South Staffordshire Network for Mental Health 01543 301139 www.ssnmentalhealth.co.uk

facebook.com/ssnmentalhealth twitter:@ssnmentalhealth

P.13 Zoe's Summer article

P.14 Together for mental wellbeing recovery story

P.15 Together for mental wellbeing timetable

P.16 Toolbox

P.17 Thrive cafe

P.18 Events/Community Groups

P.19 Toolbox case study

P.20 Therapeutic benefits of being near water

P.21 Therapeutic benefits of being near water

P.22 Members corner

P.23 Directory of services

P.24 Notices

INSIDE THIS EDITION... P.2 Gemma's chat

P.3 Behind the scenes

R.A.F.T.

P.4 Toolbox updates

P.5 Toolbox updates

P.6 Toolbox recovery story

P.7 Toolbox recovery story

P.8 Volunteer updates

P.9 Volunteer updates

P.10 Rachel's Summer Word Search

P. 11 Mind (Building Better Opportunities)

P.12 The Recovery Hub

N E T W O R K N E W S

Issue 67 Summer 2018

News for people with an interest in

mental health across South Staffordshire

2

Hi everyone.

Welcome to the Summer edition of Network News. Due to changes at the Network there may be changes to this newsletter. We will now be reporting on Toolbox projects and general mental wellbeing due to the ending of the Your Voice project. Also we wish Gemma all the very best in her new role.

Lorraine, Rachel, Stewart and Stef

I Presented a toolbox workshop a few weeks ago and when I was preparing for it I decided to

use my husband as the Guinea pig. I asked him four things

How do you know when you’re happy?

How do you know when you’re sad?

How do you know when you’re feeling distressed?

How do you know when you’re feeling in despair?

Why did I ask him this, because I wanted someone who is

just an everyday Joe Bloggs off the street to experience

the Toolbox and see if he really felt the benefit of

understanding his emotions and feelings without talking

about illness or crisis?

He did well and came up with some really interesting

answers, answers I had not even thought about because

everyone is different in how they see happiness, sadness, distress and despair.

Sometimes the wording around emotions can make us have autopilot to directing us towards mental

illness when in fact we all experience emotions and situations differently, and that has nothing to do

with illness and more to do with emotional stability. The Toolbox helps you realise emotions matter,

because they help you to recognise your good and bad days without having to psychoanalyse everything

in your life. So having a bad day is ok, accept it for what it is and move on. Good days are great,

recognise them and remember why they are your good days, what did you do, who were you with, as

these are maybe your happiness tools and you didn’t even know it. Gemma

Gemma's chat Gemma Giles, Project Coordinator

gemma.giles@ssnmentalhealth.co.uk

3

Hi Everyone,

Exciting times at the Network with all the changes, and exciting times on a personal note also. I got

married in May, it was a fabulous day, and the sun was shining. New beginnings all round. Hope you all

manage to get out and about this summer and enjoy everything the summer months bring.

“HAPPY SUMMER”

Karen, xx

Karen Hunt Finance /Administration Officer

Hi,

As I sit writing this the sun is shining and it’s a gorgeous day. I am involved with all things GDPR at the

moment and making sure the Network is compliant with it. I hope you all have a wonderful Summer and

I will see you in the next edition.

Beth, x Bethany Ford - Administrator

In Lichfield district only, we are part of a referral platform with lots of other agencies such as Bromford,

Citizens Advice South East Staffordshire, Age UK and Pathway and we are able to directly refer people to

these agencies through this platform.

It is under used and I am really keen to take full advantage of it while we have it. So if you live in the

Lichfield district only (pay your council tax to Lichfield district council) and would like help with debts,

benefits, employment, domestic abuse etc, then get in touch with me Tracey Hackett on phone number

07494273179.

I’ll take your details and put you on the electronic platform and

the partner who can best help you with your issue will get in touch

within 3 working days.

This is a completely free service so please take advantage of it.

Behind the scenes

Right Advice First Time—

4

Sian

As I sit writing this article for the summer edition of the Network News I am very aware of the brilliant

sunshine flooding through the office window. It’s amazing how the combination of radiant light and

comforting warmth can promote such a tangible sense of wellbeing. A mindfulness moment if you

will.

So, instead of writing what I’ve been up to during the last three months ,I thought I’d take a few mo-

ments to share some mindfulness tools

that you may like to have a go at and give

yourself a bit of a ‘time out’ during your

everyday routine.

The essence of mindfulness is what the 5

ways to wellbeing describe as ‘take notice’

or as I remind myself to do, ‘just notice’. So

why not have a go at these simple suggestions ………..

Walk around your neighbourhood. (You are not merely trying to get from A to B. You are walking ‘on purpose’ and ‘with purpose’). Try to see things with ‘new eyes’ as though you’re seeing something for the very first time e.g. your front door, your walk to the bus stop etc. Look for beauty in the unexpected: Look out for colours, textures, shapes, reflections in water, shadows. Look down, look up, and look along. Get creative and take pictures with a camera! Focus on capturing what’s before you, fully focussed on what the picture is framing.

You may like to spend a few minutes looking at this YouTube clip to be inspired.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajjDbqjf7TQ

If you’d like to know more about useful emotional wellbeing tools, contact myself at

sian.west@ssnmentalhealth.co.uk or give the office a call to book a Toolbox appointment

#Toolboxthechoiceisyours

Tracey

Hi everyone! Ooh, I love the Summer, it puts me in such a good mood! I love the clothes, the garden,

the longer days and outdoor lifestyle. I’m still enjoying my mission of completing a Toolbox once a

week. I really like meeting people and hearing their stories, helping them identify some areas of sup-

port and goals and seeing them look a little lighter and more determined than when I first met them.

So please, keep them coming, spread the word and help me keep on track with my mission in Lichfield

district!

5

Naila The feeling of summer can lift anyone’s low mood. It’s an exciting time filled with long sunny days, new

adventures and a less formal routine. But for some, especially those who struggle with anxiety, the

summer months can trigger feelings of being overwhelmed and losing control. A more flexible schedule,

an abundance of social activities and the expectation of being carefree, can put a lot of pressure on a

racing mind.

Toolboxes have been flooding in this month as the Network has hit the highest number of Toolboxes!!!

This means that many have already started realising that it’s time to get some support with their

emotional health, so that their mood is lifted in time for the longer warmer days. Gemma and I have

been out offering Toolbox workshops to larger groups or those that prefer to do a Toolbox in a group

session rather than a one to one. For example, staff in a workplace or volunteers as part of their

Induction who would like to know more about staying well.

If you would like to book yourself in for a Toolbox, please contact us on: 01543 301139 or email us on

toolboxreferral@ssnmentalhealth.co.uk

Zoe Hello everyone. I am still busy promoting the Toolbox Project and completing Toolboxes and now

Summer is here I am also back to rearing butterflies. Summer and Butterflies go hand in hand to me. I

think of Summer and I picture blue skies, warm air and the delicate brightly coloured wings of butterflies

fluttering across fields and flowers.

The life cycle of a butterfly never fails to amaze me no matter how many times I see it.

From delicate eggs laid upon plants, to caterpillars who spend their entire life eating to

gain as much weight as they can, along the way facing some negative moments such as

predators or diseases, until finally they become restless and eventually climb up a twig

and hang in a J shape ready for their magical metamorphosis to begin.

I always feel a little sad at this stage as it feels like the caterpillars life is ending, but of

course it isn’t, it is actually about to start a new journey as it takes on a different form. Inside the

chrysalis the most wonderful transformation is taking place. After days or weeks, slowly it begins to open

and the butterfly appears and hangs upside down patiently waiting for its wings to

expand. Every time I see this transformation take place it reminds me that we are all

capable of transforming our own lives. It doesn’t have to be a big transformation,

sometimes just little changes can make all the difference to the happiness of our lives.

But we must remember, just like the little caterpillar – we may have trials and tribulations along the way

and it takes time and patience to get to where we want to be, but if we persevere and keep in mind the

end result, we too, just like the caterpillar, can have a new beginning.

6

Sian’s Case Study for the Network News

Summer Edition 2018

Reasons for the Toolbox participant requesting a Toolbox X is currently unemployed as she is suffering with depression and anxiety. X is lacking in confidence due to her lack of job. X has been getting very down about her increasing weight gain which she attributes is partly due to her depression and anxiety medication and partly due to her self-identified comforting eating

Toolbox Outcomes During the course of the Toolbox appointment, X shared that she’d recognised that her mood became noticeably lower from October onwards and only started to lift a bit when the winter months were over. For the past two years, during the winter months X has needed hospital admissions and has been emotionally in crisis. For signposting the following was suggested.

It may be helpful for X to book a double

appointment with her GP and discuss the

possibility of X having an assessment for

Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D). By

meeting with the GP an action plan could

potentially be put in place to help X have

extra support through her identified more

difficult times of the year and have specialist

help to know how to best help herself.

X was also encouraged to research different

types of S.A.D lamps and maybe invest in

one to help increase her 'day light' hours

throughout the winter months. S.A.D lamps

are available from e.g. Amazon and Argos.

X also shared that she was getting down about

increasingly gaining weight which she attributed to:

1. Medication for depression and anxiety; 2.

Comfort eating because of being depressed.

The following ideas were discussed.

Using a mindfulness exercise e.g. with a piece of

fudge, to help build time and space into her

eating habits and think of it more as an

experience to help her feel relaxed, rather

than beating herself up about ‘shoving food

in my mouth’ – X’s words.

As X was a trained chef, it was suggested that

she could start a ‘Come Dine With Me’ group

with her friends (one friend was also having

issues with comfort eating) to help promote

good eating choices and make eating more

of an event that she could spend time

planning and preparing for.

In addition to the food element of the above, X

would be spending a ring-fenced time with

her friends who worked and were not

available to meet up during the day and

connecting in a positive way. Connect being

one of the 5 Ways to Wellbeing that has

been researched and is known to be

beneficial in promoting good wellbeing.

X to listen to some Wellbeing Podcasts

specifically themed around eating habits and

wellbeing. After the appointment, I emailed

the identified Wellbeing Podcast Sheet with

links on to X so she could connect with them

easily.

X also shared that due to being depressed and

her lack of confidence about how she

looked, she was becoming increasingly more

socially isolated and could quite easily stay

in the house all day. To help with building

self-confidence and becoming more socially

outward looking X was encouraged to do the

following.

Continue on the next page..

7

Self-refer to her local community hub by phoning up the given number of the community co-

ordinator and then going along for a chat to see what they had to offer. The goal would be to feel

supported whilst building her self-confidence in social situations and also to help X get out of her

house more, where the urge to comfort eat was more intense.

X also shared that she had difficulties with anxiety so the following signposting

information was shared. The web addresses for No Panic and No More Panic and

information about the websites’ online Forum, guided breathing exercise and body

scan exercise. How imagining herself to be at e.g. the seaside – X’s choice and

thinking about what she could see, how it felt to have the sun on her face and feel the sand between her

toes etc could help promote a sense of peace and calm .

If waking in the night or feeling on edge, it was suggested that X could use her treadmill to literally

walk out her anxiety with the additional benefit of building some exercise into her daily routine,

again one of the 5 Ways to Wellbeing, and to help her feel better that she’s taking action to help

herself let go of her anxiety and also have a positive effect in her healthy approach to her weight.

Watermelon & Strawberry Slushie Serves 6 1 small watermelon 225g punnet of ripe strawberries, tops cut off Juice of 2 limes The day or morning before you want to drink the slushie cut the watermelon into chunks and remove the skin and seeds. Place half the watermelon wedges into a large freezable bag then pop in the freezer for a few hours. Once frozen, blitz the frozen watermelon with the rest of the watermelon, strawberries and lime juice until smooth and slushy. Pour into glasses and sip through a straw.

Minty Non-Alcoholic Mojito Serves 1 4 fresh mint leaves 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 tablespoon natural sweetener (e.g. Honey) Ice.6 oz. Soda water In a tall glass, muddle the mint lightly, then pour the lime juice and the sweetener. Add the ice, then pour the soda water. Mix and serve immediately.

Summer Drinks

8

Lorraine

As usual I am very much enjoying putting the Network News together and the editorial team have been very helpful and supportive. I love the idea that this Newsletter is finding its way to people who will find it helpful and hopefully they will find it a great source of comfort. No one is on their own when it comes to mental ill health, but it can feel that way sometimes, I know I have felt like that. I hope you enjoy and get something from this edition of the Network News. Mandy

I am supporting Sian covering Stafford and Cannock areas. I attended a couple of promotion events

recently at Talent Match and Starfish in Cannock. I have recently took on chasing up evaluations for

Toolbox. I have recently started a distance learning course in Information and Advice to support my role.

I am also now volunteering as a Fundraising Trustee for Autism Pyramid Group in Uttoxeter.

Simon

During March and April I supported Sian at a Toolbox workshop at Lagans Café in Cannock for Talent

Match (15/3). I attended the Network meeting on 19/3 and the volunteers meeting on 29 March

(feeding back changes to the Network following the loss of Staffs CC Your Voice funding). I supported

Sian at a Safe and Sound workshop in Codsall on 10 March where we ran a series of 5 Toolbox

workshops.

Rachel

I am enjoying being part of the Editorial Team here at the Network. I would like to thank Stewart, for his idea of including a word search in this edition of Network News. I hope you enjoy what I have put together. The words can be found diagonally, backwards, forwards, as well as horizontally and vertically. I would also like to thank Zoe for her article. I always enjoy reading Zoe’s work update and so I asked her if she would write a longer article this time for us. Zoe went above and beyond; not only writing it whilst suffering a migraine, but also completing it within 24 hours of being asked. Thanks again Zoe. On a personal note – I have enjoyed watching Harry and Megan tie the knot; I have been blessed that my friends flew over from New Zealand and fit time with me into their packed schedule of seeing family; I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Karen on her marriage; And I would like to thank my best friend for encouraging me to do a water colour painting one bank holiday Monday, something I hadn’t done since A level Art, some 26 years ago! I am thoroughly enjoying the warm weather and so I wish all our readers a great summer.

Volunteer Updates

9

Stewart

Been a very quiet month again as the reshuffle of the Network continues. In my personal life I have

completed and passed my Cache Level 2 course and I’ve enquired about doing another course this time

looking at Mental Health and how it impacts children and I’ve overcome my phobia of Dentists.

GDPR (Action needed to be taken by members who would like to continue

receiving the Network News)

A new law came in on the 25th May 2018. This law is called GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)

which demands greater accountability and transparency from organisations in how they collect, process

and store personal information. With our Your Voice contract under the Staffordshire County Council at

its contractual, end you now need to tell us if you wish to OPT IN to receiving the Network News, so we

comply with this regulation.

If you don’t opt in, we will have to remove your information from our mailing list and you won’t receive

our Network News. We need you to contact us by the 30th June to carry on receiving our newsletter.

Call 01543 301139 and leave your name and postcode.

Email sunetwork@ssnmentalhealth.co.uk stating your wish to OPT IN with your name and postcode.

If you don’t contact us in time, no need to worry, as you can sign up as a member again in the future.

Many thanks for your cooperation.

If you have already emailed us but used a mobile device or tablet, could you please resend the email

as we have found that due to technical issues they have not made it through to us.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Volunteer Updates And GDPR info

10

RACHEL’S SUMMER WORD SEARCH

SEAFRONT, FISHING BOAT, KITE, FISH AND CHIPS, ICECREAM, BEACH, BUCKET AND SPADE, POSTCARD, DECKCHAIR, SUNLOUNGER, ENJOY, PROMENADE, SHORTS, SUN TOP, CAMPING, GLAMPING, CARAVAN, BUOY, HOTEL, OCEAN, SUN, BESIDE THE SEA, TRAVEL, FUN, NAUTICAL, CRAB, RELAXING, JELLYFISH, SUNSET, SUNRISE, SUN LOTION, BOAT, PUNCH AND JUDY, AEROPLANE, LIFEBOAT, FLIPFLOP, SWIMMING, TRUNKS, SAND, BEACH HUT, HOT, UNWIND, TIDE, LIGHTHOUSE.

S E A F R O N T U B E A C H L P

W N E I E C R F O U H J R O M R

I J R S L E W A N O R S A T N O

M O O H A A T S B Y T A B R B M

M Y P I X N I B E A C H H U T E

I Q L N I S D U L A C I T U A N

N M A G N U E Q I Z P V L P T A

G A N B G N V L G J Y Q Y Y E D

Q E E O Z L J T H O T E L J S E

S R Q A P O D A T V K I T E N J

U C V T I T R O H D L Q G L U U

N E P Q L I I B O Q Z Y P L S N

F C L P N O A E U Y I L J Y I W

A I Q U V N H F S E L Z G F Q I

N L S Y L D C I E S Y R L I I N

S G U H V P K L G I D E L S G D

A L N F A I C I V R R G V H N G

N Y T L L N E G J N A N G N I N

D Y O D Y I D Z Y U C U S A P I

L G P Y S T P C P S T O K V M P

L E I Z V T D F H G S L N A A M

F I V D G I R Y L I O N U R L A

U P D A D Z G O G O P U R A G C

N G P D R Y D I H Y P S T C Q M

B U C K E T A N D S P A D E V Z

G D G D Y D U J D N A H C N U P

B E S I D E T H E S E A G D D G

11

.

12

.

The Recovery Hub

Partnership within the Community

Finding a Safe Space within the local community can be difficult at the best of times, when you factor in

that we are dealing with vulnerable people who suffer from mental health issues, makes it even harder.

I think I found the perfect place, Caffe Del Nino in High Green Court, Cannock. Who would have thought

that this little venue hidden in High Green Court would be our answer to our prayers? Anthony and

Sarah are a couple of amazing people, to name but a few. Their kind and caring nature shines through.

They make you feel welcome from the minute you walk in until the time you leave. Nothing is too much

trouble for them. When I asked if we could run our Drop Ins from there they said no problems. Our Drop

Ins run from 3-4pm every Thursday afternoon. I think the latest we have left is 4.45pm, they never ever

make you feel rushed. The atmosphere is lovely, our group sometimes make far too much noise, but we

laugh and joke and I know I feel much better when I have left.

Not only do they let us run our Drop Ins from there, I also meet a lot of my Service Users in there.

Sometimes I have been in there from opening until closing time. Meeting various people during my day.

They always make you feel welcome. They also support other organisations and allow them to use their

lovely coffee shop. It is an ideal place to go for a drink and a light lunch. They are so much more

welcoming than the big named coffee shops. You get the personal touch and they know you by name.

You do not realise you are working some days. I think more people need to be aware of this amazing

place. Drop in and say you heard about them from The Recovery Hub in Staffordshire.

13

Summer is the season we all love. Suddenly we begin to see a horizon of bright yellow fields of rapeseed growing, seas of red where Poppies sit proud and sway in the breeze whilst reminding us of those who fought in wars and of course fruit appearing on trees. The sound of children playing carefree and content and the smell of freshly cut grass alongside the sound of a lawn mower humming somewhere in the distance.

Of course with every Summer comes the annual family seaside trip. These trips usually require the organisational skills of a United Nations Diplomat as well as patience we never knew it was possible to have. As we manage to convince everyone there really isn’t any need for 5 pairs of shoes, 4 stuffed toys and 3 outfit changes a day just for a long weekend, we pile into the car. As we see an image of a sandy beach and clear blue seas in our mind, our thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the children bickering over who has to sit next to the dog, which they know will inevitably drool everywhere whilst passing wind that will result in every window being wound down and all of us hanging our heads out gasping for air. We know that at some point someone will get a blister on their ankle and claim they cannot walk and may need a stretcher, another will announce the sea is too cold and someone in our family will decide just as we arrive at our destination 4 hours after we left the house, that they forgot this or that, or worst case scenario – the trigger most likely to send my husband into a state of agitation – that they left the bedroom light on. But this is a family seaside holiday and I delight in it every year.

But removing holidays from the topic of Summer, lets take a moment to think about what is all around us that helps us to relax and unwind and feel more positive. Whilst in the UK the sunshine may not last all summer long and may be intertwined with days of rain and clouds, we all jump for joy the minute we hear a hot spell is arriving. Sunshine makes us happy. It’s a fact, we feel warm and content and we don’t dash around quite as we normally do. We plan get-togethers with friends and family and we make sure we find

the time to unwind a little. Whether it’s doing a bit of gardening, or simply sitting outside listening to nature, we all go out of our way to actually enjoy moments where we are not having to work or worrying about things.

Summer is also a time when we can practice mindfulness without even having to focus on it. Gardens come alive with flowers such as Lavender dripping over the edges of borders, Buddleja otherwise known as the butterfly bush come alive as a variety of faithful garden butterflies such as the Red Admiral, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Comma alight on it to feed on its rich nectar. Roses cascade up walls or in amongst other shrubs filling the air with their intoxicating scent that almost wraps us up in a coat of tranquillity. It is hard to feel low and run down when so many natural delights can make us feel happy and lucky. Bees spend their days working busily nipping in and out of each and every flower collecting nectar, which in turn makes them our most beloved and useful little gardeners. By the evening they almost drop out of the highly scented flowers as if drunk on nectar with their bright pantaloons of yellow pollen almost too heavy to fly. We have a lot to thank these little buzzing creatures for. Each time they land on a flower they are helping to pollinate all of our flowers. In fact Bees are responsible for pollinating two thirds of the world’s crop and flower, so next time when you see a little Bee landing on a flower, take a moment to watch it, look how it collects the pollen and remember how they help us.

Summer, a simple season that can make us enjoy the simple things in life. Take a moment to really see what is around you. The sound of a bird singing a love song from high within the trees, the sound of buzzing filling the air and the colours that are everywhere. Stop, Look and Listen to nature. It is everywhere, it is free and it allows us to be aware of something magical taking place.

Zoe Crouch

Summer

14

Moving Forward ( It goes quickly)

I have been working with a Service User (SU) for 10 sessions now and the person I met those weeks

ago, is totally different to the man today. Initially he was suffering with heightened anxiety and

paranoia, and would only leave the house to go to the local shop after dark. He was using marijuana

and tramadol (un-prescribed) to feel more relaxed and take the ‘edge’ off life.

The first goal was to try and cut out the tramadol, as this was used rarely and so shouldn’t be a huge

step. Our meetings were taking place in the town centre and this was visibly an issue to begin with, but,

full credit to the SU, he fought through this and each week the meetings got easier to attend.

The SU wanted to get back into the work place, but his confidence was so bad that this was looking

to be a long term goal. However with each week and by achieving some goals (in the form of homework

normally), confidence grew and in what seemed no time whatsoever, the SU was full steam ahead into

job searches and attending interviews, without any encouragement.

He decided to get back into work by way of ‘Permitted Work’ (less than 16 hours and £120 earned a

week) in order to be able to keep his benefit claim, and if it turned out he wasn’t ‘work ready’, then

nothing would be lost. Shortly after starting work, he found he had the capacity to work more, and

accepted more hours and cancelled his benefit. He stated that Permitted work was good, but he

worried about the hours and wages he picked up, in case he inadvertently went over.

The legal extra hours have eased his ‘clock-watching’ and the fact he is not now claiming benefits

has boosted his esteem and self-worth no end.

Just tackling that first barrier seemed to open a whole range of possibilities, and by cutting down his

‘smoking’ and pain killer intake and by putting himself out there more, he had pulled off the nigh on

impossible. We have also spoken of how to spot potential trip hazards and things that may turn things

sour.

During our sessions the SU had spoken of how, previously, he got to a stage of complacency at work

and things seemed to spiral down from there. We spoke of possible triggers and behaviours he could

now recognise, and if they started to appear again, it would be time to freshen things up and add some

new challenge to his life (whether that be a change of role, or a totally different direction in life).

15

Uttoxeter Tamworth

Held at Youth Centre

Burton Lichfield

Beacon park

Mon

Recovery Star

Workshop

Quakers House, Carter Street

6.00pm – 8.00pm

Starts 9th April 2018

One to One

appointments only

One to One

appointments

Appointments

Only.

1 to 1 Community

Support

Tues

One to One

appointments

Peer Support Group-

Closed Group

Youth Centre 10.00am-12.00 Art &

Craft- Closed Group

1.00pm-3.00pm

Peer Support Group -

Closed Group Burton

Library, Riverside, DE14 1AH

Upstairs in the meeting room

12.30- 2.30pm

Music Group Social

Closed Group

10.30am-12.30pm

Wed PEER Support

Quakers

House,Carter St

6:30-8:30pm

Recovery Star Workshop-

Closed Group

Youth Centre

11.00pm-1.00pm

Help, Advice and Safe

Space Voluntary

services centre, Union St

10:30-2:30

Art Social - Closed

Group 10-12pm

Peer Support Group

- Closed Group

6.00pm – 8.00pm

Mansell House,

Lichfield, WS13 6LL

Thurs

One to One

community

support

Recovery Star workshop

10:30-12:30

One to One appointments

Art & Craft - Closed

Group Feel free to bring

your own Art & Craft Pro-

jects and Ideas 11.00am -

1.00pm Peer Support Group -

Closed Group 6.30pm -

8.30pm

Recovery star and

socialisation 10:30-

12:30

One to One

appointments

Fri Coffee Morning Quakers House,

Carter St. 10.00-

12.00pm

Coffee Afternoon Quakers House 1.00pm – 2.00pm

Peer Support Group-

Closed Group 10.30am-12.30

Peer Support Group -

Closed Group

1.30pm-3.30pm

Recovery Star

Workshop-Closed

Group

6th July-Fire station Re-

covery star Workshop 10

weeks

Peer Support Group

– Closed Group

1.00pm – 3.00pm

Burntwood Library

(Meeting Room)

Together will also be offering

Anger management courses

Emotional intelligence and resilience workshops

Mindfulness courses.

More details will be found through contacting Together on 01283 500650

16

The Team

17

18

Events/Community groups available through Summer

Pick your own with Manor Farm Fruits

Manor Farm

Tamworth

Everyday between 10am till 6pm

01543 406161

Cannock Chase Park

Run every Saturday 9 am,

5 km free run around Cannock

Chase, route starting at

Marquis Drive, Cannock

Lichfield Food Festival 2018

Market Street

Lichfield

Saturday August 25th till Monday August 27th

Times vary on different days

Roller skating every Friday between 6pm and 9pm at Cannock Chase Leisure Centre £5 admission and £1 skate hire

Lichfield Arts Fuse Festival

Beacon Park

Lichfield

Friday July 13th till Sunday July 16th

Events/Community groups available through Summer

19

WHAT??

Making a difference to others in the community and seeing a positive impact a Toolbox session can have on someone makes my day and job worthwhile. Every service user I meet, the issues that they carry and the impact the Toolbox has on each individual is unique and unmeasurable in their own way. There are a few that stick to mind that make us feel as though we have truly helped and supported someone – even for a short while.

When I first started my job as a Toolbox project worker, I enquired about getting a room in GP surgeries so that we could help and support some of the issues that people had with their emotional health. This would take the burden off GP’s of patients with low level mental health needs, as we could spend up to an hour supporting and signposting service users to the relevant support services and help them reinforce the positives in their lives.

During a particular day at the surgery, I met a lovely gentleman who as he came in looked very reluctant and told me that he had battled with himself many times in the past few days because he did not want to come to the appointment to seek help. This is not uncommon as I know many service users are very anxious about seeking support for the first time – especially men. As we began talking about his behaviour in the four different stages of his emotional health, I could see the barrier that he first put up starting to lift. As a result he became more relaxed about opening up about his mental health and how it had been affecting him all this time, but he was never able to open up to anyone.

After a while, as some of the intense feelings were starting to come out, he burst into tears and told me that he feels a massive burden has just been lifted from him. For years he felt that he could never tell anyone about how he really felt due to the stigma people would have about him, as some of the thoughts he was having were harmful to people and he didn’t want to harm anyone. He just wanted help so that the voices he heard would stop.

This was not a typical Toolbox client case – as

Toolbox is for anyone who is at risk of experiencing mental Ill health. In this case things he was telling me were out of my expertise, but at the same time I knew that this individual was desperate for help and had slipped through the net for many years. He was afraid that his irrational thoughts (and some times behaviour) may take over his life and that he might one day give into them and seriously hurt someone that he loves and cares about. I asked if he had ever spoken to his GP and he told me that because of the limited time that he had in an appointment, it was really difficult to open up and talk about it and he was afraid of being labelled as “dangerous”. We spoke about the options available to him and the support. I asked if he could book an

appointment to see his GP about it, but he refused. I asked whether I could speak to his GP about what he had told me so that he could get specialist support. He gave me a long pause of relief that he wouldn’t have to start this conversation with his GP and was pleased that I offered to discuss the case with her on his behalf.

I spoke to the GP the very same day and she was shocked to hear that he was in a such state, as he had never mentioned anything in the years that he had been attending the surgery and always put a positive front on. She was very proactive and understanding. She made an urgent appointment for him to come to see her the next day and made a referral to the CMHT.

Although not my typical Toolbox, I felt that it was a great success as it was yet another example of excellent multiagency working and resulted in someone being saved from “slipping through the net”.

Naila - Case Study

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I am sat in Stafford Park by the River Sow and I am finding the sound of ducks quacking and pigeons cooing, therapeutic. I’m really low with my mental health today and it’s taken a huge effort for me to get outdoors and walk here from home. I’ve wanted to come to sit by the water’s edge to try and put this article together. I have taken the following descriptions from a couple of articles I found on the internet by Melissa Matthews (medicaldaily.com 23.05.2017), who also quotes Nicola Brown (Fix blog post), and Carolyn Gregoire (huffingtonpost.co.uk 12.09.2014 updated 6.12.2017), to help me find out what is it about being by water that helps our mood? “Water is an essential part of our daily lives. About 71% of the Earth’s surface is water and our brains contain about 75%. Being close to the ocean is good for our mental health as minerals in the air can reduce stress. Salt water is helpful in warding off depression as it elevates tryptamine, serotonin and melatonin, also helping us sleep better and just making us feel better overall. Being around water gives our brains and our senses a rest from overstimulation from our devices, busy homes and offices or hectic city streets. Many of us love to sit near the ocean or a river and gaze out at the water, simply observing the gentle movements of the water. Though we may not be conscious of it, the water could be inducing a mildly meditative state of calm focus and gentle awareness.” The weather is fabulous today. I’ve just enjoyed an ice cream from the Park kiosk. Young children have enjoyed feeding the birds and ducks with seed purchased from the little shop. There is a steady hum of traffic and I have just heard the announcement bell chime at the train station. Now the children have gone, the ducks are settling on the grass and are dozing off in the sunshine. I love taking photos on my phone and so I take a shot of the white bridge and river running under it. I’ve just heard the shutter close on the kiosk and I can’t believe an hour has passed already. The breeze is starting to build up and I am wearing flip flops and white linen trousers. I’m looking at the clouds and remembering the weather forecast for sharp bursts of rain, and I hope they don’t materialise. As I sit here admiring the beautiful trees, flowers, wildlife, sunshine, hearing bird song and the lapping of the water, I know that not everyone believes that God created the world, but, can it all be here by accident? Back at home, I ask Beth to email some of the team, to find out their favourite seaside place in the UK. Thank you to all who replied. Karen wrote, “I love Looe and Polperro in Cornwall. Spent most of my childhood family holidays with my Parents, Grandparents and Sisters. Have some fantastic memories, of swimming in the sea, BBQ’s on the beach in the evening around a camp fire (obviously you can’t do that now, health and safety or spoil sports). Crab catching, seeing who could catch the biggest, using different sorts of bait. Then popping the crabs back safely in the sea.”

Therapeutic benefits of spending time near Water

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Gemma said “The best beach I've ever sat on and just relaxed and took everything in was Talecre Beach in Wales. It was a lovely day no clouds in the sky, the sand was hot and the sea was coming in and it was perfect. I would definitely visit that place again”. Tracey said, “My favourite seaside place is Rhyl because I've got lots of happy childhood memories there from when my family had a caravan at Towyn for a few years.” Sian says, “My favourite seaside place would be New Quay in Wales. As a child I went to New Quay with my family every summer and spent three long weeks in a caravan. No TV, no chores, or ones that didn’t feel like chores and lots of freedom to explore. I love anything to do with water so used to spend my days swimming, sailing and fishing. I learnt how to gut and cook fish fresh from the sea, crew and then helm a sailing dingy in regattas and had lots of projects involving painting pebbles and making jewellery out of shells! I have wonderful memories of spending time as a family together and even now, I love to go out on the water in a boat and have a sense of freedom that I can’t describe.” Simon wrote, “I love Barmouth as it’s not too far away and has a wide expansive beach with lots more to do nearby e.g. mountain biking, boat trips etc”. Naila wished I had asked her where her favourite seaside place in the World was! Here’s what she wrote. “I wish I could put JBR Beach resort in Dubai as that is my most favourite place because I like visiting the Cheesecake Factory that does the most awesome desserts! Anyhow, my favourite British seaside resort would be Weston-super-Mare. I have only been once but I really enjoyed it because they had an air show where the jets were making all sorts of patterns and shapes in the sky. I really enjoyed the experience. It was a lovely day out.” Ruth, one of our readers told me that she loved Bridlington when she was younger, as she loved to watch the boats in the harbour; fishing, pleasure boats and rowing. As she got older her favourite seaside was Shanklin on the Isle of Wight, with pretty beach huts. My favourite seaside is Llandudno. Stewart says Blackpool. For Lorraine it’s Torquay. Stef says Weston-Super-Mare. Wherever you, the reader, spend your summer, I trust you are able to spend some time near water and relax and unwind.

by Rachel Craven

Therapeutic benefits of spending time near Water

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Members Corner

Dear Readers, Have anyone got a photo, a picture, a poem or a joke we

could include on this page? If so please let us know as we would love to

include them.

Mike Wetson

Life's Too Short

Life’s too short to shout and moan Sometimes we are up and others down

When we look through the mail Are we searching for that holy grail

We each move within our own class

Do our principles break like glass New horizons and new dawns

We seek in a new form

From inside our minds Thoughts come back from time to time

Of things in the past Searching for what we have lost

There are things we like to forget Draw a line and put them to rest Pick ourselves up and start again

Without all the pain

Hoping we do not get in a rage A lot of problems are self made

Its not us who suffer then But those we upset by them

John William Bird

23

Organisation

Website

Telephone

South Staffordshire

Network for Mental Health www.ssnmentalhealth.co.uk 01543 301 139

The Recovery Hub http://www.makingspace.co.uk/our-

services/the-recovery-hub/ 01785 887 813

Together for Mental

Wellbeing www.together-uk.org 01543 309 770

Carers Association South

Staffordshire www.carersinformation.org.uk 01785 222 365

People Plus Carers Hub carershub@peopleplus.co.uk 0330 123 1937

Brighter Futures

Mental Health Helpline www.brighter-futures.org.uk

Tel:0808 800 2234

Text: 07860 022 821

Making Space

Work 4 You www.makingspace.co.uk 01785 887 813

Healthwatch Staffordshire

and Community Advocacy www.healthwatchstaffordshire.co.uk 0800 051 8371

POhWER www.pohwer.net

Patient and Liaison

Advice Service (PALS) www.sssft.nhs.uk

01785 783 026

Freephone 0800 318 850

Richmond Fellowship

Brendan House www.richmondfellowship.org.uk 01543 899 465

Samaritans Helpline 24hrs

www.samaritans.org

01785 243 333

08457 909 090

Changes www.changes.org.uk

Cruse Bereavement

Helpline www.cruse.org.uk 08444 779 400

Burton Mind www.burtonmind.co.uk 01283 566 696

Starfish Project

Tamworth www.starfishtamworth.org 07947 957 155

Open Door of Hope

Lichfield Peter: 07971 113 505

Bipolar Groups

www.facebook.com/

lichfieldbipolargroup

Lichfield 0845 434 9907

Freephone 0333 323 3885

HugWarts—Wellbeing Arts

Stafford Email: hugwarts@outlook.com 07487 532 777

Directories

Brighter Futures Mental

Health Directory www.staffordshirementalhealth.info

24

NOTICES South Staffordshire Network for Mental Health

Mansell House, 22 Bore Street, Lichfield Staffordshire WS13 6LL

01543 301139

sunetwork@ssnmentalhealth.co.uk

www.ssnmentalhealth.co.uk

Registered Charity: 1097461

Company Ltd by Guarantee: 4693666

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contributors do not necessarily reflect the policies of SSNMH or

the views of the current Board of Trustees. We have gone to

lengths to check the accuracy of contributions and, as far as we

know, details are correct at the time of going to press. Whilst every

effort has been made to check the content of websites mentioned

in this publication, no responsibility can or will be taken by SSNMH

for their content or that of any external links and we reserve the

right to amend contributions for clarity, objectivity and length.

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The Board of Trustees for SSNMH as of June2018 Maureen Turfrey - Acting Chair of the Board John McKiernan— Acting Vice Chair Pauline Wright Shelagh McKiernan Kay Clayton Christopher Wardle Lucy Rickard The Board of Trustees act as company directors and volunteer their time and skills to:

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Article deadline for Autumn edition

must be in by September 4th 2018