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TRANSCRIPT
South Staffordshire Network for Mental Health: The Service User’s Network
www.ssnmentalhealth.co.uk
Inside this issue
Keri’s Random Mumblings_________2
Camilla’s Page___________________3
Job Advert and Poem_____________3
Volunteer News __________________4
Rural Outreach Project ____________5
Dance 123_______________________6
Spiritual, Religious and Pastoral____ 7
SSNMH General Meeting___________7
My Story, by Sue Wyke____________8
Smoke Free Trust & StampScheme__9
Richmond Fellowship Life Links____10
My Recovery Journey, by Abi______11
Information Directory ________12—15
Noticeboard and Bromford Floating
Support________________________16
When you have finished
with this magazine
PLEASE pass it on
or recycle it.
NETWORK
NEWS NEWS FOR PEOPLE WITH INTEREST IN MENTAL HEALTH
SERVICES THROUGHOUT SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE
ISSUE 45 Winter 2012
Photo by “Simply Rhona”
2
Welcome to the Winter
Edition of Network News...
This is the first issue with myself as
editor, as I’m now in my new role as
Project Coordinator, so I really do
hope this meets with your
expectations.
Network News belongs to the
Network Members – Please let me
know how you feel we can make it
more about the things you want to
read about! We are always, always
looking for contributions – your
success stories, poetry, photography,
artwork, news about services make
the News come alive. If you fancy
giving it a go and seeing your work
published, please send to us at the
addresses above.
We had several changes over the last
few months. As reported in last issue,
Suzanne and Tracey have left the
Network to pastures new. Also Sean
and Brian, long standing board
members have completed their roles
as trustees. Please join me in wishing
them all the very best for the future
and sincere thanks for their passion
and dedication.
We are happy to report Camilla
Freeman, volunteer for us for four
years, has taken over the
Development Worker role for the time
being and has done a great job in
picking up all the hard work it
requires and getting round even more
than I did! Camilla was key to our
Inpatient Meetings at Margaret
Stanhope, so has real experience in
helping people to have their say!
Karen, our Admin Officer, has kick-
started our website and facebook
page. Please check these out and
find out even more about what’s
going on. You can even use facebook
and the website to tell us your
thoughts about mental health
services:
www.ssnmentalhealth.co.uk
facebook.com/ssnmentalhealth
In November 2012, we held our
Annual General Meeting . It was
great to see so many people come
along and support us. The Annual
General Meeting celebrates our
achievements over the past year and
is this is also the time to elect our
Board of Trustees. We had a really
moving story celebrating the recovery
journey of someone volunteering at
Quest’s Food4Thought cafe, thanks
again to Sue for arranging this! All of
our members are invited to our AGM
and next year it would be great to see
even more faces!
I also wish to offer thanks to All
Saint’s Church at Alrewas for their
kind donation of £300 towards our
’Fighting Fear and Discrimination’
Talks. This money will help these
brilliant volunteer-led talks continue in
the future!
ANNUAL SURVEY
RESULTS
In the last issue of Network News, we
had our annual survey.
We didn’t get a huge response to this
in comparison to previous years
(about 2% of our membership this
year, from around 10% less year).
More people completed the survey
online than on paper this year, which
is interesting. And it appeared that
people still value having a copy
posted out to them, which is useful to
note.
Out of the people who rated our
services we provided to themselves,
71% rated us good or excellent,
whilst no one rated us poor or very
poor.
Out of the people who rated our
services in general, 64% rated us
good or excellent, and whilst no one
rated us poor or very poor, it does
look like we’ve got some work to do
to improve! We would be grateful to
hear your suggestions and ideas on
this...
Have a great Christmas
and New Year...
Keri Lawrence, Project Coordinator
Write to us at: South Staffordshire Network for Mental Health, FREEPOST MID 23594,
Lichfield, Staffordshire WS13 6LL or email us on [email protected]
Wouldn’t it be great if you could help raise money for
our charity without it costing you a penny? Well, if you
shop online, you can!
Simply sign up at easyfundraising.org.uk and select
South Staffordshire Network for Mental Health as your cause.
Whilst signed into easy fundraising, search for your retailer, click on ’go
shopping’ for that shop, and when you've got to their website shop as normal.
Lots of the online shops you might already use have signed up to this scheme.
A percentage of what you spend will be donated to us by the company.
Our fundraising page is www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/
Keri’s Random Mumblings
3
Camilla’s Page
Well, when I wrote my contribution to
the last issue’s Volunteer News I
certainly wasn’t expecting to be
offered the exciting opportunity to be
the Acting Development Worker for
the South Staffordshire Network for
Mental Health.
Thanks to the volunteer work I have
done for the Network and other
mental health organisations over the
years I was able to get stuck straight
in visiting groups I already knew and
gathering comments from people
about the services they are receiving.
I’ve also been to some groups that
were new to me and had a lovely
welcome from the people who attend
them and the staff and volunteers
who provide them.
There is a lot more to the
Development Worker role than just
visiting and gathering comments
about services. Once someone
passes on a comment we have to do
something with it! Anonymously
passing on the views of people who
use services to those who run them is
how we help service providers
develop by learning from their
successes and listening to the other
comments so they can continue to
improve what they do.
I’ve also attended meetings and
events as a representative of the
Network. This helps the Network by
making us visible to potential
members and partners, it also gives
us the chance to put mental health on
the agenda and learn about other
services who we can signpost our
members to.
An example of an event I have
attended is the Welfare Benefits
Reform Awareness Raising Event I
attended just this morning. There was
a presentation by a representative of
the Department for Work and
Pensions about the benefit changes
being implemented in response to
The Welfare Reform Bill. This was
useful for the Network because
although we do not give advice about
benefits, we get asked a lot of
questions about them and if we have
information from events like this we
know we have the right awareness
and can hopefully point people in the
right direction to alleviate some of
their fears about the future.
Some of you may have noticed the
word “acting” forms part of my current
job title. This is because I am
currently working on a temporary
contract that was offered to me
because Keri was “Acting Project
Coordinator” for a while when
Suzanne left the Network and they
needed someone to cover the
Development Worker role. I will soon
be leaving this role to take up a
permanent contract with a day
opportunities service, but my
involvement with the Network will
continue as I’m going to rejoin the
Network volunteer team when I’ve
settled into my new job.
I have really enjoyed being the Acting
Development Worker, Keri and Karen
have been very patient answering my
many questions, the Network’s
Volunteers and Trustees have been
supportive and our fantastic members
have been very welcoming and
accommodating whilst I get up to
speed with what I’m supposed to be
doing.
So I’ll be seeing you again but next
time it will be from the more familiar
setting of the volunteer page.
Things I’m up to at the Moment
Working with Quest to find ways of
making sure that the people who
go to Quest have the chance to put
forward their views to help the
service develop in the future.
Representing our Network
members during the planning of an
event about how to improve the
effectiveness and awareness of the
Care Programme Approach.
Camilla Freeman, Acting Development Worker
Reader Submitted Poem
Psychology
When I was small I had aspirations A psychologist I wanted to be
Now I’ve grown up I’d gladly be anything
Anything
JOB OPPORTUNITY at SSNMH: Development Worker This is an exciting and challenging opportunity to work for SSNMH. The Development Worker’s role is to promote and facilitate the empowerment & involvement of adults who have mental health needs in the planning, development, and improvement of mental health services in the six districts of South Staffordshire. In addition, they take a key role in coordination of volunteers, and signpost people to access possible care, treatment, accommodation, occupational and training opportunities available.
Hours: Up to 34 per week
We are happy to consider job share & part time working arrangements
Salary: SCP 24 to 28 (£20,858 to £23,708 pro rata) Closing date for applications: 5pm Monday 4 February 2013
Interviews to be held on 19 and 20 February 2013
For application packs and further information, please request an application pack from
Karen Hunt, 01543 301139, or email [email protected]
SSNMH is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcome applicants from all communities.
4
Volunteer News
ICE—Improving Customer
Experience Involvement 2012
Over the summer, we ran a
project with the Joint
Commissioning Unit to train up 9
volunteers to help conduct
interviews with people using
services at Richmond Fellowship
Life Links and Changes: Mental
Health and Wellbeing.
The project was a great success,
it meant that instead of getting the
48 planned interviews, we actually
interviewed 80 people. People
had the opportunity to be
interviewed by volunteers who
have used similar services in the
past, which put them at ease.
A huge thanks to Cyril, Joan,
Julie, Diane, Lynette for joining
the team and making this such a
good project to be involved with.
Cyril and Joan have already
started to support us on other
projects already, so we can see
their valuable contributions lasting
into the future.
Also thanks to Mandie, Stella and
Sarah, volunteers who joined the
project, eager to learn new skills
and help in different ways. Sarah
interviewed 4 people in one day, a
real feat! So a special well done to
her.
Away Day 2012
Many of our volunteers, and a few
potential volunteers, attended our
Away Day 2012 to discuss the
future of the Network and putting
in some thinking and planning
going to next year.
The Away Day was funded by the
Community Wellbeing Fund and
had a real focus on volunteers
and volunteering for the Network.
We are going to see some really
positive work on this in the near
future, such as the creation of new
roles and increased use of social
media.
Rachel ‘s Report – Involvement
Champion – South Staffs
It’s been a quieter spell in my life
due to the need to physically rest
more, hence a slightly quieter
spell in actually doing things as an
Involvement Champion in the
South Staffs district. However,
within the principle of being
human beings not human doings I
have been able to be there to
listen to people’s concerns,
comments and compliments about
the mental health services
available in the area. There have
been many positive comments
about the groups that run in this
area, like Mind, Quest, Richmond
Fellowship, as well as the
Network, and it has been good to
be able to feedback with
contributors remaining
anonymous if wanted.
People have also been extremely
concerned and confused about
the relocation of St David’s
House, where the Community
Mental Health Team have been
based for a long time for the area;
a move to new premises in
Codsall has been announced.
Additionally I have been able to
signpost people to whichever
service is appropriate to better
deal with their enquiry, for
example to the welfare benefits
services at Staffordshire County
Council.
Stella’ Report – Awareness
Champion – East Staffs
It has been an interesting time for
me as a volunteer for the Network.
In addition to giving another anti
stigma and discrimination talk and
arranging others, I was asked to
be on the interview panel for the
new project co-ordinator position.
I found this very interesting and
was aware how responsible this
would be for the management of
the Network.
I have recently attended the
Network away day for volunteers,
staff and trustees where the
importance of volunteers to the
Network has been clearly
emphasised. Being a volunteer for
me has meant I am able to use
and develop skills. It boosts my
self esteem and confidence and is
very rewarding. The beauty of
being a volunteer for the Network
is that my illness is understood,
and if I am not sufficiently well to
undertake a task there is no
obligation only understanding. It is
such a friendly and supportive
organisation. I am also helping
with statistical input in the office
so I am developing new IT skills!
We want more volunteers!
If you want to get more involved,
please get in touch!
The Network Team currently has 14 volunteers, contributing to our great work in different ways.
Here’s an update on what’s going on...
5
Rural Outreach Results
The Rural Outreach Project was
supported by Lloyds TSB
Foundation for England &
Wales. Tracey Hackett
completed the project at the
end of September 2012. Here
are the results of Rural Survey.
The original survey was originally
carried out in September 2009.
Since then, the Network has
employed rural outreach worker to
work with rural communities.
There has been focus on tackling
the main findings which were
highlighted in the first survey.
These were:
Stigma and discrimination
tackled by delivering 42 talks to
community groups, many of which
were in rural areas.
Lack of services
as the new Social Inclusion and
Recovery Services were
commissioned, the providers have set
up more groups in rural areas such
as Marchington and Rocester, service
users have also set up their own peer
support groups in areas such as
Uttoxeter, Lichfield and Abbots
Bromley.
Lack of information/publicity
in rural areas about services
and activities
The Network have visited local
services in places such as libraries,
village halls, churches and doctors
surgeries.
Cost of travel to get to services
and lack of public transport
The Network’s volunteers compiled a
Rural Transport Report which was
widely distributed and the Rural
Outreach Worker took it to relevant
forums sharing the findings. We
made links with South Staffordshire
District Council and ensured that we
had some input into the new transport
service ‘Staffordshire connects’ which
is ‘dial-a-ride’ system linking villages
together using a charitable provider.
The survey was repeated in
September 2012 to show if any
improvements have been made
and to highlight areas which
people think need improving.
The survey was sent out to all of
our members and was taken out
on visits to service users at day
opportunities. The original survey
had 72 replies over a three month
period. This time, we had 82
replies in just over one month so
the comparisons should be fairly
easy to make. However, as the
replies are anonymous, we are
unable to tell if any of the same
people have filled in a survey
again and have found that the
things they wish to see improve
have changed.
Summary of
Main Findings 2012
Top 5 key issues:
1st – Lack of services and
activities in rural locations
2nd
– Stigma and discrimination
3rd – Lack of public transport to
get to services and activities
elsewhere
4th – Lack of information/publicity
in rural areas about services and
activities
5th – The cost of travel to get to
services and activities is too high
Top 5 things people would like
to see improved:
1st – Mental health awareness
training in rural areas
2nd – Better/more publicity in rural
areas of existing services and
activities
3rd – More mental health services
run in rural areas
4th – Improved transport
availability to get to services and
activities
5th – Someone to practically help
with getting back to leisure/life etc
This report can be found in full on our website at:
http://www.ssnmentalhealth.btck.co.uk/NetworkNewsOtherDownloads
7
EXTRAORDINARY
GENERAL MEETING
Monday 21 January 2012
1.00pm until 3.00pm
Meeting Room 1, Mansell House
22 Bore Street, Lichfield, WS13 6LL
Refreshments provided
The Chair and Board of Trustees are seeking to amend the
Articles of Association of SSNMH. Clause 43 presently
states:
The Quorum for the transaction of the business of the
Trustees may be fixed by the trustees but shall not be
less than one third of their number or 5 Trustees,
whichever is the greater.
It is the intention to request, from the membership of
SSNMH present, agreement to the following alteration:
The Quorum for the transaction of the business of the
Trustees may be fixed by the trustees but shall not be
less than one third of their number or 4 Trustees,
whichever is the greater.
The Chair and Board of Trustees are seeking to amend the
Rules of SSNMH. Rule 1.1 presently state:
Membership of the Charity shall be open to any person over the age of 18 years interested in furthering the objects of the Charity.
It is the intention to request, from the membership present,
agreement to the following alteration:
Membership of the Charity shall be open to any person over the age of 16 years interested in furthering the objects of the Charity.
In addition, Rule 1.3 states:
Every member, whether Full or Associate, shall have
one vote.
It is the intention to request, from the membership present,
agreement to the following alteration:
Every member of the age of 18 or over, whether Full or
Associate, shall have one vote.
If you are planning to attend
please let us know by
16 Jan 2013 by calling on
01543 301139
or emailing at [email protected]
Spiritual, Pastoral and Religious Care
As we rapidly approach Christmas it is a good time to think about faith and beliefs. Within the Trust we look after your Spiritual, Religious and pastoral care needs.
Religion: Religious care helps you to practise your own Religion.
Religious and spiritual beliefs play an important role in the lives of people with experience of mental and emotional distress, and religious involvement is increasingly associated with positive mental health outcomes.
Within mental health services, the role of spiritual or religious beliefs for individuals experiencing mental health problems is sometimes overlooked. There may be taboos around discussion of religious beliefs within mental health services, or religious beliefs may be ignored or interpreted as symptoms of illness. Some people who use mental health services feel that their spiritual needs are not understood and valued. People may be trying to understand the meaning of their distress in religious and spiritual terms and may look to mental health service staff to help them with this. In some cases, professionals may be very helpful, listening without judgement and being willing to ask pertinent questions about people’s experiences and beliefs. Religion is not the same as spirituality, though it can often be the way someone expresses their spirituality. Religion represents a common set of beliefs, behaviour and practice, including rules, rituals and prayers. Spirituality need not have any of these. The chaplaincy service offers a valuable source of support.
Spirituality: Spiritual care may not involve being religious. It may be something like Yoga, walking, art or gardening. Spirituality is that part of each one of us which gives us a sense of identity, meaning purpose and belonging. It is not about knowing lots of facts, but of discovering deep within us and within others resources that help us cope with life’s ups and downs.
Pastoral: Being alongside someone in need of pastoral care means helping anyone who is upset. It provides comfort and support for people who use our services and also our staff.
Please read the Spiritual, Pastoral and religious care strategy on the trusts web site to see how your needs are being met by our Chaplain and others.
For further information please contact the Hospital Chaplain, Revd. Capt. Keith Shaw.
Tel: 01785 257888 Ext; 5365 (Stafford)
E-mail; [email protected]
8
My story – I suffered a cardiac arrest and survived!!! By Sue Wyke, Quest Day Opportunities
Wednesday 25 January 2012 was just like any other ordinary day; I got up and went to work. I can’t remember what the weather was like that day or what I was wearing, come to think of it; I can’t really remember much about the few days previously. I do remember gradually waking up in Stafford hospital about 6 or 7 or so days later to the beeping of machines.
I remember feeling terrified. As I woke my family were there and doctors and nurses and the story of what had happened to me began to unfold. I had been sitting on the wall outside of work talking to my daughter. None of this I really remember but I am told I had a sudden cardiac arrest. With hind sight I remember having some hot flushes and palpitations, and feeling very tired, which I dismissed as being a part of my age and thought “oh just get on with it Susan”.
I am told that my collapse was sudden. Hayley ran into my work and asked them to phone for an ambulance. As my daughter bent over to see if I was breathing, the first responders arrived just as my breathing had stopped. They arrived in less than three minutes. On arrival my heart had almost stopped too, except for some erratic flickers called
ventricular fibrillation, which could not sustain life, I was dead!
I was incredibly lucky that the first responders and paramedic were at my side within less than three minutes; They cleared my airway of blood, and gave me the all important defibrillation and then put a tube into my airway and began CPR, this continued in the short ambulance ride to the A&E department. Despite receiving 40 minutes’ CPR, doctors believed that there was nothing further they could do.
My family were beginning to ring relatives and friends to inform them I had passed away, when a doctor returned some 30 minutes later to say miraculously they had found a pulse! However they warned that they could not be sure how long my brain had been starved of oxygen and that I might have irreparable brain damage.
But gradually they started to wake me up and six days later on my eldest daughter’s birthday I opened my eyes. As I woke up in the critical care unit my family told me of the amazing care I had received, I could not speak as I had to have a tracheotomy, for anyone who knows me you will understand how frustrated I
became, this was possibly the worst part as I could not tell anyone how I felt
The care I received in Stafford Critical Care Unit was nothing short of amazing. Not only did they care for me but they looked after my family who were also with me around the clock.
The weeks passed and I gradually became strong and after about four weeks I was ready to get out of bed for the first time. I remember clearly how wonderful it was when I first stood up, feeling the air all around me, but my legs didn’t feel my own, they were like jelly, but I had to learn to walk again.
I spent 7 weeks in hospital. But my need to recover and to get back to work was enormous. I missed those great people I work with, both people using the service and staff. I missed being creative and imaginative.
I now have an ICD fitted that will pace my heart should it need it and administer a shock if it ever goes into ventricular fibrillation again.
On the 15 September 2012, Sue and her friends organised Rock 4 Shock, a night of live music which raised a massive £1180.47 to pay towards a defibrillator for Stafford town which will hopefully spare families from losing someone dear to them to a cardiac arrest. So far Sue has raised a total of £2,934.30, which is an awesome achievement.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest happens to around 100,000 people a year in the UK, without warning it kills 250 people a day in the UK, less than 5% of victims survive out of hospital, It kills more people than Lung Cancer, Breast Cancer and AIDS combined. Early defibrillation is the key to surviving a SCA. If you would like to donate towards a portable cardiac defibrillator and to raising awareness of where these portable defibrillators are situated, please visit: http://www.justgiving.com/arrhythmia http://www.justgiving.com/sue-wyke Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails.
9
The Trust Board of South
Staffordshire and Shropshire
Healthcare Foundation Trust recently
discussed the proposals for the
organisation to become a Smoke
Free Trust on its grounds and
premises from 1 April 2013. The
intention has been widely consulted
with staff, service users and carers
and the Board reported that there has
been some extremely useful and
informed debate and some very
positive points, as well as concerns
that have notably focused on patient
risk and anxiety. All the feedback and
experiences from other Trusts was
noted.
At this meeting, taking into
consideration all the points raised,
The Trust Board has decided to
commit to a long term cultural change
towards being fully Smoke Free on
the Trust’s premises with some key
provisos:
In the first year, measures will be put in
place to significantly enhance the
support available to service users to
reduce and cease smoking in both a
community and inpatient setting, for all
client groups.
Commitment to end all smoking in the
buildings and grounds of Trust facilities
for all staff, visitors and service users
who are not inpatients.
Smoking will be allowed for inpatient
service users in the gardens of
individual wards. It is expected that
each ward will consult with service
users throughout next year to jointly
plan ways of reducing smoking in
these inpatient areas.
A policy will be developed to end
smoking at work by staff and additional
means developed to offer help to staff
to reduce or stop smoking.
A positive smoke free message will be
consistently conveyed through
signage, posters and staff intervention
The emphasis will be on how to get
support rather than simply “do not
smoke”.
The Trust's Smoke Free
Implementation Group will continue to
work to develop the appropriate
policies and guidance to support the
process. It is intended that staff and
service user champions will be
identified and asked to assist in
driving this important health change
and promotion.
SSNMH have been involved with the
Implementation Group. Project
Coordinator Keri Lawrence said:
'it was good to note the movements
made so far and in particular
allowances for inpatients which will
go a long way to alleviating concerns.
We continue be involved with the
Implementation Group. Please let me
know if you are a service user and/or
carer and you would like to contribute
to the discussions in order to be
useful to helping the whole Trust to
reach its aims becoming Smoke Free,
in a way that has a positive effect on
care and relations’
The Project Lead for the Trust is
Martin Thornley.
Tobacco
Smoking and Medication
Camilla Freeman, Acting
Development Worker
Discussions we have already had
about this issue have brought up the
question of whether or not smoking
tobacco has an effect on the way we
respond to medication.
Looking at the research provided,
tobacco smoke contains compounds
that increase the activity of certain
liver enzymes. Some drugs are
broken down by these same liver
enzymes, so higher doses of these
drugs are required in smokers than
non-smokers. When people stop
smoking the enzyme activity will
reduce over a week or so, and then
smaller doses of these drugs are
required. As with many issues around
medication, there is a lot of person to
person variation so the effects of
smoking or quitting are hard to
predict.
To make things more complicated
some drugs are broken down by
different enzymes in the liver, or are
excreted by the kidneys and these
drugs are not affected by tobacco
smoke at all. Fortunately, SSSFT
have told us that their prescribing
staff are going to be issued with a
guide to inform them which drugs are
affected by tobacco smoke, and what
they should do, to make sure that
medication remains appropriate, if
someone’s smoking status changes.
We would therefore recommend that
anyone intending to stop smoking
speaks to the person who prescribes
their medication first and that they
also speak up quickly if they start
smoking again.
A useful place to look for further
information about this is the Trust's
Choice and Medication web-site:
http://www.choiceandmedication.org/
south-staffs/.
Stamps at 2011 prices for people claiming some benefits
Taken from http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/stamps (as suggested by Network Member)
From Tue 6 Nov 2012, if you get certain benefits (pension credit, employment and support allowance or incapacity benefit) you can buy up to 36 stamps at last year's prices from Royal Mail. First class stamps will cost 46p (usually 60p) and second class stamps will be 36p each usually 50p).
To get the discount from your local post office, you'll need to show that you receive the relevant benefits with a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions including Annual Up-Rating or other awards letters, dated within the last 12 months or take your Post Office Card Account statement that lists one of the relevant benefits.
This offer closes on Christmas Eve
Smoke Free Trust
10
Doxey Marshes, ‘Chased off’!
Life Links: Out and About Experiences from two of our members...
Sea Life Centre
days.’
11
A massive thanks to Abi for sharing her
wonderful story with us, which we’ve
shortened slightly. Please speak to
David at Life Links if you would like to
read this story in full.
I moved to the area 15 years ago as a victim of childhood sexual, physical and mental abuse. Due to my mental health difficulties, my five children are not living with me at present. At the beginning of 2012 in the midst of the hardest time of my life I was referred to Brendan house and to Life Links, where I discovered the recovery star, which focuses on ten different aspects of my life. It was an eye opener, and nobody had ever said to me that I was capable of looking at all these different avenues. At first, it was a shock, but whilst working with it, it built my confidence that somebody had the belief that I was capable to work on my own life. Here is my recovery journey.
In the past I have had multiple stays in hospital, the longest stay being 20 months. Using Brendan House and Life links, has prevented me from going into hospital.
At Brendan House, I have been able to have a supportive 3 night break. The staff are all unique and each brings something unique to the house. They are always ready and eager to listen and more importantly, they offer me new ideas of ways to deal with difficult situations.
When I first came to Brendan house I did have preconceived ideas. I thought my stay would be like a hospital stay. Oh how wrong I was! I did not even have to ring the door bell; they were looking out for me. They opened the door and instantly, I could see this was going to be like no place I had ever been before. I was treated with respect and spoken to as an equal. The house itself is like a home and even though you can share with up to two other people it has always been a warm and welcoming place to be.
Whilst staying at Brendan House I was referred to the Life Links services.
Being offered long term support put my mind at rest. I was no longer alone on my recovery journey.
Again, when I started going in March 2012 I was very nervous as I had been going to Brendan house and again I need not have been. The staff was all equally as welcoming and accommodating of my nerves. My life links worker met me at my first group and introduced me to everyone. I was made to feel very welcome.
Before moving to Staffordshire and using Life Links and Brendan House, I was constantly judged by professionals. I had been badly judged particularly at A&E and somewhat been brushed away. I was made to feel like nobody wanted to reach out to me or could deal with my problems and I had never dreamed anyone could help me see I could deal with my own problems. Within life links they have given me the vision of my future my own direction and guided me to see I have the power to change my own life.
At Brendan house there is a variety of things to do such as the creative activities for me, this might be card making or collages, crocheting or adding to the Brendan house quilt by making patches.
If I was asked what the most beneficial thing in my tool box is it would have to be writing. It is a safe place to express myself honestly and be heard I could not live without it now.
When I did my first recovery star, my score was 56.5 out of a possible 110. My lowest scores were for self-care, living skills, identity, self-esteem and managing my mental and physical health. I had no sense of identity or who I was and little self esteem. I also refused to acknowledge my mental and physical health. With support, encouragement and guidance and a bucket load of patience from my life links worker, I now have identity and furthermore know who I am, I care for myself adequately and have a greater insight into my mental health.
After a three month review, my score now is 80.5 on the recovery star. This score made me feel really chuffed, and it boosted my confidence to see that I had progressed. With the support of Life Links, progression no longer scared me.
I find the recovery star really easy to use as it identifies what I need to work on. It also allows my link worker to see what everyday life is like for me, which helps our professional relationship.
The recovery star at Life Links is a tool that can easily be transferred to work within both Life Links and Brendan House.
The groups I go to in the day have taught me about my illnesses and how to manage them better, also how to motivate myself and respect myself. They have also taught us about debt management and discrimination.
I have strength and power within to be whole by listening, offering challenges and directing me to other forms of support even if it is at times just having someone to bake cakes with someone to listen. Richmond Fellowship is proactive motivational and most of all inspiring.
I have been in the psychiatric system for 21 years and it was not until I was referred to Richmond Fellowship that I have been able to move on.
Their way of working is nothing less than life changing. It is great to say they have saved my life and even greater have helped me see I have a life.
I came into their services a victim and now with their unquestioning support I walk as a survivor and furthermore they have helped me to develop having a future and to take responsibility away from my traumatic past.
And lastly most treasured for me, they have helped ensure my children have a mom to come back to.
“my recovery journey” by Abi McLeod
I was no longer alone on my
recovery journey
...progression no longer scared me
...now I walk as a survivor ...
12
NFORMATION DIRECTORY - from December 2012
Please note: If a service is listed as Referral Only, please contact your GP or Care Coordinator in order to access the service.
All times & venues subject to change, please check with Service Provider before attending for the first time.
Mental Health Helpline — Brighter Futures
Freephone from landlines and most mobile phones. Time provided for you to talk about your worries and concerns in complete
confidence . Ring Out Service also available through referral.
0808 800 2234 Weekdays 7pm– 2am Weekends 2pm—2am
Mind Advice Line
Able to provide information on a range of topics including types of mental distress, where to get help, drug and alternative treat-
ments and advocacy. Mon-Fri 9am –6pm 0300 123 3393 [email protected]
Work4You Employment Service — Making Space
A mental health employment service, covering Staffordshire to help individuals who wish to gain or retain paid work. We will sup-
port people who are not yet in employment but wish to do so. Also support individuals who are at risk of losing their job because
of mental ill health to maintain that role. Offers training to employers to raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with
mental ill health in the workplace.
01785 887813 Staffordshire Business Village, Dyson Way, Stafford. Staffordshire, ST18 0TW
Employment Works — SSSHFT
Supporting a stepped approach to employment for people with mental health problems or learning disabilities. Referral through
Care Coordinator only
01785 257888 Foundation House, St George's Hospital, Corporation Street, Stafford, ST16 3AG
Brendan House Short Term Intervention Service — Richmond Fellowship
Provides a safe space and support in a non medical setting for a short period of up to 3 nights. Offers service users who are in
personal crisis help, support and the opportunity to talk. First stay is Referral Only.
01543 899465 5 Locketts Court, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS11 5FZ [email protected]
Asist Advocacy Service
One to one support in having your views and opinions heard and understood
Chadsmoor: 01543 468588 Burton on Trent: 01283 564772 Stafford: 01785 246709
CVS Buildings Arthur Street, Chadsmoor, Cannock, WS11 2HD www.asist.co.uk
Carers Association South Staffs (CASS) Mental Health Project
Supporting carers caring for someone with mental illness. Offering free and confidential advice and information, both general and
specific to the carers situation, including emotional support, signposting and providing a voice for carers.
Stafford (covering South Staffs District, Chase District and Stafford Borough): 01785 606675
Lichfield (covering East Staffs District, Lichfield District and Tamworth Borough): 01543 301140
Quest Day Opportunities
Providing Recovery orientated services and volunteer opportunities across the South of Staffordshire—Referral Only
3 Tipping Street, Stafford, ST16 2LL. Tel 01785 249251 Office open Mon – Fri 8.30am – 4.00pm.
Tamworth contact – Matthew Hocking on 07837643335 Burton & Uttoxeter contact – Carl Slater on 07891871928
Lichfield contact – Janice Pacey on 07792370678 Cannock contact – Anita Sumner-Smith on 07792370718
Wombourne & Codsall contact – Lily Rodberg on 07792398581 Stafford contact – Duty Officer on 01785 249251
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) for SSSHFT
Ensures Service Users and carers receive information and confidential support when they need it and that their views and sug-
gestions are used to shape the way the Trust is run. PALS also listen to concerns and work towards their resolution.
01785 221469 01785 221490 01785 221499
13
Stafford Borough Mid Staffs Mind Trinity Church, Mount Street, ST16 2BZ and Highfields Signposts Centre, Auden Way, ST17 9TX
You can drop in to Peer Support on weekdays, Weekend by referral only
Richmond Fellowship: Stafford Office Suite 2, St. Johns House, Weston Road, Stafford ST16 3RZ, 01785 227 020
Also at Stafford Trinity Church, Mount Street, ST16 2BZ
And Stone Frank Jordan Centre, Lichfield Street, Stone, ST15 8NE
Chase District Mid Staffs Mind Cannock 28 Manor Avenue, Cannock WS11 1AA, 01543 462 907
You can drop in to Peer Support on Weekdays, Out of Hours and Out of Hour Plus by Referral Only.
Birth Art Group Brereton & Ravenhall Parish Hall, Main Road, WS15 1DS, 07707 392 993
Richmond Fellowship Cannock Office 16 High Court, Newhall Street, WS11 1GR, 01543 500 969
Avon Community Centre, Avon Road, Cannock, WS11 1LH (near Asda) Mondays and Fridays
Rugeley St Pauls Church, Lichfield Street, Rugeley, WS15 2EH
Mid Staffs Mind Wombourne Community Fire Station, Giggetty Ln WV5 0AX
Richmond Fellowship Wombourne Community Fire Station, Giggetty Ln WV5 0AX
(Saturdays) Hand in Hand Centre, Wombourne, WV5 9EZ
Great Wryley Great Wyrley Community Centre, Landywood Lane, WS6 6JX
Codsall Codsall Village Hall, Wolverhampton Road, WV8 1PW
Penkridge: St Michaels Church Hall or last Wed of month: Haling Dene Centre, Cannock Road, ST19 9SD, 2pm-4pm
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sun
Richmond
Fellowship
Life Links (RF)
Wombourne RF 10am—2pm Structured Session Great Wyrley RF 1.30pm –3.30pm
Codsall
RF 9.30am1pm
Structured
Session
MidStaffs Mind
Womboune
1pm-4pm Peer Support-
Penkridge1.30-3.30pm
From Jan
Gt Wyrley
RF 10am-12
noon
Codsall
Peer Support
RF 10-
12noon
Wombourne-
Hand in Hand
Centre 10am—
2pm
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Mid Staffs Mind
1– 4pm Drama & Music Out of Hours 5pm-8pm
2pm-4pm Badminton Leisure centre
10am —1pm Work Club Office
10am—1pm Oasis -Appointment needed, Office Out of Hours 5pm –9pm
Women’s Group 1pm-4pm
Out of Hours Plus 10am-4pm
Richmond Fellowship Life Links
Cannock Avon Centre 11am-2pm Structured Session Rugeley 10.30am-1.30pm Structured Session
Cannock Out and About times vary, call to check. Meet at Copper Kettle
Rugeley 10.30am-1.30pm Peer Support
Cannock Avon Centre 11am—2pm Peer Support Art facilities available
Fresh Start Friendship Group, 8pm, Barns Hotel, Cocksparrow Lane, WS12 4BP
Birth Art Group Alternative Thursdays 1pm—3pm
NFORMATION DIRECTORY - from December 2012 Please note: If a service is listed as Referral Only, please contact your GP or Care Coordinator in order to access the service.
All times & venues subject to change, please check with Service Provider before attending for the first time.
Richmond Fellowship’s services by appointment and referral only, 1:1 sessions & additional support available outside of times shown.
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Mid Staffs
Mind
10am—1pm
Work Club
Signposts
Centre
10am—1pm Peer
Support creativity
Trinity Church
1.30pm –4.30pm
Women’s Group Trinity
Church
Out of Hours Plus 10am—4pm at Quest
(Referral
Only)
Richmond
Fellowship
Life Links
10am—1pm
Peer Support
Trinity Church
10am-1pm
Stafford
Art Expressions
St Johns House
11am — 2 pm
Stone Peer Support
10am
Stafford
Out & About
Meet at Trinity
Church
South Staffordshire
14
East Staffordshire Burton On Trent A Plus Self Help Salvation Army Citadel, Mosley Street, DE14 1DR, Call Michael on 07833282137
All Saints Church Branston Road, Burton on Trent, DE14 3DD
Burton and District Mind Wood Street, Burton on Trent, DE14 3AA, 01283 566696 [email protected]
Burton Mind run counselling services by appointment and referral only
New Baptist Church Derby Street, Burton on Trent, DE14 2LE
Task Works Unit 20, Imex Business Park, Shobnall Road, DE14 2AU, 01283 546754. Referral Only
Changes Burton on Trent 222 Branston Road, Burton on Trent, DE14 3BT, 01283 500805 [email protected]
Uttoxeter Art & Soul Friendship Group Drop-In, staff & peer to peer support, art & craft room, Complimentary Therapies for stress & relaxation
Hawthorne House, 45 Market Place, Uttoxeter, ST14 8HF
Friendship Group Church House, Bagot Street, Abbotts Bromley, WS15 3DA
Changes Uttoxeter 23 Carter Street, Uttoxeter, ST14 8EY 01889 567436 [email protected]
Rocester Children’s Centre, High Street ST14 5JU
Abbotts Bromley Village Hall, off Baggot Street
Draycott in the Clay Village Hall, DE13 8NQ
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Community
Groups
Art & Soul
9.30am—3.30pm
Friendship Group
12.30pm—2.30pm
Art & Soul
9.30am—3.30pm
Art & Soul
9.30am—3.30pm
Art & Soul
9.30am—3.30pm
Women’s Group
6pm –9pm
Art & Soul
9.30am—3.30pm
Changes—
Uttoxeter
Office Open
Mon– Fri
10am-3pm
All activities
at office
unless
stated
Rocester
Mutual Support
10.30am-12.30pm
Wellness Workshop
Open to All
12.00-3.00pm
Mutual Support
Group
18-25years
6.30pm -8.30pm
Mutual Support
6pm—8.30pm
Waterside Centre
Ashbourne
Abbotts Bromley
Mutual Support
10.30am -12.30pm
NOCN Coord’s
Training
10am—12.30pm
Social Afternoon
Call for details
1pm—3pm
at Office
Mutual Support
Group
Adult 18+
6.30pm -8.30pm
at office
Social Afternoon
Call for details
1pm—3pm
At Office
Wellness
Workshop
6.00-9.00pm
At office
Mutual Support
Group
Adult/PY
10am-12pm
Draycott
Mutual Support
Group Adult/PY
1.30pm-3.30pm
Mutual
Support
Group
Adult/PY
10.30am-
12.30pm
Office
closes at
1pm
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sun
Burton
Community
Groups
Open to all
'Craft and Chat'
All Saints Church
Branston Rd
1pm - 3pm
New Baptist
Church
Derby St. Burton
10 am to 4 pm
A Plus Self Help
Activities and support
11am to 3pm Snacks &
Hot Food at cost
All Saints
Church
Branston Rd,
11am to 3pm
Changes—
Burton
Office Open
Mon– Fri
10am-3pm
All activities
at office
unless stated
Stretton Mutual
Support Group
Priory Centre,
11am-1pm
Social Activity
Reiki Healing
11:30am-2.30pm
Phone to book
Social Activity Walk
10:30am at Stapenhill
Bandstand
Mutual Support Group
12.30- 2.30pm
Burton Library
DE14 1AH
Mutual Support Group
6.30-8.30pm
Winshill Resource Centre
Canterbury Rd,
DE15 0HD
NOCN
Coord’s
Training
Open to All
10am –12.30pm
Mutual Support
Group
1pm—3pm
Wellness Workshop
10.00-12.30pm
Mutual Support Group
12:30-2:30pm
Waterside Advice Shop,
104 Short St,
Stapenhill, DE15 9LT
Mutual Support Group
6.30-8.30pm
Mutual
Support Group
10am-12pm
Mutual
Support Group
12.00-2.00pm
Burton Fire
Station,
Moor St,
DE14 3SU Social Activity
Reiki Healing
12:30-2.30pm
Phone to book
Mutual
Support
Group
10.30am
—
12.30pm
NFORMATION DIRECTORY - from December 2012
Please note: If a service is listed as Referral Only, please contact your GP or Care Coordinator in order to access the service.
All times & venues subject to change, please check with Service Provider before attending for the first time.
15
Open Door of Hope Lichfield Methodist Church, Backcester Lane, Lichfield, WS13 6JH Contact Mike on 07779 980741
Changes Burntwood: Unit 8, Old Mining College, Queen St, Chasetown, Burntwood WS7 4QH 01543 679000
Lichfield: Pavilion, Beacon Park, Beacon Street, WS13 6QZ 01543 309770
Bi Polar Group: Jigsaw, 72 Dimbles Lane, WS13 7HL 0845 434 9907
Trust’s Peer Support Service: Referral Only: C/O Amanda Warman-Bennett, 01827 308820 ext 8626
Arty Crafty Tamworth Library, Corporation Street, B79 7DN
Coffee Hour St Editha’s Church, Church Street, B79 7BX Contact Ian on 01827 737144 or 07826713845
Starfish Project Church ran Drop-In and support 07947 957155 www.starfishtamworth.org
Changes 6 Lady Bank, Tamworth, B79 7NB 01827 311006
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Community
Groups
St John’s
Community
Church
Chase Terrace
Burntwood
10am-2pm
Open Door
Methodist Church,
Lichfield, 1pm-3pm
Bi Polar Group
7pm-9pm, Every
other Monday
Curbourgh
Community
Centre
Community
Café, WS13 7NY
9am –12noon
Open Door of
Hope
Pig & Truffle,
Tamworth St
Lichfield, 7-9pm
Open Door
Methodist
Church, Lichfield,
1pm-3pm
Changes—
Burntwood
Office open
10-3 Mon, Tue
Wed and Fri
Wellness
Programme
12noon—3pm
Support Group
Adult / PY
10am-
12.00noon
WAP Peer
Support
12.30 –2.30pm
Social
Activities
10am-12noon
Adult Peer
Support Group
12.30- 2.30pm
Office Closed Wellness Foundation
Programme
10am –12noon
Peer Support Group
Boney Hay Children ’ s
Centre, Primary School,
Chorley Road 1pm-3pm
Social
Activities
10.00am-
1.00pm
Changes—
Lichfield
Office Open
Mon– Fri
10am-3pm
From 28.01.13
NOCN Coord’s
Training
10.30am –1pm call
for details
Peer Support David Garrick Gardens
Bloomfield Crt
WS13 7JN, 1-3pm
Social
Activities
10.00am-
12noon
Peer
Support Group
Adult / PY
1pm—3pm
Social activities
& Time for Art
1pm—3pm
Adult Peer
Support Group
6pm –8pm
Mansell House
22 Bore Street
Adult Peer
Support Group
10.30am-
12.30pm
WAP Peer
Support
Sessions
1pm –3pm
Wellness
Programme Office
10:30am - 1pm
Adult/PF
Peer
Support
Group
10.30am—
12.30pm
Monday Tuesday Wed’day Thursday Friday Saturday Sun
Community
Groups
Starfish Project
Crypt at St Editha’s
2pm—4pm and
7.30pm to 9.30 pm
Coffee Hour
11am –12 noon
Starfish
St Martins,
Stoneydelph,
7.30-9.30pm
Starfish Project
at St Andrews,
Leyfields,
2pm –5pm
Arty Crafty
10am-12noon
Changes—
Tamworth
Office Open
Mon– Fri
10am-3pm
Mutual Support
Male Group
10.30am-12.30pm
Foundation
Wellness
1pm—3pm
Peer Support
10am-12noon The
Arch, Amington
B77 4EW
Lady’s Mutual
Support Group
10am-12noon
Art Session
1-3pm
WAP Peer
Support
Sessions
1pm –3pm
Wellness
Programme
10am-1pm
NOCN Coord’s
Training
Open to All
1.30pm-4pm
Mutual Support
Group (Adult)
5pm - 7pm
Peer Support
Fire Station
Marlborough
Way B77 2NW
Social
Afternoon
12noon –3pm
Inc. Meditation
1pm-3pm
Mutual
Support
Group (PY/
Adult)
10.30am—
12.30pm
NFORMATION DIRECTORY - from December 2012
Please note: If a service is listed as Referral Only, please contact your GP or Care Coordinator in order to access the service.
All times & venues subject to change, please check with Service Provider before attending for the first time.
Tamworth
Burntwood & Lichfield
16
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