Rethink Mental Illness Manchester Group

We had our 'Bring and Share' event tonight and as well as eating too much chocolate (again) I've come away feeling really inspired. We talked about all the skills, experience and knowledge that we've gained by either coping with having a mental illness, or though caring for a loved one who has been very ill. You can see all the ideas we jotted down from the discussion - from coming to understand your limitations (and that these can change), to developing patience, coping strategies and learning how to think positively. We understand how mental health services work and different illnesses themselves. It struck me, particularly from the people in the room who themselves have to deal with what can be devastating mental illnesses, that we're a pretty skilled bunch of people. For some, mental illness forces a process of self examination - and eventually self awareness - that is painful but hugely illuminating. It's a process that many of us won't have to go throu

For our last meeting before the Christmas break, we would like to invite you to a ‘Bring and Share’ event. All are welcome – carers, service users and professionals. Wednesday 8th December 6pm – 8pm Manchester Carers Centre , Vulcan Mill, Pollard Street, Manchester M4 7AN Just bring along a bit of food to share around! Drinks will be provided. As well as a social evening, we will be spending part of our time planning activity for 2011. A ‘walking bus’ will leave from the taxi rank at Manchester Piccadilly station (on the Fairfield Street side) at 5:30pm. If you would like to meet here please call Mary on 07816 754 032. If you need to walk back into town after the event there will be others to walk back with. For more information call Mary on 07816 754 032.

Today I've spoken about our Mental Health Wish List campaign at an event organised by Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust . The Wish List is our four top priorities for improving services in Manchester - see an earlier blog post that explains it in more detail . We've been asking commissioners and providers to respond. We got nothing from local councillors and had a meeting with commissioners NHS Manchester (who are set to be abolished under the government's health reform plans). However, the most productive response has been from Manchester Mental Health Trust. They're putting together a formal written response, we spoke about the Wish List at their recent AGM, and today have been at their 'Effectiveness Day' to do the same. The best part about today for me was getting new wishes from the audience. Here they are: Wishes about services... Continuity of service – the cumulative impact of closure, such as losing established relationships, are are often

In celebration of World Mental Health Day this October, we’re organising an evening event all about putting carers and service users at the heart of mental health. With the government promising to ‘put the patient at the heart’ of healthcare, increasing political interest in professionals, service users and carers working together to ‘co-design’ services, and changes at a local level with the launch of Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust, the issue of carer and service user involvement is a hot topic. But what will these changes mean in practice and how can carers and service users influence this agenda? Come along to find out more, discuss the issues and input into our campaign for service user and carer involvement. Wednesday 13th October 2010, 5:30pm – 7:30pm Manchester Carers Centre , Vulcan Mill, Pollard St, Manchester, M4 7AN Everyone welcome, food and drink provided Speakers include: Patrick Cahoon from Manchester Mental Heath and Social Care Trust, on the Trust’s new

Over the past year we've been lobbying mental health providers on four ‘wishes’ for improving services in the area. We’ve been delighted at the response: not only have carers, service users and professionals from across Manchester signed up in support of it, but Manchester Mental Heath and Social Care Trust have agreed to write a formal response. One of the wishes - putting carers and services users at the heart of service design – is high on the political agenda right now with talk of ‘co-design’ of services and the Health White Paper promising to put patients at the heart of our healthcare provision. To explore what this means in practice and how carers and service users can influence this agenda, we're holding an event, ‘Mental health: putting carers and service users at the centre’. With speakers from Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust and more this is a chance to get informed, discuss issues and take part in our campaigning work. The free event will take place

This link highlights an online poll that Rethink are asking mental health service users, carers and staff to complete. It asks for your input on where services are being cut, which ones and by how much. It also asks for your opinion on what kinds of services could be cut if you absolutely had to pick one. Clearly this is a difficult decision, but it will help us to ensure that the most vital services are protected. Your support will enable Rethink to monitor where and how mental health services are being affected by cuts, which is vital for our campaigning. It will take just 2 minutes to complete and really will help Rethink to stop mental health being a soft touch for cuts.

25 people attended our Recovery Information Evening last month. We heard from two great speakers - Susan Holden from Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust on how recovery is being implemented in the Trust and from Ben Crouch from The Roby in Longsight about their progress over the past year on providing recovery-based services to the local community. Attendees discussed what recovery means both from a service user and carer perspective and how carers need the right information and support in order to play a positive role in supporting their loved ones to recover. Susan has since passed on information about WRAPs (Wellness Recovery Action Plans). They were first developed by Mary Ellen Copeland . According to Susan, Copeland markets a particular format which tends to uses ‘service’ language. Others have adapted and produced different types of personal support plans. Ben has also been in touch about the emotional needs of carers. The Roby offer a counselling service - referrals can be taken

Next Wednesday, 12th May, we're holding an information evening to explore different perspectives on recovery and how people can recovery - and be supported to recover - from a mental illness. We're delighted to have speakers from The Roby and from Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust talk about the work they are doing to support the process of recovery. Meet and socialise with other people who are affected by mental illness, either personally or through a caring or family connection. Everyone welcome – food and drink will be provided. Wednesday 12th May 2010 5:30pm – 7pm Followed by our AGM 7pm – 8pm (all welcome) Manchester Carers Centre Beswick House, Beswick Row Manchester, M4 4PR For more information call Manchester Carers Centre on 0161 835 4090 or email Mary Rayner on maryrayner@hotmail.com . The event is part of our 'Wish List' campaign. We have four wishes for improving services in Manchester...promoting recovery, making services users and carers central to the imp

Rethink have won couple of important campaigning victories recently. The first has been succeeding in persuading government to ban employers from asking job candidates about their medical history before inviting them for interview. There are so many cases of capable people openly disclosing a mental illness, only to find they are passed over for interview time and time again. The second victory, announced just this week, has been persuading the leaders of the three main political parties to sign up to an agreement not to use mental health slurs in the run up to the general election . It's a pretty sad sign that this campaign was needed - though politicians do stoop pretty low in their heckles, even to the point of picking on physical disabilities (Gordon Brown and his eye, for instance). But good on Rethink for getting this issue on the agenda. Watch out Gordon, David and Nick - we'll be listening!

Rethink have been doing lots of lobbying in the run up to the general election, raising awareness of mental health issues amongst politicians. You can support their work by signing Rethink's petition. The petition tells new MPs that 1 in 4 people are affected by mental health problems, and many are STILL: - missing out on basic treatments and information - facing discrimination in everyday life and - too often locked up in prison without any healthcare Rethink are calling for the new Parliament to act to improve things for people affected by mental illness and are aiming to collect 10,000 signatures to take to Downing Street as soon as the election results are in. Sign the petition now .

Caring with Confidence have launched a survey for carers and organisations that aims to eventually build a helpful directory for carers in the North West and help improve learning and care training opportunities for unpaid carers. Fill out the survey .

The wonderful Roby in Longsight has won CAS:H grant funding from Manchester City Council’s Longsight Ward so that they can open their doors each morning from Monday to Friday between 8:30 and 9:30 and will be providing free breakfasts, a space to be social and have fun and also to get support first thing in the morning if things are getting you down. The funding allows the Roby to provide basic breakfast food and drinks (with a healthy focus, but with the odd Bacon Butty available as a treat) but we will be relying on volunteers to staff the kitchen, help with preparing breakfast, cooking, serving and providing hot and cold drinks and smoothies. The Roby is a mental health and well-being charity based in Longsight with its community centre in the Roby United Reform Church on Dickenson Road. The charity provides essential services to individuals living with mental health conditions, rough sleepers and people living in sheltered / supported housing, people with drug and alcohol issues, r