Published by Redbridge Concern for Mental Health

Launch of the Alzheimer Cafe Redbridge

This event will be held on Tuesday 13 November 2007, 11am - 1pm at the Aldborough Room, Fullwell Cross Library, Barkingside.

The Alzheimer Cafe offers a psychosocial intervention for people with dementia and their caregivers through providing a careful combination of education and support within an informal and understanding environment. Staff working in a dementia care setting are also welcome to attend.

We hope that you or a representative from your service are able to join us on Tuesday 13 November 2007, please RSVP if you are able to attend to Eileen Tan on 0844 600 1212, email:Eileen.Tan@nelmht.nhs.uk

Redbridge Mental Health Promotion Strategy

We have produced a draft Mental Health Promotion Strategy. If you have any comments, suggestions or examples of good practice please email Jon Abrams rcmh@btconnect.com

You can download and read the report here.

Christmas Shopping Help for Housebound Residents

The Council's Community Care Service is busy planning its annual Christmas Shopping event for older people and people with a disability, who are housebound and are unable to shop without assistance.

The event is being held at The Exchange, Ilford, and will give housebound residents a chance to get out into the festive spirit as well as get some help with their Christmas shopping. Dedicated volunteers from local schools in Redbridge will be lending a hand.

There will be entertainment complimented with the festive atmosphere at The Exchange. Free tea and mince pies will be provided, along with access to free wheelchairs and transport if necessary.

If you know someone, a friend, neighbour or relative who is housebound and would benefit from this enjoyable evening, then please contact Diane Richards on 020 8708 5587 by 28 November 2007.

Job Opportunity - Part Time Community Support Worker - Salary: £20,505 p.a. (pro rata)

Redbridge Carers Support Servcie is looking to employ a part-time (16 hours per week) Community Support Worker who will provide information, advocacy and support to unpaid carers.

Applicants should be self-motivated and well organised with experience, knowledge and understanding of the role of unpaid carers and carers' issues. Fluency in one or more relevant community langauge would be an advantage.

For a job pack email: office@rcss.org.uk or phone 020 8514 6251. Closing date is 16th November 2007.

Mental health: draft revised Code of Practice and secondary legislation

The Department of Health is consulting on the draft revised Mental Health Act 1983 Code of Practice and draft secondary legislation under the Mental Health Act 2007 (the 2007 Act). This consultation is relevant to all NHS and social care managers and professional staff with responsibility for services for people with mental health problems. The consultations close on Thursday 24 January 2008.

Developing and Strengthening the Involvement of Service Users with a Personality Disorder across London

This event - primarily, for service users - is to inform people of what is happening to strengthen service user involvement for people with a personality disorder from across London.

The event is being held Monday 12th November 2007, 10.30 am - 2.30 pm Room 5, Kings Fund, 11-13 Cavendish Square, London, W1G 0AN

You can register by phone, fax or by email at: Danijela Pasaric, Address - London Development Centre,11-13 Cavendish Square, London, W1G 0AN. Telephone - 020 7307 2431. Email: danijela. pasaric@londondevelopmentcentre.org.

Community Cohesion in Redbridge

A chance to share Redbridge Faith Forum's vision and discuss important issues the role of faith in modern day Britain and the contribution of faith communities to our society. The aim of this conference is to celebrate our achievements in building positive relations between communities and address the challenges ahead.

There will be an exciting opportunity to hear Dr. Harriet Crabtree, director of the Inter Faith Network for the UK, some one from the Department of Communities and Local Government; and John Ward, Cooperate equalities manager, London Borough of Redbridge.

The meeting will be held on Friday 30 November 9:30 -3.00pm in the Town Hall. Ilford, IG1 1DD.

For further information call Aslam El-Soudani, 020 8708 2478 or email her Aslam.el-Soudani@redbridge.gov.uk

BBC Documentary on Attempted Suicide

The BBC, in partnership with Comic Relief, has the opportunity to make a film to be broadcast in March 2008 on BBC 1 which will aim at breaking down taboos surrounding attempted suicide.

The BBC would like to talk to anyone who has attempted to take their own life and who would be prepared to talk about the circumstances which led up to their attempt and what has happened to them since.

In particular - but not exclusively - they would like to hear from people who, despite having reached the depths of despair, are trying to turn their lives around with the support of various projects. In addition to these testimonies the BBC would also like to speak to people who have lost someone dear to them through suicide after a period of severe depression or despair.

If you feel your story could help others, please contact in the first instance Julia Foot at the BBC on 0117 9746781 or email: Julia.foot@bbc.co.uk

Healthcare Commission survey: Relatives and carers say they do not receive enough support

A new Healthcare Commission survey of community mental health service users in England revealed significant gaps remain over access to counselling and employment support. The poll which, surveyed over 19,000 service users revealed over a third of those who wanted talking treatments were denied them, despite National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance saying they should be available to treat common mental health problems. However, the survey also found that most people say that NHS staff are treating them with dignity and respect.

Visit the Health Care Commission Website to download the report

Physical Illness and Mental Health: Help is at Hand in new booklet

Having a physical illness, and treatment for it, can affect the way we think and feel. A new booklet from the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Help is at Hand series explains the emotional effects of having a serious physical illness, and offers advice on how to cope with the mood changes that often accompany ill health.

You can read and download the booklet 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.