Published by Redbridge Concern for Mental Health

Befriending Volunteers

Can you spare a few hours a week working with an adult who has mental health problems? If you can, Redbridge Befriending Service requires volunteers.

Your role will be to offer emotional and social support to people with mental health problems. Training and support will be provided. All out of pocket expenses are reimbursed.

For further information please contact Marcia on 020 8924 1476 or email Concern for Mental Health.

Alzheimer Cafe - Redbridge

For everyone interested or affected by Alzheimer's or other forms of Dementia, Dr Hilary Kinsler will be giving a talk on the topic: Diagnosis and Prognosis of Dementia.

The event will be held on Tuesday 15 January 2008, from: 11am to 1pm at the Aldborough Room, Fullwell Cross Library, Barkingside IG6 2EA.

For further information please contact: Eileen Tan on 0844 600 1212 or Coral Kathro, Alzheimers's Society on 0844 600 1197.

Hedgelaying on Sunday 13th January at Forest Farm Peace Garden

For those of you looking to work off your Christmas indulgences next Sunday (13th January) we will be practising the ancient art of Hedgelaying at the Peace Garden. BTCV and Redbridge Conservation will be leading the way, and all are welcome to come and learn how to create these sustainable wildlife habitats whilst helping to secure Forest Farm's boundaries.

We'll be starting at 11.00am whatever the weather, and there'll be hot drinks and soup to keep our temperature up. Bring warm clothes and sturdy footwear.

To get to the garden, take the Central Line or Bus 150 to Hainault Station. Turn left out of the station onto New North Road. Walk 2 minutes, and turn left down Hazelbrouck Gardens Road, and come through the gates at the end of Hazelbrouck Gardens Road.

For more information contact Gareth at ffpg2004@yahoo.co.uk or on 0791 308 9979.

Do You Need an Advocate?

We will be holding a surgery at Redbridge Concern for Mental Health every Thursday between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

Mental health advocates support people to access and or make changes in the health and social services they receive.

Sessions are by appointment only. To book, please phone 020 8925 2435 or email rcmh.ilford@btconnect.com.

Count Me In Census

The Count Me In census is a joint initiative between the Healthcare Commission, the Mental Health Act Commission, the Care Services Improvement Partnership and the National Institute for Mental Health in England.

The census records figures for all inpatients (those detained under the Mental Health Act and those admitted 'informally', that is, voluntarily) in mental health and learning disability hospitals and facilities in England and Wales. This third national census was conducted on 30 March 2007. Read the report at Health Care Commission Web Site.

Local Involvement Networks (LINk)

In October 2007 the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act was passed creating new ways for local people to be involved in shaping the services and priorities of health and social care bodies in their areas.

LINks will enable genuine involvement of a greater number of people than is currently available, ensuring local communities have a stronger voice in commissioning health and social care and enabling them to influence key decisions about the services they both use and pay for.

The work of the LINk will be delivered through a 'host' organisation independent of the local authority. Redbridge Council will receive funding from the Department of Health to set up a contract with a host organisation.

To find out more please email Jilly.Mushington@redbridge.gov.uk or call her on: 020 8708 2739.

There is also plenty of information about LINKs on the Department of Health website.

Home from Home

This report presents a picture of the current state of dementia care in care homes. It tells us that there are no guarantees of the quality of care a person might receive. Some homes are clearly doing a fantastic job, but why is this not the case for all? The experiences of carers reported here also tell us that it is the people delivering that care that matter - so why are many so undertrained and underpaid?

Read and download the report here.

Finding a shared vision of how people's mental health problems should be understood: consultation

The Care Services Improvement Partnership has developed draft guidance for consultation on Finding a shared vision of how people's mental health problems should be understood. The guidance is aimed at everyone concerned with the development and delivery of services including people that use services and their carers. The consultation is open until 5 March 2008. They are seeking people's views on the draft guidance in relation to specific questions, as well as general comments.

For more information visit the Department of Health Website

Mental ill health costs UK employers £25billion, says new report

Every organisation in Britain is affected by mental distress and ill health in the workforce. At any one time one worker in six will be experiencing depression, anxiety or problems relating to stress.

Businesses across Britain are losing £1,000 a year for every person they employ because of mental ill health among their staff, says a report published today by the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health.

Mental Health at Work: Developing the business case finds that the total cost to UK employers of mental ill health among their staff is over £25 billion. That is equivalent to £1,000 per employee in the workforce.

To read and download the report visit The Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health.

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.