volunteer performers to fill roles as dancers, actors, percussionists and general all-round performers.
Successful applicants will perform in front of a packed stadium and a worldwide broadcast audience for this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of one of the largest events ever staged in the UK.
Applicants must be able to participate in up to two auditions that will take place on evenings and weekends in February and March, up to two or three rehearsal sessions each week of up to four hours per session from June, and a number of all day rehearsals in the three weeks leading up to each Ceremony. All of these rehearsals will take place in East London.
Jenny Sealey, Co-Artistic Director of the London 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony said: ‘As with the Olympic Ceremonies we’re looking for both disabled and non-disabled applicants and previous performance experience is not required; we’re really looking for enthusiasm and commitment. Anyone with a positive attitude, huge amounts of energy and a willingness to perform in front of a stadium audience and to millions of people around the world should get onto the London 2012 website now and sign up.’
Kim Gavin, Artistic Director of the Paralympic Closing Ceremony, said: ‘For the Paralympic Ceremonies we’ll audition around 8,000 people to get our 5,000 volunteer performers. This is a great opportunity to take part in what will be the grand finale of the entire Games.'
People can find more information and register their interest for this opportunity by completing the online application form www.london2012.com/ceremoniescasting
The deadline for receipt of applications is 13 February 2012 and it is not a first come first served process.
To be eligible applicants must be aged 18 years or older on 1 March 2012. Only one application per person will be accepted and if LOCOG receives over 8,000 applications a computerised draw will be used to randomly create the short list for auditions.
For those who want a chance to see the successful applicants in action there are a limited number of tickets still available for the Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies at www.tickets.london2012.com
Places still available for PCP facilitator training
Community Options are running a Person Centred Planning two-day facilitator training course from 19-20 Jan 2012, and places are still available.
For full details and booking form, visit the event listing here
Broaden your horizons with Women Like Us
Women Like Us is a website offering part-time jobs for women who want to work but not at the expense of family life.
This is an ideal opportunity for women service users to engage in training and development, as long as you meet the following criteria.
You must:
- Be a mother
- Live in a London borough (Greenwich, Bromley and Bexley all count)
- Track history of work
- Under £20k/per annum household income
Simply register on the website http://www.womenlikeus.org.uk/ and you will be contacted shortly after.
GLL first leisure operator to adopt new disability strategy
Charitable social enterprise GLL has become the first leisure provider to adopt 'Inclusive and Active 2', a sport and physical activity strategy for disabled people living and working in London.
'Inclusive and Active 2' has been launched by Interactive, an organisation working for disability equality in sport, in partnership with the Greater London Authority (GLA) and NHS London. The strategy sets out five overarching strategic themes and identifies targeted outcomes, designed to increase the opportunities for disabled people to participate in sport.
Stewart Lucas, Chief Executive of Interactive said "We are delighted that GLL have adopted 'Inclusive and Active 2' and I'm especially pleased that by doing so they have become the first leisure operator to show their commitment towards the inclusion of disabled people. I am thrilled that they will be leading the way in transforming how disabled people access sport and physical activity across all of the boroughs they cover. Their adoption signals a commitment to increase the number of inclusive opportunities and to strive to ensure disabled people view being active as a viable lifestyle choice for them across London."
Having signed up to the strategy, GLL has developed an action plan that will improve inclusivity within the 70 leisure centres it operates within the Capital. This will cover key areas including cultural change, inclusivity, participation and improving skills.
While GLL hopes that this new initiative will help improve its disability strategy, the organisation will continue to maintain its support for local initiatives in partnership with councils and community organisations.
As part of Interactive's commitment to Inclusive and Active 2 it has developed a number of resources in order to promote and disseminate models of good practice and expertise, including a new online disability equality training tool -- 'Be Inclusive and Active'. Interactive will be working together with GLL to continue to improve training methods of the leisure industry staff, with particular reference to disability equality and inclusivity.
Phil Lane, Head of Sport and Olympic Legacy at GLL said; "We are delighted to be the first leisure organisation to have signed up to Interactive's new charter -- Inclusive and Active 2. As an organisation we have a long standing commitment to offering opportunity for all and encouraging disabled Londoners to use and enjoy the facilities that we operate within their local communities. However, this new partnership should enable us to improve further, by having access to the expert advice offered by Interactive and a specialist framework within which we can work and plan."
For more information about the Inclusive and Active 2 strategy please visit the Interactive website or GLL for more information about you local GLL operated leisure centre in London.
Complete a hearing voices questionnaire and you could win Amazon vouchers
The Clinical Psychology Doctoral research team at the University of Surrey (working on a project looking into the factors which contribute to recovery from psychosis) are seeking people who hear voices to help them in their research.
If you are based in the UK, have heard voices for at least 6 months (and have heard these in the last week) then the research team would be grateful if you could fill in
the online questionnaire:
http://www.fahs.surrey.ac.uk/survey/voices/
There are opportunities to win vouchers for Amazon for anyone who participates.
Change of time for Social Inclusion Forum
Develop's Social Inclusion Forum, originally due to start at 10am on Wednesday 2nd November, will now commence at 11.30am and finish at 1.30pm. This meeting will still take place at Newman Road. All are encouraged to attend this important meeting, as the future role of Develop will be discussed in great detail.
Please contact fabian.davis@oxleas.nhs.uk if you wish to attend.
Vote for Community Options!
Develop partner Community Options have applied for Natwest’s Community Force Award, to support their Community Choir, Harmony, and ACE, the Artistic Creative Expression drama group.
These groups are aimed at people with mental health needs and support them to have increased confidence, community engagement, make friends and a lot of fun! Harmony & ACE rely on community and charity funding in order to survive.
To see what it does for people, please watch the video testimonials on YouTube at www.youtube.com/communityoptionsltd
To vote, please go to http://communityforce.natwest.com/project/2753
In order to vote you need to register. Once registered you will receive a validation email which will allow you to vote.
Don't delay, vote today!
My Life goes live!
Bromley Council have launched the eagerly-awaited My Life website, a new adult social care website that people can find on the homepage of the Council's website. It's where people can get lots of information, advice and guidance at click of a mouse. From help around the home to personal care services, from dealing with money worries to keeping mobile, My Life has been designed to help people work out what they need and then show them the range of options and services that can help meet those needs as well as giving guidance so they can choose the right service or support for them.
Said Robert Evans, Executive Councillor for Adult and Social Care:
"More and more of us use new technology to manage our lives. We have launched 'My Life' so everyone, whether they are Council funded or not, can have the right information at their fingertips about what's out there to keep them as independent as possible and living in their own home in the community when they need care and support. There's a feedback facility on 'My Life' and I look forward to hearing your comments and views as we will be using what you tell us to continue to shape and develop the site."
Mental health charity chief says Government needs to look at root causes of recent riots
A LEADING charity for black mental health said the Government must launch an inquiry into the “deep rooted social and economic inequalities” which he claims was a catalyst for the riots.
Patrick Vernon, chief executive of The Afiya Trust, made the call ahead of Prime Minister’s battle cry against street gangs and the breakdown of the family.
The Trust said an independent inquiry like the Scarman Report, commissioned by the Government in the wake of the 1981 Brixton riots, would be able to shed light on impact social exclusion had on young people’s wellbeing.
Vernon said: “The riots across the country are the biggest crisis in race relations and social exclusion since the Scarman Inquiry.
“The coalition government needs to appoint an independent inquiry to analyse and gather evidence from a range of stakeholders. The work needs to start now so key recommendations can be implemented and taken forward.”
A report published by the charity in 2011, entitled Enjoy, Achieve and Be Healthy, found the needs of black and minority ethnic young people, aged between 11 and 25, were being overlooked by health services.
It noted that young people felt unable to express their concerns relating to areas including education, lack of employment and identity.
Author of the report Mhemooda Malek said: “One of the most striking features in the first few days since the unrest started is the absence of young people’s views in the mainstream media. It is almost exclusively adults who have been asked for their views about why they think young people are behaving in the destructive way being broadcast on our screens and in printed media.
“Unless effective action is taken to support and engage the effective participation of young people, their families and communities in identifying problems and solutions there is a great risk that the cycle will continue and possible repeat itself in the future.”
The Scarman report led to changes within policing in London such as more sensitive stop and search and an emphasis on ‘soft’ policing including building relationships with the community.
Labour party leader Ed Miliband is also backing calls for an inquiry which he has dubbed the National Conversation.
Speaking today, Miliband said: “After every major disturbance, from Brixton to Oldham, we have had a commission to look at the causes.
“We must have one this time. A genuine national conversation. Not a group of MPs, simply focussed on policing and criminal justice. Not a review of government policy, conducted by civil servants in Whitehall. Not a standard judicial inquiry, made up of elites, such as we have with hacking.
“We need an answer which comes from the people themselves, that listens to the victims, that builds on their own experiences.”
Pearl: the BMG CD Launches in June
The Bromley Music Group (BMG) recently recorded their first CD called Pearl. The album is a showcase of the artists that work in the group and is an eclectic mixture of musical styles. It is however very listenable and has at it's heart a sense of fun and joy which is the essense of the BMG.
A launch event is taking place at Community House, South Street in Bromley on the 8th of June and will run from 5pm to 7pm. There will be refreshments, a chance to learn a bit more about the BMG, music with the possibilty of an impromptu jam and of course a chance to get a copy of Pearl.
For more details contact Tony or Phil on 020 8676 8250 or email Tony.Tang@oxleas.nhs.uk
The Daily Telegraph and RBS invite applications for sport grants
There are just under two million sports volunteers in the UK and an estimated 140,000 amateur sports clubs, whose activities underpin communities up and down the country.
Those clubs play a vital role in society, creating a place for social interaction and an environment where different generations come together to be active and share the joy of sporting participation.
Community and amateur sports clubs are often where most sports enthusiasts begin and end their playing days, from the village cricket club, to the lawn bowls club, to a badminton club in a local gymnasium.
The Daily Telegraph, in partnership with RBS, will now help those communities by awarding five £1,000 support packages each month for the next year to encourage the development of amateur and community sports clubs across the country.
In order to do so, they would like you to tell them about your club, your successes, those who have served above and beyond the call of duty, what your club has done or would like to do within your community, and how you would put your £1,000 grant to use.
For more information, and to apply online, please visit their website
Bromley Mental Health Forum want a new logo
Bromley Mental Health Forum would like to update their letter heading and would like to receive entries for a new logo.
Entries should be submitted on A4 paper, using whatever medium preferred. It should be noted, however, that the logo will be photocopied, so it should still be outstanding in black and white.
Entries should be sent to the BMH forum, c/o Community House, South Street, Bromley BR1 1RH.
Closing date for entries is 5th June 2011. There will be a £20 voucher prize for the winning entry.
NDTi accepting new applications
The National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) are now accepting further applications for the 2011 intake to their Next Generation Leadership Programme.
This highly successful and focused leadership development programme is designed for middle managers with significant leadership potential, who are working in one or more of the older people, mental health and learning disability fields. The programme is due to commence in September. For further information, please see the Next Generation Page on the NDTi website.
In response to requests to put back the programme because of local delays in setting training budgets for the new financial year, they are now accepting applications up to June 24th, 2011.
Please contact Pauline White on pauline.white@ndti.org.uk or 01225 789135 by this date to register your interest or fill out and return the application form which can be found on the Next Generation Page on the NDTi website.
Ben to step down from the Bridgebuilding chair
Bromley Mind's Deputy Chief Executive Ben Taylor has announced he will be stepping down as Chair of Develop's Bridgebuilding forum. Ben has told the Develop network:
"After more than 5 years as Chair of the Bridgebuilding Forum I've decided it's time for someone else to have a turn!
Bromley Mind is keen to continue having a key role in the Forum and our Community Wellbeing Services Manager, Nathan Rendell, has offered to take on chairing this valuable meeting. However if anyone else is interested in taking on this role please let Fabian or I know (see contact details below)
I've really enjoyed my involvement with the Forum and we've had fascinating meetings in places as diverse as the Spa leisure centre, Bromley College and the lift at the Churchill Theatre!
We will be in touch soon to set a date for the next meeting which is due to take place at Scadbury Park's TREE centre. "
We'd like to thank Ben for all of his hard work and enthusiam in chairing these forum meetings over such a long period of time, and would like to thank Nathan for stepping in.
If you are interested in taking over the position of Bridgebuilding Chair on a longer-term basis, please email either Fabian Davis (fabian.davis@oxleas.nhs.uk) or Ben Taylor (ben.taylor@bromleymind.org.uk)
Develop announces 21st Birthday Conference and PATH on Person-Centred Planning
This year marks the 21st Birthday of Person-Centred Planning (PCP) being used in mental health services in Bromley! It began during the closure of Cane Hill Hospital during 1989 when a small group met as part of the Positive Futures Programme to consider alternative ways of understanding the needs of those hospital residents who were to move back to Bromley in the next three years. Out of this group developed a system known as Individual Service Review or ISR. ISR was based on John O'Brien's Five Service Accomplishments: Community Presence, Community Participation, Choice & Control, Social Roles & Respect and Competence. Support planning in residential care came next and was developed from ISR in Community Options. PCP facilitator training and supervision was developed as a joint venture involving service users and staff as facilitators. More recently Mind has adopted it as part of their day service modernisation programme. Today we are in the age of Personalisation and Choice and Control figure highly on that agenda too. PCP principles underscore brokerage and support planning.
To celebrate this long history and to bring everyone together and up to date with each others' approaches, the Developing Valued Lifestyles Partnership is inviting you to a conference and PATH event on Person-Centred Planning in Bromley on June 14th at Community House. The day will be facilitated by a long standing colleague of ours, Peter Bates (pictured right), who has recently conducted training for Oxleas and several PATH events for the London Borough of Bromley on Personalisaion. Peter will be joined by Pen Mendonca for the PATH Event. Pen, who has worked with Peter on similar events for Oxleas and LBB, will act as the Graphic Recorder for the PATH.
The conference will showcase two pieces of local research on PCP and the personal experience of developing one's own plans with facilitation. There will also be workshops by local practitioners to share practice and think about further developments. The PATH event will take up the afternoon session.
The whole day is being co-sponsored by Bromley Mind, Community Options and Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust. We recognize the austerity of the times and have managed to arrange this event with lunch and refreshments for the very reasonable fee of £30. There are some reserved free places for service users who are not working. Applications from Bromley will get priority but you are welcome to apply from other boroughs if this work is of interest to you and we will do our best to accommodate you or hire a bigger hall if the event proves very popular!
We look forward to receiving your application.
RecoveryNet meeting date change
The RecoveryNet meeting, originally due to take place in April, has been moved to 17th May 2011.
The meeting will still be at Community Options, 2a Fielding Lane, Bromley, Kent. BR2 9FL, starting at 10am.
Bromley Healthcare sets up to keep you well
From Friday 1 April Bromley Healthcare Community Interest Company Ltd provides out of hospital healthcare for the people of Bromley.
This newly established Social Enterprise comprising of around 800 local staff offering NHS services to Bromley residents and some beyond, has evolved from the NHS Community provider unit, formerly part of NHS Bromley.
The Social Enterprise retains a local health and well being organisation centre in Bromley which will continue providing varied and high quality community healthcare services. It will also aim to maximise the opportunities for self care and independence in the community, removing duplication and avoiding inappropriate use of hospitals.
Successful collaborative projects have shown the power of working with acute hospital partners to secure the right set of interventions for each patient’s needs, complemented by the primary and community services enabling improved health and independence.
Bromley Mind's Hay Fever tickets not to be sneezed at
Bromley Mind has been given the first night of 'Hay Fever' by Noel Coward at Bromley Little Theatre on Thursday 10th March 2011, and would love to fill the house with families, friends and supporters.
Tickets cost £7.00 each, which must be pre-booked, and are available from:
Diane Hatch, Bromley Mind, 5 Station Road, Orpington, Kent. BR6 0RZ
Tel: 01689 603575
Email : diane.hatch@bromleymind.org.uk
Government unveils new plans to massively expand volunteering and training opportunities for the unemployed
Unemployed people will be able to access thousands of new volunteering and training opportunities to help them take their first steps back into work - under new plans unveiled today by Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith (pictured right).
Under the scheme advisers from youth charity The Prince’s Trust and other local government voluntary organisations will be located in Jobcentre Plus (JCP) offices to signpost jobseekers of all ages to volunteering and training opportunities in their area. The new initiative will particularly benefit young people as they will be able to get more support to help them into jobs, education and training.
Ministers are keen to strengthen partnerships with the voluntary sector as it is uniquely placed to help disadvantaged groups and communities. They believe that increasing the support for this sector will be crucial to get Britain working again.
Enrol to Steps into Employment (WorkNet) at Orpington College now!
The funding for adult courses is due to change in September 2011 and only students who are on Job Seekers, ESA or who have no Level 2 qualifications will be able to claim benefit places.
The Worknet Steps to Employment course is aimed at people who have either not worked or who have been away from the workplace due to mental health issues. It will allow them to update their skills in preparation for employment. Students will work towards the NOCN Level 2 Diploma in Progression.
The course will aim to build confidence in areas like information technology, business administration, personal development and job search skills.
If they enrol now to start their course in this academic year, Orpington College are still able to accept students on the following means tested benefits:
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Income Support
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Job Seekers
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Housing Benefit
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Tax Credits (not Child Tax Credits) subject to household income
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Pension Guarantee Credit
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Unwaged dependant of someone on these benefits e.g. spouse for over 19s
Contact: Wendy Alder on 01689 899700 Ext 1474 or email: walder@orpington.ac.uk
Download flyer: worknet.nvq.course.outline.2011.pdf
Free SRN National Gathering webcast now showing
The Scottish Recovery Network's national conference will be live and interactive on the web for the first time on Thursday 10th February from 10am to 4.45pm GMT.
Remote viewers can watch and post questions live to all the speakers and submit thoughts to the round table discussions.
SRN Director, Simon Bradstreet, will open the discussion by taking a look at where SRN has come from and what the future holds, particularly in light of their recent independent evaluation.
Keynote speakers include international recovery educator, Rona McBrierty, sharing thoughts and insights from her own personal experience and journey of recovery. They'll also be joined by Professor Richard Warner of the University of Colorado and Colorado Recovery, who will deliver a fascinating talk on recovery, employment and empowerment.
The National Gathering will be chaired by Gregor Henderson, international consultant and advisor, and former Director of the National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing. Poet in Residence, Jo McFarlane, will contribute throughout the day with performances of her work, inspired by her own lived experience.
Bromley Mindful about money
Working with National Mind and with sponsorship from the Santander Foundation, Bromley Mind are hosting a conference on financial and mental health awareness on Tuesday 15th February 2011 at the Great Hall, Bromley Civic Centre from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
The Mindful Money day has built on previous work Mind has developed around debt and mental health awareness. This includes work on Mental Health First Aid, In the Red and Time to Change campaigns.
This is a great opportunity to work together and learn from each other. It will provide an opportunity for your organisation to promote work, as well as bringing benefits to members of the Bromley community who are experiencing mental and financial distress.
Introduction To The World Of Volunteering - free two day course
Last month, the Volunteer Centre, in conjunction with local charity CREDO, put on a free two-day course on volunteering.
The course covered:
- What volunteering is and what the benefits are to you
- Identifying the skills and experiences you have to offer
- Disability Awareness
- What type of organisation you could volunteer for
- Case studies – volunteers talking about their experiences
- Next Steps – where to find out more about volunteering vacancies.
The course was very well received and, due to demand, the course will be repeated in March 2011. For further details please contact Diane Diamond at the Volunteer Centre on 020 8315 1930 or Jan Lovett at Credo on 01689 862296
Bromley Homeless Shelter need help throughout the winter
We have just received an urgent appeal from Sandy Greenfield who is trying to keep open Bromley's only homeless shelter, pleading for any help you can provide, be it for making cups of tea, helping to cook for a maximum of 14 people, food/clothing donations; washing clothes - they will just be so grateful for any help you can provide as they are struggling to stay open.
The 5,000 Project, run with the support of Bromley United Reformed Church and others, has offered homeless and vulnerable people fortnightly hot meals for nearly four years and for the last two has run an emergency shelter for Bromley-based rough sleepers over the winter months.
The homeless shelter opened before Christmas and they will try to keep it open until 28 February 2011.
If you can help in any way, please contact Sandy on her mobile: 07879 008523
Mind: Mental Health Briefing on Welfare Reform
The attached quick read 10 page briefing has been extracted from Mind's national website which offers a whole range of information, advice and guidance on this and other related subjects for people affected by mental illness.
The full briefing is available on the national Mind's website here.
The attached 10 page briefing should be particularly helpful to practitioners, service users and managers. It has useful links to a number of related issues and advice.
Climate change book launch
This coming Thursday November 18th, David (Nick) Cotton invites us all do the launch of his book 'Climate change: what you need to know (the 'must have' lay person's guide)' at the Kirkdale Bookshop, 272 Kirkdale, London SE26 4RS (top of Sydenham High St, effectively).
Drinks will be served from 7 to 9, and there will be a talk with Q & A at 7.30.
RSVP to 020 8778 4701.
DWP sets out reforms to "Get Britain Working"
To get Britain working Ministers have set out a number of major welfare to work reforms which aim to fight poverty, support the most vulnerable and help people break the cycle of benefit dependency. These include radically simplifying the back to work system and replacing existing employment schemes, pilots and projects with one new Work Programme.
The following is from the JobCentre Plus's newsletter In Touch, outlining the latest reforms:
"The Work Programme will be an integrated package of support providing personalised help. It will support a wide range of customers - from Jobseeker's Allowance recipients who have been out of work for some time, to customers who may previously have been receiving incapacity benefits for many years. The Government aims to introduce the Work Programme by summer 2011.
Although the Work Programme provides a central core of support we need to do more and harness a wide range of talent, ideas and good practice. Doing this will require the help of business, the public and voluntary sectors and local deliverers of services. With this help we are working to enhance the support that remains at the heart of our commitment to help newer customers into work.
On 4 October 2010, Ministers announced the launch of Work Together and Work Clubs.
Through Work Together, Jobcentre Plus is encouraging more unemployed people to consider volunteering as a way of improving their employment prospects while they are looking for work. Unemployed people now also have greater access to thousands of volunteering opportunities through the Directgov website. Furthermore, Jobcentre Plus will be working with the voluntary and community sector locally to ensure that more opportunities are available to the unemployed to help people develop new skills.
By supporting the development of a network of local Work Clubs we aim to provide unemployed people with a place to meet, share experiences, find opportunities and get support to help them in their return to work. Each Work Club should provide support that effectively meets the needs of its participants and the local labour market. Jobcentre Plus will work with a wide range of stakeholders including voluntary sector organisations, local authorities, community groups and employers to encourage and support the creation of Work Clubs. Jobcentre Plus advisers will signpost customers to local Work Clubs where available. Advice and guidance for those wishing to get involved is now available on the DWP website.
We are also developing further options to encourage:
- pre-employment training and work placements through Service Academies
- greater insight into the world of work through Work Experience
- self-employment as a route off benefits
These additional Get Britain Working measures will be available in areas where the unemployment challenge is greatest.
If you would like to find out more about Get Britain Working and how you may be able to get involved, please get in touch with your usual Jobcentre Plus contact or e-mail us at GetBritainWorking@dwp.gsi.gov.uk"
Ends.
Not too late to enrol on Steps to Employment course
Due to a couple of student withdrawls, there are spaces on Orpington College's Steps into Employment (WorkNET) course.
This course is aimed at people who have either not worked or who have been away from the workplace due to mental health issues. It will allow them to update their skills in preparation for employment. Students will work towards the NOCN Level 2 Diploma in Progression.
The course will aim to build confidence in areas like information technology, business administration, personal development and job search skills.
Please contact Wendy Alder at walder@orpington.ac.uk for more information.
New scheme to turn jobseekers into entrepreneurs
Plans for a New Enterprise Allowance to help the unemployed start their own business will ‘put the Big Society into practice’, according to the government.
The New Enterprise Allowance will be available to people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance for more than six months in parts of the country where the recession is hitting hardest. The government hopes the scheme will kick-start 10,000 new businesses by the end of next year.
The package of support could be worth more than £2000 and will see the government working with the voluntary sector to ensure jobseekers access help from experienced business mentors to develop their business idea.
Announcing the scheme at this week’s Conservative Party conference, work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith said his combined welfare reform measures were intended to ‘help those at the bottom end make a new start and change their lives through work.’
The allowance will give someone out of work and entering self-employment a weekly payment linked to the value of their benefit for up to six months, allowing them time to establish their business and its cashflow. They will also get access to loan finance of up to £1,000 to buy initial equipment.
A spokeswoman for the department for work and pensions said: ‘This scheme is all about putting the Big Society into action. To make it work, experienced business people will need to volunteer their time and experience to help the budding entrepreneurs of tomorrow.’
Welcoming the move, the Community Development Finance Association (CDFA) said alternative finance providers, such as community development finance institutions (CDFIs), would be ‘critical’ to the allowance’s success.
Chief executive Bernie Morgan said: ‘I’m delighted that the government is providing extra support to help the long-term unemployed set up in business. Unfortunately there is still market failure by high street banks in serving this market but alternative finance providers, such as CDFIs, are part of the solution.
‘CDFIs have been working in this space for many years, providing loans as well as coaching to businesses that the banks won’t touch. By linking up with the Enterprise Allowance scheme they can smash Mr Duncan Smith’s target of 10,000 new businesses within a year.’
'Fair credit scheme' launched for financially excluded
A new scheme to offer financially excluded people on lower incomes a 'fair-priced alternative' to doorstep lenders and illegal loan sharks has been launched.
My Home Finance will be one of the largest ever not-for-profit financial services providers in England and was launched by work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith at the National Housing Federation (NHF) annual conference.
Led by the federation, and supported by the Department for Work and Pensions, Royal Bank of Scotland, 26 housing associations and the Wates Foundation, My Home Finance is being piloted in the west midlands and will offer access to affordable credit, at lower interest rates than those usually charged to the financially excluded.
After a face-to-face interview, eligible customers will be able to borrow relatively modest sums of around £500, repayable weekly. My Home Finance will also offer debt advice and help to open a bank account, with the ultimate goal of helping people take control of their finances.
The starting APR of a loan will be 29.9%. The typical range of interest rates charged by doorstep lenders and loan sharks vary between 200% and 2,000% APR.
It is estimated that up to 2.5 million people - the majority social housing tenants - borrow from doorstep lenders, with a further 200,000 using loan sharks.
Ten branches of My Home Finance are planned for across the west midlands by the end of October. Branches will be run by affordable credit lender East Lancashire Moneyline and create employment for around 40 people. If the pilot demonstrates a national savings and loan scheme is viable, branches will open throughout England.
NHF chief executive David Orr said: 'This ambitious not-for-profit sustainable scheme shows the determination of the housing association sector, the government and RBS, to help financially excluded consumers join the financial mainstream by saving and borrowing in a fair and responsible manner.'
Bernie Morgan, chief executive of the Community Development Finance Association, welcomed the 'commitment to financial inclusion' from the Department for Work and Pensions.
'My Home Finance joins a network of existing non-profit lenders around the country,' she said. 'They are providing a lifeline to people on low incomes who would otherwise be at the mercy of loan sharks, doorstep lenders and payday loan companies.
'But provision is patchy, and there are nowhere near enough affordable lenders to meet demand - even with the arrival of My Home Finance.
'It is vital that the government uses the forthcoming comprehensive spending review to put more investment into these organisations, so they can continue to help people manage their finances and take control of their lives.'
Story from New Start Magazine.
Bromley Mytime are tops for service
Develop partner Bromley Mytime has reached the finals of a national customer service competition.
The company, which operates leisure facilities in the borough, is a finalist in the best newcomer and best leisure provider categories at the Wow! awards.
Its staff at The Spa, Beckenham Road, Beckenham, have also made the finals in the best team category.
Bromley Mytime’s chief executive Steve Price said: “This is tremendous recognition for Mytime staff and reflects how much customers value their support and advice in adopting an active lifestyle.
“It’s great teams working together which makes us successful.”
Wow! is a company which aims to improve customer service across the country by running the awards.
Credo to open doors for World Mental Health Day
Develop partner Credo Cermamics is holding an Open Studio later this month to mark World Mental Health Day.
The studio will be open to the public on Tuesday 12 October 2010 from 12.30pm until 2.30pm. Health professionals, service users and friends are invited to meet the potters, make a pot and perhaps buy one of the hand made ceramics too. The studio is situated to the rear of Anchor House, Station Road, Orpington. It is directly opposite the new Tesco superstore - where you can park free for three hours.
Started in 1998, Credo is a creative community rehabilitation project helping to rebuild the lives of people recovering from a period of mental ill health in Bromley.
For more information on Credo visit: www.credoceramics.org or email Anne Bannon at anne@credoceramics.org
Art-based Recovery Group looking for members
The aim of the Art Based Recovery Group is to provide a forum for group members to use art making to explore their experiences of mental health issues, to share their thoughts and feelings and explore strategies for recovery using art.
This is not an art therapy group but aims to be a group where art making will be used to think and talk about individuals recovery and help with well being. The group members will be involved in deciding what kind of group they want to have and could involve going to galleries as well as developing their own art practice, give a sense of identity and recovery through art making.
The recovery ‘journey’ will be different for every individual – it is not a linear process, but a road with many twists and turns. The group hopes to help and support individuals in their quest to take back control over their lives using art. The group aims to facilitate this process through sharing the experience and expertise of other mental health service users.
The group recognises and values the importance of knowledge, life-skills and coping experiences which members bring to the group it aims to empower members to help each other and to move forward. The group will start early October and run for 20 weeks on Mondays in Central Bromley.
Group members will need to be able to make a firm commitment to attending the group every week. The group will consist of 8 members and 2 facilitators.
For more details please contact Julie Brooker on 01689 892 300/368 or email: julie.brooker@oxleas.nhs.uk
Further Information:
The group facilitators will arrange to meet with prospective group members individually in order to think through whether the group would be helpful.
There are limited places but we hope to run more Art Based Recovery Groups in the future. If an individual is not able to attend this group, or does not yet feel ready to join the group at this time, they may be able to attend the next Art Based Recovery Group.
Rachel Perkins interviewed in the Guardian
Mary O'Hara wrote an article in the Guardian on the 25th August 2010 of her interview with Rachel Perkins, a clinical psychologist and Mind Champion of the Year, who insists that civil rights are at the core of her views on mental health.
Good sports to bring community spirit to Olympics
A new national programme to get millions of people playing games ahead of the 2012 Olympics hopes to leave a lasting legacy of community spirit in the UK and Ireland.
The Spots v Stripes campaign, led by Cadbury and supported by national charity Groundwork, has been designed to get people of all ages and walks of life rediscovering the spirit of play and light-hearted competition.
Organisers are inviting people to choose a team - Spots or Stripes - sign up to the website and begin playing games - from thumb-wrestling to five-a-side football.
Over the next two years, players will be able to win points for their team by organising and playing games in their schools, workplaces and neighbourhoods.
A national network of ‘games ambassadors’ and 2000 volunteers will take Spots v Stripes nationwide, including hard to reach and disadvantaged groups, using games as a catalyst to help build stronger communities.
They will also help local voluntary organisations, community groups, tenant associations and youth and staff clubs to organise imaginative games events in their areas.
A nationwide Spots v Stripes tour is planned for the summer, with large city events in Glasgow, Leeds, London and Birmingham.
With the help of Groundwork, Cadbury will also work alongside local communities in cities including Birmingham, Sheffield, Dublin and Reading to help improve community spaces for playing games.
Groundwork chief executive, Tony Hawkhead, said: ‘Spots v Stripes is a fantastic opportunity to engage communities in events and activities that help neighbours get to know one another, break down barriers and build community spirit.
‘Working together with our longstanding partner Cadbury, Groundwork will be using Spots and Stripes as a platform to encourage wide-ranging discussion and dialogue in these communities. Our 30 years of experience tells us that these conversations can often be the springboard to getting people involved in a wide range of projects that can transform the social and environmental fabric of neighbourhoods at all levels of society.’
Nick Bunker, president of Kraft Foods UK and Ireland, said the goal was ‘to use the power of playing games to unite and strengthen communities - leaving the nation with the ideas and inspiration to continue playing games in the future’.
Cadbury will commission independent research to evaluate the impacts and social benefits of the programme on communities and identify lessons for future initiatives.
Article by Jill Theobald
More information: http://www.spotsvstripes.com/
An evening at the theatre in support of Credo
In the gloom of a November evening, would you like to spend an evening at the theatre, enjoying yourselves with friends, colleagues and family? Then please join us!
The Bromley Little Theatre has offered to Credo the proceeds of their Preview Night of a new comedy which will be performed on the evening of Thursday, 4th November 2010.
(Bar opens at 7.00 p.m. Performance starts at 7.45 p.m. You can order drinks/ice creams upon arrival ready for the interval. Performance should end around 10.00 p.m.) There will also be a raffle for some lovely hand-crafted Credo ceramics.
The production is called “Life x 3” by Yasmina Reza.
Henry and Sonia are at home and have invited his boss and wife to dinner the following night. They turn up a day early and are entertained as best they may, bit it makes for an awkward evening!
This evening is replayed three times, showing small things can make events unfold differently.
The playwright suggests that, with a proper attitude, life can be lived happily and, conversely, with a bad attitude, life is hell. The play has some high comedy and hilarious moments.
HOW TO OBTAIN YOUR TICKETS:
Tickets cost:
£9:00 each (anyone over 12 years of age)
£7:00 concessions (i.e. anyone receiving Benefits, senior citizens and children up to 11 years of age).
Unfortunately, the Theatre is not able to cater for disabled people as it is a very old building. Although there is a wheelchair lift, there is just one space for a wheelchair in the auditorium and for their carer to sit next to them; nor are there disabled toilet facilities.
All seats have an excellent view of the stage.
The Bromley Little Theatre is located close to Bromley North Station and there are good bus links into Central Bromley. There is car parking nearby on the pay and display meters which, at that time of night, will be free of charge.
I do hope to see you there. It promises to be a really enjoyable evening, as well as raising much-needed funds for Credo.
Please complete the attached form and send with your cheque payment (all cheques payable to CREDO) to:
Mrs Jan Lovett
Project Co-ordinator
Credo
Anchor House
5 Station Road
Orpington
Kent, BR6 ORZ
Tel: 01689 862296
E-mail: jan.lovett@tiscali.co.uk
Seats cannot be reserved in advance and the sale of tickets is on a first come, first served basis.
Work Choice programme gets go ahead
The DWP has announced that the Work Choice programme is to go ahead as planned with a start date of 25 October 2010.
The Ministerial Statement read:
"The Government is reaffirming its clear commitment to disabled people by launching a new programme to provide support for severely disabled people. The new programme, currently called Work Choice, will be introduced from 25 October 2010. It will sit alongside the Work Programme and will help into work disabled people who face the most complex and long term barriers to employment and who may require high intensity support in the workplace.
Nearly half of all disabled people work and many more want to work but have not had the right support. Work Choice will provide that support for more severely disabled people who want to move into employment. It will replace the existing confusing array of DWP specialist disability employment provision (WORKSTEP, Work Preparation and the Job Introduction Scheme) across England, Scotland and Wales.
Work Choice will greatly improve upon the effectiveness of current provision by tailoring support to the needs of each severely disabled individual to help move them into and stay in long term sustainable jobs.
Reform in this sector is long overdue. In the past, provision has been patchy with a fragmented network of providers. Work Choice will simplify the current overlapping set of programmes and will reduce the number of provider contracts from more than 200 to just 28.
Work Choice has been developed in close consultation with providers, disability groups and disabled people and has widespread support.
Work has been ongoing since the Coalition Government took office to ensure continuity of support. We are making this announcement now to ensure that all providers are able to prepare fully to deliver the programme from October.
We will now proceed to contract with the successful bidders for the Work Choice programme."
Community Options in Harmony with new choir
Develop partner Community Options are launching a new choir called Harmony next month and are looking for participants.
Singing has been widely recognised as being a good way of maintaining both physical and mental wellbeing, and this group welcomes all standards, including complete beginners!
First session will start on the 3rd of August 2010 from 5pm to 7pm and then every Tuesday.
Please telephone Community Options on 020 8313 9725 for more information.
It would also be appreciated if you can download the flyer and display wherever possible!
Bromley Mind Sponsored Walk this Sunday
The Annual Bromley Mind Sponsored Walk will be taking place on Sunday 25th July 2010 at 10.30am.
The route will start at the Beckenham Centre, Hayne Road, through Croydon Road Recreational Ground onto Kelsey Park alongside Beckenham Junction Station and back to the Beckenham Centre.
All the proceeds will go towards the provision of catering at the three Mind day centres in Bromley. Catering at the Mind day centres is under threat due to funding issues and is greatly valued by the service users who often do not feel up to cooking at home. It is a 4 mile walk.
Develop contributor Caroline Gilson will be taking part in this walk, and is looking for sponsorshop. Please feel free to call her on 020 8295 8060.
Bromley R and Bs welcomes budding footballers
Bromley R and Bs will be resuming summer training on Friday 16th July at 1pm, and would be delighted to see any new people wishing to play.
The group is open to anybody over the age of 18 and a resident of Bromley.
Training sessions take place at Queens Mead Road Recreation Ground (off Glassmill Lane), Shortlands, Bromley. (Map Link)
For further information please contact Julian on 0791 706 7342.
Sessions will be every Monday from 12 to 3pm and Friday 1pm till 4pm.
What Do Coaches Need? Help Coaching for London with their survey
Coaching for London is in the process of engaging with sports coaches to identify what their support needs are locally. In a move to provide detailed information to Governing Bodies of Sport, the sub-regional Coaching System Support Networks have launched an on-line survey.
The information gathered will be used to develop coaching strategies across London and will guide the provision of training opportunities through the Mayor's Legacy Skills Fund.
The Coaching Development Managers in the five PRO-ACTIVE Partnerships in London have created a 'what coaches want' survey online to gather coaches' views on their support needs.
The survey is being targeted at coaches of all levels; volunteer and paid coaches; club and community coaches; school coaches; coach employers and Governing Body coaches.
The survey can be accessed by clicking here and will be live until Wednesday 1 September 2010.
For more information, contact Ricky Pattenden, Pro-Active West London Coaching Development Manager at ricky.pattenden@brunel.ac.uk / 07920 751628.
Osborne indicates incapacity benefits 'to be cut'
Ministers have signalled that incapacity benefits will be targeted in a summer spending review aimed at cutting the £155bn deficit. Chancellor George Osborne said he wanted to protect those in "genuine need" while encouraging those who could work, to do so. Over 2.5m people are on incapacity benefit or employment support allowance - costing about £12.5bn a year. Labour's Yvette Cooper said it was a "return to the Thatcherite 80s". The government has said that NHS and foreign aid spending would be protected as it seeks to tackle Britain's budget deficit, but other government departments face 25% real terms cuts.
'Trade off'
Mr Osborne has said that figure could be reduced, if more savings can be found in the welfare budget - on top of the £11bn cuts he has already outlined. Speaking at the G20 summit in Toronto, he said there would be a "trade-off" between cuts in benefits and cuts in public services such as the police, defence and schools. He identified incapacity benefit and its successor, employment and support allowance, as possible areas for savings.
George Osborne Chancellor: 'We have got to look at all these things, make sure it protects those in genuine need, protects those with disabilities and protects those who can't work but also encourages those who can work into work.' The Conservatives pledged during the election campaign not to reduce benefits for the elderly, such as pension credit, free bus passes, television licences and the winter fuel payment.
Mr Osborne said: "We have given very specific commitments on some and we have not given specific commitments on others. "That is what I want to be part of the spending review over the summer. It is a trade-off and some of these benefits are very much larger than most government departments. "We have got to look at all these things, make sure it protects those in genuine need, protects those with disabilities and protects those who can't work but also encourages those who can work into work. That is the purpose behind our welfare reform."
'Readiness for work'
Housing benefit, which costs £21bn a year, has already been targeted - with new caps on the amount people can claim. And in the Budget tax credits were reduced, child benefit was frozen for three years and medical tests introduced for the disability living allowance from 2013. In the coalition deal between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, there was a plan to reassess all claimants of incapacity benefit and its successor, the employment and support allowance, for their "readiness to work".
Lynne Featherstone Lib Dem MP: ' The previous Labour government tried to get people off such allowances and my experience as a local MP from surgery is that the 're-assessment' of people claiming has been variable at best.' Those deemed fit to get a job would be moved onto Jobseeker's Allowance instead - amounting to a cut in benefits and a requirement to seek work. The Conservatives have argued that one in five incapacity claimants is fit for work - about half a million people. Before the election they suggested that could save £200m a year. BBC political correspondent Norman Smith said that privately the government's view was that many more than half a million could be transferred to Jobseeker's Allowance.
'Ghettos of poverty'
For Labour, Ms Cooper told the BBC the government appeared to be going for "arbitrary targets to cut spending instead of actually a sensible process driven by the medical evidence to try to get as many people as possible back into work". She accused the government of cutting support for the disabled in the Budget and said its policies amounted to a "return to the Thatcherite 80s".
Equalities minister Lynne Featherstone has also expressed concern at the proposals. Writing on her blog, the Lib Dem MP said: "The previous Labour government tried to get people off such allowances and my experience as a local MP from surgery is that the 're-assessment' of people claiming has been variable at best. "We need to be sure that there is no perverse incentive to determine that someone can work when they cannot. We also need to be sure that those carrying out the assessment are good at it."
On Sunday, Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said he wanted unemployed council tenants to be given incentives to move to areas where there are jobs. He argued that millions were trapped in "ghettos of poverty" unable to move for fear of losing their homes and people were "trapped" in areas with high unemployment. He said his plans were about assisting people, not forcing them to uproot. But Labour MP Louise Ellman, MP for Liverpool Riverside, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the argument ignored the "need for regional investment in local areas". She said Liverpool had only just recovered from the "devastation" of the 1980s and investment was needed to build up industry and economies so people "have a job to go to and a stronger economy". "A policy that moves on moving people out just leaves devastation behind," she said. "What the government seems to be saying is abandon regional investment and encourage individuals to move out - if you can find the homes they can live in. That isn't a policy, it's going back to the 80s and we don't want that."
Source: The British Psychological Society
Supporting Independence in Bromley seeks feedback and suggestions
Supporting Independence in Bromley is how the London Borough of Bromley have branded the Council's transformation of adult social care and the briefings are just one way they are communicating with partners, voluntary and community organisations, BME groups and others about developments.
Your help in reaching target audiences with the first two briefings and other communications has been invaluable and they would be grateful if you could distribute and display this third briefing wherever possible including in any news letters that you might produce.
They are still looking for feedback and suggestions about ensuring the communications about Supporting Independence in Bromley is as effective as possible and any comments or views are very welcome.
Please contact: Amanda Day on 020 8313 4390 or 07947 974358 or email: amanda.day@bromley.gov.uk
You can find the third Talking about Supporting Independence in Bromley here
Credo gets the thumbs up!
Develop Partner Credo, a Bromley-based mental health charity, recently conducted a wide-ranging survey of all those who have benefited from Credo’s support, both current and past members of Credo; those who have been involved in our outreach projects in the community and healthcare professionals who have worked with Credo.
An amazing 97% of healthcare professionals within and outside Bromley said that Credo’s work is of the highest standard and should continue – and that Credo’s work should extend beyond its current Bromley boundaries and stretch into the other Oxleas’ areas.
Said Dr. Hashim Reza (pictured right), Oxleas’ Clinical Director: “Credo adds a wonderful dimension to activities available in Bromley. All service users gave excellent feedback on their experience. The quality of the work produced is superb and a delight to look at.”
Says Jan Lovett, Credo’s Project Co-ordinator: “We are thrilled to receive such a positive response from all those with whom we work and to know that so many people want us to continue and develop the services we provide”.
Credo’s audit results were presented to Oxleas and the survey was a partnership between Credo and the Multi-Disciplinary Clinical Audit Team.
Anyone in Bexley or Greenwich interested in Credo establishing services in Bexley or Greenwich (or any other neighbouring boroughs) should contact Jan Lovett on 01689 862296.
A new chance to attend a new recovery group
The Recovery Group, a forum partnered by Develop, Oxleas NHS, Bromley Mind, Community Options and the London Borough of Bromley, will once again be opening its doors to group members to discuss their experiences of mental health issues, to share their thoughts and feelings and explore strategies for recovery.
The group focuses on the hopeful process by which individuals can learn to live with their difficulties and experiences. The group does not aim to cure or deny mental health problems.
Please visit the listing on our recovery services page to download the invitation form and flyer, which we encourage people to download and display:
Helen gets on her bike for charity
Helen Jones, who is the Oxleas NHS Service Manager Older Adults Lead Nurse for Bromley, will be embarking on a 100km night-time bike ride through the streets of London on Saturday 19th June.
We'll let Helen take up the story:
"I have decided this year to get on my bike, get fitter and at the same time cycle 100KM through the streets of London during the night to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society. I work in mental health services and regularly hear from people with dementia and their carers the importance of getting a proper diagnosis that will help to prepare them for planning for the future. My target of £1000 will pay for 10 brain scans in clinical trials to help improve the diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease or enable 80 callers to the Alzheimer's Society Dementia Helpline receive the advice and support they need."
We wish Helen the very best of luck. You can sponsor Helen online by visiting her JustGiving page:
Co-op deal opens up market to excluded
People on low incomes will be offered affordable loans to help them pay for household electrical goods through a partnership between credit unions and The Co-operative Electrical.
The scheme announced today offers families an alternative to doorstep lenders and loan sharks, which over a year can cost 12 times more than money provided by a credit union according to figures by Association of British Credit Unions.
Through The Co-operative Electrical, part of The Co-operative Group, credit union customers will be able to access competitively priced products including washing machines, cookers, fridge-freezers, televisions, computers, digital cameras, sat navs and beds.
The scheme, which was initially piloted with Knowsley Mutual Credit Union, is now available through almost 100 credit unions with plans to extend availability to all credit unions in the UK mainland.
Once the credit union member has made their selection and had their loan approved, the credit union places the order and the item is delivered direct to the member’s home.
David Sanderson, commercial manager of The Co-operative Electrical, said: 'The impact of the recent recession has resulted in more and more people experiencing the restrictions of financial exclusion, paying the price for limited choice with interest rates and charges many times higher than those of mainstream personal loans.
'There is a need for an ethical and affordable alternative for purchasing those everyday goods that most take for granted. And, through our close relationship with credit unions we have developed a scheme that delivers greater choice and cost saving benefits to the financially excluded.'
Credit unions wanting further information about the scheme should email david.sanderson@coop.co.uk
Article by Rosie Niven, New Start Magazine
Government signals launch of their employment reforms
David Freud and Chris Grayling (above), have launched the Government’s proposals for welfare reform at an event for suppliers in London. The event did not cover the future of specific programmes but set a direction of travel based on the concept of individual responsibility and system fairness. DWP will be contacting prime contractors from Monday to discuss more detailed proposals and a further statement is expected in about two weeks.
Chris Grayling said that the Government wants a radical simplification of welfare to work policy. New longer term contracts would balance risk and reward and allow a return on investment. Payments would be made for sustainable job outcomes over a period of up to three years using the Del-Ame approach. He encouraged providers to form consortia and suggested that they could employ prime contractors who had sufficient capital base to finance delivery chains. Pricing would reflect the challenges and there would be no differentiation on the profitability of helping the easiest or hardest to reach customers. He said there was “a renewed enthusiasm for helping the most vulnerable”.
David Freud stated that “today we hit the accelerator and reforms will be as fast and wide as possible”. He promised a hands-off approach to providers and a black box approach to contracts saying that Government just wanted to pay for jobs. Sustainability would be at the heart of programme policy. Work was still needed on pricing mechanisms but he expected the payment structure to encourage creativity, individualisation and specialisation.
There was mention of revising the work capability assessment, support for self-employment, better incentives to move from benefits into work, a continued commitment towards conditionality and sanctions and even some hints that Jobcentre Plus responsibilities might be transferred in some areas. Jobcentre Plus will have a triage role in the new framework, assessing individual customer needs.
There was no specific mention of Work Choice but the procurement is now expected to go ahead as planned. Certainly, it will be easier to integrate Work Choice into the new Work Programme in the future with fewer prime contractors involved.
Some issues remain to be clarified. While there was recognition of the importance of specialists within delivery chains and a commitment to creating an environment in which they can thrive, it is clear that the Government expects the sector to shape itself. It is hard to see how Government can influence supply chain management if it does not want to get involved in market stewardship. There was also mention of minimising inspection requirements but work will be needed to address safeguarding issues.
Source: British Association for Supported Employment (BASE)
Website: http://www.base-uk.org
Exhibit yourself at The Glades Disability Week
The Glades are holding a Disability Week during the week 5th to 12th July 2010.
They already have commitment from Scooter and Motorbility Mart who operate their Shopmobility scheme, they will be showcasing a wide range of their products, Boots will be displaying and talking to customers about the products they sell in store and Magpie Dance will be performing in centre during the week.
They also want to include any local community/voluntary groups who would like to either exhibit art work or promote their organisation during the week. If you are interested, could you contact The Glades directly.
To be included on the leaflet promoting the week, you will need to have confirmed your participation by 7th June 2010. Please contact: Maria Cooper, Marketing Manager, or Carly North, Assistant Marketing Manager on: 0208 313 9292.
The Banbury Girls in a Race for Life!
Ria, Shelby, Mary, Donve and Nicky from Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust's Banbury House are looking for sponsorship when they take part in the Cancer Research Race for Life on 4 July 2010.
You can sponsor them online at: http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/banburygirls
Irene says farewell to Horizon House after 16 years
Horizon House, Bromley's Clubhouse, will be saying goodbye to support worker Irene Cotterell who has spent the past 16 years there and in her own words has decided "it's time to wind down a bit".
Horizon House will be holding a farewell barbeque for Irene on Friday 28th May, starting at 1pm, and anyone who knows Irene are extremely welcome to attend. If you do wish to come along and say goodbye to Irene, please speak to Fiona on 020 8466 0021 for catering purposes.
Irene will continue her role as Welfare Benefits Advisor at Stepping Stones for one day a week.
Community Options invite you to Come Meet The Team
Develop Partner Community Options would like to meet with you to ask for your ideas on a new name for the service and to gather your thoughts on a way forward.
Sharing your views will enable us to tailor this service to meet your needs and the aspirations of our community.
Please drop in for tea and cakes and an informal chat on:
Tuesday 25th May (2-7pm)
at Community Options Head Office: 2a Fielding Lane, Bromley BR2 9FL
Thursday 27th May (1-5pm)
at Anchor House, Orpington: 5 Station Road, Orpington BR6 0RZ
Wednesday 2nd June (2-7pm)
at Anerley Town Hall: Anerley Road, London SE20 8BD
Thursday 10th June (2-7pm)
at Beckenham Mind Centre: 20b Hayne Road, Beckenham BR3 4HY
For further details please call 020 8313 9725
or email: suip@community-options.org.uk
Nominate your Volunteer of the Year for Bromley
The Volunteer Centre will be hosting their third Volunteers' Week Awards Ceremony on Tuesday 1st June 2010.
All organisations involving volunteers within the Borough are eligible to nominate a volunteer for an award.
This year there will be 5 categories:
- Young volunteer: Under 16s and between 16 & 25
- Overcoming barriers
- Outstanding contributions
- Leslie Marks Trusteeship Award - created by Community Links Bromley to recognize the valuable contribution Leslie makes to the voluntary sector across the borough.
- Volunteer Manager of the Year - an opportunity for volunteers to nominate their Manager/Supervisor
The ceremony itself will take place on Tuesday 1st June and each volunteer receiving a certificate will be entitled to invite a guest. Refreshments will be available.
Download nomination forms in MS Word:
PlaySport London funding available
Sports clubs and organisations, youth and community groups can now apply for grants of up to £1,500 and can receive extra information and marketing materials to make their activities even more successful. The aim of PlaySport London: Free Sport is to increase the number of people regularly taking part in sport across the capital, with a particular focus on participants receiving 6 hours or more coaching as a result of taking part in the programme.
Apply now!
Application for PlaySport London: Free Sport Round 1 is open from now through to 7 May 2010.
Each Pro-Active Partnership will be holding application surgeries designed to give you help and guidance for completing your application form. You can find details of your nearest surgery here.
Deadline for receiving applications is 5pm on Friday 7 May 2010.
The London Development Agency is working in partnership with the Greater London Authority, Sport England, Youth Sport Trust, Pro-Active London Partnerships, Interactive, formerly known as London Sports Forum for Disabled People and National Governing Bodies of Sport, to deliver the PlaySport London: Free Sport Programme across London.
Time to Change moves up a gear
The next burst of the Time to Change national marketing campaign is launching on Monday 19 April. It will be running a media partnership with The Mirror, showing its successful Schizo:The Movie trailer in cinemas across England, and advertising online and on the London Underground.
Time to Change has already made significant progress towards changing the attitudes and behaviour of the English public towards people with mental health problems. Now it's time to build on this and encourage people to realise that it's what they do that can make the difference.
Time to Change wants to encourage as many people as possible to pledge to help end mental health prejudice. From 19 April, log on to http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/ to make your pledge. Encourage others to pledge - you will be able to order free pledge postcards from the website to help you promote the pledge to your colleagues and networks.
For more information about the campaign and how to get involved, email the campaign team at campaign@time-to-change.org.uk If you want to organise your own Time to Get Moving events contact getmoving@time-to-change.org.uk or go to www.time-to-change.org.uk/getmoving
DevelopARTS invite you to a free event
What research is telling us about how choirs affect health and communities
We are delighted to welcome Professor Stephen Clift (featured on Radio 4 and BBC South East) & International colleagues to the Churchill Theatre on Wednesday 28th April 2010 from 10am to 12noon.
To enquire or book please either telephone Community Options on 020 8313 9725
or email enquiry@community-options.org.uk
Credo Ceramics to hold Easter sale
Credo is delighted to announce details of its forthcoming Ceramics Sale at Pinewood House on Tuesday 23rd March 2010 for Oxleas staff and visitors.
Members have been working hard to produce some beautiful and unique items for sale in time for the Easter holidays.
For more information and to download the flyer, please visit the events listing here.
Young Persons Guarantee launched by PM
The Prime Minister recently officially launched the Young Persons Guarantee. This guarantees 18 to 24 year olds who have been unemployed over six months an offer of a job, training or work experience.
This is a major part of the Government’s Backing Young Britain initiative to support young people during the recession. The Guarantee will be supported by over 400,000 Government funded training places, internships, work experience places and job opportunities.
All young people will get support from a named personal adviser who will advise them on the options available to help them into work.
From January Jobcentre Plus will introduce dedicated teams providing ‘named Adviser’ support to 18 - 24 year olds including:
• additional flexible Adviser support in the first 13 weeks;
• weekly signing and additional Adviser support between 13 and 26 weeks;
• intensifying the level of Adviser support for 18 - 24 year olds between 6 and 10 months (effectively applying the existing Adviser resource over 4 months instead of 6);
• providing over 100,000 additional opportunities including: Future Jobs Fund (FJF) jobs; work-focused training, internships and routes into work;
From April young people will be required to take up one of the offers by the 10 month point of their claim.
Offers include:
• Jobs options, supported by a £1,000 subsidy for the employer. We have also created thousands of extra jobs in the community through the FJF;
• Training – from short courses to prepare for jobs in particular sectors up to full time courses lasting 3 - 6 months;
• Work experience in the form of internships and places on the Community Task Force.
Francis to hit the streets of London once again
Francis Thompson (pictured left), a Practice Development Nurse at Banbury House, will once again be running the 2010 London Marathon to raise money for Headway.
On his Justgiving webpage, Francis said:
"This year I'm running all 26.2 miles of the Virgin London Marathon for our local branch of a charity called Headway.
Headway is a registered charity providing information, support, and services to people who have sustained a brain injury, their family and carers. They provide social, leisure and therapeutic activities for brain injured people, to help them to achieve the highest possible level of functioning and quality of life.
This fantastic charity has supported my mother in law for a number of years following a head injury she sustained in a fall. They continue to provide a significant amount of input and activity for her and are reliant on your donations to keep up this good work.
This year I am aiming to complete the course in less than three and a half hours and your support will help to keep me going; donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure and anything that you can give will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again - Francis"
You can pledge money for Francis's charity online at:
Grab yourself a bargain at the Credo Clearance Sale!
Develop Partner Credo Ceramics are holding a one-day sale at Anchor House, Station Road, Orpington on Tuesday 16th February from 11am to 2.30pm.
There will be a number of unique hand-made pots on sale (some are seconds), all at "silly prices".
For more information about Credo, please visit www.credoceramics.org
Challenge yourself in The Bromley Mile!
After an extremely successful fun run in April 2009, Active Bromley has joined forces with Sports Relief to make the event even bigger and better.
The Active Bromley Campaign is a partnership between Bromley Mytime and London Borough of Bromley with a series of events designed to get more adults taking part in sport and physical activity.
Come and join hundreds of local people completing their Sainsbury's Sport Relief Mile at The Bromley Mile which will take place on Sunday 21st March 2010 at Norman Park (Hayes Lane, Bromley, BR2 9EF). Choose your distance – 1, 3 or 6 miles – whichever’s a challenge for you, with a group warm-up before the start of each wave.
As Cllr. Denise Readin mentioned at the fun run in April 2009 – ‘ You’re never too young or too old to take part and it was great to see so many first time runners – the youngest about 2 years old, and the oldest 92 years.’ Let’s see what we can do in 2010!!!
Why don’t you take advantage of all the other activities on hand too?
There will be workshops featuring various sports and leisure pursuits and refreshments will be available. There will also be a face painting stand and prizes for the best fancy dress costumes.
Photos will be taken of as many people as possible throughout the day and will be online here: www.theracephotographer.com/bromley_srm/index.htm
Don’t forget that 10% of the net revenue from photographs will be donated to Sports Relief.
Places will be limited so make sure you don’t miss out. Enter today, get sponsored and make a real day of it!
Register online NOW at www.sportrelief.com/the-mile/bromley-mile or for more information please contact Ashlee Corfe by e-mailing ashlee.corfe@bromleymytime.org.uk or phone 0208 323 1718
Shift aims to improve the media portrayal of mental illness
A six-month research project into TV representations of mental illness, commissioned by Shift, is underway. The findings will be used to engage TV producers and script-writers in a dialogue around how they represent mental illness. They will be presented at a BBC event attended by leading TV figures this autumn, inspiring the industry to portray people with mental health problems in an innovative, fresh and creatively exciting new way, challenging tired, old stereotypes.
Shift are also lobbying the Press Complaints Commission to ban the offensive term 'schizo' in stories about people with schizophrenia, and are planning to hold a seminar for national newspapers in conjunction with the PCC about media reporting of mental illness. Shift spoke to hundreds of journalists at the NUJ conference and the Society of Editors conference, providing them with our guidance on reporting mental illness.
To find out more about What's the Story, visit: www.shift.org.uk/mediahandbook
Shift are continuing to deliver their popular workshops on reporting mental illness and suicide to trainee journalists at postgraduate and vocational journalism colleges and universities.
The charity Ok2b has been commissioned by Shift to run a web-based 'Stigma Watch' system called Words Matter, which will enable people to praise and complain about media coverage. It will be marketed to service users and relevant mental health related organisations and will be up and running later this year.
Later this year, Shift will be publishing a package of research about the media which will include 'Mind over Matter III', their annual analysis of media coverage. This report will analyse coverage from March and October 2008. It will be compared against reports from the previous three years to see if there have been any improvements. The research will also include the findings of focus groups, held to examine the role of the media in the shaping public fears of people with mental health problems, as well as a survey of how well newspaper readers think their paper covers mental health. It will also include the findings of research into how the mental health of Black and Minority Ethnic groups are reported in Black and Minority Ethnic and mainstream press.
Send your images for the Big Care Debate
As part of the continuing Big Care Debate on the reform of the care and support system, the Big Care Debate team are inviting everyone to share their images of Care and Support.
They are putting together a gallery of images that illustrate, and raise awareness of, the breadth of care and support issues and what they mean to people in England. They will display the pictures on the Care and Support website. The best pictures will be considered for inclusion in the forthcoming care and support White Paper.
Please send any images that you think best illustrate how care and support touches an individual's life, and provide a short description (up to 50 words) telling the story of the image. It can be someone you have a personal connection with, eg a family member or someone you, or your organisation, have a working relationship with. If your organisation has its own network of organisations or individuals, please pass this request on to them.
You can upload your pictures directly onto the website via the easy-to-use form, adding a title and description at www.careandsupport.direct.gov.uk
Or, if you prefer, you can email your photo and text to careandsupport@dh.gsi.gov.uk
You can also post a print and they will scan and upload it. Please send it to:
Ben Scott
Images of Care and Support
Room 149, Richmond House, 79 Whitehall
London SW1A 2NS
Government paper "Realising Ambitions" available for download
On 7 December 2009 Rachel Perkins, Paul Farmer and Paul Litchfield delivered their independent report on mental health and employment “Realising ambitions: Better employment support for people with a mental health condition” to the Department for Work and Pensions.
You can download the report from our Work and Employment/Evidence and Policy pages here.
Get involved in helping the NMHDU
Opportunities For Involvement in National Developments in Mental Health
If you have personal experience of mental distress, or provide friends/family carer support to somebody who has, then this may be for you.
The NMHDU (National Mental Health Development Unit - www.nmhdu.org.uk) is part of the Department of Health, working to convert national policy in mental health and social care into active use. They develop methods, practices and resources that help improve health and social care services.
They need the whole of their work to involve people with experience of mental health problems, and the friends-and-family who support them, so the best possible results can be achieved for all concerned. They have opportunities for people to get involved now.
If you are already involved in this work, or want to find out about the work and how people are supported, the following events may interest you:
NMHDU Involvement Network Meetings
Direct Experience/Service Users: Monday 1st February 2010
Friends and Family/Carers: Thursday 11th February 2010
Registration/refreshments 10.30, for 11.00 - 3.00 including lunch at the Head Office of Together, 12 Old Street, London EC1V 9BE
The event is free, and they can arrange travel/pay reasonable expenses.
Freedom Passes to be renewed
Residents in Bromley who currently use a Freedom Pass are being reminded that their current pass will be replaced with a new style pass and it must be renewed before 31 March 2010 as the old one cannot be used after this date.
People are being asked to apply on certain dates according to the initial of their surname and are being advised the following:
They can apply at any Post Office in the borough or participating neighbouring boroughs
They need a passport style photo, and proof of identity and residency in Bromley
The new Freedom Pass will incorporate a photograph of the passholder on the card and will be valid for five years instead of the current two. Passholders who do not have a permanent disability may be reassessed in 2012.
The initial application could take up to 2 to 3 weeks to process
The new pass will be sent to them directly, not issued by or collected at the Post Office
Eligible disabled people should contact the council if they have not received an application form or authorisation letter already.
Posters have been displayed across the borough and adverts about the renewal will appear in the local press. London Councils are also running an awareness campaign on buses, tube trains, stations and bus shelters as well as a road show in the Glades.
For further help and advice, people should contact the Council on
020 8461 7792 or visit www.freedompass.org
Judi Chamberlin (1945-2010)
It is with deep regret that we have to announce the passing of Judi Chamberlin, who died on the 16th of January, 2010 at the age of 65, after a long battle with illness.
Judi, a self-professed "psychiatric survivor", will be remembered as a champion of the rights and dignity of people with a mental illness. She had in the recent past travelled from her home country of the United States, where she worked on projects for the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University, to Bromley to speak at Develop RecoveryNET conferences, where she was warmly received (you can see her at the 2004 conference at developMEDIA).
Even during her final year she bravely advocated the rights for the terminally-ill to die at home and not in a hospital, and her on-line blog judi-lifeasahospicepatient.blogspot.com recorded her daily battle with her illness.
We offer our deepest sympathies to Judi's daughter, three grandchildren, and all of her friends and colleagues at this difficult time.
Links:
Greenways project seeks your feedback
The SE London Greenways is a proposed network of walking and cycling routes across the London Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley and Croydon.
Funded through Transport for London's Greenways programme, this network aims to provide a network of routes that improves access between green spaces, while linking to local trip generators such as schools, stations and town centres.
The greenways network proposes to serve both recreational and utility journeys, for pedestrian and cyclists.
A consultation period is in progress which will end on the 29th of January 2010. If you have any comments about this project please forward your response through Fabian Davis at fabian.davis@oxleas.nhs.uk
Free help to lose weight
NHS Bromley, in partnership with the London Borough of Bromley and Bromley Mytime, are launching a scheme offering free membership of a Weight Watchers or Slimming World group for Bromley residents.
The deadline for this offer is the 31st December, 2009, and interested parties should call 01689 866214 for more details.
Bromley R and Bs so close to silverware at National Finals
Bromley R and Bs football team recently won a place in the national finals held In Sheffield. The event was organised to celebrate World Mental Health day.
The PMA league was set up by Janette Hynes (MBE) as a therapeutic tool to aid recovery and social inclusion of individuals with enduring mental health issues. The footballers had to get to Waterloo station by 5am in the morning (Big congratulations for this), and a thank you to Royston for organising the transport to the coach.
The team played a competitive qualifier and drew against the team that went onto win. Bromley have been so close to winning some silver for their trophy cabinet but so far they have been unlucky. The players enjoyed the day in Sheffield and taking part in the day of sports and athletics.
If you live in Bromley and would like to play football, Bromley R and Bs meet every Friday at Glassmill Lane, Shortlands Recreation Ground near Shortlands BR station.
Phone Julian on 020 867 68250.
Now more Bromley people are Full of Life!
In October 2009, Develop partner Bromley MyTime held an event called Full of Life as part of the Active Bromley campaign. This event has lead to many other activities such as open days, tasters, short course, etc.
For the full report please click here.
For more information about the work Bromley MyTime does, please contact Ashlee Corfe at ashlee.corfe@bromleymytime.org.uk
Call for Papers from New Zealand
The planning committee for the No One Alone conference, to be held in Auckland, New Zealand in September 2010, announces a call for papers and presentations from individuals and groups who wish to contribute at this conference.
Conference Themes
The proposal content must be linked to the theme of the conference including:
- The need for authentic and enduring relationships in people's lives.
- The impact of friendship and relationships on people's lives.
- The vulnerbility and potential for abuse where no freely given relationships exist.
Papers and presentations can include:
- Personal stories and experiences, including those from disabled people, caregivers and families
- Research
- Best practice approaches
- Theoretical persepctives and principles
and any topic that will advance greater understanding of what is required for authentic, long term friendships and relationships to be established and maintained for disabled people.
Deadline is Friday 26th March 2010.
Please visit http://www.imaginebetter.co.nz/noa_cfp.php for more information
Bromley Council talk about Supporting Independence in Bromley
Changing adult social care
You may have heard that major changes are being made to adult social care in Bromley. This is also happening across the UK. The changes will give people who need care and support more choice, control and flexibility over how they live their lives. Bromley Council are calling this programme of change Supporting Independence in Bromley.
This briefing is to answer some of the frequently asked questions about Supporting Independence in Bromley. Over the coming months there will be lots of communications to keep people in touch with what's happening.
ISMA are tackling stress
Wednesday 4th November was National Stress Awareness Day, organised by ISMA (www.isma.org.uk)
They are now inviting all colleagues in the post-16 sector to complete the HSE stress survey. It's 18 months since UCU undertook its surveys which led to reports on Tackling Stress in the FE and the HE sectors. ISMA woukld like to know what the picture is now, across all areas of the post-16 education and skills arena. Anyone who participates will receive a free copy of the results but they will not receive any unsolicited follow-up mails, spam etc.
Details are at www.rcu.co.uk/stress
The survey is ‘live' now and will remain open until 23.59 on Friday 13th November.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact plucas@rcu.co.uk or 01772 885999.
Reforming the "sick note"
The current medical certificate (or 'sick note') makes fitness for work a black and white issue - either an individual is fit to work or they are not. In doing so it masks the reality that with simple adjustments many people could be supported to undertake work while specific conditions are being treated. For the individual this can lead to a detachment from the workplace and a drift towards inactivity (and probable poverty and social exclusion). For employers it means bearing higher costs associated with sickness absence.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is consulting on reforms to the current medical certificate to ensure that it better informs individuals and their employers about when and how it is appropriate to support someone back to work.
Shift Line Managers' Resource updated
Shift has published an updated version of the Line Managers' Resource, a document that gives practical advice to managing and supporting people with mental health conditions in the workplace (download here).
The resource is written for managers and recognises that workplace settings are vast and very diverse. It offers practical advice on managing and supporting people who are experiencing stress, distress and mental health conditions.
You can use it both to learn good practice in preparation for when an employee or employees are off on mental health grounds and to support their return to work.
The resource aims to directly address the fear, ignorance and stigma around engaging with someone experiencing mental health problems. The key message is that it is important to talk openly and with trust. The guide suggests practical steps that you and your employees can take together to:
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match the job requirements with the employee’s capabilities
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maintain regular contact with staff to identify any problems early
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talk at an early stage of distress to prevent the problem escalating
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keep in touch during sickness absence to offer support and plan for the return to work
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achieve a successful return to work
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manage a long-term illness whilst remaining in work, and
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access sources of support and information.
The accompanying website (http://www.shift.org.uk/employers) also provides advice and information for employees to help them to assess their own needs and plan for meetings with their manager.
This resource has been developed by Shift, the Department of Health’s programme to reduce the stigma and discrimination surrounding people with mental health conditions in England. It is part of Shift’s Action on Stigma initiative aimed at supporting employers to promote good mental health and reduce discrimination. This resource is a revised edition of the original Line Managers’ Resource (LMR) published in 2007. The original LMR was itself an update of the Mind Out for Mental Health Line Managers’ Resource published in 2003.
Shift have produced this resource in partnership with the Department of Health, Department for Work and Pensions, Health and Safety Executive, Cross-Government Health Work Wellbeing Delivery Unit and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Find out more about these partners: http://shift.org.uk/employers/aboutus
BBC Headroom marks World Mental Health Day with national events
To mark World Mental Health Day on 10th October 2009, Headroom are heading to six BBC Big Screen locations, and we're taking with us a series of relaxing activities, a larger than life game, balloons, smiles, and even some celebrities.
Edinburgh - Festival Square
Have fun with karaoke, films, interactive games, comedy, clay modelling, street dance and jive workshops.
Hull - Queen Victoria Square
Join Nikki Grahame (Big Brother) for some karaoke, films, drumming, laughology, salsa workshops, smoothie making, and clay modelling.
Portsmouth - Guildhall Square
Join Esther Rantzen for karaoke, films, games, laughter gym, clay modelling and jive workshops.
Swansea - Castle Square
Join Radio 1's Aled Jones for some films, karaoke, games, clay modelling, stress busting tips, and art activities.
Waltham Forest - Town Square
Have fun with karaoke, films, games, laughter yoga, Bollywood workshops, fruit kebab making and show off your football skills.
Norwich - Chapelfield Plain
Join Trisha Goddard for karaoke, films, space hopper fun, games, Sing Your Heart Out choir, salsa workshops and Tai Chi.
Mind Get Moving
Regent's Park, London
See events listing for details
More information can be found on the Headroom website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/headroom/
Credo on display in Bromley
Credo Ceramics are displaying their latest work in the reception of Bromley Civic Centre.
These beautiful, hand-crafted ceramics have been made by Credo members based at their Orpington and Penge workshops and the display will be there initially for one month.
Items are also for sale and there is information about Credo and price lists enclosed in the glass cabinet.
For more information about Credo please visit: http://www.credoceramics.org/
NIACE ask how you are making the journey
NIACE is carrying out a small piece of research into how people experiencing mental health difficulties travel around in their everyday life (such as walking, driving, using public transport) and any issues or challenges they experience in travelling. We are especially interested in travel to adult learning classes - but not just that.
Have you experienced mental health difficulties within the last six months?
If so, please complete a questionnaire telling us about your travel experiences, by Friday 23 October 2009. If you are undertaking or about to start adult learning and would be interested in producing a diary telling us about your travel experiences, please contact us by Friday 9 October to discuss this.
Are you a practitioner working with people experiencing mental health difficulties?
If so, can you contribute by hosting a focus group or publicising this research to people you work with? Please let us know by Friday 9 October.
To find out more visit: http://www.niace.org.uk/development-research/making-the-journey.
This includes a briefing sheet and questionnaire.
Orders being taken for The Really Useful Book of Learning and Earning 2010
Niace are delighted to announce that they have copies of The Really Useful Book of Learning and Earning 2010 available to order.
Orders are being taken now and books will be sent to you in December 2009.
The books are available as a pack of 5 for £12.50 or a box of 50 for £100. If you want more than 1,000 copies then please get in touch with Michael Lyden, on 0116 285 9701 to discuss discounts on bulk orders.
Place your order today by calling 0870 600 2400 or order online at: http://shop.niace.org.uk/ruble2010box.html
Bromley Field Studies Centre offering six free 'Wild and Wonderful' gardening courses
Following a successful bid to the Learning and Skills Council, The Field Studies Centre is delighted to offer this training to Bromley's residents. It is particularly keen to target adults living in the Cray area from BR5 & BR6 postcodes. The course will include:
- How to garden in containers, window boxes and small spaces
- How to encourage birds, bees, and butterflies into a green space
- How to make and create different habitats for birds, mammals, and insects
- How to use cameras and video equipment to film and record activities
The TrEE Centre is fully accessible and equipped with a range of interactive conservation and horticultural equipment and resources that the local community and participants are welcome to use. The first course is being held on Tuesdays, 10.00 -13.00 on Oct 6,13,20,27. We are currently taking bookings for this and all courses.
Contact Louisa Allen,Manager of the Bromley Field Studies Centre on 020 8302 7496 for more information.
"Stunning" Creations on Show from Credo
News Shopper: 09 September 2009
An exhibition of ceramics made by people recovering from mental illness has gone on display.
Display cabinets at Bromley Central Library are full of the pieces by Credo members, handcrafted at the mental health charity's studios in Orpington and Penge.
By becoming involved with ceramics and developing or rediscovering their basic work skills, Credo members are rehabilitated back into work, further education and training or volunteering.
Spokesman Jan Lovett said "We are so proud of what all our members have achieved.
"The ceramic pieces they have crafted are absolutely stunning.
"Many pieces will be for sale too so do come along and have a look."
The exhibition is open during normal opening hours at the library in Bromley High Street until December 16.
Scottish Recovery Network relaunches website
Scottish Recovery Network are delighted to officially announce the re-launch of the SRN website. They have worked to ensure it is now easier to access information, stories and resources found on the site.
SRN would welcome any intitial comments or thoughts.
To view the new site please visit www.scottishrecovery.net
Volunteers wanted for Bromley Parkrun
Bromley MyTime will be once again be hosting their Parkrun event every Saturday at 9am in Norman Park, Bromley, commencing on 29th August 2009.
There will be a training session for the volunteers on the 24th August from 4pm till 6pm with a pilot run at 7pm.
For more information, please visit http://www.parkrun.org.uk/bromley/ or contact Ashlee Corfe on 020 8323 1718
NDTi release training pack for front line staff teams
The National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) have spent ten years listening and analysing the things you do to support people participate in community life. They fed the learning into training sessions for thousands of people in hundreds of organisations, and learnt some more.
The core ideas have now been formed into a training pack containing practical exercises, a worksheet, study cards and an extensive reference list. Apart from a pen or pencil, you need no fancy equipment to access over 100 ideas, stories and hints.
Please download the attached flyer for more information here
The Social Inclusion Training Pack is available from the National Development Team for Inclusion, price £20 plus £5 p+p (postal charges to countries outside the UK may vary).
Please contact the NDTi office to place your order for the training day and/or the Social Inclusion Training Pack.
Email: Pauline.White@ndti.org.uk or phone on (+44) 1225 787 981
Please note that Develop will be obtaining copies for mental health teams in Bromley - any team that wants more than one should contact us via info@developbromley.com
The Shift Speakers' Bureau is recruiting!
The Shift Speakers' Bureau is looking for new members to talk to journalists and to take part in public events. You will join a team of 50 volunteers who tackle the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental ill health. Training and ongoing support will be provided and all expenses will be paid.
If you live in England and have a mental health condition, please email sue@furnercommunications.co.uk for more information and to find out how you can get involved.
Find out more about the Shift Speakers' Bureau here: http://shift.org.uk/speakersbureau
New Horizons: towards a shared vision for mental health - consultation
Over the last 18 months, the Department of Health has been talking to a wide range of people and organisations about their ideas for better mental well-being and better mental health care as part of the New Horizons programme. New Horizons exists in order to advance the aims of improving the mental health and well-being of the population as well as improving the quality and acessibility of services for people with poor mental health. The New Horizons consultation document reflects what has been heard so far.
This consultation document sets out a new vision for targeting the root causes of mental illness and supporting the local development of higher quality, more personalised services. It explores both the prevention of mental illness and earlier intervention when things go wrong. It also looks at how services can become more innovative and work more effectively together. Key themes include prevention; tackling stigma; early interventions; personalised care; innovation; value for money; multi-agency commissioning / collaboration and strengthening transitional care.
While New Horizons describes some clear ideas that have emerged during discussions with a wide range of people it is not a final document. There are a number of important questions still to be resolved and the response to these and the rest of the proposals will have a strong influence on the final version. There is also a link to the online questionnaire regarding the consultation document in the other 'links section' below.
The consultation closes on 15 October 2009.
Visit the DoH website for more information and supporting documents here
Call for submissions from Mental Health in Higher Education
Narratives of learning and teaching about mental health
Narrative inquiry is based on the premise that, as human beings, we come to understand and give meaning to our lives through stories. As we share our stories with others, they may go on to incorporate our understandings into their own narratives. There is a growing awareness of the importance of narrative in supporting students' learning about mental health. It has a role to play in educators' learning too.
The Mental Health in Higher Education project aims to enhance learning and teaching about mental health through increasing networking and the sharing of approaches across the disciplines in UK higher education. We are keen to explore how it is that students and educators develop their understanding about mental health, and the role that narrative can play in this.
Educators (including service user and carer trainers) and learners (past and present) are invited to write narratives, taking one of the following topics as their primary focus :
- An experience that has shaped my understanding about mental health
- An experience that has shaped my teaching about mental health
These topics have been chosen so that the resulting narratives are of relevance both to learners and to teachers. The word limit is 1000 word (approx) - intended as a guide rather than a rigid constraint upon your writing.
The experiences chosen may arise out of a formal or informal learning situation. Examples might include (but are not restricted to) learning arising from:
- a presentation, lecture, or other classroom-based activity - as educator or student
- a practice placement - as practice educator or student
- a personal experience of mental ill-health, or of caring for a person suffering from mental ill-health
- a personal experience which enhanced one's sense of mental wellbeing
- a publication (eg book or article), artefact (eg painting) or performance (eg play or DVD).
Writers are asked to reflect on:
- how their understanding of mental health was shaped or transformed, and any impact on their future practice
- the implications of their story for how mental health is taught.
Given the focus of mhhe, we are particularly interested in this latter point. Please ensure that you achieve a balance in your piece between the telling of your story and the drawing out of implications for educators.
Please note: We are interested here in how learning in the broad area of mental health is best supported (this encompasses understanding of mental wellbeing as well as ill-health).
We plan to publish some of these accounts in an edited collection - to appear in hard copy and online. A £15 book token will be provided for every contribution published in either format.
Please submit your account by Monday 12 October 2009 to k.hughes@lancaster.ac.uk using this cover sheet (click to download)
Do get in touch with Jill or Nicky if you have any queries: j.anderson@lancaster.ac.uk (01524 592836) n.westerby@lancaster.ac.uk ( 01524 594094).
Play Sport London gets the capital moving!
Play Sport London, part of the Mayor's Plan 'A Sporting Future for London', aims to provide free sporting opportunities to Londoners in order to encourage greater participation in sport in the build up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Play Sport London offers the opportunity to try different sports and activities, each designed to suit beginners as well as more experienced sportspeople. You will have the opportunity to be coached in your chosen sport, get back into a sport you enjoy or try a new sport. Play Sport London activities range from Trampoline to Triathlon, Golf to Gaelic sports, Football to Fencing or Bicycle polo to Boxing. There is a whole variety of FREE sporting activities to choose from.
To search for sessions near you, visit www.london.gov.uk/playsport
Employment specialists required for survey
Rachel Perkins, Director of Quality Assurance and User/Carer Experience at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, has been asked by the Secretary of State for the Department of Work and Pensions to undertake an independent review into how more people with mental health problems can be supported into work. The findings from this survey will feed directly into the work Rachel is currently undertaking within the review.
The Trust would be very grateful if you could spare a maximum of 10 minutes to complete the survey and to please pass this email and the link to the survey to other Employment Specialists you know so they can maximise possible responses.
Closing date is 10 August 2009.
Everyone has a story. What's yours?
In September 09 The One Show and BBC Learning will launch a storytelling competition with fantastic prizes.
15 of the best stories will be made into short films for BBC One.
True stories have inspired some of the most successful books and films of all time. My Story hopes to inspire the whole Nation to share their real life stories online. Popular BBC presenters like Kirsty Young, George Alagiah and Lenny Henry are signed up to the campaign and we are planning a big launch on radio, on TV and online.
Everyone has a story to tell and we'll be targeting audiences who lack confidence with literacy and under represented communities.
We hope partners like you will integrate the My Story competition into your plans for the autumn. To make it easy for you to get involved, we are providing FREE resources from simple ready to run workshop plans to more comprehensive planning packs
My Story will hopefully complement and strengthen your existing work, but will offer your learners a new, exciting and accessible route into creative writing. The competition also has great potential for community cohesion work, improving IT skills, family learning, mental health, and ESOL learners.
Develop presents at National Conference
Develop’s Fabian Davis has talked about Mental Health Services and Community Engagement to Improve Social Inclusion at a national conference on Improving Adult Mental Health Services on the 15th of July.
During this presentation, Fabian discussed the background and history of the Develop project and the website. This was well received by all who attended and it is thought that the day raised Develop’s profile very successfully.
Bridge-Building Forum date changed
The next Bridge-Building Forum meeting, originally due to have taken place on the 16th July 2009, will now take place on Wednesday, 22nd July 2009 at 3pm.
The meeting will be held in the BEECHE centre at High Elms Country Park, Shire Lane, Orpington, BR6 7JH. More information about the Centre can be found at www.bromley.gov.uk/beeche.
We will be hearing from Bromley's Countryside and Parks services about what they have to offer and how people with mental health needs can be supported to makeuse of the fantastic green spaces in the Borough, as well as the usual Forum business.
It promises to be a really good afternoon, so hope you can make it. Please do email Barbie at barbie.gibbons@bromleymind.org.uk if you wish to attend.
SportsNet update
The SportsNet group, which meets as part of Develop, is due to merge into the Bridge-Building forum as it is felt that a lot of the common interests are duplicated.
Julian Palmisciano (right), the SportsNet representative, will feed back at the Bridge-Building forum as to recent meetings attended at the pro-active Bromley executive, the active Bromley and improving access and equality meetings.
Julian is facilitating the Bromley R and B’s football group on Fridays at Shortlands Recreation Ground, Glassmill Lane, Bromley between 1 and 3pm, and will still be updating the website for SportsNet building links with the newly formed community mental health teams in the borough.
Julian has also been asked by the pro-active Bromley executive to be the disability champion within Bromley looking at ways to improve access and equality.
For more information please contact Julian by email at: Julian.Palmisciano@oxleas.nhs.uk
Paradigm announce course summer sale
Training consultancy Paradigm are having their own Summer Sale, where they are discounting their rates right down to £500 per day for their most popular training courses. This offer is open to anyone who books and has their training delivered by 31st August 2009. The courses included in the sale are:
• An introduction to Person Centred Thinking
• Person Centred planning
• Person Centred Risk Assessment
• Supported Decision Making
• Introduction to Supported Living
• Team Building
• An introduction to Self Directed Support
Please call our Paradigm on 0870 0104933 or email admin@paradigm-uk.org to discuss this offer or make a booking.
Crafty entrepreneur gets creative in retailing downturn
Irje Dennis, Bromley-based artist and Managing Director of Locally Crafted Limited, has launched a partnership with Glades Shopping Centre to enable local artists to sell their creations in a retail unit within the Centre. The project is to be named ‘LOCALLY CRAFTED in BROMLEY’ and has been well-received by the surrounding business community and artists alike.
The artists are encouraged to have a common theme – mainly using recycled materials to create ethical jewellery, sculptures and household goods but not necessarily recycled as long as they are handmade by local craftspeople/artists. Irje’s own creations – jewellery fashioned out of antique cutlery – is now sold throughout the UK and Finland and she is keen for fellow local artists to have the opportunity to enjoy widespread success also. “The idea ticks all the right boxes in this economic and environmental climate,” says Irje. “The project will create jobs, support local producers, and encourage recycling and the creation of items from old materials.”
Credo's stand at the Locally Crafted Shop
The intention is to have each of the artists manning the unit on a rotational basis. Participants will have equal space to display their creations and will share a percentage of the rent. Irje enthuses: “It gives artists the chance to sell their work in a location that would otherwise be unobtainable. Forming a collaboration, very much like a cooperative, allows us to be commercially viable to important shopping centres, unlike a sole trader who can be very vulnerable, particularly given the recent downturn.”
“With so many retail units lying empty, it’s vital that communities look for alternative ways of keeping shopping centres afloat with innovative uses of retail premises,” says Irje. “We are lucky to have formed this relationship with the Glades who have been willing to think creatively and are working to bridge the gap between mainstream retailing and the arts.”
For more information please contact:
Mrs. Irje Dennis
Locally Crafted Limited
email: locallycrafted@aol.com
tel: 07985 709 9889
A fond farewell to Jan
Bromley Mind had to recently bid a fond farewell to Jan Bereziuk, who was their Welfare Benefits adviser for over ten years, and has moved on to pastures new.
Jan worked incredibly hard to ensure that service users of Bromley were given a fair deal with their benefits, and will be sorely missed.
Taking his place will be David Feast, and we wish both David and Jan the very best of luck for the future.
Recovery Group Invitation
The aim of the Recovery Group is to provide a forum for group members to discuss their experiences of mental health issues, to share their thoughts and feelings and explore strategies for recovery.
The group focuses on the hopeful process by which individuals can recover from and learn to live with their difficulties and experiences. The group does not aim to cure or deny mental health problems.
A new group will be starting on June 25 2009. If you are a care coordinator or a user of services, and you would like to know more about the group, then please download the flyer below, or contact Gina Benjamin on 020 8313 1017 .
Job Vacancy
Social Inclusion Project Worker
Project Team
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
37.5 hours - flexible working negotiable
24 Month Contract
SALARY: Band 7
This is a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of developing and implementing social inclusion within an excellent existing framework. The trust is committed to ongoing delivery against its agreed targets and views the successful recruitment to this role as pivotal to achieving this.
For more information and application details please visit the NHS Jobs website listing here.
Further Education Colleges wanted for Back on Track 2
For the project year of 2009/10, the NIACE/LSC Partnership Programme will be working on national projects which will deliver several of the Headline Actions set out by the LSC Mental Health Strategy - The Way Forward (2009).
Headline Action 5 states: "In 2009-10, the LSC will roll out models of collaborative working between our providers and early intervention in psychosis (EIP) services and child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).
In order to achieve this, the partnership are developing a number of pilot projects (one in each LSC region), called Back on Track 2, based on the successful 2008 Back on Track project - a collaboration between Headspace - Portsmouth Early Intervention in Psychosis service, and Highbury College.
They are now inviting Expressions of Interest from Further Education Colleges who would like to be considered as a regional pilot site.
Oxleas art project gets national coverage
Oxleas NHS's art project with Tate Britain has gained national exposure through an article recently published in The Independent newspaper.
Apply today for Play Sport London funding!
Play Sport London replaces the London Summer & Winter of Sport programmes. Play Sport London, as part of the Mayor's Plan ‘A Sporting Future for London', aims to provide free sporting opportunities to Londoners. The Play Sport London programme provides grant funding to sports clubs and community groups in order to encourage greater participation in sport in the build up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
As part of the programme, sports clubs and organisations, youth and community groups can apply for grants of up to £1,500 (minimum £500) with funding available for all sports and physical activities, focusing on sports coaching sessions, but also including sports festivals and sports club open days.
Closing date for applications is 22nd May 2009.
Job Vacancy
Residential Support Worker
£18,632 pa (37.5 hours a week)
Community Options are currently recruiting people to work within one of their registered care homes within the London Borough of Bromley.
The project provides 24-hour support for older people with mental health needs (not dementia).
They are looking for an experienced person who can provide person-centred support and basic personal care when required.
Closing date for application forms: Wednesday 20th May 2009
Develop Community Participation Project: Update
The Social Exclusion Unit (2004) report on mental health found that adults who have experienced mental health problems are amongst the most socially excluded
individuals in society.
Person-Centred Planning and Community Bridge Building are ways in which social exclusion can be tackled....
Bromley keen to develop Safe as Houses scheme
Bromley Council has worked with Age Concern, the London Fire Brigade and Met Police to launch a Safe as Houses information pack designed to help older people feel safer in their own homes.
One of the unique features of the pack is the ‘Nominated Neighbour’ card with instructions on a new scheme that enables older and more vulnerable people to tell unexpected callers to contact a nominated neighbour who lives nearby.
Completed in advance with a trustworthy neighbour, the card can be displayed through a window or letter box, so that the older person need not open the door. If the call is genuine, the nominated neighbour will agree to return with the caller and stay until their business is completed.
Other useful information in the pack covers topics such as advice from Bromley Council on avoiding rogue traders and staying put in your own home, fire prevention pointers from London Fire Brigade and advice on domiciliary care, general maintenance and home repairs from Age Concern. 
Safer Bromley Partnership Chairman, Cllr Colin Bloom (right) said: “The Safe as Houses pack demonstrates very well how members of the Safer Bromley Partnership come together to focus on the needs of a specific group of residents in the borough. We want older people to feel safe in their own homes and having a supportive community can often help this to be the case. The new Nominated Neighbour initiative in particular promotes an easy-to-set-up way in which the local community can look out for others in their neighbourhood.”
Over a thousand packs have already been distributed. Residents can order a pack by calling Bromley Council on 020 8461 7777.
Scottish Recovery Network Update
The Scottish Recovery Network has released its update for April 2009.
To read this update, please click on the graphic below:
New Recovery Group starts in June
The Recovery Group, a forum for group members to discuss their experiences of mental health issues, and to share their thoughts and feelings and explore strategies for recovery, is commencing a new 20 week course in June 2009
Please visit the services page in our Recovery domain for more information.
You can download the invitation and RSVP form here.
Contact Gina Benjamin on 020 8313 1017 for more information.
Job Vacancy
Strategic Development Officer (East London)/Mental Health Expert
London Sports Forum for Disabled People is the key strategic development agency for sport and physical activity for disabled people in London. They are seeking a dynamic and experienced individual for this position.
Salary Scale SO1, initially £27,280 (Outer London weighting inclusive)
For full details, download job specification
Application deadline: 1st June 2009
Paul Gascoigne to attend London's biggest ever mental health sports event
Paul Gascoigne is to attend the Positive Mental Attitude London Football League ‘Finale' at The Valley, Charlton Athletic Football Club, on Friday 8th May 2009.
The footballing legend will be turning out in support of the event organized by the award winning Positive Mental Attitude Sports Foundation Trust, a social enterprise that uses sport as a tool to aid the recovery of people living with mental illness.
The ‘Finale' is a day of football, fundraising and fun which marks the climax of 2008/09 season of London's only mental health football league - the PMA London Football League. Remaining league matches from the PMA London League's three divisions will be played out followed by an awards ceremony in which divisional champions will be crowned.
Event organizers are hopeful that Gascoigne's presence can help swell the numbers in the stand, making the ‘Finale' the biggest mental health sports event the capital has ever seen.
Janette Hynes MBE, Founder and Chief Executive of the PMA explained:
‘It will be a massive boost to all involved to have Paul Gascoigne come down on the day. He is a footballing icon and a survivor. His bravery and honesty in dealing with his own difficulties can be an inspiration to others and help to challenge the stigma that surrounds mental illness.'
The ‘Finale' kicks off from 12:00Hrs at The Valley, Charlton A.F.C., Friday 8th May 2009. All are welcome so spread the word and fill the stands!
Volunteer Centre welcomes new recruit!
We are pleased to announce that Jane Kay has started work with Develop Partner The Volunteer Centre in Bromley. Her post is funded for 2 days a week by the Lloyds TSB Foundation and her role is to support people with disabilities to take up volunteering placements.
Jane will also be looking at setting up a mentoring scheme, recruiting and training volunteer mentors to help build confidence in people with a disability looking to volunteer.
She will generally be available on Wednesdays and Thursdays, although this is subject to change from week to week.
You can contact Jane at her e-mail address, janek@communitylinksbromley.org.uk or telephone her on 020 8315 1920.
A new vision for mental health and wellbeing
New Horizons heralds a dynamic new approach to whole population mental health.
The focus on prevention and maintaining good mental health is particularly relevant today with people leading more hectic lifestyles and going through the economic downturn.
Phil Hope (right) said:
"Over the past ten years we've made great strides in transforming the way mental health is dealt with. But we need to do more. I'm particularly interested in looking at how we can help people to look after their mental health and prevent them from becoming ill. And I'm keen to tackle the stigma that's associated with it - this isn't something we can shy away from, mental ill health is as serious as physical illnesses such as heart disease and cancer.
"Individuals, employers and all sorts of organisations have a role to play in helping to achieve good mental health for all. So, we're going around the country to hear people's views and hope to publish our new vision later this year. My ambition is to create a strategy that will improve services and promote public mental health and wellbeing for years to come."
Job Vacancy
Employment Outreach Support Officer
ref: BRO415
Company: Broomleigh Housing Association
Salary: £25,970
Contract: Temporary
Location: Bromley
Close date: 22/04/2009
Interview date: 29/04/2009
Description: To identify and recruit individuals from the Cray Valley region and Orpington including individuals from the Gypsy Traveller communities and to support them in resolving issues preventing them from accessing employment and/or learning opportunities
Click here for full Job Description
Conditions:
Extra information: You will undergo a CRB check for this position. This is a full time post working 36 hours/week on a fixed term contract for 24 months.
Person spec: Click here for person Specification
Selection criteria: No Selection Criteria required
Extra information:
Documents:
Job Vacancy
Work Placement and Employment Officer
ref : BRO416
Company: Broomleigh Housing Association
Salary: £21,967
Contract: Temporary
Location: Bromley
Close date: 22/04/2009
Interview date:12/05/2009
Description: To manage a high quality service bringing work placement and employment opportunities to employment programme participants
Click here for full Job Description
Conditions:
Extra information: You will undergo a CRB check for this post. This is a part time vacancy for a fixed term of 24 months. You will work part time Tues - Fri, 29 hours/week
Person spec: Click here for person Specification
Selection criteria: No Selection Criteria required
Extra information:
Documents:
Recovery Conference film now available in our library
Following the recent Experiencing Recovery conference held by Develop partners Community Options and Bromley Advocacy Project in Bromley, a short film of the day is now available in our Video Library, which also includes a link to a HD version for those of you with fast broadband!
Calling all Eggheads!
Oxleas NHS's project The Relating Game will be holding a quiz night on the 24th of April 2009 for clients, carers, friends and staff of Oxleas services.
The event will be held at Our Lady of Grace Church, Charlton SE7, with the quiz starting at 7pm.
For more information, please contact Kate Fletcher 020 8269 4193, Shell Newton 020 8836 8576, Frederica Joseph 020 8269 4152, Karen Bull 020 8269 4174 or Bianca Acton 020 8269 4161.
Credo receive visit from the Mayor of Bromley
Credo was honoured to receive The Mayor of Bromley at its ceramics studio this week.
The Mayor of Bromley, Councillor Denise Reddin, and her Consort, Mr. Martyn Reddin, talked to Credo members, volunteers, staff and Trustees about the work of this charity that supports people experiencing mental ill health. She saw a very wide variety of ceramics being produced by Credo members and was very interested in their individual journeys to recovery.
Said The Mayor: "Credo plays a very important part in the road to recovery for people who have suffered from health problems. Visiting Credo it soon became abundantly clear that the staff and members are extremely enthusiastic and the pieces produced are of a very high standard".
Jan Lovett, Project Officer for Credo, said: "It was a real pleasure to host the Mayor and her Consort and they were both very impressed with Credo's work".
R&B's in fine win against the Minders
Bromley R and B' s travelled to play away against the Woking Minders on Friday, March the 27th.
The 2pm kick off saw action straight away and Bromley's new signing Richard Gausden scored 2 goals in the first 5 minutes. The game then levelled out and there was attacking football happening from both teams.
There should have been more goals from both sides but for the brilliant goalkeeping.
Roy Batton scored a penalty against the Minders to make the final score 3-0.
Bromley R and B' s are now in third place in the PMA league.
Report by Julian Palmisciano
BridgeBuilding Forum postponed
Due to the availability of organisations and venues, the BridgeBuilding Forum scheduled to take place on Monday 30th March has been postponed.
However, a new date of Monday 27th April at 10am has been set - when we will be meeting at and hearing from Bromley Y, who are based at 17 Ethelbert Road, Bromley, BR1 1JA, about the support that is available to younger people with mental health problems.
Please could you confirm your attendance or apologies to: barbie.gibbons@bromleymind.org.uk
Easter Ceramics Sale at Pinewood House
Credo is delighted to announce details of its forthcoming Easter Ceramics Sale at Pinewood House for Oxleas staff, which will take place on Monday 30th March 2009 from 11am to 3pm.
Members have been working hard to produce some beautiful and unique items for sale in time for the Easter holidays. Unique hand-crafted gifts that friends and family can enjoy the beauty of for a lifetime.
Purchasers can be assured that all monies raised go directly back into the project, to ensure that Credo helps even more individuals in the Borough of Bromley recover from a period of mental ill health.
NSIP release their Vision and Progress report
The National Social Inclusion Programme (NSIP) recently published its ‘Vision and Progress' report, setting out the programme's work since the Social Exclusion Unit's 2004 publication ‘Mental Health and Social Exclusion'.
It reviews the progress made over the last four years at national, regional and local level across the statutory and non-statutory sectors in promoting the social inclusion agenda for people with mental health problems. The report also provides an assessment of the remaining and continuing challenges that need to be addressed for improved outcomes for people with mental health problems.
Francis takes the Marathon route to raise money
Francis Thompson (pictured left), a Practice Development Nurse at Banbury House, will once again be running the 2010 London Marathon to raise money for Headway.
On his Justgiving webpage, Francis said:
"This year I'm running all 26.2 miles of the Virgin London Marathon for our local branch of a charity called Headway.
Headway is a registered charity providing information, support, and services to people who have sustained a brain injury, their family and carers. They provide social, leisure and therapeutic activities for brain injured people, to help them to achieve the highest possible level of functioning and quality of life.
This fantastic charity has supported my mother in law for a number of years following a head injury she sustained in a fall. They continue to provide a significant amount of input and activity for her and are reliant on your donations to keep up this good work.
This year I am aiming to complete the course in less than three and a half hours and your support will help to keep me going; donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure and anything that you can give will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again - Francis"
You can pledge money for Francis's charity online at:
Awareness to be raised by Wellbeing Week
Wellbeing Week takes place from 9-15 March 2009 and is a national awareness raising week organised by mental health charity Together: Working for Wellbeing.
Together hope that by encouraging groups of people with experience of mental health issues to hold events it will focus attention on the many voices of experience, which when listened to, can help change things for the better.
Opportunities for Sports Officials
Official Sports London have created new opportunities to train people to be sports officials, in particular for physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
Conference is now fully booked!
Due to a phenomenal amount of interest in the LET THE GAMES BEGIN Conference on Monday 2nd March, we have to inform you that all of the 140 places have now been allocated.
Christian Chaplain wanted for Oxleas
Chaplain
Hours 7.5 per week
Agenda for Change payband 6
£27,718 - £36,809 Pro Rata Per annum
The Spiritual and Cultural Care Service of Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Christian Chaplain. The post holder will need experience of Hospital Chaplaincy or other healthcare setting and experience of working within a multi-faith environment/community.
Download full job description here
Closing date: 8th March 2009
NSIP release their 4th Annual Review
NSIP have recently reviewed the programme's key achievements across the range of their activity, setting these in the context of an assessment both of future challenges and of sustainability for work to date.
This will be set out in the NSIP document ‘Social Inclusion and Mental Health: Vision and Progress' due for publication late February 2009.
Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival 2009 - Call for Programming
The next Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival will run from 1st - 22nd October 2009. Last year's Festival saw over 10,000 people attend over 110 diverse, thought-provoking and entertaining arts events in venues ranging from cinemas to hospital wards, theatres to schools, libraries to a travelling bus.
Now in its third year, the Festival aims to achieve social change through the arts and is fast becoming a significant cultural annual event in the Scottish calendar. The Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival programming is unique and the team is currently looking to discuss opportunities for October 2009. They are looking to establish relationships with arts organisations and venues, local authorities, service-user organisations and health practitioners across the country for a vibrant programme of arts events.
If you would like to discuss programming for the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival 2009 or would like to know more about the festival please contact Pam Clarke, Belinda Arthur or Ruth Donnelly at e-mail: mhfest@gmail.com or tel: 0141 572 1662. For more details about the Festival go to http://www.mhfestival.com/
Meeting Cancelled
Due to the snow and transport problems, today's Develop Social Inclusion forum meeting has been cancelled.
A new date will be posted here shortly.
Footballers urgently needed!
An Oxleas based seven-a-side football team urgently needs fresh talent to maintain the high standards it has already set for itself.
Bromley R and Bs has been running for some time now. It was initially an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) group but has developed into a more borough wide group for the community. Last year the side joined the Positive Mental Attitude League (a London wide project), playing their home matches at Bromley FC, which provides a lot of support.
According to Bromley ACT team manager Mark McManus Bromley R and Bs recently secured some funding for their own strip. But Mark explained: "Unfortunately we are in desperate need for new players to join the team as the matches are seven-a-side and we tend to have only eight eager players. We need to raise the profile and encourage staff to think about people they are seeing who might be able or interested in joining the team.
"The team played recently against a very organised side that are coached by Fulham FC and narrowly lost 6-5. The opponents had a squad of 12 so I think the team did fantastically well. We need more staff to take an interest in the group and help to run the team which meets on Friday afternoons for approximately two hours.
"For some time Bromley Social Inclusion Coordinator, Julian Palmisciano, has been the sole person trying to organise the project but this is not sustainable so in order to make a success of this vital project we need help. I have seen the team play first hand and am so impressed at how people within the team have progressed and developed and I don't just mean their football skills."
So if you fancy your chances of playing for the R and Bs or would like to help out on the organisational side please email Mark at Mark.McManus@oxleas.nhs.uk or Julian at Julian.Palmisciano@oxleas.nhs.uk or telephone either of them on 020 8676 8250.
Active Bromley launches the Change Challenge!
Lose weight and you could win one of four amazing £500 cash prizes!!
Active Bromley is launching a special weight management programme devised with Weight Watchers to help you shed pounds and lead a healthier lifestyle.
"Active Bromley is a partnership between Mytime and Bromley Council coming together with other organisations to get more adults taking part in sport and physical activity," said coordinator Ashlee Corfe. "Working with Weight Watchers, Bromley Mytime will be holding a 6 month incentivised weight management programme to help everybody reach their healthy weight.
Those who take part and successfully lose five per cent of their body weight by week 12 and maintain that weight loss for a further three months will be given the chance to enter a great cash prize draw.
Why not get moving today and register your interest. Ensure you are the first to receive details, email ashlee.corfe@bromleymytime.org.uk
or phone 0208 323 1718
or visit www.bromleymytime.org.uk/active-bromley.html
Jon to challenge the Three Peaks
Jon Cribbens of Develop partner Community Options will be "going the extra mountain" later this year when he looks to climb Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon, all within 24 hours.
Jon says:
"I am going to be attempting to climb the three tallest mountains in Britain in 24 hours in April, to raise money for the Red Cross. I would be really grateful if you were able to sponsor any amount of money to help us reach the target we have set. I know times are hard so any contribution you can make would be really appreciated.
You can find out more about the event and how to make a contribution at the link below. If you want to make a more traditional contribution, please let me know I can 'put you down' for whatever you feel you can spare."
Qaisra has a mountain to climb!
Qaisra Khan, Oxleas Spiritual and Cultural Care Co-ordinator and Develop's FaithNet, will be trekking through Nepal to the Everest Base Camp in November 2009 to raise money for Oxfam.
The route takes her via the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar through beautiful valleys, dense forests and across glacial rivers before reaching the renowned viewpoint of Kalapatar, and on to the Everest Base Camp.
On her chosen charity, Qaisra says
"Oxfam is a charity with a very good reputation that does some amazing things that make a positive difference in peoples' lives. I first started supporting them work when I heard of the work they were doing in Afghanistan which is not a very safe.
Raising money for them would be one way of saying thank you to all those who continue to work in places and circumstances that I can not imagine doing."
If you would like to sponsor Qaisra on this challenge, please visit her Justgiving homepage:
http://www.justgiving.com/qekhan
You can read more about Qaisra's forthcoming trek here (PDF)
Bromley Mind looking for Peer Support Volunteers
Do you have current or past experience of mental health problems? Would you like to spend four hours a week supporting people with mental health problems emotionally and practically?
Then why not apply to join Bromley Mind's friendly Peer Support team running social ‘Open Access' sessions where people can have fun, share experiences and support one another? High quality training and ongoing support provided.
Nominate now for the Physical Activity & Heath Project of the Year!
The PRO-ACTIVE London Awards provide an opportunity for local people from each of London's 33 boroughs to acknowledge and say "thank you" to those who contribute towards sport and physical activity within their local community.
Nominations are being invited for the:
Physical Activity & Health Project of the Year
This award gives recognition to the physical activity and/or health projects that have shown innovation and have helped a large number of people improve their health and wellbeing through sport or physical activity.
The top 3 nominees will be invited to attend the award ceremony at Lords Cricket Ground on the 27th March 2009 along with distinguished guests from the Sporting world.
Download a Nominations Pack Here | Download a Nomination Form Here
Nominations must be received by Midnight on Friday 30th January 2009.
RCN: A Call for Best Practice Examples
The RCN is currently developing an on-line resource to support nurses in their work with excluded groups. This work is a result of RCN participation in the NSIP production of Capabilities for inclusive practice (2007) and is also a delivery of congress resolution 2006 to improve access to health care 'include not exclude'.
Ann Jackson from the Enhancing Practice & Influencing Team, RCN Institute says:
"We are looking at all excluded groups in all settings - so this is relevant for all nurses - including refugees, asylum seekers, economic immigrants, people with LD, people in the CJS, children and young people, people who are homeless, sex workers, travellers - people with mental health problems are often excluded from mainstream services and care. However, we know that many nurses are doing fantastic and innovative work - which is often 'hidden'. Part of the resource - which is primarily a sign-posting and policy document resource - will be to give examples of good practices. These might also form part of a digital story series in the future.
We have a very simple template which would invite you to complete or circulate to any projects or practitioners, including student nurses and HCAs; that you are aware of who are working in inclusive ways with excluded groups. "
Download template in Word format
Contact: Ann Jackson on 07764 208800
Mental Health Day Services E-Bulletin
December 2008
LAUNCH OF NATIONAL DAY SERVICES MODERNISATION NETWORK
The National Social Inclusion Programme (NSIP) is pleased to announce the launch of a National Mental Health Day Services Modernisation Network. The network is a collaboration between NSIP, Mind, Rethink and Richmond Fellowship and is aimed at Senior Managers in provider and commissioning organisations.
Its purpose is to provide support and resources to those involved in modernising day services in order to increase the effectiveness of the modernisation process and the resulting services through:
- The discussion of common issues and challenges in relation to day services modernisation, and ways of addressing these;
- The sharing of good practice in day services modernisation and the delivery of modernised day services;
- The discussion and dissemination of resources which may assist with modernisation or service delivery;
- Connecting people who can mutually support and learn from each other.
This will be achieved by quarterly Network meetings focusing on important day service modernisation issues. The first meeting is due to be held on Thursday 22nd January from 11am-3pm in London and will focus on where day services modernisation has got to and taking service users through the modernisation process.
If you are a Senior Manager with responsibility for Day Services Modernisation and would like to book a place at the meeting, contact Nick Bowles at nick.bowles@richmondfellowship.org.uk. Please be aware that places are very limited.
DAY SERVICES CHANGE BOOKLET FOR SERVICE USERS
The booklet is accessible and eye-catching and includes sections on:
- What's happening to my day service and why?
- What changes can I expect?
- How can this ‘new service' help me?
- Are the rumours true?
- How can I get involved?
To order your free copies, please e-mail marco.carrera@londondevelopmentcentre.org stating how many copies you would like (up to a maximum of 150).
TOOLS TO MEASURE INCLUSIVE PRACTICE
Both tools, which offer a useful framework for evaluating the inclusiveness of staff and team practice, are available to download from: http://www.socialinclusion.org.uk/home/index.php?subid=50#whatsnew53
E-bulletin produced by Ben Taylor, National Day Services Lead at the National Social Inclusion Programme
What do women want?
A recent PRO-ACTIVE South London Schools survey suggests that there is a need in south London for the additional provision of these sports for women and girls.
1. Ice Skating
2. Dance
3. Swimming
4. Trampolining
5. Horse Riding
6. Gymnastics
7. Badminton
8. Tennis
9. Skiing
10. Football
A full borough breakdown of the PRO-ACTIVE South London Schools survey can be found at www.pro-activesouthlondon.org/research
Richard runs for Mind!
Bromley healthcare assistant Richard Hall will be donning the running shoes next April to run the London Marathon to raise money for Mind.
You can sponsor him online by visiting:
http://my.artezglobal.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=242750
Good luck with the winter training Richard!
Pro-Active South London
Latest News Bulletin: 5th December 2008
For the latest bulletin from PASL, click here.
The Human Cost of the Recession
As the Conservative party predicts that we will see a staggering 26% increase in the number of people experiencing mental health problems by 2010 as a direct result of Britain's economic crisis, leading mental health charity Mind says that more investment is needed in services to help cope with this potential surge.
Mind's Chief Executive Paul Farmer (right) said:
"Financial health and mental health are inextricably linked. If people think that the recession is just about the cost to industry, then think again - it's also about the wide-ranging human costs. Job insecurity, redundancy, debt and financial problems are all proven to contribute to mental distress. As more people come face to face with these problems, there is no doubt that we will see an increase in depression, anxiety and stress. We need to make sure that these aren't the first steps up a one-way street by providing mental health support when people need it.
"All the indications are that next year we will see an increase in redundancies across more and more professions. As jobs are threatened and more people need to seek new employment, it's vital that we fight discrimination in the workplace so that people with mental distress are given an equal chance to stay in and find work.
"No one is immune to the recession, and no one is immune to the distress this can cause. It's never been a more important time to invest in mental health."
In May 2008, Mind published the report 'In the red: debt and mental health' which revealed that for people who already experienced mental distress, 91% said it made their mental health problems worse. We would encourage anyone struggling with their finances to talk about their concerns and seek advice and help. Mind recently launched a new section on it's website with advice on money management and where to get help: http://www.mind.org.uk/money
Keep Britain Working!
Johnson And Purnell Respond To Dame Carol Black Report
More people being helped to stay in work rather than drifting into extended sick leave is the focal point of a package of initiatives announced today by Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell and Health Secretary Alan Johnson.
The announcements come in response to Dame Carol Black's groundbreaking report into the health of Britain's working age population, which was published in March.
The package will support disabled people or those who become ill to return to, or stay in work, by helping them manage their condition and get the right help to keep their jobs. New measures announced in the report 'Improving health and work: changing lives', include proposals to replace the paper-based 'sick note' with an electronic 'fit note' and pilots for 'Fit for Work' services which will support people on a period of sickness absence to return to work.
Other proposals include:
- A National Centre for Working-Age Health and Well-Being - which will form an independent, authoritative body providing a range of core functions related to the health and well-being of working-age people. The Centre will identify evidence gaps and encourage research to close those gaps.
- Health, Work and Well-being Co-ordinators - who will stimulate action on health, work and well-being issues in their areas, offering advice and support to help local partnerships and engagement with smaller businesses in particular.
Pilot an occupational health helpline for smaller businesses - the helpline will offer help to smaller businesses by providing business hours access to professional occupational health advice on individual employee health issues (including mental health). - A Challenge Fund - which will encourage local initiatives that improve workplace health and well-being through innovative approaches to ensure worker engagement.
- Review of the Health and Wellbeing of the NHS workforce - this will be done in partnership with employers and staff and will identify action to improve the health and wellbeing of the NHS workforce.
Alan Johnson (right) said:
"Sick leave costs an estimated £100 billion per year - but helping people stay in work doesn't just have an economic imperative, it has a moral and social one too. Poor health can prevent people fulfilling their potential, leaving them more likely to slip into poverty and social exclusion.
"That is why we have set out a comprehensive framework to help support employers and the NHS encourage individuals back into the world of work as soon as possible.
"I'm particularly pleased to announce a review of the health and wellbeing of the NHS workforce, which will benefit staff and help drive up the quality of care for patients."
Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell (right) said:
"Now more than ever it's important to help people who are sick to stay in work so that they can support themselves and their families.
"These proposals will help do just that. Everyone has the right to work and we want to design a fair system which supports people so they can work when they are able.
"We also plan to extend the help available for small businesses so they have the tools they need to be able to support employees with health problems carry on working if they can or return to work as soon as they are ready."
Dame Carol Black (right), National Director for Health and Work said:
"I welcome this response and am glad to see that the Government has taken on board my recommendations and is committed to action. I am especially pleased the fit note and the Fit for Work pilots will be implemented along with support for small businesses.
"I believe the measures unveiled by the Government will help make our society a healthier and happier one, where everyone recognises the link between good health and good work. "But to ensure it happens we need to work together to change attitudes and behaviours. The Government has taken this first important step, but we need to work in partnership, with business leaders, employers and individuals all having a role to play."
In response to the Government's announcement that it will impliment Dame Carol Black's proposals, Mind's Chief Executive Paul Farmer (right) said:
"Many people with mental health problems want to work, but lack of support both in work and during sickness absence present considerable barriers in allowing people to remain in employment. Currently, people can be signed off work and lose contact with their workplace altogether, making it increasingly difficult to return. Mind welcomes the Government's plans to turn 'sick notes' into 'fit notes', which if properly implemented, should allow people to remain in work while managing their recovery and prevent them from becoming alienated from working life.
"However, GPs aren't occupational health experts, and a person who is able to do work-related tasks necessarily able to cope with the working environment. GPs will need to be extremely sensitive to ensure that people's needs are properly assessed. For the system to work, doctors and employers need to cooperate closely so that healthcare and employment support work together to retain a mentally healthy workforce."
Workplace wellbeing expert Water (for Work and Home) has praised the government's endorsement, and their managing director, Ben McGannan (right) said:
"We welcomed Dame Carol Black's review earlier this year as it moved the issue of health in the workplace up the agenda for government, health professionals and businesses. But the Government endorsement shows a real commitment to address health issues at work. In particular, their commitment to funding for health and wellbeing measures in the workplace and the proposed introduction of the Business Health check tool acknowledges the benefits of the essential preventative measures that can have such a positive impact on the nation's workforce. 175 million working days were lost to illness in 2006 and the cost of employee sickness to British business is £13 billion a year, so, as it says in the review, good health is good business."
Well done Credo!
Bromley-based mental health charity Credo has been Highly Commended by the London Voluntary Sector Council at a recent awards' ceremony in London.
The LVSC rated very highly Credo's "Skylight Project" - 2 x 12-week courses in ceramics in partnership with The Bromley Community Drugs Project.
Members from the Bromley Community Drug Project joined forces with Credo staff and volunteers to make their very own piece of ceramic community art. Two beautiful wall murals were created by course participants, highlighting each individual's journey through adversity to creativity. The funding of this project was provided jointly by the European Social Fund's "Fast Forward" Programme and Bromley Council.
Credo's Jan Lovett and Rose Nalumansi from The Bromley Community Drugs Project collected the award from Paul Butler, Chair of the London Voluntary Sector Council.
Said Jan:
"The hard work of Credo staff and volunteers and the amazing talents of course participants from the BCDP are recognised in this award. We are so proud of them all".
Be part of an exciting film project
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust are looking for your views and opinions of your experiences of customer care. Your contribution could have an effect on future services
Be filmed and interviewed by people who use the service Inspirational FilmWorks are a Mental Health User filmmaking group.
They will be:
Visiting Bromley MIND, Stepping Stones, Masons Hill on the 12th December from 10.30am - 12noon.
Filming at Bromley MIND on the 19th December from 11am - 3.30pm
For further information please phone: Frederica Joseph on 020 8269 4152 or 07900 681 303
PLEASE NOTE: If you do not want your face in the film, we can just record your voice
The results are in!
The top 10 sports that young people want to take part in
Pro-Active South London have recently conducted a South London School Sport Survey throughout the secondary school network with a view to identifying some clear information about what sports young people would like more access to. This survey has generated in excess of 24,000 responses from young people across the sub-region.
The top 10 sport that young people want to take part in South London are:
- Football
- Swimming
- Ice Skating
- Trampolining
- Dance
- Tennis
- Basketball
- Badminton
- Cycling
- Boxing
To find out what sports young people want to do in your area, click here for a breakdown by borough. (Microsoft Excel file)
R & Bs continue great start!
Bromley R and Bs played their second league game away at Camden and Islington on the 13th of November. Bromley started off the scoring with a brilliant goal by Jermaine Clarke after a wonderful cross in from Roy Batten.
Camden equalised later to make it 1-1 at half time. Bromley made it 2-1 from another goal from Jermaine. Bromley were clinging to their lead before Camden equalised in the last minutes. It was a fair score and the team really enjoyed the day out.
In their first game against the Woking Minders, Bromley were able to score 8 goals to Woking's 6. It was a thrilling game that was end to end action from start to finish. Warren Thatcher started the scoring off for Bromley with a left footed shot aimed straight into the corner, leaving the goalkeeper motionless.
It was a close game in the end and well done to the Minders. Bromley FC hosted the game and are Bromley R and Bs adopted club for all their home games. Thanks to Del Parnham for his support and encouragement for social inclusion and community support.
Have your say on the future of care and support
The Government's engagement period on the future of care and support in England will finish on 28 November, 2008.
After five months of discussions and events across the country, this month provides the last opportunity for stakeholders and the public to get involved in the debate.
To have your say on the future of the care and support system, visit: http://www.careandsupport.direct.gov.uk/
Employers must work on mental health
As the first of the Government's measures to get people back to work have been recently introduced, Mind reveals shocking new evidence that employers are not willing to take on people who have experience of mental distress and that they are failing staff by not providing adequate mental health support.
Unemployment is expected to hit 2 million by the end of the year and with employees anxious about the security of their jobs, Mind fears that employers are not doing enough to protect the wellbeing of their staff.
A snapshot poll by Mind found that:
- 58% had to leave a job because of lack of mental health support
- 31% had been sacked or forced out of a job after disclosing a mental health problem
- 26% had been demoted after disclosing a mental health problem
- 1 in 4 had job offers withdrawn after disclosing a mental health problem which is illegal under the Disability Discrimination Act
Mind believes that many employers are not working hard enough to support and retain their staff resulting in people being forced out of jobs and getting caught in the benefits system. Over 200,000 people with mental distress flow from work onto benefits every year, and more action is needed to ensure that employers help people to remain in work.
Thousands of people who are already stuck in the benefits trap will be affected by the introduction of the Work Capability Assessment today. Many will be pushed onto Job Seeker's allowance, placing all the emphasis on the individual to find work yet no pressure is applied to employers to recruit people with mental health problems. People with experience of mental distress have the highest want to work rate of any disabled group, and although 9 in 10 want to work, the government's own research has shown that fewer than 4 in 10 employers are willing to take them on.
Speaking on lack of support in the workplace, one service user told Mind:
"I went to HR and explained several times I was ill, being bullied and felt suicidal. They didn't know what to do, and they did nothing. I had several meetings to talk about what was happening, and nothing came of it. They were totally ineffective. I was telling them I was suicidal. I could have ended up dead, and they would have borne some responsibility for that.
"It's so simple to do it properly. It's not rocket science, talking to people and finding out what can be done to help. I hated that job, the environment, how I had been treated and I left."
Mind's Chief Executive Paul Farmer (right) said:
"The vast majority of people with mental health problems want to work, but they face enormous challenges in finding and staying in employment. People with mental distress face a double dose of discrimination - they are discriminated against when they apply for jobs and discriminated against when they are in a job. Mind hears of terrible examples of bullying in the workplace, people being passed over for promotion or even demoted. For many people, it's not unwillingness to work, but rather stigma, misunderstanding and mismanagement that stop people from enjoying fulfilling working lives."
"While we welcome the government's commitment to provide extra support to get people back into employment, it won't work without requirements being put on employers. If businesses refuse to adapt their practices then people with mental health problems will not fit easily into the government's welfare reform proposals."
"Businesses must recognise that the health and welfare of their employees affects their bottomline and that looking after staff who are experiencing mental distress makes economic sense, especially in the current financial climate."
Susan Scott-Parker, Chief Executive of Employers' Forum on Disability, said:
"The Government needs to be looking at this issue from both sides of the fence and build plans that reflect the needs of both employers and employees. Employers need to be given an insight into how they can apply best practice and managers need to be supported so that they have the confidence to help employees experiencing mental distress."
Mind is calling for:
- A stronger message from Government on their expectations of employers
- A duty on employers to carry out mental health risk assessments of their workplaces, policies and practices
- Measures to change employer discrimination through better enforcement of legislation and or appropriate incentives
- A right for employees to request flexible working on mental health (or health/disability) grounds and to qualify for disability leave.
- The implementation of the proposals of the Dame Carol Black review to help to improve early intervention and retention and through joined up case management
Celebrating creative personalities
Personality Plus have launched a series of events in London for 2008 and 2009, providing a platform for the creative works of people with a diagnosis of personality disorder and celebrate their achievements.
Personality Plus is a unique, pioneering project, representing the first time people with personality disorder have collectively spoken about issues including their feelings about the diagnosis, the services they have been offered and their achievements.
You can download the full programme and booking form here.
Credo invites carers to a "movable feast"!
Credo has just received funding from The Big Lottery Fund's "Awards for All" initiative to help improve the lives of carers in Bromley.
The first of two 12-week projects have started up at the Ripley Arts Centre, Sundridge Avenue, for carers who support family or friends and who, themselves, have little time to spare to develop their own creativity.
Called "A Movable Feast I and II" project, 10 carers on each of the two projects are creating and designing their own ceramic tableware, with some incredible results! "A Movable Feast I" runs until 17th November 2008 and "A Movable Feast II" will run from 12th January 2009 to end March 2009.
Credo's Project Officer, Jan Lovett, said: "Credo has a long history of working with people who experience mental ill health and we have wanted to work with carers for a long time. During Credo's tenth anniversary year, "Awards for All" has made this come true and we are very grateful for their support".
Credo is working in partnership with Carers of Bromley. Said Anna Chan: "It is wonderful for carers to have time to relax, use their creative skills, build confidence and develop friendship with other carers".
Further details are available from:
Jan Lovett, Credo (01689 862296) and Anna Chan, Carers Bromley (020 8467 9436).
Credo seeks to recruit new trustees
Credo is a community work rehabilitation project based in the London Borough of Bromley, working with individuals with lived experience of mental ill health. We are a small, but forward-thinking charity, seeking to recruit two further Trustees to compliment the skill set and experience of our current Management Committee.
We like our Trustees to have their feet on the ground but their sights set on higher ground - with positive outcomes for our members and the future of our organisation. There are some big challenges ahead but also some great opportunities.
Our Trustee posts are unpaid but the personal rewards are high. For a small time commitment on a monthly basis you CAN make a real difference to people's lives and help them build a brighter future.
To register your interest in joining us, in the first instance please either drop us an e-mail at credoceramics@onetel.com, or write to Anne Bannon at:
Credo, Anchor House, 5 Station Road, Orpington, Kent, BR6 0RZ
with a brief covering letter, detailing who you are and the skills you could bring to our organisation.
For more details about Credo, please visit http://www.credoceramics.org/
Change in day services
The National Social Inclusion Programme (NSIP) has produced an eye catching, accessible and informative leaflet aimed at people using mental health day services which are facing or undergoing change or modernisation.
The leaflet, titled 'How will my newly redesigned day service help me?' will be available in November. It includes quotes from service users and sections include:
- What's happening to my day service and why?
- What changes can I expect?
- How can this 'new service' help me?
- Are the rumours true?
- How can I get involved?
To pre-order your free copies, please e-mail: marco.carrera@londondevelopmentcentre.org stating how many copies you would like.
Comment on the LSC mental health strategy
The Learning and Skills Council's Mental Health Strategy is currently being refreshed, and a draft is out for consultation. This is an important opportunity to influence future direction, with the refreshed strategy providing a vision of learning and skills provision for people with mental health difficulties up to 2015.
The consultation runs until the 19th December, and the document, which includes a number of specific consultation questions, can be downloaded here.
New delivery of blueSCI DVD
NSIP have recently taken delivery of a further batch of DVD's featuring the innovative blueSCI day service in Trafford, Manchester. For those who missed it first time round, the DVD provides an interesting insight into the delivery of a modernised day service including the perspectives of service users, staff, partner agencies and the commissioner.
To order free copies of the DVD, please contact: mailto:marco.carrera@londondevelopmentcentre.org
or telephone Marco on (020) 7307 2448
Government consults on safeguarding vulnerable adults
Care Services Minister Phil Hope has recently launched a consultation on how to improve safeguarding policy - the protection of vulnerable adults - and address abuse in all its forms in the care system.
The 'No Secrets' guidance for local authorities, the police and the NHS to work together to protect adults is already in place. The Government now wants to make sure it keeps up with changes in the social care system, with the new emphasis on choice and control and changing forms of abuse.
Key issues on which Government is seeking views are:
- Whether there is now a need for legislation
- The feasibility of a national database of recommendations from serious case reviews where abuse has occurred
- What new measures are needed in the face of increased 'personalisation' of care with more people now being in charge of their own care instead of local authorities
- What new measures are needed in the face of changing forms of abuse, such as financial abuse
Phil Hope (right) said: "I am determined to improve safeguarding of vulnerable people. We need a greater focus on prevention, a greater emphasis on safeguarding in commissioning services and support, and greater empowerment of people to determine how they wish to be safeguarded. The No Secrets guidance must be updated to make sure everyone - individuals, police, care agencies, the NHS and local authorities prevent abuse, and also recognise it and stamp it out if it does occur.
"The consultation is particularly relevant as more people gain control of their own care. I want to help people maintain this control and independence, free from fear of abuse. I look forward to hearing people's views and will not hesitate to take tough action to improve safeguarding for those in vulnerable situations."
The consultation on the review of No Secrets will run from 14th October to 31st January 2009.
One step from benefits to work
It will now be easier for people to move from benefits into work, as they will only have to make one call to update their details, ensuring they are getting the right in-work entitlements and that it pays to work.
Ministers announced the national roll-out of this initiative at a Jobcentre Plus centre in Clapham, London. This follows a successful pilot between Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and local authorities to speed up the benefit and credit claims process for customers who move in and out of employment.
Stephen Timms (right), Financial Secretary to the Treasury said: "The pilots have shown that people are more confident in the 'one stop' approach to claiming benefit and tax credits we have been trialling. This will smooth the transition of people from work to benefits and back again. In the modern work marketplace that will be a welcome boost to employers, the economy and most importantly the individual customers themselves."
DWP Minister Lord McKenzie (left) said: "We hope by speeding up the process for benefit and credit payment in this way more people will be encouraged to take up opportunities for short term work where in the past they might have been put off by a lengthy process of informing all the relevant bodies.
"By providing a single point of contact for customers seeking support when either in or out of work, we can provide a more efficient service to our customers as well as reduce the likelihood of overpayments.
"Along with tax credits and the national minimum wage we are committed to making work pay, giving people the chance to support themselves and their families."
Previously, each relevant department had to be notified separately about a change in work circumstances - the DWP for out of work benefits, HMRC for tax credits and the local authority for housing benefit. Now DWP, through Jobcentre Plus will collect this information once and share it with HMRC and the local authority, reducing the time it takes to make the appropriate alteration to a worker's benefits by up to 15%.
The phased, national roll out of this cross government initiative is expected to be completed over the next 18 months. The first fourteen areas to benefit will be Borders, West Dunbartonshire, Clackmannanshire, Inverclyde, St Helens, Gateshead, North East Derbyshire, Sunderland , Kings Lynn & West Norfolk, Guildford, Plymouth, Caerphilly, Southwark and Tower Hamlets.
Individual budgets can provide better care, says new report
Individual budgets can give people more choice, flexibility and control over their personal care, as well as a better quality of life, according to a pilot scheme evaluation report launched today by Care Services Minister Phil Hope.
The independent evaluation was conducted by a combined team of five university research units. It found that individual budgets had particular benefits for mental health service users and younger disabled people. While there were no important differences in overall cost (IBs cost on average about £280 compared with £300 for standard mainstream services), there were indications that individual budgets have the potential to offer greater value for money.
Individual budgets give people who have care needs the power to decide the nature of their own support and the report showed that most groups liked this. People can choose to use the money to fund the care that suits them best and fits in with their lifestyle - for example by having someone support them at home rather than going into residential care.
Mental health service users in the individual budget group reported a significantly higher quality of life. Younger physically disabled people were more likely to report higher quality of care, and were more satisfied with the help they received, the choice and control they experienced and felt they had the opportunity to build better quality support networks. People with learning disabilities were more likely to feel that they had control over their daily lives.
However, the report found that older people did not find the individual budget system used during the pilot as easy to use as the other groups, and they did not appear to like the idea of managing their own support.
Care Services Minister Phil Hope (right) said:
"Individual budgets can put people back in control of their own care, and give them a better quality of life. This report is invaluable in helping us understand the benefits of individual budgets, as well as the action we need to take so that everyone can benefit from them.
"Since this research was undertaken more support has been put in place for older people and early indicators have shown that this has transformed their experiences of using individual budgets. We will conduct further research to investigate the impacts further. We must also get better at letting people know that they don't have to take on management of the budget themselves.
This is a very complex area. We will work to address the recommendations of this report, to make greater choice and control a reality for many more people."
The results of this research will feed into work to introduce pilots of personal budgets for healthcare from 2009, as announced in the NHS Next Stage Review.
As part of the Department of Health's plan to transform social care, the Department announced in late 2007 it would empower people to shape their own lives and the services they receive through personal budgets.
The report can be found at the Department of Health website here
Mind comments on Foresight's new report Mental Capital and wellbeing
Foresight, the Government's futures think tank, has published a new report detailing how we can take on the challenges facing mental health over the next 20 years.
Commenting on the findings, Mind's Chief Executive Paul Farmer (right) said: "One in four people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives, but what this groundbreaking report puts into focus is that every single one of us has mental health, good or bad, that we must take care to maintain especially as it fluctuates throughout the course of our lives depending on the challenges we face."
"Uncertainties about the economy are causing many people to develop mental health problems right now such as stress, anxiety and depression. Mind has seen calls about debt to its MindinfoLine double from this time last year. The fear of redundancy, repossession and spiralling debts are all examples of how external factors can cause mental health problems to spike. This report shows how we can better equip people to deal with life events for example by training young people on finances so that we can tackle the root cause of problems."
"Foresight's report presents an impressive future that shows it's possible to change thinking about mental health from something that happens to someone else or something that is shrouded in mystery. It presents us with an opportunity to tackle head on stigma and discrimination. We call on Government and businesses to take on board these recommendations because a mentally healthy society over the next 20 years stands to benefit us all individually, socially and economically."
"Mental health affects all our lives which means that the responsibility cannot fall to just one Government department and we must see a commitment to cross-government working on these issues. Foresight has created a framework for the future of mental health and has given us a once in a generation opportunity to ensure that mental health is at the forefront of Government thinking."
ESA replaces Incapacity Benefit
Yesterday marked the end of Incapacity Benefit for new claimants and the era of writing people off and marks the dawn of a new benefit, Employment and Support Allowance, designed to give people the support they need to improve their health, their skills and look for work.
The new Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is tailor made for disabled people and people with ill-health and is part of the Government's radical welfare reforms, which aim to get 1 million people off incapacity benefits by 2015.
From today new claimants who cannot work due to ill-health or disability will be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
Within weeks of making a claim, customers will have their capability assessed by an expert health professional through the new Work Capability Assessment. The new assessment is designed to look at what people can do rather than what they can't - and will ensure that those who can work are given the help and support they need to get back to work and will make sure that no-one is written off and consigned to a life on benefits.
People who are assessed as having the severest disabilities or health conditions will go into the 'support group' and get more money - the poorest of receiving a minimum of £102.10 per week. Everyone else will go into the 'work group.'
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, James Purnell (right) said:
"In the 1990s people were written off on Incapacity benefit with no help to overcome their problems or support to get them into work. It is even more important during an economic downturn that we increase support for people not take it away."
"The introduction of Employment and Support Allowance, which marks a significant landmark for the delivery of our welfare reforms, will offer the help and support disabled people and people with ill health are telling us they want in order for them to get back to work."
Employment and Support Allowance replaces Incapacity Benefit and Income Support on the grounds of incapacity for new claimants only. Incapacity Benefit and Income Support continue in payment for existing customers.
ESA claimants who are assessed as being able to prepare for work, will be required to engage in a back to work programme and assigned a personal adviser who will help them overcome any specific barriers to work, including having a skills check and getting involved in work experience opportunities. People identified as being in the 'support group' can engage with these back to work programmes on a voluntary basis.
New survey reveals how the credit crunch is affecting our mental health
A new survey released on World Mental Health Day (10th Oct) has revealed that whilst the credit crunch has understandably made many people a little more depressed and anxious, just 8% had become a lot more depressed and anxious.
The YouGov survey commissioned by mental healthcare specialists Affinity found that overall 51% of people surveyed said that they were in fact unaffected by the current financial circumstances, and a further 37% had been a little more anxious or depressed. There were some variations in responses in that greater levels of effect were reported in those aged between 45-54 (41% a little more anxious and depressed, 9% a lot more anxious and depressed). Also the most affected regions have been Yorkshire and the Humber (46%), West Midlands and East of England (all with 47%) whilst the North East is the least, with 37%.
An issue raised through this survey was variation in how open people are in acknowledging mental health symptons. People in the North East are more likely to admit they have suffered a mental illness (24%) whilst those in the East of England and the South West are least likely to (11%).
Affinity Healthcare's consultant psychiatrist and honorary professor at Chester University Dr Ben Green (pictured right) said: "This is an interesting snapshot of the UK's mental health. It is clear that the credit crunch is having some effect on people's mental wellbeing, and it is clear that there is variation in how open some people are able to be about their mental health.
"Mental health is often affected by the economic climate and it's understandable that homeowners are more likely to feel more depressed and anxious due to the current economic turbulence. However, with openness and support, symptoms might well resolve."
He added that mental illness, which can be a problem with anxiety, mood or behaviour or a mental disorder, is misunderstood in the UK. The survey revealed that mental health problems affect many people's lives, either directly or through family members or close friends. Women are more likely to speak out with 17% admitting to suffering from a mental illness compared to 13% of men.
Dr Ben Green continued: "This survey is aimed at raising awareness of mental health and dispelling the negative stereotypes that people attach to the disorder. It revealed that 36% of respondents thought drug addicts would be most likely to suffer from a mental health problems, with another 19% admitting to thinking elderly people would be most likely to suffer.
"With some commentators stating that 1 in 4 of all people are likely to suffer from a mental health problem at some point in their life, we believe that these findings show that many people don't realise that it can be something as common as suffering from depression or anxiety."
Dr Green added "Another worrying area of this survey is that a high proportion of young people aged 18-24 (38%) seem to be turning to the internet as a way of diagnosing their problem rather than seeking treatment from a professional. It's vital that someone who suffers from mental health problems seeks professional clinical help in the form of a family doctor or a recognised support service.
"Mental health problems can leave individuals feeling isolated and alone. On World Mental Health Day, it's important that people realise they don't have to suffer alone and that there is help available."
For help and advice on any mental health issues contact:
MindinfoLine (Monday to Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm) on 0845 766 0163
WHO report shows mental health services in England leading the way in Europe
Health Secretary Alan Johnson today welcomed publication of a landmark international report, which highlights that mental health services in England are leading the way in Europe.
The report from the World Health Organisation, published to mark World Mental Health Day on 10 October, showed that:
- England directs 13.8% of the health budget towards mental health - highest level in Europe among those who submitted figures
- We provide high levels of access to mental health care, with 12.7 psychiatrists per 100,000 population, compared to the European average of 8.9.
- Access to mental health nursing care is also higher than average, with 51.9 nurses per 100,000, compared with the European average of 18.7.
- England are the only country to provide a comprehensive network of specialist early intervention teams
- England is one of only three countries to provide comprehensive access to assertive outreach teams.
- England has 23 mental health beds per 100,000, reflecting continued focus on moving mental health treatment out of institutions and into the community.
Alan Johnson (right) said:
"I'm delighted that the WHO has recognised the transformation in mental health care in England over the last ten years. On World Mental Health Day, this is a huge tribute to the thousands of committed front line staff who have built a service we now know ranks among the very best.
"Our level of investment in mental health has risen to one of the highest in Europe and we now have over 700 teams providing innovative community based services as instead of treating people in hospital. The outdated and pernicious concept of "the asylum" is over but our commitment to improving services further is undiminished.
"I welcome the work by the WHO and the European Commission to promote exchange between countries and share experiences in improving mental health systems."
Matt Muijen, Regional Adviser for Mental Health, WHO Europe, said:
"The ambition and pace of change in England have been remarkable over the last 10 years, and mental health services here are increasingly being seen across Europe as a model to follow. This does not mean that everything is perfect in England - but I am saying that the political will as demonstrated by the financial investment in order to produce a nationwide comprehensive and co-ordinated system of care is impressive, and is recognised internationally as such.
"The report we are launching here today reflects real improvements in resources, workforce and community services that should be reflected in patients' experiences. I hope that the WHO can help to share what you have learned much more widely."
The Government is committed to continued improvement of mental health services. Spending on adult services has increased by £1.7billion since 20001/02, which has led to radical improvements. We now have over 60% more consultant psychiatrists, almost 80% more clinical psychologists and at least 20% more mental health nurses than we had in 1997, providing better care and support for people with mental health problems. An update of the National Services Framework on Mental Health is expected late 2009.
Bromley R&Bs have PMA!
Bromley R&Bs football team have been invited to join the PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) League playing clubs around London.
The league was set up in 2005 by Jeanette Hains CBE who works as an occupational therapist with the East London NHS trust. The league has expanded to 3 divisions and is receiving support from football clubs such as Everton, Charlton and Millwall.
Bromley FC, based in Hayes Lane have agreed to host the home games for the R&Bs which is great achievement for the team.
Winter training will start indoors from the 7th November at the Adult Education College, Nightingale Lane, Bromley. Click here for details of Bromley R&Bs.
Bromley ACT Teach in Norway
Following a successful visit from a Norwegian delegate to the Bromley ACT Team in August 2007, members of the team were invited to Norway to hold a two day conference to speak about the positive approaches to care the team offer including social inclusion, work with dual diagnosis clients and the intensive whole team approach.
Itai Chikomo, Julian Palmisciano and Mark McManus held a series of presentations and a workshop to assist staff from health and social care and some eminent politicians in Norway, to think what can be adopted in their services, to explore some solutions to challenges they may face, and to explore and define a model of joint working. The conference itself was well received and seems to have had some desired effect.
Thove Berger who helped to organise the conference recently contacted the team with the following:
‘All of you did really well and you have created a lot of enthusiasm. Things are happening fast here now. Last week I was in a meeting in Oslo with the Department of Health. We are having a meeting with the hospital tomorrow to see if we can make an application to the Department together in order to get some money to start the process of establishing an ACT team in Skien.
This must be done before the 11th off November so we have to work fast. I will keep you informed. You have given us a lot off input, and we feel we understand the essence of ACT. That will make it easier to get going.'
The ACT Team hope to keep in close contact with Norwegian colleagues to keep informed about the development of their service, and to be on hand to offer any guidance and support where they can.
Purnell: Targeted support for those with mental health issues to stay in work
Increased funding for the Access to Work programme will be used to test new ways of helping people with mental health issues stay in work rather than move onto benefits, announced James Purnell, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (08/10/08).
Support will be made available for people with mental health conditions either already in work and experiencing difficulty, or those about to enter employment, as well as for their employers.
Crucially, the support will be available when it is needed, waiting in reserve to respond quickly when mental health deteriorates or problems emerge. From autumn a programme will be piloted in London to test the demand and monitor the effects.
Announcing the pilot in a speech to the Social Market Foundation (SMF), James Purnell said:
"Depression, anxiety, phobia and severe stress often take a heavy toll on individuals and their families, yet stigma and ignorance still surround these often hidden conditions. In the UK mental health problems cost the economy of Great Britain more than £40 billion each year - nearly two-thirds of this is the impact on people's ability to work.
"We know work is generally good for people's health and well-being so we need to take steps to intervene earlier and support people before it is ever a serious issue.
"Statutory Sick Pay alone costs employers over £1 billion each year- the Government and employers must work together to bring that cost down by recognising that work can in fact aid recovery and give people their independence back.
"The Pilot I am announcing today will direct money specifically to this problem, looking to help people with mental health issues to manage their conditionthe The and remain in work rather than slip onto benefits."
Speaking at the SMF, James Purnell also welcomed a report the think tank has issued looking at how more people with mental health issues can be helped back into work.
James Purnell said:
"The SMF report mirrors many of our own recommendations from previous reports and agrees that we should focus on what patients can do, rather than what they can't.
"We are sure in the future we can successfully integrate our Fit for Work pilots better into communities by challenging local areas to pioneer these services, and pool funding from across health, skills and work budgets to give them critical mass."
New date for Develop MHA Forum
The next Develop Mental Health Awareness Training Forum, originally due to be held on the 18th November, will now be held on the 27th November 2008 @ Community Options.
Please visit the Develop Meetings page for full details of this and other Develop meetings.
Mottingham Community Forum: Meeting Cancelled
The Mottingham Community Forum meeting scheduled for 1pm on Thursday 2nd October 2008 has been cancelled.
Once a new date has been arranged you will be informed through our events calendar.
Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
Steps into Employment - Students Needed!
The Steps into Employment (WorkNet Orpington) course is very low on students, and urgently requires applicants to enrol as soon as possible.
Please contact Wendy Alder either by e-mail: WAlder@orpington.ac.uk or phone on 0208 302 7668 (Wednesday & Thursdays only) to discuss possible students and how we can accommodate their attendance.
We are very flexible in our approach to the clients you support and will do our best to enable them to attend and achieve a recognised qualification.
Read the latest Develop bulletin!
You can now find out what has been recently added to the Develop website by downloading our latest bulletin.
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Community Channel launches Disability Week
Community Channel is the TV station dedicated to highlighting issues from local and international communities and the voluntary and charitable sectors.
From 15-21 September, it will broadcast a week of programmes focusing on disability issues. Featuring celebrities such as Britain's Missing Top Model finalist Sophie Morgan, film director Richard Attenborough and actor Bill Nighy, the week will consist of new documentaries showcasing the talents and achievements of disabled people, as well as exploring some of the challenges faced in day-to-day life.
For a full schedule go to: www.communitychannel.org/disability
The very latest on PSA 16
Mental Health, Learning & Skills and Housing
The very latest policy on mental health and housing is encapsulated in a Public Service Agreement (PSA).
Free Resources for Carers' Learning
NIACE would like to make you aware of a set of free resources (recently developed for Adult Learners' Week) for organisations wishing to advocate the benefits of learning for carers. They have some free sets of 6 postcard portraits that tell the story of individual carers and how they have accessed education and training and a free booklet entitled:
Carers: Access to education and training
Information for managers and practitioners working in the post-16 education and training sector.
If you are interested in receiving a set of resources please contact:
Clare Holland
Administrator, Young Adults Team, NIACE
E-mail: clare.holland@niace.org.uk
Tel: 0116 2047071
A Call for Evidence!
CSIP are calling on people to provide good practice evidence to support their upcoming Symposium on Self Directed Support and Mental Health.
Connect and Include: Available to download
An exploratory study of community development and mental health
This exploratory study was commissioned and funded by the National Social Inclusion Programme (NSIP) at the Care Services Improvement Partnership and managed by the Community Development Foundation.
The study comprised a brief review of literature relating to relevant policy and practice, a survey and 39 interviews including community development practitioners, people with experience of mental ill-health, and staff from mental health services.
The report is concerned with the individual and the community. It explores how community development can contribute to an individual's ‘recovery' from mental ill-health and also how it can promote ‘community well-being' within a locality or community of interest. The findings suggest that by bringing people together to address their own concerns, facilitated by community development practitioners and supported through partnerships, it is possible to reduce stigma, create new community-led resources and develop new connections between individuals, groups and organisations.
Visit the National Social Inclusion Programme website
Download Report and Executive Summary (PDF):
Develop Bulletin #4 now available
You can now find out what has been recently added to the Develop website by downloading our latest bulletin.
This bulletin is published on a weekly basis.
Latest bulletin (PDF):
Request for providers to take part in research
The Learning and Skills Network (LSN) is currently undertaking an evaluation of the NIACE/NIMHE(part of CSIP)/LSC Partnership Programme. The aim of our work is to try and understand the different types of activities being undertaken by the partnership, looking at what works well and why. Findings will help inform development and implementation of future activity related to learners with mental health difficulties. There are a number of strands to our evaluation work, including: a review of relevant documentation; work with selected ‘test bed' providers throughout the year; interviews with key programme staff; and a survey of all network members. The survey in electronic format will be available later in the year.
At the moment, however, we are requesting offers from providers who are happy to take part in the test bed work. The idea is that these providers will be anonymous to the partnership team. We will interview a number of relevant staff and learners at each to try and understand how activity progressed by the partnership is influencing practice and provision. The time commitment to you should be minimal, we are likely to make one visit and then conduct a number of additional interviews over the phone over the course of the year. We will try and be as flexible as possible in terms of timing.
If you work for a provider and would be prepared to take part in this, organising a number of appropriate interviews for our researchers in your institutions, then please mail ncalvert@lsneducation.org.uk. We are looking to select five in total and would like a spread across region and provider type, so would be grateful to hear from any interested parties in the first instance.
If you have any queries at all about this request or the research more generally, please do not hesitate to contact Natasha Calvert at LSN on 020 7492 5176
Would you like Mediation Training?
A possible two-day Mediation Training course has been earmarked for November/December 2008, depending on the number of interested applicants.
The cost of this training is £300 per head, and will cover the costs of actors for role-plays.
Please contact Roger Butterworth at rogerbutterworth@hotmail.com no later than the 18th September if you are interested in attending.
LSC announces invitation to a training workshop
As part of the implementation of the LSC strategy Learning for Living and Work for individuals with learning difficulties and/or disabilities (LDD) the Learning for Living and Work Assessment Framework is being introduced and the LSC is providing training in the autumn for those people who will be involved in its completion.
For full details, please visit:
http://www.glasgows.co.uk/lflw/email_invite.html
Colourful Artwork Unveiled
A colourful new work of art has been unveiled by Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, Chair, Dave Mellish, at Orpington Community Health Team Centre in Carlton Parade.
Credo, a local arts project, was commissioned to provide the ceramic mural for the reception area. A design involving Credo members evolved from a series of drawings, which sought to give a local flavour to the wall piece.
Oxleas provides mental health care in the boroughs of Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich.
Unveiling the work and a plaque dedicated to all those that use the centre, Dave Mellish, thanked Credo and its members for all the hard work that went into the design and production of the artwork. He emphasised the importance of projects like this - that are aimed at social inclusion - which is part of Oxleas' vision.
The theme of the work, which is called "Air, Earth and Water", was linked to the River Cray, which flows through Orpington. The work is conceived in bright colours and signifies the hope felt by all who use and work at Carlton Parade.
Develop Bulletin #3 now available
You can now find out what has been recently added to the Develop website by downloading our latest bulletin.
This bulletin is published on a weekly basis.
Latest bulletin (PDF):
BREC Closure
Press release from Ali Jafarey, Director BREC and the BREC Executive Committee:
"After Friday 20th June 2008, Bromley Racial Equality Council, BREC will cease business and close its doors. This sad situation has come about due to a lack of funding. BREC has been in operation since 1991 and over this period has served many thousands of people in the local community. Unfortunately this will inevitably impact on all of BREC's services and it is in this regard that unfortunately we will not be able to work with you any further.
All of the BREC staff and management have fought hard over the past three months to save BREC through applications and lobbying for funds, all with no success. We would like to thank all those who have worked in good faith with BREC to support those individuals and communities who have been victims of racial harassment or discrimination. We would also like to thank all our funders over the years. Lastly many thanks to the staff, executive committee and volunteers who have worked at BREC for their commitment and hard work over the years."
What's new on Develop?
You can now find out what has been recently added to the Develop website by downloading our latest bulletin.
This bulletin will be produced weekly and available every Monday.
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Local Footballers Enjoy a Day at the Valley!
During the recent successful Social Inclusion and Mental Health seminar "Inclusion, Activity, Achievement", which was held at Charlton Athletic FC's home ground at the Valley, teams comprising of local service users including Bromley R&B were invited to play on the main pitch during the day.
All involved had a fantastic experience to play on the same grass on which greats such as Ronaldo, Rooney, Gerrard and Drogba have entertained the crowds on before; photographs can be viewed by clicking on the team photo above.
Bradford & Bingley sign for Charter
Bradford & Bingley plc has become the latest employer, and the first FTSE company, to sign the Charter for Employers who are Positive About Mental Health.
Led and supported by employers, the MINDFUL EMPLOYER® initiative is aimed at increasing awareness of mental health at work and providing support for businesses in recruiting and retaining staff.
10th to 17th May is Mind Week
This week the UK's leading mental health charity Mind will launch their 2008 Mind Week campaign.
This year's campaign will highlight the need for better support and services by financial service companies, banks and local authority collection departments for people with mental health problems and debt difficulties.
Bromley R&Bs are on the move
Bromley R&Bs, a football team for people with current mental health problems, are moving outside for the summer and will be training every Friday afternoon from 1pm to 3pm at the new location of Ethelbert Road, Bromley.
For more information and to download their latest poster, please visit their listing:
BBC to launch "Headroom"
Beginning in May, BBC Headroom is a multi-platform campaign to encourage people to look after their mental wellbeing. It will involve a website, programmes and events over the two year duration of the project.
The Headroom tent will be pitched at festivals across the country, starting with Radio 1 Big Weekend in Kent. The campaign will also be linking in with the National Year of Reading's "Mind and Body" month in May by offering a range of activities in libraries.
Plans include everything from book groups to taster sessions in yoga, relaxation and meditation. The website will be launched on 6th May 2008.
RecoveryNET Mapping Out
Develop's RecoveryNET are looking to map out all the work related to recovery that is taking place in and around Bromley.
Please fill in your information on the form which you can download below and return it to:
recoverynet@developbromley.com.
We may wish to publish the relevant information in the local stories section of the developbromley.com recovery pages in due course but will seek everyone's permission before doing so.
Credo receives a visit from the Mayor
Credo was honoured to receive The Mayor of Bromley at its ceramics studio this week. The Mayor of Bromley, Councillor Pauline Tunnicliffe, talked to Credo members, volunteers, staff and Trustees about the work of this charity that supports people experiencing mental ill health.
She saw a very wide variety of ceramics being produced by Credo members and was very interested in their individual journeys to recovery.
Download full Press Release here (PDF file)
Credo's website: http://www.credoceramics.org/
Credo and the BCDP making great strides
Credo and the Bromley Community Drug Project are celebrating yet more success. This spring has seen a buzz of activity and creativity from people who have benefited from Credo's second programme of outreach in the Bromley community.
A second ceramic wall mural has been completed by members from the Bromley Community Drug Project working in partnership with Credo staff and volunteers. The funding of "The Skylight Project" has been provided jointly by the European Social Fund's "Fast Forward" Programme and Bromley Council.
Download full Press Release here (PDF file)
Credo's website: http://www.credoceramics.org
LDC reports on Direct Payments Seminar
The London Development Centre has produced a participant feedback report from their Mental Health and Direct Payments Seminars held in the Autumn of 2007.
Michael's Marathon Effort!
Congratulations to Michael Bennett of Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, who finished the 2008 London Marathon in a very respectable time of 3 hours, 49 mins and 40 seconds.
Michael ran on behalf of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, and raised a fanstastic £1200 - well done to Michael and to all the sponsors, and we look forward to seeing him at the 2012 London Games!
Minister launches innovative telecoms system
Minister for Care Services Ivan Lewis launched Mental Health Helplines Partnership's innovative telecoms network system at the House of Lords on 27th March 2008, followed by a video presentation to demonstrate the features and benefits of the system.
This system is further evidence of Government commitment to offer callers greater choice, and better access to services through mental health helplines.
Bromley R&B are once again champs!
Congratulations to Roy Batten and the 6-a-side football team Bromley R and B's who have been successful again in winning the South London Special League trophy. They fought off good competition (Waltham Forest) in a penalty shoot out as the final finished as a draw.
The team has been together now for three years and practices every Friday afternoon. If you would like to join in or just come and watch, please contact Roy 07948075747 or Julian 07917067342 or Greg 07838225750
Sainsbury's produce the goods for Bromley's Credo!
Credo were delighted to receive a generous donation from the staff and customers of Sainsbury's supermarket at Locksbottom.
For more details, please view the press release below, available as a PDF file:
To find out more about Credo, visit their website at:
Volunteers wanted for Bromley Mind Day Services Programme
Bromley Mind are looking for two service users and a volunteer to join the working group which plans and evaluates the day services programme.
All expressions of interest must be made to a Service User Council member (either directly or via a member of staff) by the 10th March 2008.
Download (as a PDF file):
National Review of Day Services is published
A review of mental health day services in England was published by the Department of Health and the National Social Inclusion Programme (NSIP) on 24th January 2008. The launch was hosted by Bromley Mind at the Pavilion Leisure Centre in Bromley.
The modernisation of day services has proven challenging in many areas since commissioning guidance was published in February 2006 . The review, entitled From segregation to inclusion: Where are we now? , looks at how things have progressed since then and identifies lessons that can be learnt from those areas where services have undergone change.
For more information please visit the following link:
Call for Evidence
Through the Partnership programme on 'Improving Services for learners with mental health difficulties' and through the Regional Networks we are always keen to find out about and learn from all the work that is going on nationally to support people with mental health difficulties to access learning and skills. This could include:
- Sharing good practice in supporting people with mental health problems to access and achieve in learning and skills, particularly if what you are doing is new or different in any way.
- The outcomes and findings of any research or project with any lessons learnt about how to do things or how not to do things.
- The learners experiences and achievements.
- Reactions to policy and the impact it has on services.
If you would like to share your work, have something to say and would like to see your name in print we are always happy to receive articles for Journals.
'Adults Learning' is the NIACE Journal which has a readership from right across the learning and skills sector - policy makers, managers and practitioners.
'A Life In The Day' is a Pavilion Journal aimed at service providers and service users who have an interest in promoting social inclusion for people who experience mental health problems.
Both Journals are highly informative and include a wide range of articles. They are not academic Journals and so look for articles that are accessible to a broad audience. Both Journals are keen to have "real" accounts and so are as eager to hear about the challenges and difficulties as well as the successes. Articles tend to be about 2000 words or less. Unfortunately there is no payment for paid professions who offer articles but 'A Life In The Day' will provide payment to service users who have articles published.
If you are interested in writing for a publication, and want to discuss your ideas please do not hesitate to contact me. We can also send you Contributors Guidelines or put you in touch with the editors of each Journal.
Many thanks and look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes
Kathryn James
Development Officer
Learning and Health
NIACE
Susan Rees
Administrator (NIACE/NIMHE(part of CSIP)/LSC Partnership Programme)
Health and Disability Equality Team
NIACE
21 De Montfort Street
Leicester
LE1 7GE
0116 2044256
susan.rees@niace.org.uk
The NIACE-led Commission for Disabled Staff in Lifelong Learning is investigating current practices in the employment of disabled people. For more information, including how to submit evidence, please visit: http://www.niace.org.uk/commissionfordisabledstaff