Kindred Minds E-Bulletin

Posted: May 22, 2013 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Cooltan Arts, Dragon Cafe, events, Kindred Minds, Legal Advice Clinic, may, mens discussion group, Mind, MSAADA, PALS, patient advice & liaison service, Rachel Mothers group, Wellbeing | Leave a comment »

We are pleased to send you…

KINDRED MINDS: E-bulletin May 2013. 003/02                   

via group email and facebook.

Kindred Minds fortnightly Pop-In sessions for May is on

Thursday 9th & 23 May 2013 at

Cambridge House, 1 Addington Square (off Camberwell Rd)

London SE5 0HF

from 4pm til 6pm

TalkShop, the men’s discussion group

Is currently running every Saturday,

at Inspire, The Crypt,

St Peters Church, Liverpool Grove

London SE17 2HH

Doors open 6pm

Discussion starts 6.30.

Facilitated by Humphrey and Garry.

FORTHCOMING GROUPS:

• Ø MONTHLY BME WOMANS GROUP.
• Ø CROSSING CULTURE EVENTS.

OTHER SOUTHWARK BME MENTAL HEALTH GROUPS:

 

OTHER LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH GROUPS / ACTIVITIES:

Rachel Mothers Group is an organisation for women living in Southwark,

providing support and information to all women from age 18-70.

current services include: the Rachel Children and Families Group every Wednesday from 10am-12pm.  And a Therapeutic women group every Thursday from 3.15-5.00pm.

Based at the Crossways Centre, Rye Lane, Peckham.

Contact Sherika: 07432 531352

Lambeth and Southwark Mind: Women’s Forum

for women who experience mental health difficulties

Friday 24^th May at Inspire

for further details call 020 7358 7030

Dragon Cafe on Mondays only 11.30 – 20.30

in the crypt of St George the Martyr Church SE1 1JA

for more info call Sarah on 07557 365 959

or checkout www.dragoncafe.co.uk

How to improve your wellbeing

a one day workshop for people who live in Southwark

May 2013

call Seon on 020 3228 3748

email wellbeing.workshops@kcl.ac.uk

Conversation Cafe, free friendly and informal

for speakers of other languages who want to improve their English

at Newington Library, 155 Walworth Road SE17 1RS

Thursdays 11.45am – 12.45 pm

South London mental health walks

CoolTan Arts have joined up with Southwark council to provide a series of guided walks around South London.

CoolTan Arts already have experience of facilitating a long running public walk project – the volunteer led ‘Largactyl Shuffle’. Made up of individuals with experience of mental distress, the group lead a monthly cultural walk through Southwark.
For further information or to discuss accessibility requirements please phone Project Coordinator Georgina Rogers on 020 7701 2696.

Feel better with a book

is a new weekly group to share reading

at Canada Water Library

21 Surrey Quays Road SE16 7ar

every Wednesday 11am to 1pm

phone 020 7525 2515 or

email rosietrustram@thereader.org.uk

BBC Radio 5 Live request

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week BBC Radio 5 Live are discussing the usefulness or otherwise of psychological diagnosis.

They are looking to try to speak to people about their experience of being diagnosed with a mental health condition and life afterwards.

It follows concerns from some professionals that there are too many “labels” and people are maybe diagnosed with a mental health condition too quickly and easily. Perhaps in reality they don’t have that condition and do not in reality require treatment.

Radio 5 Live are looking to try to speak to people with different experiences:

Have you been diagnosed and think it was the right judgement and your medication since has helped transform your life in a positive way?

Or

Do you think you were diagnosed with a condition that you don’t actually have – as a result you have been receiving unnecessary treatment?

If you think you can help please email elaine.doran@bbc.co.uk

USEFUL INFORMATION: 

Samaritans Talk to us

If there’s something troubling you, then get in touch.  Talk to us any time you like, in your own way, and off the record – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to suffer alone.

If you have any concerns about our service before you try it, we want to reassure you about them. Hear from some of our callers how we helped them.

CALL US: 08457 90 90 90*

We’re here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

*call charges apply

EMAIL US: jo@samaritans.org

VISIT US: Find your local Samaritans branch.

WRITE TO US: Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, Chris, PO Box 90 90, Stirling, FK8 2SA

PALS

Patient Advice & Liaison Service

provides support, advice, help and information on health care services.

If you have a concern or just need advice please contact 0800 58 77 170

Lambeth and Southwark Mind Tel No: 020 7501 9203

Cambridge House Advocacy: 020 7358 7007

OCD Advocacy: 020 7253 5272

South East London Counselling: 020 7771 8113

Legal Advice Clinic

is a free public drop-in advice service

London South Bank University

Wednesday        10am to 12 noon

3pm to 5pm

Thursday             2pm to 4pm

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES: 

CoolTan Arts are looking for volunteers for new CoolTan Magazine groups,

They are looking for Graphic designers, photographers, editors, workshop assistants and magazine assistants.  For these roles they need volunteers who can commit to at least 10 weeks of volunteering for 3 hours per week.  Contact Clara Jones at CoolTan or email: clara@cooltanarts.org.uk

There are further roles available for the LGBTQ group, researcher, event planning, practical activities, graphic design and promotion and outreach.  Contact CoolTan Arts on 020 7701 2696.

Volunteer Centre: Making Volunteering Easy.

Develop skills and gain new experience, enhance your CV, try something new, meet new people, get involved in your community

Unit 216 – 216 Upper Floor, Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre, SE1 6TE.

Tues and Wed 10am – 4pm

Thurs 10am – 6pm.

MSAADA. – BME Volunteering project in Southwark.

Msaada is a Black and Minority Ethnic BME Volunteering Programme at the Maudsley Hospital. The programme has evolved from the dedication of volunteers and local BME service providers.

Volunteers are currently needed and can be anyone who is lives in or near the Borough of Southwark, are over 18 years old and from the Black and Minority Ethnic, (BME) community.  Men and people over 50 years old are especially welcome as they are often underrepresented. No previous experience is necessary and service users and survivors are encouraged to apply. You must be willing to commit to volunteering up to 50 hours over a six month period either in the hospital or in a community setting. Free training is offered with the potential to receive the Level One Open College Network accreditation in ‘Introduction to Adult Social Care.’

Please contact Joseph.Kiguwa@slam.nhs.uk or phone 020 3228 5945 for more information and application packs.

ARTICLES:

Mental Health and Employment

The subject of mental health within the work place is always a difficult subject. Employers are not supposed to discriminate against disability whether it is physical or mental, but who can honestly say they would be happy putting a diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar on an application form? Not many I would bet. Raise recently ran some workshops at a disability and employment workshop and asked people what the main barriers to employment for people with Mental Health problems.  Here are the results which make an interesting read:

Barriers (in order of importance)

• § Fear from employers of the financial cost of an employee who might not be able to fulfil a ‘normal’ workload regularly
• § Fluctuating mental health affecting ability to maintain routine (including side effects of medication)
• § Current job market means employer is in control (more scope to pick and choose)
• § Stigma around mental health
• § Lack of flexibility, trust & acceptance
• § Job centre staff lacking skills & training in mental health
• § Unawareness of employers knowing system & responsibilities of wellbeing
• § Disruptive education may lead to lack of qualifications – yet may still be able to do the job well but lack of qualifications      prevent applications
• § Lack of support during application process
• § Covert aggression of questioning – having to explain gaps in career history/CV
• § Fear for employers on the effect on the team (and colleagues)
• § Occupational health
• § Additional interview tests are potentially discriminatory

Solutions (in order of importance)

• § Career support for individuals (to focus on their skills, experiences, needs, desires and options)
• § Trial employment period to replace interview and application process
• § Flexible working hours
• § Mental health awareness training made compulsory for ALL employers and a named MH worker to act as a go between
• § An ‘application support agency’ – extension of the job centre
• § Jobcentre plus to be more aware of responsibilities to clients with MH issues
• § Mental health advocate in all services (from interview to employment)
• § Mentor/assistant in the workplace
• § Government funds for employers to apply to in order to replace absent employees (so it doesn’t cost them)
• § Provision of a time out/quit place to go when at work
• § Remove the stigma – increase understanding
• § Clarity of communication to enable honesty, openness and discover individuals worth, skills and ‘gold’.

EVENTS 

Adult Learners’ Week May 2013 Adult Learners’ Week is a national celebration of the benefits of lifelong learning and is the perfect opportunity to explore the many types of learning available to adults from all       walks of life. This year it takes place between 18 and 24 May. Come along to your local library for information about local courses and browse the shelves for books to expand your mind ,and  that may change your life, or pop in to one of our free events. For more information on events in Lambeth libraries go to our Learning in Libraries webpage. Free careers advice and guidance There will be a free careers advice and guidance session at Brixton Library from 1 to 3.30pm every Thursday. Also learn about the psychology of happiness with our new well-being workshops running at Brixton library as part of Adult Learners’ Week Please drop in to receive advice on courses and how to do your CV. Get Happy in Adult Learners’ Week

Maudsley Debate – Has psychiatric diagnosis advanced the care of people with mental health problems?  This Maudsley Debate looks like it might be interesting.

To coincide with the publication of the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), sometimes described as the “Bible” of American psychiatry, the Institute of Psychiatry is hosting a debate on the issue of psychiatric diagnosis.  Some argue that a rigorously standardised system of classification of mental disorders forms an essential role in conceptualising a patient’s problem, in predicting what treatments are likely to be effective, and in conducting valid scientific research.  Others consider psychiatric diagnoses to be no more than labels, which lack scientific and predictive validity and serve only to stigmatise and objectify those who suffer from mental disorders.

These issues will be debated in the 48th Maudsley Debate on Wednesday 5 June at 6pm at the Wolfson Lecture Theatre, Institute of Psychiatry, Denmark Hill.

The motion is “This House believes that psychiatric diagnosis has advanced the care of people with mental health problems.”

Speaking for the motion: Prof Norman Sartorius, former president of the World Psychiatric Association

Prof Anthony David, Professor of Cognitive Neuropsychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry

Speaking against the motion: Dr Felicity Callard, Senior Lecturer in Social Science for Medical Humanities, Durham University

Dr Pat Bracken, Clinical Director of Mental Health in West Cork.

Chair:  Sir Simon Wessely, Professor of Psychological Medicine and Vice Dean for Academic Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry

Location: Wolfson Lecture Theatre, Institute of Psychiatry Main Building, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF

Time and Date: Wednesday 5th June, 6pm (refreshments served from 5.30pm)

Contact: Hannah Baker at hannah.1.baker@kcl.ac.uk for further details.

Website: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/iop/news/debates/index.aspx

WELL-BEING:

Get fit, be happy and feel great on the inside, outside with outdoor gyms in Southwark. 

Outdoor gyms are suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels, The equipment is low impact so it is easy and safe to use without a gym induction, you don’t need any experience to use them, and there’s no membership to pay.  So save yourself the membership fee and give it a try! But please do remember to stretch before and after any exercise.

Come along and give it a go, find an outdoor gym at

Peckham Rye Park  SE15

Our first outdoor gym was installed in Peckham Rye Park back in 2009, after the Young Friends of Peckham Rye Park managed to get funding to build it. Follow the path leading from the entrance near the junction of Peckham Rye and Homestall Road, past the Adventure Playground and you will find the gym next to the skate park.

Haddon Hall Estate  SE1

At Haddon Hall Estate the outdoor gym is on Potier Street, just off Great Dover Street. It’s not just for Estate residents – anyone can use it.

Mint Street Park  SE1

Mint Street Park can be reached from Southwark Bridge Road and Marshalsea Road. The outdoor gym is opposite the children’s play area.

Southwark Park  SE16

You can also try an outdoor gym at Southwark Park, where it is located between China Hall Gates and the Cafe Gallery.

Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park  SE1

Our newest outdoor gym is at Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park next to the Sports Facility building.

Aylesbury Estate  SE17

The outdoor gym at the Aylesbury Estate can be accessed from either Thurlow Street or Portland Street. It is near the junction of Inville Road and Beaconsfield Road and you don’t need to live on the Estate to use it.

Burgess Park  SE5

Burgess Park boasts two outdoor gyms. The first one can be found next to Albany Road at the junction with Canal Street. More recently a trail of gym equipment has been installed which begins in the southeast corner of the park, near the junction of St Georges Way and Sumner Road.

Lordship Lane Estate  SE22

The Lordship Lane Estate Tenants & Residents Association have agreed that anyone can use their outdoor gym. It is located behind Campbell Court, so if you enter the Estate from Dulwich Common you will find the gym on your left next to the Children’s Play Centre.

Dulwich Park  SE21

Dulwich Park also has a trail of gym equipment either side of the path that runs between Roseberry Gate entrance and Queen Mary’s Gate entrance.

Durand’s Wharf  SE16

Our newest outdoor gym is located by the river at Durand’s Wharf in Rotherhithe and has great views across the Thames.

Kindred Minds – A Southwark Black and minority ethnic (BME), user-led mental health project.

Office based at: Cambridge House, 1 Addington Square, LondonSE5 0HF

Office tel: 020 7358 7029

Email: kindredminds@safh.org.uk

Mobile: 07809 701 434  text or call us to receive messages of Kindred Minds events.

Web: http://safh.org.uk/our-work/kindred-minds/

Facebook us: Kindred Minds

 

Current Kindred Minds Activities:

Kindred Minds Talkshop, a BME Men’s weekly discussion group every Saturday 6.30-8.30pm @ Inspire, The Crypt, St.Peter’s Church, Liverpool Grove, SE17 2HH

Kindred Minds PoP-In fortnightly drop-in space @ Cambridge House 4-6pm on:. April 11th and 25th, May 9th and 23rd, June 6th and 20th, July 4th and 18th, August 1st, 15th, 29th, September 12th and 26th, October 10th, 24th, November 7th and 21st and December celebration.

Kindred Minds Members Committee has been formed and is working on ideas for the coming year. If you’d like to be involved let us know.

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