Published by Redbridge Concern for Mental Health

Redbridge Conference on Mental Health Care of Older People

There are still places remaining on the Older People's Mental Health conference taking place on Friday 27th April 2007. The conference runs from 10am to 3pm and the venue is Iford Town Hall.

This will be an opportunity to discuss current service provision in Redbridge and to share views and ideas about current successes and what needs to develop and change. It will also be a chance to generate creative ideas about changes that would make a positive difference to service users and carers in Redbridge.

For further information about the event please download a flyer. Alternatively, to reserve a place, please email Christine Driver or phone her on: 020 8970 5800.

Capital Volunteering Redbridge

Capital Volunteering has awarded grants to 9 projects across Redbridge that will benefit mental health service users. Capital Volunteering is a pan London programme which aims to tackle issues of mental health and social inclusion, through volunteering.

To find out more about the awards and how you can get involved download the leaflet here.

April Arts' Day (Sunday 22nd April, 11am - 4pm)

Forest Farm Peace Garden are holding an Arts' Day on Sunday 22nd April (11am to 4pm). All are welcome. Activities include painting the gate and fence at the entrance of the site, working on the mosaic table, or drawing/painting the Forest Farm landscape.

The Peace Garden is a community garden working with a broad cross-section of the community to promote health, mental well-being, environmental sustainability and intercultural awareness.

Forest Farm Community Gardens can be found at the end of Hazelbrouck Gardens, Ilford, IG6 2XL.

To find out more, please call Gareth Morgan on 0791 308 9979 or alternatively email him at: ffpg2004@yahoo.co.uk.

Volunteers Needed For Structured Recovery Programmes

Anxiety Care require volunteer Structured Recovery Support Workers to help people overcome Anxiety problems, Phobias and maintain Recovery.

You must be committed to undertaking a full 12 week Training Course (1 day per week).

Group Interviews are being held on Tuesday 17th April 2007 from 10.00 am to 1pm.

The course commences on Tuesday 1st May 2007 and runs from 10am to 3pm

For further information and an application form phone 020 8262 8891 or email enquiries@anxietycare.org.uk.

Safeguarding Adults in Redbridge

Redbridge Adult Social Services and partner organisations are working to make life safer for adults who are most at risk of being abused, neglected or exploited. This includes people who need assistance because of a disability or illness and may be unable to take care of themselves or stop others from harming them.

You can help - By being aware that such things can happen. You can make a difference by finding out if there is anything you can do to help, and reporting concerns you may have. All concerns, including those reported anonymously, will be taken seriously and dealt with sensitively.

If you have concerns about someone who may be being abused, please contact the Customer Contact Centre on 020 8554 5000 or the Community Care Advice Centre on 020 8708 7333 (Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm).

If you want further information about safeguarding adults, contact the Adult Protection Co-ordinator on 020 8554 5000 or visit the Redbridge website. There is also an information leaflet available which you can get hold of by calling 020 8708 5232.

Public Consultation

There are still a few weeks remaining - the deadline is April 20th - to let Redbridge Council know what you think about some changes it might make this year.

Redbridge Adult Social Services has suggested amending the Eligibility Criteria (the 'rules' which are used to decide who receives a service) in order to meet the growing demand for services and the need to stay within the budget.

You can find out more about the public consultation and fill in the questionnaire on the Redbridge website.

Count me in 2006 - census of inpatients

The Count Me In National Mental Health & Learning Disability Census 2006 has been published by the Healthcare Commission. It included all mental health and learning disabilities inpatients in NHS and independent sector hospital providers of mental health and learning disabilities services in England and Wales.

The survey reported that 21% of patients were from black and minority ethnic groups, although they represent only 7% of the population. Rates of admission were lower than average in the white British, Indian, and Chinese groups, but three or more times higher than average in black African, black Caribbean, and white and black Caribbean mixed groups. Not only were people in these three groups more likely to be admitted to hospital, but those in hospital were 19-39% more likely to be admitted involuntarily.

You can download the report here

NICE guidance on antenatal and postnatal mental health care

NICE, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, has released guidance on mental health problems during pregnancy and after giving birth. It covers recognising problems and care and treatment. More details can be found here

London's Mental Health care - London Assembly review

A new report for the London Assembly has concluded that mental health care is inadequate for more than 1 million people in the city with mental health problems. Navigating the Mental Health Maze says that long waiting lists, confusing referral procedures, and a lack of information about what is available make it difficult for people to access the right treatment and support.

You can read the report here

Jon Abrams
Web Site Editor
Redbridge Concern for Mental Health
98-100 Ilford Lane
Ilford, Essex, IG1 2LD
Web Site: www.rcmh.org.uk
Email:rcmh@btconnect.com
Telephone: 020 8925 2435

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Registered Charity No. 1065770

Disclaimer

Redbridge Concern for Mental Health does not accept legal responsibility for the contents of this message. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Redbridge Concern for Mental Health unless otherwise specifically stated.