2

Welcome to the Autumn 2012

edition of Network News!

By the time you receive your copy

I will have left the Network to go

on to pastures new. Although

some people consider my two

years with SSNMH to be a short-

time, it does not feel that short.

And, I don’t mean that in a bad

way. It is just so much has

happened in those two years.

Since I started as project

coordinator I have seen trustees

come and go, volunteers grow in

such confidence and in some

cases move onto paid

employment.

I’ve met many different and very

interesting people, countless of

whom have such inspirational life

stories that I never tire of hearing.

Thank you to my team of staff

Karen, Keri & Tracey. You may

read that Tracey is also leaving us

due to her project ending. I am

truly sorry Tracey will no longer be

with the Network, her bubbly

character is very uplifting in the

office and feedback shows that

service users love her too!

And a massive thank you to our

volunteers who I could name

individually but you all know I

appreciate everything you have

ever supported us with. You never

fail to amaze me with the amount

of time you give.

Thank you for the support of the

trustees. It’s been a pleasure

working with you.

And now, as I conclude my

Oscars type speech—thanks to all

the professionals I meet on a day

to day basis when out there

representing service users. I will

mention Lorien from NSUG, all at

the JCU, and those in the third

sector providers. There are also

many many others and I am sure

there is a possibility I will bump

into you in the future.

For those I didn’t get to say t’rar

to, goodbye and I wish you all the

very best in the future.

Suzanne Cole

Write to us at: South Staffordshire Network for Mental Health, FREEPOST MID 23594, Lichfield,

Staffordshire WS13 6LL or email us on

JOB OPPORTUNITY: Project Coordinator

This is an exciting and challenging opportunity to lead SSNMH.

It is the role of the Project Coordinator to lead the organisation

on an operational and strategic level in order to promote and facilitate the

involvement of adults with experience of mental distress in the development

of mental health services.

Hours 37.5 hours per week Salary: £23,708—£27,849

Closing date for applications: Monday 15 October 2012

For application packs and further information, please contact

Karen Hunt, 01543 301139, or email [email protected]

Visit our website for more information www.ssnmentalhealth.co.uk

Everyone appears to have felt the

pinch in the last year... so have

we! If you do shopping online you

can help raise money for the

Network without even putting your

hands in your pockets.

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. A

percentage of what you spend will

be donated by the company to us.

The amount of money donated

varies, but as a popular

supermarket says “Every little

helps!”.

Our fundraising page is

www.easyfundraising.org.uk

/causes/ssnmentalhealth

3

Keri’s Random Mumblings

Being a part of the South

Staffordshire Network for Mental

Health has its fair share of big

challenges and even bigger

rewards, as some of you may

guess! However, my proudest day

in the three years I’ve been

working here came on Friday 20

July 2012…

As you may know, we were part of

the Improving Customer

Experience Project (ICE) in 2010

with the Joint Commissioning Unit

interviewing people on their

experiences on Day Opportunity

Services. When the JCU invited

us to support them again over

August and September, we

wondered if we could get some of

our members on board and

trained up to interview people.

The JCU have been great in

helping us to do this and some of

our existing volunteers wanted to

help also. I know people are busy,

or have their own personal

challenges, so was immensely

proud and honoured when I had

NINE people on the ICE

Involvement Project Training on

20 July 2012! That’s nine people

across the six districts willing to

sacrifice their time, taking the

brave step of travelling miles out

of their home towns, going

through the paperwork and CRB

checks to attend the training, with

the aim of nervously sitting down

with other people to find out their

experiences of services for the

JCU!

At the time of

writing (mid

September), we

have carried out

nine ICE visits to

Richmond

Fellowship Life

Links or

Changes Mental

Health &

Wellbeing

services, with six

of the ICE

volunteers

carrying out

around 20

interviews with

people using

those services!

We still have

seven visits to

go so I very

much expect our

targets to be

met. A huge,

huge

thanks to all

involved on

this, I

expect

another very proud day when we

have our ICE Celebration Event in

early October 2012 and we award

certificates to the nine people

involved.

The success of this Project so far

has really shown me that now is a

fantastic time for people to really

grasp the opportunity to volunteer

for services or to represent and

support others within mental

health. We are looking at

reviewing our Volunteer

Programme later this year, so

watch this space!

Just one more thing.. I’ve just

found out I will be Acting Project

Coordinator between now and Jan

2013! Please wish me luck!

Things I’m up to at the Moment

Improving Customer

Experience 2012 (ICE), as

above

‘Smoke Free Trust’ –

exploring how we can share

information about how the

Trust intend to have no

smoking on any of their sites

and how people can get

involved, see p. 6

Looking at our Volunteer

Programme to see how we

can attract and support

more people to volunteer

with us

Exploring what information

our Network Members

would like regarding

Benefits

Keri Lawrence—Development Worker (pictured)

4

Volunteer News

Camilla, Involvement

Champion, East Staffs

“Since we started the Margaret

Stanhope Meetings in January

2010, I’ve met loads of interesting

people who have brought up a

variety of issues that we hopefully

helped to resolve. Since the

closure of the ward was

announced, the general feeling

from the patients has been one of

compassion, appreciation, and

support for the staff who were

continuing to provide a service to

the best of their abilities whilst

facing uncertainty about what

would happen to their jobs once

the ward closed. I’m not sure what

my future role is going to be for

SSNMH but whatever I end up

doing I look forward to meeting old

friends and making new ones who

share my passion for getting the

service user voice heard.”

The Network would very much like

to thank Camilla for all her

dedication, passion and strong

leadership with the Margaret

Stanhope Inpatient Meetings. The

meetings have inspired the Trust

to develop a way of running

similar meetings on all their

wards. Camilla’s determination

and empathy really helped our

most vulnerable members to have

their say, anonymously and

without judgement, to improve

experience of the ward! Also big

thanks to Stella, Trudy and Quynh

for their commitment and support

on these meetings.

Trudy, Involvement Champion,

East Staffs

Trudy has been supporting

Camilla with the Margaret

Stanhope Meetings and has also

been a key player in keeping the

Network up to date with what’s

going on in Burton on Trent. We

have future plans for Trudy to

further support the Mental Health

cause with her strong networking

and representative skills by joining

her local GP practice’s Patient

and Public Group.

Sarah, Involvement Champion,

South Staffs District

“I have attended the Brendan

House steering group, have

chaired the Twigs Local

Engagement Group Meeting, and

have also conducted four

interviews for the ICE Project.”

Rachel, Involvement Champion,

South Staffs District, also led on

the Twigs meeting, and is also

looking at new ways to support

the Network with a new project.

Stella, Awareness Champion,

East Staffs & Mandie,

Involvement Champion,

Stafford

Stella has presented five of her

brilliant “Fighting Fear & Stigma

Talks” for the Network over the

last 3 months. Also, both Mandie

and Stella have trained to be ICE

Volunteers also and are

supporting us with interviewing

people.

Mike, Admin Support, Lichfield

Mike has done a great job

checking our website for missing

and broken links and out of date

information. Mike and Keri will be

looking to sort these out in the

near future. Mike has also

supported with data entry and

filing. It’s always a pleasure to

have his positive energy and

support in the office!

The Network also introduced six

new volunteers, supporting us

short term on the ICE project. By

the time you read this, some of

you will have met or even been

interviewed by them. A huge

thanks to them all: Julie, Joan,

Diane, Lynette, Cyril and Abi.

We look forward to some of these

guys sticking with us after the

project as we look to increase and

improve our Volunteer

Programme.

For more information on

volunteering visit:

www.volunteerstaffordshire.org.uk

We will be looking at

promoting new

opportunities to

volunteer in the near

future. If you have a

good idea of doing

something that fits into

what the Network does,

please get in touch!

The Network Team has many volunteers, contributing to our great work in different ways.

Here’s an update on what’s going on...

5

Tracey “Reaches Out”

Hi everyone

Here goes my last article for the Network News... I want to start by saying a massive ‘thank you’ to everyone who took the time and trouble to fill in the rural survey. I have had 77 replies which is 5 more than last time and is over a much shorter period of time. I’m so pleased with the response as it means I can make some really accurate comparisons and the survey reflects the views of people who live in rural areas. I’m going to spend the last couple of weeks here collating the information and then distribute the overall findings and statistics as widely as possible. This will include the Network News and our website www.ssnmentalhealth.co.uk. It will highlight the key issues that people face when experiencing mental distress in rural areas covered by South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust and will show the improvements they would like to see. Since my last article, I’ve attended our Network members forum in Uttoxeter which was really interesting. Hearing different speakers and having the opportunity to ask questions is invaluable. I’ve arranged 4 stigma talks which have been delivered by Stella. I have to say, these talks have been a big

part of my work at the Network. When I started my role, I spent some time thinking about how to tackle the problem of stigma in rural areas as I saw this as one of the main areas my project should focus on. As soon as I supported Stella for the 1st time and listened to the inspiring talk she’d put together, I realised the impact it has on all sorts of people who may not normally be talking about mental health or even think about the stigma and discrimination that people with mental health problems face. I grabbed the opportunity to promote and take a share in delivering the talks as it is a fantastic tool to help the rural outreach project and promote the Network to rural communities. I really think that this has made a difference. I think that if you can change just one person’s opinions and attitudes at a talk, then it’s been well worth doing. One last plea from me! If you know any community groups who have guest speakers then please refer them to the network and someone will arrange a talk for them. That way, we’ll keep chipping away at stigma and discrimination which will, in turn, encourage more people to talk about mental health and ensure we all start seeing it as an illness like any other, not something

which we should be ashamed of and hide away. I’m also very proud of the fact that since I started my role 14 months ago, I have signed up 81 new members to the network including many from rural areas. I hope you’re all enjoying the Network News! So, I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you again to the staff, volunteers and trustees at the Network for all their encouragement, training and support, I’ll miss them. It really is a fantastic role that the Network plays, giving a voice to people and ensuring they’re heard and also signposting people to a huge range of services that are out there to help. I’d also like to thank each service user, carer and professional I’ve met along the way who have all helped to teach me such a lot and look at mental health in a different way. It’s made me challenge my own ideas and preconceptions and those of family, friends and everyone I meet who wants to listen! I will hopefully see some of you again and look forward to reading future editions of the Network News... (I am a member you know!) Bye for now, Tracey.

Supported by Lloyds TSB

Foundation for England &

Wales

6

Smoking

remains the

largest single

cause of death

and disease in

the UK. The

Trust Board

has recently discussed the issue

of smoking on the Trust’s property

and has noted that many Trusts,

both mental health and acute,

have already become Smoke

Free.

Views have been received on this

issue from a number of sources

and discussions have taken place

in different settings with Trust

Governors, staff side

representatives and service users.

The Board has noted the views

expressed to date and the

challenges that will arise but has

now taken the final decision that it

can no longer support smoking

taking place anywhere on Trust

property in the interests of the

health of both service users and

staff.

Therefore SSSFT will become a

SMOKE FREE TRUST as from 1st

April 2013. This means that all

premises and grounds managed

by the Trust become smoke free.

It is recognised that this may be

difficult for those who are addicted

to nicotine and will require

sensitive engagement and active

support from staff and Trust.

Plans are being developed around

smoking cessation programmes/

treatment and education, for staff

and service users.

Views will be sought on how best

to implement this policy and

lessons identified from other

Trusts who have gone through

this process.

Discussions had previously taken

place with staff and service users

in Shropshire to consider whether

it was practical to make the new

Redwoods Centre in Shropshire

totally Smoke Free from the point

of its opening in September.

However, it is clear that that would

not give sufficient time to put in

place all the support needed. The

Redwoods Centre will therefore

also now become totally Smoke

Free from 1st April 2013.

The move to being Smoke Free

will mean working with all

stakeholders including service

users, carers, staff and health

promotion services. This move will

be centrally coordinated, but will

also need careful planning and

action in all Directorates.

The move to becoming Smoke

Free will undoubtedly be

challenging. However, being

Smoke Free will ultimately help

everyone, with the Trust being a

healthier place to visit, stay or

work and it is vital that all staff

actively support this development.

Should you have good ideas

about how this process can be

helped then please do let me

know.

Submitted by

Neil Brimblecombe, Chief

Operating Officer/Director of

Nursing at SSSFT

Note from Editor: This Letter was

sent out by the Trust on 27 July

2012 and we have published it on

behalf of the Trust. Our current

role on this is to represent our

service user members, both

smokers and non-smokers at the

relevant meetings. We are

exploring ways of how people can

be involved in developing how the

Trust do this, and ensuring we

have up to date and important

information to share with our

members.

Smoke Free Trust

BRENDAN HOUSE UPDATE

1. Brendan House will now accept people over the age of 65 (as long as all

other criteria is met).

2. Remember If you need a referral into Brendan House—this can also

been done by the service managers of Richmond Fellowship Life Links

and Changes Mental Health & Wellbeing.

Brendan House offers a safe space or sanctuary to people in mental distress

for whom a hospital admission is neither wanted nor needed, for up to 3 nights.

For more information contact Brendan House on 01543 899465.

7

FOOTBALL

ANNUAL GENERAL

MEETING

Wednesday 7th November 2012 at 12 Noon

Wade Street Church, Frog Lane, Lichfield

Afternoon Tea provided

Guest Speaker in

The Brendan C ommons Lecture: “Food 4 Thought Café”

Remember to nominate people for trusteeship—see

your individual invitation for instructions.

If you are planning to attend please let us know by 26 October

2012 for catering purposes—telephone us on 01543 301139 or

email us at [email protected]

If you are a member, remember to bring along your individual

invitation letter as proof of your voting right.

Come and play football and:

Keep fit

Make friends

Have fun

Learn new skills

Boost confidence

Improve well-being

‘Sometimes in football you have to score goals’ - Thierry Henri

Details:

Contact Matthew Hocking or Lesley Hall at Quest for more information: (01785) 249251 or Naomi Potter (Tamworth AOT) (01827) 308820 or Marvin Shortman (F.A. level 2 qualified coach) on 07968841976

Starts Monday 16th of July 2pm ‘til 3.30pm

Open to men and women over 18years of age, some equipment supplied.

Location Lichfield City football

Club, Brownsfield Road, WS13 6BT

local pick up/support to attend

depending on need/location

8

DJ is a 22 year old female who

has had experience of severe and

enduring mental illness since

childhood. DJ has been under a

psychologist from approximately

the age of nine. DJ does not work

and is considered a vulnerable

adult and currently has a CPN and

her Auntie is her carer.

When DJ came to Changes

Health and Wellbeing she was

completely mute and did not

speak, a few who knew her said

that she would not speak to

anyone, she suffered from terrible

anxiety and physically shook

when she entered and would just

sit in the corner and keep her

head down so no one would look

at her. At this time we knew little

about DJ or her situation, as she

would not communicate with us.

After a week DJ had started to

communicate with us here at

Changes Health and Wellbeing

and visited us on a regular basis

for mutual support groups, as time

went on DJ grew within herself

here in confidence and self

esteem enabling her to join

foundation wellness and to make

her time at college more useful by

learning to read and write. DJ has

made some friends here of which

she grew a social life outside of


and brought new members into

Changes from the centre she

attends. Goals were set for DJ

every week including taking her

medication every day instead of

hiding it, talking to one new face

at college, talking to her tutor and

support worker and gradually over

time she will now talk to most

people who she meets including

her doctor who was very surprised

as he had never heard her speak.

DJ has a communication book

that is taken between college,

home and ourselves to her Auntie

so we monitor how the goals are

going.

DJ has now started volunteering

with us and learns new skills and

is learning to trust others by letting

them make her drinks within

Changes and using the toilet

within Changes, something she

would not do before. Through DJ’s

hard work of attending mutual

support groups and discussing her

past and present struggles and

mental distress she has grown

from strength to strength and

through attending the wellness

workshops her increased

confidence has enabled her to do

activities she never thought she

would.

The intervention with Changes

Health and Wellbeing has

benefited DJ as she comes to us

in times of need when doctor’s

appointments aren’t available, she

has built a trust with us as she

sees us regularly which enables

her to talk to us to discuss her

problems and fears. DJ has

successfully achieved goals that

no one ever thought she would

enabling her to live a full and

active life. DJ now has a social life

outside of Changes with friends

from the service, her Auntie has

more trust in her now to give DJ

more responsibility and supported

living is now being considered for

DJ a positive move towards

independence and social

inclusion.

“My Auntie can now trust me to be

on my own and I have my own

bedroom, as I can now sleep by

myself. This was a goal – I always

meet my goals and make sure

others meet their goals”

“I got a special award at college

for ‘Outstanding Achievement’ and

in September I will be looking at

work placement”

DJ is now much less likely to need

emergency help e.g. hospital bed

or Crisis Team as her mental

distress is much improved and

she knows how to manage with

problems or who to ask if she is

struggling, DJ has reduced the

weekly CPN appointments to

fortnightly, and now to monthly,

DJ has not self harmed for over a

month so if this continues then no

treatment for the severe cuts will

be required and DJ only has GP

appointments when they are

needed they are no longer on a

regular basis. DJ has reduced the

contact she is using the NHS

services and in turn has reduced

the cost to the NHS; DJ is only

one Changes member. There is

the potential to show improvement

like this in all users which would

reduce the cost to the NHS,

freeing up much needed financial

resources at this time of austerity

to those in severe mental distress

and supporting those who can

become socially included and able

to make a contribution to fulfil their

potential to do so.

Submitted by Michelle Felton,

Wellness Coach, Changes

Health & Wellbeing Centre


Service Intervention Case Study

9

READER SUBMISSION—A CARTOON BY JENNIFER

Response from

South Staffordshire

Network for Mental

Health to the Case

Study (left):

15 August 2012

It is always great to

hear such a wonderful

story of a person’s

journey towards

recovery.

We would like to take

this opportunity to

independently confirm

we have known DJ

since she attended a

service previous to

Changes taking the

contract in the area.

We would like to

celebrate the amazing

positive change in DJ

and the way in which

she is taking more

control of her life and

wellbeing through the

support offered by

Changes Wellbeing

Centres.

A huge well done to DJ

and the team.

I have been unwell on and off for several years and used to attend a drop in centre up until last August when they closed. I started to attend Changes when they started in September not really knowing what to expect as it was completely different to what I had been used to, but I decided to give it a try. I began by attending the Mutual support Meetings and I found it really helped me as not only was I receiving support and encouragement but I was able to help others who were in a similar situation to myself. I attended the Wellness Programme which was a huge help to me as it showed me ways in which I can improve and maintain my well being that I was not aware of before. Since September I have also been attending the social activities every Saturday which I really enjoy as I am able to meet with friends , relax and enjoy myself and this is important to me as before I started going I had no motivation or reason to go out on Saturday and now I look forward to it instead of dreading it. As I access the Changes services regularly every week, I now have more structure and routine back in my life which is very important to my well being

and I have found that my motivation has improved greatly as a result of this. In October, I decided to do the Coordinator Training Programme, not knowing if I would be able to cope, but I completed it and have now qualified to assist and coordinate Mutual support meetings. I really enjoyed it, learned so much and met new friends along the way. This was a huge achievement for me and I am now enjoying my role as a result of the training. I have also been doing voluntary office work twice a week since Christmas and am really enjoying it. As well as gaining more structure and routine to my week, I am learning new skills. Overall, I enjoy everything I am doing with Changes, and as a result of the last 10 months I have been attending, my confidence has improved and I am able to have a much more positive outlook on life, and since this time last year my well being has improved a great deal, and that is all due to the services that Changes provide and I would like to thank them for the support, encouragement and opportunities that they have given me. Julie - ( Burntwood )

My Testimony

READER

SUBMISSION

What do you

call an

Alpaca with

cataracts?

The dull eyed Llama.

10

As service users we noticed a

gap in mental health services

in Lichfield. Several users led

by Lichfield man Mike Wetson

and five others opened an

alternative to fill the gap.

The group started on 3rd

October 2011 in Lichfield

Methodist Church with just six

members. Now only a short

time later they have over 55

members, proving that there is

a need for the service.

Mike said: ‘The group came

together to cater for Mental

Health Service Users and their

carers and families to help

those suffering from Bi-Polar,

Depression and

Schizophrenia. Our aim is to

provide a friendly, family

atmosphere in a relaxed

environment, enabling people

to share their experiences and

problems through a range of

activities’.

Pete Huckfield, who organises

some of activities added: ‘the

activities, which include

quizzes, bingo, cards, chess,

music, arts and crafts and

always involve free tea, coffee

and biscuits and are designed

to bring people together. We

find that by talking about and

sharing issues, many of us

have the same problems, and

there is always someone who

can share valuable

experience, having been there

before.

Trisha King, Treasurer said:

‘one of our meetings each

month is devoted to a talk

from a healthcare professional

about the support that’s

available to our members, who

pay a £1 membership fee and

£1 admission for each

session, which are held twice

a week at the Methodist

Church at the junction of

Green Hill and Tamworth

Street, and at the Pig & Truffle

pub.

We are knocking at an open

door, in that the success of the

group is starting to attract

funding and in kind support,

from a number of local

organisations, including: St.

Michaels Mental Health

Centre, Greenhill Health

Centre, Lichfield CVS, South

Staffs Network for Mental

Health, Staffordshire County

Council, The Swinfen Broun

Charitable Trust and Lichfield

Methodist Church.’ Mike

added.

‘Anyone who wants to know

more can email Mike on

[email protected]

or ring 07779 980741 or just

come along to the Church

on Monday and Thursday

1pm – 3pm and Tuesday

7pm – 9pm at the Pig &

Truffle all will be warmly

welcomed’

Self - help group Open

Door of Hope proves

Big Society is in

Lichfield

Open Door of Hope

A POEM

You may not have thought

There was much scope

For a group like ours

Which is Open Door of Hope

We started October the third last year

With six people around the table

And we have proved to most

That we are perfectably able

We are now up to eighty

Which is beyond our wildest dreams?

They come for a drink and a chat

And listen to our schemes

The smiling faces in the club

When they come through the door

Most are really satisfied

And come back for more

Our Door is Open giving Hope

To those who need it that’s for sure

We are not registered doctors

And can’t provide a cure

But if effort could be classed

And put into a jar

We would then be recognised

Because we go so far!

READER SUBMISSION

BY MIKE WETSON

Do you run or go to an independent

mental health group?

How about some free promotion?

We want to hear your stories and

more about your group so our

readers can share your success.

If you are interested, please submit

your story, article and/or advert to:

Network News, SSNMH,

Mansell House, 22 Bore Street,

Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6LL

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

11

Beginners

Active Leisure

If you are looking to become

a little more active but don’t

feel ready to join a sports

group- then this may be for

you!

Try out different activities,

meet people, begin to get

active, promote Well-being.

Over 12 weeks you will be introduced to activities

that are both fun and active like crazy golf or gentle

walks.

Time 10am-12pm,

Beginning Monday 16/07/12

Meeting at Burton Enterprise Centre, Waterloo St,

DE14 2NB

For further information please contact Quest’s

Matthew Hocking, Lesley Hall or Carl Slater on

(01785) 249251

The HOPE Project is an initiative

of Living Springs Community

Church in Cannock, Staffordshire

that seeks to provide support for

people who are:

Unemployed

Dependent on benefits

In need of housing

Feeling depressed

Having problems with

money/debts

Just finding life is too

stressful

The HOPE Project aims to

alleviate these life-stresses

through:

Mutual support

Directed mentoring

Teaching life-skills in one-to-

ones as well as group

workshops

Motivational activities

The HOPE Project meets every

Wednesday morning from 10am

- 12noon on the ground floor of:

Little Friends Day Nursery ,

Girton Road, Cannock

WS11 0EB

Examples of activities:

Poetry

Gardening

DIY

CV writing

Rock climbing

Mountain biking

BBQs and meals out

Film nights

Other purposeful activities are

organised on an ad-hoc basis on

other days so no-on need ever be

idle.

Enquiries to 07973 166946 or

[email protected]

Bringing HOPE to Cannock

12

NFORMATION DIRECTORY - from September 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 Lockett 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

mailto:[email protected]

13

Stafford Borough Mid Staffs Mind Trinity Church, Mount Street, ST16 2BZ and Highfields Signpost 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 Hall, Lichfield Street, Stone, ST15 8NE

Chase District Mid Staffs Mind Cannock 28 Manor Avenue, Cannock WS11 1AA, 01543 462907

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 392993

Richmond Fellowship Cannock Office 16 High Court, Newhall Street, WS11 1GR, 01543 500 969

Avon Community Centre, Cannock, WS11 1LH (near Asda)

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 Sunday

Richmond

Fellowship

Life Links

Wombourne 10am—2pm Structured Session

Great Wyrley

1.30pm –3.30pm

Codsall

9.30am—1pm

Peer Support &

Art

MidStaffs Mind

Womboune

1pm-4pm Peer Support

Penkridge

1.30pm-3.30pm

Codsall

Structured

Session

10am

12noon

Wombourne

Hand in Hand

Centre


Mid Staffs Mind

1pm—4pm Peer Support

2.30– 4pm Music Group

Out of Hours 5pm-8pm

1.30pm –3.30pm Music Group Office

2pm-4pm Badminton Leisure centre

10am —1pm Work Club Office

1.30pm –3.30pm Drama Group Asda Community room

10am—1pm Oasis Cannock Fire Station

Out of Hours 5pm –9pm

Peer Support

1pm-4pm

Out of Hours Plus

10am-4pm

Richmond Fellowship

Life Links

Cannock 11am—2pm Structured Session

Rugeley 10.30am-1.30pm Structured Session

Cannock Out and About 11am—2pm Meet at Copper Kettle

Rugeley 10.30am-1.30pm Peer Support

Cannock 11am—2pm Peer Support

Birth Art Group

Alternative Thursdays 1pm—3pm

NFORMATION DIRECTORY - from September 2012 Please note: If a service is listed as Referral Only, please contact your GP or Care Coordinator in order to access the service.


Richmond Fellowship’s services by appointment and referral only, 1:1 sessions & additional support available outside of times shown.


Mid Staffs

Mind

10am—1pm

Work Club

Highfields

Centre

10am—1pm Peer

Support

Trinity Church

10am-1pm

Music Group

Quest Tipping St

10am—1pm

Arts Project

Quest Tipping St

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

Structured Session

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

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

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 7JQ

Abbotts Bromley Village Hall, off Baggot Street

Draycott in the Clay Village Hall, DE13 8NQ


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

Group

10.30am-12.30pm

Wellness Workshop

Open to All

12.00-3.00pm

Mutual Support

Group

18-25years

6.30pm -8.30pm

Wellness Taster

6pm—8.30pm

Waterside Centre

Abbotts Bromley

Mutual Support

10.30am -12.30pm

Walking Group &

Quiz Afternoon

1pm—3pm

at Office

Complementary

Therapies

Please call to

book!

10am-4pm Mutual Support

Group

Adult 18+

6.30pm -8.30pm

NOCN Coord’s

Training

10am—12.30pm

Social Afternoon

Call for details

1pm—3pm

Wellness

Workshop

6.00-9.00pm

Mutual Support

Group

Adult/PY

10am-12pm

Draycott

Mutual Support

Group Adult/PY

1.30pm-3.30pm

Coffee Afternoon

12.30pm –2pm

Mutual

Support

Group

Adult/PY

10.30am-

12.30pm

Office

closes at

1pm


Burton

Groups

– No referral

necessary

'Craft and Chat'

Open to all

All Saints Church

Branston Rd

1pm - 3pm

New Baptist

Church

Open to all

Derby St. Burton

10 am to 4 pm

A Plus Self Help

Open to all

Activities and support

11am to 3pm

Snacks & Hot Food at

cost

All Saints

Church

Open to all

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 Activities

Reiki Healing

1pm –4pm

Social Activity Walk

10:30am at Stapenhill

Bandstand

Mutual Support Group

12.30- 2.30pm

Burton Library

DE14 1AH

Wellness Workshop

Office 6pm –8.30pm


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


10.00-12.00pm

Waterside Advice Shop,

104 Short St,

Stapenhill, DE15 9LT

Social Activities

1pm-3pm

Meet at Café Zen,

Market Place


16—25yrs 3pm—5pm

126 New St, Burton


6.30-8.30pm

Mutual

Support

Group

10.00am-

12.00pm

Mutual

Support

Group

12.00-2.00pm

Burton Fire

Station,

Moor St,

Burton,

DE14 3SU

Mutual

Support

Group

10.30am

—

12.30pm




15

Burntwood & Lichfield Lichfield District 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


Community

Groups

St John’s

Community

Church

Chase Terrace

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, Lich-

field, 1pm-3pm

Changes—

Burntwood

Office open

10-3 Mon, Tue

Wed and Fri

Wellness

Programme

12noon—3pm

Adult/PF Peer

Support Group

Adult / PY

10am-

12.00noon

WAP Peer

Support Ses-

sions

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

Wellness

Programme

10am - 1pm

Peer Support, 50+

David Garrick

Gardens

Bloomfield Crt

WS13 7JN, 1-3pm

Social

Activities

10.00am-

12noon

Adult/PF 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

NOCN Coord’s

Training

12.30pm –3pm

Adult/PF

Peer

Support

Group

10.30am—

12.30pm

Monday Tuesday Wed’day Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

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 Matins, Ston-

eydelph, 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

Group

(Male Group)

10.30am-12.30pm

Foundation

Wellness

1pm—3pm

Lady’s Mutual

Support Group

10am-12noon

NOCN Coordinator

Training

12.30—3.30 pm

Young Person’s

Group

2.30-4.30pm Nacro,

59-60 Church Street,

B79 7DF

WAP Peer Sup-

port

Sessions

1pm –3pm

NOCN Coord’s

Training

Open to All

1.15pm –3.45pm

Mutual Support

Group (Adult)

5pm - 7pm

NOCN Coord’s

Training

Open to All

9.30 –12noon

Social

Afternoon

12noon –3pm

Inc. Meditation

1pm-3pm

Mutual

Support

Group

(PY/

Adult)

10.30am

—

12.30pm




Tamworth

16

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NEWS ITEMS, VIEWS, CONCERNS,

IDEAS AND STORIES

This newsletter is the mouthpiece of the

Network, which is read by mental health

service users and providers. As it is

primarily for the mental health service

user, it should reflect this.

Contributions can be made anonymously

if you wish. So if you have anything you

want to say and providing the space and

the laws of libel allow, we will publish it.

Contributions for the next issue of

"Network News" must be received by

26 November 2012.

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PROOF READERS FOR YOUR TIME AND

PATIENCE!

Mansell House, 22 Bore Street,

Lichfield, Staffordshire. WS13 6LL

Tel/Fax: (01543) 301139

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.ssnmentalhealth.co.uk

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network news 44 - sep 2012

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