Published by Redbridge Concern for Mental Health

World Mental Health Day, 2006

This year's celebrations will begin on Monday October 9th 2006 culminating in the main event on Thursday 12th October at Ilford Town Hall. During World Mental Health Week we also have plans to hold an Art Exhibition at Ilford Library as well as our customary bowling competition.

We are also looking for volunteers to help us with the following activities: a tea dance; a sporting event and a literary event. Please also send us ideas and suggestions on how best to celebrate World Mental Health Day in local schools.

If you would like to set up and organise an activity then please contact Jon Abrams at Concern on 020 8925 2435 or alternatively e-mail him at: rcmh@btconnect.com.

Job Vacancy - Redbridge BME & Asylum Seeker Project

The Family Housing Association based in Ilford is looking for a Programme Co-Ordinator to develop and promote supported volunteering opportunities for mental health service users in Redbridge. The project will focus on the needs of the BME Communities, Refugees and Asylum Seekers.

To find out more call Malini Indrasenan on 020 7089 1000.

Training in leadership skills for people who use Mental Health Services

The London Development Centre are running a series of free training workshops which aims to build on the skills, abilities and knowledge of mental health service users. The training will take place one day a week over a 12 week period. You will be expected to commit yourself to attending all the sessions.

If you are interested in the training and wish to talk to somebody about this, please contact Dorin Varza on 020 7307 2451. You don't need to make a decision yet about whether the training is for you but you do need to book your place on the introduction workshop at the Kings Fund which will be held on Monday 24 April 2006. You can download the booking form here which has to be completed and returned to the London Development Centre Friday 7 April

Project Assistant required for Run-up

Run-Up (a user led service for people experiencing mental health problems) requires a temporary Project Assistant (6 month contract). Areas that the post holder will be involved in include: developing a User Consultants' Handbook for the induction and development of service users; supporting the development and implementation of new training initiatives for Service Users as well as attending various meetings.

For more details and an application form please contact Christine Bullivant at Run-up on 020 8970 5890. The closing date for applications is 24th April 2006.

Befriending Project Assistant

The Redbridge Befriending Project is looking for an Assitant to support the Project Manager in the recruitment and training of volunteers to befriend people with mental health problems living in Redbridge. Good computer and admin skills are required as well as the ability to produce, design and promote a varied range of publicity material. The position also involves participating in training courses and events which may involve evening/weekend work. As the job requires travelling around Redbridge a car owner/driver is essential.

For an application pack, please contact Margaret Summers at Redbridge Concern for Mental Health on: 020 8925 2435 or alternatively email her at: rcmh.ilford@btconnect.com. The deadline for receipt of completed application forms is 5pm on Monday 24th April 2006.

Please visit our job section to find out more about the above vacancies as well as an exciting opportunity for freelance mental health trainers with a user/survivor perspective.

New News from Nowhere

Jackie Ede, from the Occupational Therapy Department, Nelmht is organising an outing to the William Morris Gallery, Lloyd Park, Forest Road, Walthamstow, E17 4PP on Thursday 6th April at 11am. This exhibition brings together a group of contemporary practitioners from diverse backgrounds in painting, ceramics, design, silversmith and even town planning.

All welcome, just come along on the day. For more details contact Jackie on 020 8970 4043 or alternatively email her at: Jackie.Ede@nelmht.nhs.uk

Back into work, back into society: More social inclusion for people with mental health problems

The Department of Health has been very busy and published four sets of new guidance for commissioners of services to promote social inclusion for people who have or are experiencing mental health problems. The guidance covers: Vocational Services; Day Services; Direct Payments and Women's only Day Services.

You can read the reports and download copies here.

New rights under the Mental Capacity Act

New powers will soon allow people to appoint attorneys to deal with issues surrounding their medical treatment and care should they lose the mental ability to make such decisions themselves. From April 2007, appointing a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) will permit a trusted person to protect another person's interests in decisions about their personal care. This builds on current laws that already allow an appointed person to take care of an individual's financial affairs if they no longer have the ability to do so independently.

The Department of Constitutional Affairs has issued a consultation document and invites both health and social care professionals and members of the public to put forward their views on these new individual powers. Download and read copies of the report here

Improving Arrangements between police and health partnerships to deliver better services to mental health service users

Last month I mentioned an interesting report produced by the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) which examined in depth the approach taken by the police towards people with mental health problems. Following publication of the findings, a one day conference with the aim of delivering better services to mental health service users will be held on Tuesday May 9th 2006. The guest speaker is Sir Ian Blair, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service.

The conference is free of charge and is expected to be heavily subscribed. For more information, and to reserve a place please download the application form here.

Insanity in focus: psychiatric patients captured by the camera 150 years ago and today

The Institute of Psychiatry Gallery is holding an exhibition comparing psychiatric patients at Bethlem Royal Hospital in the earliest days of photography with camera studies of patients in a psychiatric hospital in Cuba today. For further information download the flyer 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.