Press Releases
Winchester's Mental Health Forum promoting the opportunity to ask questions of various professionals and take part in a series of workshops around making Mental Services in Winchester as "Recovery" focused as possible.
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A Day In The Life Of….
June 7th, 2008
Ever wondered about what it is like being a Psychiatrist? Then come along to the annual Mental Health Forum run by the Andover Service User Involvement Project which is hosted by Andover Mind.. The theme this year is “A day in the life of…” looking at a variety of mental health professions and their role in the treatment of mental illness. The event will take place on Friday 20th June 2008 at the Upper Guildhall in Andover High Street – starting at 1pm and finishing at 4pm. Speakers include Dr Guy Roberts (a Consultant Psychiatrist), Lizzie Cross (Andover Community Mental Health Team Manager) and Laura Dannahy (Clinical Psychologist). It is an opportunity for members of the public and those who use mental health services (and their family and friends) to come together to meet up with the local service providers. Representatives from Andover Community Mental Health Team, Stonham, Andover Mind, the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, Melbury Lodge, CRI, the Crisis Centre, Test Valley Borough Council and other supporting agencies will be there to answer questions. All questions must be submitted in advance. Questions should be placed in the boxes which are located at Andover CMHT Junction Road, Andover Mind and Andover War Memorial Hospital CMHT Outpatients. Or questions can be sent to the Project at Arcade House, Westbrook Close, South Street, Andover, Hants. SP10 2BN. Proceedings start at 1 pm with a buffet lunch. This is followed at 1:45 pm by our speakers for the afternoon. Following a short break for teas and coffees and refreshments, there will be the question and answer session. All those with an interest in mental health are invited to attend.
For more information, please contact Barbara Allen or Frances Boyd on 01264 333833.
Celebrating World Mental Health Day
October 1st, 2007
Winchester Service User Involvement Project will be holding its annual Mental Health Forum the same week as World Mental Health Day.
The theme for the forum this year is mental health awareness, looking at a variety of mental health conditions and how they can affect service users.
The event will take place on Monday 8th October 2007 at the Guildhall (Walton room) in Winchester-starting at 1pm and finishing at 4pm.It is an opportunity for all those who use mental health services & their family & friends to come together & to meet up with the local service providers. Representatives from Winchester CMHT, Priory Gardens, Melbury Lodge, Princess Royal Trust for Carers, Support Time & Recovery Workers, the police & other supporting agencies will be there to answer questions. All questions must be submitted in advance. Questions should be placed in the boxes which are located at Connaught House, Romsey Rd and Priory Gardens, Parchment St. Alternatively questions can be sent to the project at 1 Priory Gardens, Parchment St, Winchester, Hants, SO23 8AU. Proceedings start at 1pm with a buffet lunch. This is followed at 2pm with the speakers who will each give short talks on OCD, agoraphobia, schizophrenia, depression & anxiety. We will then screen an anti-stigma DVD. It was developed as part of an initiative called Project Spotlight by Andover Mind in conjunction with the Andover Service User Involvement Project.
After a short break for tea/coffee there will be a question & answer session. All those with an interest in mental health are invited to attend.
For more information please contact Barbara Allen-Project Co-ordinator on 01264 333833 or Marie Unsworth Project Worker on 01962 863015
New directions for Eastleigh
August 24th, 2007
Mental health services are often the poor relation when it comes to attracting funding. This is about to change. From 1st October 2007, Eastleigh service users can look forward to the start of a new Project – Eastleigh Service User Involvement Project. This will be based at 111 Leigh Road, Eastleigh. This is the same site as Mind-IT so will already be familiar to those who currently use services.
The Project will be part of a larger-scale organisation based in Andover and hosted by Andover Mind. This will cover Andover, Winchester and now Eastleigh. Recruitment is about to start, so look out for the adverts in your local paper. The service will be looking to recruit a Project Worker, together with a number of service user representatives. Barbara Allen, the Project Co-ordinator, explained, “This is an excellent opportunity for anyone who has experience of working in or using mental health services to be involved at the start of a Project. We would be pleased to hear from anyone who feels that they have skills to offer whether that be admin skills, an interest in attending meetings, helping to facilitate self-help groups, or travelling to conferences or workshops.”
The aim of the Project is to enable service users to have a voice, and to get involved in the planning, delivery and evaluation of services. People who use services quickly become experts in their own condition, and it is nice sometimes to be able to help others in a similar situation. In addition, those who have used services will know what has worked for them and what hasn’t worked so well. Service providers, such as the local Community Mental Health Team, welcome ideas on how to improve their service. And the Project is able to provide people with a vehicle for presenting these views at the right time and the right place.
Debra Ramchurn, the Services Manager at Andover Mind, said, “Having done some preparatory work in Eastleigh, it is apparent that service users are crying out for a Project such as this. Other areas have well established service user involvement projects, and Eastleigh has often felt left behind in this respect. However, now that Eastleigh has come within the Mid Hants Locality new monies have become available to push the Project forward in this area. Hampshire Partnership Trust and Hampshire County Council are to be congratulated on their decision to award this new contract. It is an exciting time for all concerned”.
If you require any further information, do not hesitate to contact Barbara Allen on 01264 333833 or Debra Ramchurn on 01264 332297.