Published by Redbridge Concern for Mental Health

Rehabilitation and Recovery Conference - Friday 16th June

The North East London Mental Health Trust is running a conference at the Ilford Ford Sports and Social Club on 16 June. The event will focus on a number of key areas, in particular: the development of Rehabilitation services provision and the Social Inclusion agenda. Speakers will include experts in Rehabilitation services from a number of diferent mental health trusts It will also be an opportunity to share innovative thinking.

For more information and to reserve a place email John Harrington, or download the flyer here.

Redbridge 4 Community - A new site providing fundraising information

Redbridge Council have developed a new web based funding search facility which gives access to over 2,500 funding opportunities. This is a great new resource for local voluntary and community groups in Redbridge.

For more information and access to this FREE service visit Redbridge 4 Community.

Forest Farm Peace Garden - Open Day - Sunday 28th May, 11am to 5pm

Forest Farm Peace Garden is one of several groups helping to regenerate a derelict allotment site in Hainault. Forest Farm works with members of the local community, growing organic food using sustainable techniques and conserving the natural environment. The Peace Garden also work closely with refugees, asylum seekers and mental health service users promoting health and well-being.

If you are interested in volunteering, or just want to find out more about permaculture, bee-keeping, orchards or local wildlife then please come along and find out more.

The Peace Garden is part of Forest Farm Community Gardens, which can be accessed at the end of Hazelbrouck Gardens, Ilford, IG6 2XL. For more information, email Gareth Morgan or alternatively call him on: 0791 308 9979

Older people's publications and services

A number of reports have been released, making recommendations on improving services and the well-being of older people. The Audit Commission, the Healthcare Commission, and the Commission for Social Care Inspection jointly undertook a a review to create a national snapshot of the state of services for older people. The Department of Health reponse to the review can be viewed here. Age Concern, has published Just Above the breadline a report warning that financial constraints are leading to a decreased quality of life for older people. The King's Fund has published the Wanless review which also makes recommendations on issues faced and improvements required for older people in health and social care.

Training Opportunities for NVQs in Health & Social Care

Over the coming months Barking College CoVE will be managing an ESF project, with NELSHA as a partner, delivering 200 NVQ Level 3's in adult Health and Social Care to staff in the following London boroughs: Havering, Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham, Waltham Forest, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Newham, Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley. Eligible beneficiaries need to be aged 20-64, employed and legally resident in the UK, with no employment restrictions. They need to be committed to completing the qualification, employed in a supervisory role and work for a SME (small-medium enterprise) employing fewer than 250 employees. Staff employed in the private, independent, voluntary sector are eligible, public sector employees are not.The cost to the employer is £157 cash per beneficiary plus payment in kind through staff replacement costs.

For additional information, or to provide names of possible beneficiaries please contact the ESF Administrator on 01708 770179.

Put Your Foot In It

Makin' Tracks, an innovative musical arts project, invites you to a celebration of inspired workshops created & performed in collaboration with mental health service users, the local community & arts organisations in Islington. Whether you're interested in dance, drama, Djing or just want to come along & find out more, we're sure you will find something that will inspire you... and maybe you will take the next step... and Spin the Decks... or shake hands with Edward... or volunteer...

The event is on Thursday 11th May 2006, between 3-7pm at Candid Gallery, 3 Torrens Street, London, EC1V 1NQ (Free entry and food and drink.) For further information, please contact Maureen on 020 7561 4259 or visit www.imfmusic.org

Mind Your Head - Improving the Mental Wellbeing of Men and Boys

During National Men's Health Week (NMHW) a conference will be held on Wednesday 14th June to: Increase understanding of male mental health issues and the importance of taking gender into account; raise awareness of the need to develop mental health policy and practice that includes men and boys and help public sector organisations prepare for the new Equality Act duty to promote gender equality. More than 60 speakers at this conference examine these questions and look at the future constructively across a wide range of settings. The aim is to find out how services can be developed to enhance male mental wellbeing and improve health outcomes.

For more information email margaret.pettifer@btopenworld.com, or download the flyer here.

Black patients over-represented in high-security psychiatric hospitals

A new study published in the April issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry, has highlighted the need for more research into why, compared with the proportion of Black patients in the general population, a much higher proportion of Black patients were admitted to high-security psychiatric hospitals (HSPHs). The study also found that unmet needs were more common among Black than White patients in HSPHs. Higher prevalence of mental illness, particularly schizophrenia, has been found among Black Caribbean people in the UK. Black Caribbean and Black African patients are also over-represented in admissions to general adult and medium-security services in England.

Redbridge has received funding to carry out some research into the experiences of BME patients and Run Up, a local mental health service user organisation will be leading on the project.

Cannabis and Mental Health

Two million people in the UK smoke cannabis. Half of all 16 to 29 year olds have tried it at least once. In spite of government warnings about health risks, many people see it as a harmless substance that helps you to relax and 'chill' - a drug that, unlike alcohol and cigarettes, might even be good for your physical and mental health. On the other hand, some seem convinced that it is a major cause of psychotic illnesses.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists have produced a new leaflet which examines the effects of cannabis use and mental health. It is a well written and readable leaflet which will hopefully be used by people to make informed choices about using - or not using - cannabis. You can 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

Company Limited by Guarantee No. 3115971
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.