l i fewww.mcch.org.uk Summer 2014

mental health and wellbeing news

Checking the quality of our services. Page 8

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WelcomeSam Woollard Editor

Do you need support?We have changed our website to make it easier to apply for support from mcch.

You can now apply for support using the new online form on our website www.mcch.org.uk or by calling our free phone number 0800 028 28 15

New London office The Howbury Centre (run by the London Borough of Bexley) has now closed. Our team covering Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich services has moved.

1. A clean home

2. An odour-free home

3. In good decorative order

4. Comfortable temperature

5. In reasonable repair with all equipment in working order

6. Quality furniture and soft furnishings

7. Tidy grounds and gardens

8. Rubbish removed

9. Accommodation vacancies must be clean and clear

10. Notices up to date

The new address is: mcch, Studio 2, Thames Innovation Centre, 2 Veridion Way, Erith, DA18 4AL

0208 320 1290

Your home, our promise To make sure all of our properties are the best they can be, we have some new standards.

3Summer 2014

International visitorI would like to thank you for a tremendous visit, go well and congratulations on some fabulous services.

As part of the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership (IIMHL) exchange and conference, we were visited by Kay Fletcher, Chief Executive of Comcare Trust from Christchurch, New Zealand.

Kay visited our employment, wellbeing and accommodation services in Kent.

Celebrating 5 yearsThe Live It Well centre has many organisations under one roof. It provides mental health services to people to improve their mental wellbeing. The centre offers people lots of groups to take part in like photography, gardening, poetry and cooking.

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Our mental health recovery group is a chance for people to talk about their experiences in a supportive setting.

Mental Health Recovery Group

Discussing topics such as ‘managing stress’ and ‘coping with depression’ gives the group the chance to share ideas and tips that they have found helpful.

The feedback from this group has been really positive and 20 people have attended at least 2 sessions.

These services provide emotional and practical support for people with mental health needs.

It really helps listening to other people and realising I’m not on my own.

I would recommend this group to my friends, as it is a good way to understand mental health.

Hearing other people talking makes it easier for me to talk about myself.

Ruairi Franklin Community Bridge Builder

How the recovery group has helped people:

For more information about our Pathways to Wellbeing services visit:www.mcch.org.uk/wellbeing

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5Summer 2014

Personal budgets: what are they?

A personal budget is the amount of money social services will provide to meet a person’s assessed social care needs.

If you have your own personal budget you can choose how the money is spent. This is called self-directed support. You can choose who to buy your support from and where you would like to live.

A personal budget must be spent on things that are set out in your support plan. This could be on activities you enjoy or learning something new. It cannot be spent on something that is illegal or would cause you harm.

What is a support plan?

A support plan explains the way you hope to to achieve the life they want. It includes how you want to use your personal budget and any costs attached to the support you wish to receive.

Bobby likes animals and wanted to have his own pet. He bought some fish with his own money that he enjoys looking after.

Jane Bailey Director for Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich

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When: Dates throughout the year

Where: Headcorn Aerodrome, Kent

How much do I have to pay to enter? £70 How much money do I need to raise? £395

How do I take part? Call Emma on 01622 722536 or email fundraising@mcch.org.uk

Take part in a tandem skydive to raise money for mcch. Freefall from over 10,000 feet strapped to a fully qualified instructor reaching speeds of up to 120mph.

Get involved

Take to the skies

7Summer 2014

Emma Cassley Fundraising Manager

Thank you for your support£9,975 from the Santander Foundation For: 25 iPads for the people we support.

£1,000 from Gullands Solicitors For: Sensory equipment for 2 services and an adult swing.

Charity of the year M&S Bexleyheath For: Falconwood children’s respite centre. Money raised will buy sensory equipment.

£3,300 from a charitable trust For: Sensory equipment for our Fen Grove service.

Company volunteering by DSH DSH redecorated rooms and tidied the garden at our Live It Well Centre in Maidstone.

£360 raised by Nicola, Tara and Anna at the KM Charity Abseil.

£350 raised by Slimming World group For: Sensory equipment at the Carlton Centre.

£3,500 raised at a charity football match at Charlton Athletic FC For: Calton Centre, Marlborough School and Celebrations theatre group.

New minibus for Carlton Centre Made possible thanks to donations made to the Centre.

Thank you to Barbara Gonzalez Baz who ran for autism london at the Doitforcharity Superhero Run.

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I have gained such a lot from the training and feedback from others. Venetia

The role is an important one because it brings what is being achieved in the services back to the rest of the organisation for everyone to see. Emilia

I have enjoyed working for mcch and checking that the quality of the services is as high a standard for others as it has been for me. It has boosted my self esteem and confidence. Jane

I’ve enjoyed meeting new people and talking to them. I’ve been interested in their lives and what they have to say. Rob

The team is made up of people who receive support from mcch.

They have been visiting our services and meeting with people we support to find out if we are meeting our new standards and to make sure people are getting support that they are happy with.

Quality supportIn 2013 we launched our new mission, vision, values and standards. To make sure we are meeting our new standards we have recruited a team of Quality Checkers.

9Summer 2014

The full version of the app also has breathing and reassurance exercises. The reassurance exercises talk you through the situation you are in. It asks you what symptoms you have and explains why you are feeling the way you are.

Cost: Free - £2.99

Helping to relieve panic attacks

The NHS has included an app in their ‘Healthy Apps Library’. The app is designed to provide relief from anxiety attacks. It does this by reminding you about breathing techniques as well as providing reassurance and distraction exercises. These are recognised therapeutic techniques for coping with extreme anxiety.

The free version of the app only has the distraction exercises. Swipe left or right on the screen to view different distractions to try. This will help take your mind away from what you are panicking about. For example:

Technology review

We take a look at mobile apps

Where can I get it?http://apps.nhs.uk/app/panic-attack-aid

Paul HeadTeam Leader

Think of 5 song titles by your favourite singer or band.

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1. Connect: With the people around you. Your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community.

2. Be Active: Exercising can make you feel good so why not go for a walk, play a game, do some gardening or even have a dance.

3. Give: Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in.

4. Keep Learning: Try something new or rediscover an old interest. Learning new things will make you feel more confident, as well as being fun to do.

5. Take Notice: Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.

6. Care: Look after your community and the world. Make small changes to your life that will reduce the amount of energy you use. Recycle more, leave the car at home, use low energy light bulbs. These small steps to a greener life can make a difference.

Improve your wellbeing

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More and more research is showing us the things we can do more of to help improve our mood, reduce out risk of depression and strengthen our relationships. Use the Wheel of Well-being as your guide to living a healthier, happier life.

www.liveitwell.org.uk

To find out more visit the Live It Well website:

© South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust 2014

11Summer 2014

Writing talent

James Creative Writer

When James left school, he found he enjoyed writing fan fiction. But after experiencing difficulties with his mental health, he stopped writing for more than 7 years.

It was only when James visited our employment service in Gravesend that staff spotted his talent. They encouraged him to start writing again and James has now had 2 articles published.

Celebrities and big charities:Their intentions and the reality

My name is James and I’m just starting out as a freelance writer. I’ve had a serious form of a social anxiety disorder for the last 16 years of my life, which is why I was interested in writing about mental health.

In my first article for mcch, I ask why celebrities choose to support the big charities or even start their own. I also ask whether their motives for doing so are genuine, or whether it’s just another opportunity for them to gain attention.

I question whether the charities celebrities choose to support are the right ones and whether their work on the ground would actually match up to their ambassadors’ hopes.

Of course, nothing is ever perfect and I put forward my opinion on how I think the big charities could better improve the support they provide to the people they represent.

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If you would like to read more of James’s work, please contact the Gravesend employment service:

01474 321166 eandvgravesend@mcch.org.uk

Read the full article on our website: www.mcch.org.uk

In 2013 - 2014 our Dartford and Gravesend employment services supported 25 people into employment. They supported a further 56 people to retain existing employment.

Are you looking for support? Call us free on 0800 028 28 15

facebook.com/mcchcharity

twitter.com/mcchcharity

mcch One Hermitage Court Hermitage Lane Maidstone Kent ME16 9NT

t. 01622 722400 f. 01622 722450 www.mcch.org.uk

mcch is a registered charity number 1156486 and a company limited by guarantee (registered in England and Wales number 8971493).

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