Recovery Stories Project

This Stigma Free Lanarkshire WHAT’S INSIDE project gives people with lived experience of mental health issues the opportunity to share Christmas Members’ Meeting their story of recovery. Adult Psychology Services - Scottish Welfare Fund - Lanarkshire Green Health Partnership

North Lanarkshire Adult Support and Protection NL Carers Together Committee Learn about the work of the Marc Howard Project Worker - Carers tells us Service User and Carer Group about the Carers' Charter and Knowing Your Rights Community Liaison Service The Community Liaison Service aims to support hospital NHS Lanarkshire Adult Psychology discharge by providing a link between acute settings and Services community supports Dr Simon Stuart talked to Lanarkshire Links members about the work of the Psychological Hope Café Lanarkshire The Stigma Free Lanarkshire Services Teams across Lanarkshire Team is delighted to announce the Hope Cafés commitment to challenging mental health stigma and discrimination 2 Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019

Contents

Lanarkshire Links Christmas Members’ Meeting 2018 4-8

New Chat Café at NCT Centre in Newmains 9

Lanarkshire Links Members' Meeting September 2018 10-14

You are my Sunshine(YAMS) 15

North Lanarkshire Carers Together 16-17

North Lanarkshire Adult Protection Committee 18-19

The Community Liaison Service 20

North Lanarkshire PPF 21

LAMH trains DWP in Mental Health 22

Heads Up for Airdrie Academy 23

Gathering Recovery Stories Project 24

Hope Café Lanarkshire 25

North Lanarkshire Disability Forum 26

Care & Repair 27 Joint Integrated MH Issues Groups Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019 3

Editorial

Welcome to issue 38 of Mental Health Matters magazine.

We had a very successful Annual General Meeting on 26th September 2018. Following the Business there were presentations from Dr Clive Ferenbach Senior Clinical Psychologist Psychological Therapies for Older People, NHS Lanarkshire and Olivia Fitton, South Lanarkshire Carers Advocacy Coordinator, The Advocacy Project. The members were then invited to engage in round table discussion on Olivia’s current project providing an advocacy service for carers. We finished the meeting with Carol’s Recovery Story. Carol wanted to share her story of recovery to get people talking about their own mental health, to de-stigmatise mental health problems. It’s a story of hope with Carol reflecting on how far she has come and how much she’s overcome, what has helped her in her recovery and how she feels about Liz MacWhinney life now. Manager

Lanarkshire Links Christmas Member Meeting 2018 took place on 5th December 2018 and we were pleased to have presentations from Dr Simon Stuart, Adult Psychology Services, NHS Lanarkshire, Libby Dick, Scottish Welfare Fund Co-ordinator, Finance and Corporate Resources, South Lanarkshire Council. Libby provided the members present with a Frequently Asked Questions Information sheet and we have included this in the body of the report of the day. Vicki Trim, NHS Lanarkshire Green Health Partnership Manager explained the connections between public health and health and social care and engagement with the general population through everyday contact with nature, recreation, volunteering, learning and active travel. The final speaker wasMichael Byrne who came along to share his recovery story with the members. Poems From A Mod is a remarkable story of ongoing recovery from Complex PTSD. The book is a collection of ‘Survival Poetry’ based on his feelings and emotions around the journey that he’s been on.

The new carers’ issues group is now up and running for details please contact Sheena Hamilton, Development Manager: [email protected]

My thanks to our partnership agencies who have provided articles for this edition.

Have you changed your details? If you have recently moved or updated any of your contact details, please get in touch and let us know – phone the office on 01698 265232 or mail to [email protected]

We have one vacancy on our voluntary Management Committee (Charity Trustees). Our Management Committee ensure we are well run with the relevant systems in place to achieve our aims. For further information please contact [email protected].

Important Disclaimer: Advice, comments and articles provided in Mental Health Matters are for general information and are not intended to substitute for informed professional, medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Lanarkshire Links does not endorse and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed. 4 Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019

Lanarkshire Links Christmas Members' Meeting 2018

Lanarkshire Links Christmas Members Meeting took There are various different types of therapy offered place on 5th December 2018 at the Alona Hotel but, as we’ll see, therapy isn’t the be-all and end-all. Strathclyde Country Park. One hundred and four people attended the event. The majority of people We assess ‘What has happened to you?’ participating at 60 were Lanarkshire Links Members. We formulate ‘A shared understanding’ The members were joined by staff from the statutory Then we do what we can to help you. We explore and voluntary sector and we were pleased to what else might be useful to you. This might be welcome service users from NHSL inpatient facilities. individual or group therapy, working with other staff The focus of the meeting was information sharing or referring to another team. All the therapy we and recovery. provide is evidence-based.

Francis Fallan MBE Chairperson welcomed everyone We work with a people with mild to moderate as well to the meeting. The following is taken from the as severe and enduring mental health problems. mornings presentations. All referrals to MH services are discussed by multiple Adult Psychology Services, NHS Lanarkshire staff at a weekly meeting in each locality this means we’re dependent on the quality of the referral. Self- The first speaker of the morning was Dr Simon Stuart, referral is being tried in some areas and this might be Adult Psychology Services, NHS Lanarkshire a way around this. We are considering the pros and cons and carrying out careful evaluation (research).

We aim to provide the most useful thing at the most useful time. If therapy isn’t the right thing, we need to be clear about that. We are a limited resource: we have to ration what we can offer. We would like to do more but we have to think about how best we might do it.

Which is where you come in!

What we can’t do

• See everyone who is referred to us, we are a very limited resource, we will do our best to offer other advice • Offer long term support, others can so this better that us, we will do our best to link people Simon introduced himself and explained that he is not up a medic but a Doctor by research. Not a psychiatrist: • Fix people, that’s not how therapy works who are medics who specialise in mental health, • Provide all the answers; nobody can! psychologists are specialists in the science of thought and behaviour and that he chooses to work with NHS But we will be open and honest with you. Members Lanarkshire based with the Clydesdale Psychological were invited to complete questionnaires that Simon Therapies Team. had placed on the tables inviting feedback.

For adult mental health there is a team in each Frank thanked Simon for his presentation. Simon has locality with various staff within these teams already provided an article in the Summer 18 issue of Psychologists, Clinical Associates, Counsellors and Mental Health Matters magazine and it is hoped that Cognitive Behavioural Therapists. The team sit he will return at a future members meeting to carry alongside the Community Mental Health teams and out more in depth consultation to support service work with the Psychiatrists, CPNs and Occupational development going forward. Therapists. Together we can offer a broad view and hopefully help people. Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019 5

Scottish Welfare Fund Do you have to be in receipt of a benefit to apply for a Scottish Welfare Fund grant? The next speaker for the morning was Libby Dick, Scottish Welfare Fund Co-ordinator, Finance and • You do not need to be in receipt of a benefit to Corporate Resources, South Lanarkshire Council. apply for a grant. You may be eligible to receive a grant if you are aged 16 or over and on a low income.

Do you need to have children to get a Scottish Welfare Fund grant?

• No - the Scottish Welfare Fund aims to provide a safety net to a wide range of vulnerable people with low income, not just those with children.

Can I apply if I am subject to a benefit sanction?

• Yes – being subject to a sanction or disallowance does not affect your eligibility.

I have made a new application to the DWP (Department for Work and Pension), but I need help now – what should I do?

• Before contacting your local council you should seek assistance from the DWP. In some Libby talked to the members about the Scottish circumstances the DWP may be able to provide Welfare Fund which helps families and people in you with an Advanced Payment Scotland who are on low incomes through Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants. Do I need to apply to the DWP for a Budgeting Loan before asking for a Scottish Welfare Fund grant? You can apply for a: Crisis Grant – if you're in crisis because of a disaster (like a fire or flood), or an • No – eligibility for the Scottish Welfare Fund is emergency (like losing your money or an unexpected not dependent on whether you have asked for a expense) or a Community Care Grant – to help you or Budgeting Loan. someone you care for to start to live, or to carry on living, a settled life in the community. I am unhappy with the outcome of my application to the Scottish Welfare Fund, can I appeal this decision? Scottish Welfare Fund – Frequently Asked Questions • Yes – if you do not agree with the decision made How do I apply for a Crisis Grant or a Community Care on your application, you can ask for this to be Grant? reviewed by a different decision maker. To do this, you should write to your council within 20 You can apply for a Crisis Grant by contacting your local working days to request this. If you are unable to council or apply online do this in writing, you should contact your council to discuss alternative. If you are still unhappy, you You can apply for a Community Care Grant by can ask the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman contacting your local council or apply online (SPSO) for an independent review. SPSO is not www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk part of a council. More information about this service is available at: How long does it take for my application to be www.spso.org.uk/scottishwelfarefund processed? I wish to complain about the way my application was • A decision should be made on your application handled by the council, how do I do this? no later than the end of the next working day for Crisis Grant and within 15 working days for a • You can find information about your local Community Care Grant. council’s complaints procedure on their website, or by contacting them directly. If having been through the council’s complaints procedure you 6 Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019

remain unhappy, you can ask SPSO to look at your Does the Scottish Government provide Scottish complaint. More information about this service is Welfare Fund grants? available at: www.spso.org.uk/complaining-spso • No – the Scottish Welfare Fund is delivered I owe my local council money; can I still apply for help on behalf of Scottish Government by all 32 from the Scottish Welfare Fund? councils. The Scottish Government publishes guidance setting out how the scheme should be • Yes – your local council will not take into account administered. Councils have extensive discretion any money owed to them, for example, in relation over how the scheme is delivered in their area. to council tax, rent arrears or parking tickets when considering your application. You cannot, If I receive a grant from the Scottish Welfare Fund, do I however, pay off debt using a Scottish Welfare need to pay this back? Fund grant. • No – any grant provided by the Scottish Welfare Does the Scottish Welfare Fund experience depend on Fund does not need to be paid back. Loans are where you live? not given through the Scottish Welfare Fund.

• Yes – the Scottish Welfare Fund is delivered I am about to move to a different part of Scotland, who on behalf of the Scottish Government by every should I apply to for help? council in Scotland. The Scottish Government issues statutory guidance to councils in order to • If you are moving home you should apply to promote consistency, however, councils have your new council. You can check who your extensive discretion over how the scheme is council will be by visiting: www.gov.scot/Topics/ delivered in their area. By allowing councils to Government/local-government/localg/usefullin decide how to take applications and what to award, the scheme can be tailored to specific local The next presentation was from Vicki Trim, NHS needs and parameters, providing a more holistic Lanarkshire Green Health Partnership Manager. service.

Do I have to agree to work with other services, like debt advice, if I apply for Scottish Welfare Fund grant?

• No – you don’t have to take any other help, but the council may suggest other services which could help you resolve the underlying cause of a crisis, or help strengthen your ability to live independently.

I have previously applied to the Scottish Welfare Fund, can I apply again?

• Yes – every application will be looked at on a case-by-case basis. There are, however, some rules about repeat applications to keep in mind. For example, local authorities are not required to consider an application if a person has already applied for the same type of assistance within the last 28 days and nothing has changed. Also, while there is no limit on the number of Community Care Grants an individual can receive in any one Vicki explained the connections between public year, Crisis Grants are normally limited to three in health and health and social care engagement with a rolling 12-month period. the general population through everyday contact with nature, recreation, volunteering, learning and active Will I be sent to a food bank if I apply to the Scottish travel. There are a number of nature based health Welfare Fund? promotion initiatives including health walks, green gyms and community growing as well as nature based • No – food banks will not be used to fulfil a grant. interventions with a defined health or social care If your application is unsuccessful, however, your outcome e.g. therapeutic and exercise programmes as council may consider signposting you to a local a treatment intervention, all utilising Scotland’s natural food bank to meet any immediate need. environment and green infrastructure. Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019 7

Less than half of adults in Scotland visit the outdoors Check out Locator & What’s on page: on a regular weekly basis and 14% don’t visit it at all. www.locator.org.uk or contact Sarah on “There is no such thing as bad weather…..only the wrong [email protected] or phone 01698 300390 clothes” (the Big Yin). to talk about volunteering. There are volunteering opportunities within our hospital sites in Lanarkshire. More than 9 in 10 visitors to Scotland’s outdoors report Contact: Vicki Trim Green Health Partnership Manager improvements to their physical and mental health as a [email protected] result. Recovery Story 94% Say it helps them to de-stress, relax and unwind 92% Found it improved their physical health The final speaker was Michael Byrne who came along 90% Report that it makes them feel energised and to share his recovery story with the members. revitalised 81% Say they enjoy getting closer to nature 76% Value the social environment

People living in greener areas experience fewer health complaints and better mental and physical health than those living in areas with less green space.

A 30 minute brisk walk 5 days a week reduces the risk of:-

Heart attack and stroke by 20-30% Diabetes 30-40% Hip fractures 36-68% Bowel Cancer 30% Breast Cancer 20% Depression / dementia 30%

Get Walking Lanarkshire aims to get more people walking, more often. Vicki encouraged the members Poems From A Mod is a remarkable story of ongoing to look at Get Walking Lanarkshire’s webpage for a recovery from Complex PTSD told by Michael Byrne. timetable of walks in their area. There are over 30 The book is a collection of ‘Survival Poetry’ based on community health walks, they are free and many are his feelings and emotions around the journey that he’s Dementia Friendly accredited. been on. The collection is split into four acts which illustrates the different stages of how he has dealt with Five ways to wellbeing his illness, a reflection of his recovery process.

• Take notice – note the changing cycles of life. Use Michael first started writing poetry in May this year and your senses. Listen to the birds, smell the flowers, has found it to be extremely therapeutic and a positive live in the moment. part of his recovery. His aim is to encourage others • Connect – Meet new people. Connect with the to be open about their experiences and seek the help people the wildlife and the nature that is all they need. He is passionate about promoting the reality around us. of recovery and tackling the stigma that all too often • Give – Your time to be in nature. Give something hinders its progress. back by sharing experiences and undertaking conservation tasks. “I’ve just opened up the attachment and honestly I said • Learn – identify plants and wildlife, try new craft wow out loud! It’s perfect! Can I thank you both for this... skills. Discover things about nature and about it’s incredible! Thank you. It feels a bit emotional seeing yourself. the cover, the title and my name....thank you for turning • Be Active – Take part in health walks and practical my thoughts into something far better than I could ever outdoor activities. Explore your local paths, have done.” (Michael Byrne when he received the woods and greenspaces. artwork for his book)

Further information is available in the Greenspace Download Poems From A Mod: portal on the elament website: www.elament.org.uk/support-projects-groups/ https://adobe.ly/2AP78bS projects-campaigns/greenspace/ 8 Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019

Francis Fallan (MBE) Richard Carlson

“Many times even the smallest words of encouragement Volunteer Award have helped me since my breakdown, you will never know how much it has helped me and for that kindness I am This year we invited the membership to nominate a eternally grateful. I hope that these poems will help fellow Lanarkshire Links member that in their opinion goes the survivors of trauma realise that you are not alone and that “extra mile” in a volunteer role. This may be as work as a there is hope. The emotional pain might never go away but member of Lanarkshire Link’s Management Committee, we can learn to manage it by sharing our experiences with in the local issues groups, attending quarterly meetings each other.” Michael Byrne or cares groups or making a difference in their community.

This year’s winner encompasses all these roles. His commitment is evident; he seldom misses a meeting and he is first to volunteer to help with administrative tasks in the office. He carries out all of this work with a friendly attitude whilst maintaining his own recovery and carrying out his role as a carer.

The winner is also active in his own community and this year was central to the organisation of the Coatbridge Summer Fayre.

We were delighted to announce the winner of this year’s Volunteer Award - Richard Carlson.

Staff Award The meeting with Michael, development time, creating the book and sharing it took a total of 36 hours We also asked the membership to nominate a staff between Audrey Bremner and Gerald Szafranek from member from NHS Lanarkshire, North or South the Gathering Recovery Stories Project. Poems From Lanarkshire Health & Social Care Partnership or from A Mod is a remarkable story of recovery from complex any voluntary sector organisation that, in their opinion, PTSD told by Michael Byrne with the use of his poetry. may have gone the “extra mile” in supporting them or Michael's aim is to encourage others to be open about the person they care for to be involved and maintain their experiences and seek the help they need. their Recovery.

This year’s winner was described as someone who is very, very caring; has a fantastic personality; is always smiling and goes out of her way to help everyone. We were delighted to announce the winner of this year’s Staff Award isFrances Smillie, Ward Manager Ward 1 University Hospital Wishaw.

Frank concluded the meeting thanking all the speakers and the members for attending, wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, hoped that everyone would enjoy their lunch and has a safe journey home. Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019 9

New Chat Café at NCT Centre in Newmains

Working with Wishaw Consortium and the Newmains Community Trust (NCT), Lanarkshire Links are delighted to announce a Drop-In Chat Café at the NCT Centre in Newmains. This will take place every Monday between 10 and 2, from 14th of January for 18 weeks.

Our Peer worker Alan Nielson will be available at the café to talk to anyone who feels they need support, guidance, or signposting to services that might be appropriate for their circumstance.

There is no appointment system. Alan is available in the café for anyone who may need a bit of support or advice.

Alan is a very experienced Peer Worker who normally works on Monklands adult inpatient psychiatric ward (currently located in Ward 2 at Wishaw General) and has a wealth of knowledge on the various supports and services that are out there We can offer peer support, help point you in to help people. the right direction of any help or information you might need or even just help you find out what's on in your community... Where did this idea come from? EVERYONE WELCOME... During Suicide Prevention Week, in September NCT Centre 2017, Motherwell Consortium, working with 15 Manse Road Windmills Café and Lanarkshire Links, hosted a Newmains ML2 9AX series of ‘chat café’ sessions at Windmills during www.newmainscommunitytrust.co.uk which staff from Lanarkshire Links and NL Carers Together were available during the day to talk to customers about any mental health related issues or questions they may have. The objective was to raise awareness of suicide in the local community and the impact that poor mental health can have on us all. Hosted by Lanarkshire Links in This short project yielded really positive results and partnership with NCT, Funded by the led to the provision of a weekly drop-in at Windmills, Wishaw Health & Social Care Consortium. manned by one of Lanarkshire Links’ Peer Workers, allowing members of the community to access informal, conversational support ‘when they needed it’. This project ran from January to April 2018 and was reprised between July and September 2018.

The success of this initiative showed the importance and relevance of having some sort of drop-in facility in local communities, where people can access informal support when they are feeling stressed, down, or overwhelmed by life. Len Northfield Mental Health and Wellbeing Officer 10 Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019

Lanarkshire Links AGM 26th September 2018 Liz MacWhinney Manager welcomed the 73 members and partnership agencies present and thanked them for coming along on such a wet and windy day. Apologies were given from Francis Fallan MBE Chairperson.

Following the domestic arrangements for the day the members were pleased to welcome Alan Cunningham Accountant, Alexander Sloan to provide the annual report on the Charity’s accounts.

In summary Alan confirmed that: • Funds given to Lanarkshire Links by funders for core and restricted purposes have been spent in accordance with the terms of these grants. Unhelpful stereotypes that are encouraged in the • The charity’s Accounts comply with the media but Clive raised the question is old age accounting Regulations specific to Scottish really that bad? There are more positive views of charities and that aging “ageing is not a lost youth but a new stage of • The charity’s Accounts will shortly be filed with opportunity and strength” (Betty Friedan 1921-2006) the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator. Examples of positive role models were Richard Attenborough 92, warm / wise Alan thanked the charity’s Trustees for their responsibilities, role and time. Alan also thanked Liz Dame Helen Mirren, 73, wise talented and elegant MacWhinney and Catherine Reynolds for their helpful assistance throughout the audit process. Mick Jagger 75 young at heart / maybe downright wild? There being no questions raised Liz asked the Membership to agree to re-appoint Alexander Sloan It was noted many politicians in our own country and Chartered Accountants for the incoming year. abroad are in their sixties and seventies. Research has investigated how emotions change with The re-appointment was agreed by the members age. Findings have suggested older adults have more from the floor. control and are able to keep emotion at a desired Liz then carried out the election of the Management level, less changeable, fewer surges positive or Committee for the year September 2018-September negative? 2019. “the ‘best time of your life’ may be in your 7th decade!” The business completed Liz handed over to Dr Clive Ferenbach, Senior Clinical Psychologist Psychological Have your own emotional experiences changed Therapies for Older People, NHS Lanarkshire for his over time? Has your coping improved? Are you more presentation. comfortable in your own skin?

Older Peoples Psychological Therapies Why are older adults less likely to be referred “Increasing the Access to Psychological Therapies for to talking therapies? What are the challenges in Older people”. recognising mental health problems in older adults? The following is taken from the presentation. People often present to their GP using different Some of the areas covered were around the negative expressions “I just can’t seem to get out the bit”, “I expectation people have of ageing: just get awful excited”. Physical problems can make it Decline – Psychological, Physical, Social losses, harder to recognise emotional difficulties. energy, cognitive impairment / memory failings, loneliness, physical change, loss- health, Many older adults keep a stiff upper lip. Not airing partners, autonomy, bereavement / death, loss of dirty laundry in public? Thinks emotion is a sign of independence, having to be cared for, increased weakness? vulnerability. Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019 11

Can present with physical ailments – Is person not promptly and individuals should receive the support leaving their house because of physical impairments, or they need. Psychological therapy or talking therapy can are they demotivated due to depression? be very effective for older adults – they should be made aware that therapy is available and feel empowered to The overall message is of having to be curious – ask ask for it. them more about their experiences – pin down the emotion (maybe they’re embarrassed or don’t have the Copies of the presentation are available on request words), ask about thoughts, how their behaviour has from the office. been impacted. South Lanarkshire Carers Advocacy Service Why are older adults less likely to be referred for a talking therapy? The next speaker of the morning was Olivia Fitton, South Lanarkshire Carers Advocacy Coordinator, The There are social beliefs about depression in old age Advocacy Project. The following is taken from the is “normal” or “understandable”. Referrers have little presentation. awareness of treatments. People not knowing talking Olivia gave an overview of the services provided by the therapies are available or being less inclined to ask. The project over 20 years. Funding has been received in belief that older adults will not want a psychological May this year to start a carers advocacy service; this is therapy or that it won’t be effective. a pilot service for six months and is linked to the Carers Act (Scotland) 2016 which includes a requirement for Clinicians need to be aware own negative stereotypes the local authorities to provide increased sources of and that we are all vigilant for mental health problems information and advocacy for carers. The service is for and that people are direct toward the appropriate help adults 16+ caring for adults with mental health issues for their condition. who have an identified support issue.

Most people will be aware of Cognitive Behaviour Advocacy workers support and inform people and Therapy (CBT) but there are other therapies that can be empower them to make informed decisions. To work offered in relation to your diagnosis alongside the person encouraging them to take the lead and focus on any confidence building that may be Older people have the same basic human needs as required. To explain their rights in a way that makes younger people – but they can experience obstacles in sense to the person and to speak up for the person their way – both personal, and situational. Successful (when needed) and assist to represent the person’s aging involves continuing to pursue meaningful goals views. in flexible ways. Therapy can help older people deal with difficult emotions. Anxiety is the most common The Advocacy Project believes that everyone should emotional problem for older people. be consulted about their needs, be involved in decision making, be treated with respect, be able to express How are we increasing access to psychological their views and be listened to. therapies for older adults? What type of issues can we support carers with? • Raising awareness of options to clients and Providing information and helping Carers understand professionals. their rights and the changes in The Carers Act • Promoting Beating the Blues computerised CBT to (Scotland) 2016 the 50% of retirees that have been shown to use • Support to access Carers Assessments/ Adult the internet. Carer Support Plans • As part of publicising talking therapies for older • Support to participate in the care planning people, a new poster has been produced and is process being circulated widely. • Support to access respite & breaks from caring • New group therapy options – Mindfulness CBT • Support with hospital discharge process and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy which • Support with issues with SDS budgets examine how events and thoughts can impact on • Support to understand what other support is mood. available and what their options are • Support working with other agencies In summary • Support attending meetings with key agencies • Support to participate and have views heard in Problems with mental health are not “to be expected” processes as we age. Ageing typically brings challenges, but it is • Help with phone calls and letter writing (if there also a time of ongoing development. Problems with are barriers to the client doing this independently) mental health in older adulthood need to be recognised 12 Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019

Whilst advocacy is a service for the person it can also benefit external agencies. It can assist in meeting with the duty to have carer’s views taken in account. Support “hard to reach” client groups. Support people to increase levels of engagement with services if they choose to. Offer support to carers to attend key meetings. Carers and agencies con contact the project on 0141 420 0961 or by email at [email protected] Copies of the presentation are available on request from the office. Consultation The members were then invited to engage in Advocacy workers aim to make sure the persons round table discussions prompted by the following view is heard within these processes. Make sure the questions set by Olivia. person is aware of any decisions that may affect their life – relating to these processes. Explain information The following reflects the voice, experience and in easy terms. Ensure the person understands opinions of people with the lived experience of decisions and the results of them and why they have mental health issues, their carers and staff from the been made. Help Carers to understand their rights statutory and voluntary sector. and the changes to The Carers Act (Scotland) 2016. Question 1: Help people understand what support is available and provide quality signposting. Help to access support What are the main things you think Advocacy can that they may be entitled to. help carers with?

Referrals can be taken from the carer or from other Overall it was agreed that all carers of people with sources such as key agencies in contact with the mental health issues, irrespective of age would carer. We make contact with the carer and arrange benefit from the support of advocacy. It was felt that to meet them at a time suitable for them- we have young carers would have further specific needs. An an emphasis on providing an accessible service and advocate would help mental health carers have their can arrange visits out with usual working hours, often voice heard. provide home visits, we also run monthly surgeries Many people though that advocacy would inform at South Lanarkshire Carers Network & Lanarkshire them of their rights and the changes to The Carers Carers Centre that Carers can attend. We discuss the Act (Scotland) 2016. An advocate would take things identified issue with them and highlight options and at the carers pace and ensure the carer gets the right provide appropriate information. We plan with clients information and support. how they wish to take this forward and can support in this- for example in assisting to plan meetings Help with understanding legal documentation, or making requests for assessments. We work with understanding rights and benefits, being part of them throughout the process and can offer feedback decision making, help to interpret / simplify meetings on progress and also explain how they can follow with services, explaining processes and decisions up on areas. We can attend key meetings taking and help gain perspective on the situation. Being place within the processes. We go over the decisions involved with specific issues / agencies e.g. with the or outcomes and clarify if the client feels this has Community Mental Health Teams, liaising with other achieved the desired result. agencies, power of attorney, self-directed support, arranging respite care. An advocate would provide Olivia identified what advocacy workers don’t do. basic help with form filling, signposting to services, We do not state our own views. We do not side with support at meetings and support at discharge. people other than the client including other agencies. We are not support workers. We do not act as befrienders. We do not continue to be involved once an issue has been resolved. We do not guarantee the desired result but do guarantee to get the clients views across. The Carers service will not advocate on behalf of the cared for person and if there is a clear conflict then we will offer advocacy for the cared for person. We do not tell the carer what to do or what is best to do, we provide information to assist with decision making. Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019 13

It seems like services change too frequently, and the “An advocate would cut through red tape” people you are dealing with change too frequently you feel passed from pillar to the post. “An advocate would be really beneficial to me as an older mental health carer” Members felt there was a lack of knowledge of services available, access to right information, relying on other Having support from one person with a wealth of carers to inform of services. Some carers said they knowledge of what services are available to support the didn’t know who to turn to where to go. mental health carer and the person that they care for. Some members thought an advocate would act on their Practical barriers were identified as waiting times for behalf and help them access other services. an advocate to be available, lack of an appropriate advocate and continuity of advocate allocated. Some members thought an advocate should provide a specialist service for those with physical disabilities, Carers felt the service needs wider promotion they help ensure that there are properly trained support did not know about advocacy for mental health carers. workers, that there is training on appropriate therapies They are not being offered / informed about the (to support carer) e.g. one member had issues with service. There is a need for better communication oxygen therapy, others specific mental health issues. “Not being offered / informed about the service” It was highlighted that mental health carers often also have needs due to their own health issues and “Lack of knowledge of the service” that having an advocate would also be a source of information and sign posting to services for themselves. Mental health carers feel subjected to the stigma that surrounds mental health illness. Some felt scared to Question 2: ask for help in case they were thought of as being unable to cope. Some felt that self-referral might be off What do you think the main barriers to carers getting putting. help are? Carers often have problems with their own health and Carers said that they had no time to actually find this is not considered. out what services are available due to their caring responsibilities. And some felt they were letting their Use of jargon left some members feeling self-conscious cared for person down. about asking for help.

It was felt that recognising when you actually are a Long waits on telephone lines were identified as a carer was a problem. Many cares don’t identify as barrier as were the need for form filling. carers. Carers don’t think about themselves and can’t always get time to make arrangements to get help. There was concern around the future funding of the Carers are often unable to leave home / cared for service. person, to get to meetings. Many carers felt isolated and said it was difficult to ask for help. Overall there were concerns that cares did not know that they could access this service.

Question 3:

Is there anything we have missed / from what you have heard about the service today, what do you think could be improved?

Most members raised the need to publicise the service and raise awareness with more resources to engage hard to reach carers. It was suggested that the service Carers do not always have knowledge of services should be listed on the elament website. Look at available or there are no appropriate services available reaching people who don’t identify as carer. to them. “There should be longer term funding or permanent Lack of money – can be all consuming, it takes courage funding for the project” to ask for assistance, the need to travel to meetings, some carers felt it would be better for the advocate to come to the house. 14 Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019

Information needs to be in plain English; what is Carol throughout the development of her story. advocacy? It was a case of facilitating the capture of Carol’s experience, her voice and the messages that she was The service needs to provide consistency and clarity so keen to share. around carers support. Being really flexible and offering assistance in many areas as appropriate. The meeting with Carol, development, production and sharing of this film took a total of 56 hours of The members raised concerns around the future work by 2 members of staff. funding of the project and whether it would just come to an end.

Some members thought the service should be a 24 hour support service and that there should be no waiting time to access the service.

The issue was raised as to why there are so many different agencies delivering advocacy services? Is advocacy being offered to carers who do not care for a person with mental health issues, i.e. wider remit?

Members raised concern that there is no mental health carers advocacy service available in North Lanarkshire. It was felt it should be a pan Lanarkshire Liz MacWhinney (Lanarkshire Links), Carol Wallace, service. Audrey Bremner (SFL), Olivia Fitton (The Advocacy Project), Clive Ferenbach (NHS Lanarkshire) Thirty nine participant evaluations were returned, the members rating the presentation as excellent, very “If you have 11 minutes then this is the most uplifting good or good. thing you will watch today.”

Feedback from the round table discussions has been Heather McArthur, Volunteer Manager, forwarded to Olivia Fitton. Beatson Cancer Charity The meeting was concluded by a recovery story film which was supported by the Stigma Free Lanarkshire – Gathering Recovery Stories Project team members "The recovery stories are well worth taking the Audrey Bremner and Gerald Szafranek. time out to look at, they are excellent and really demonstrate the importance of hope and social Carol’s Recovery Story connectedness to recovery."

Carol wanted to share her story of recovery to get Elspeth Russell, people talking about their own mental health, to Assistant Health Promotion Manager, de-stigmatise mental health problems. It’s a story of North Health and Social Care Partnership hope with Carol reflecting on how far she has come and how much she’s overcome, what has helped her in her recovery and how she feels about life now.

“I’m happy that I’ve told my recovery story, it’s been a really positive experience. It’s really worth sharing it for lots of reasons. It’s been a reflection on how far I’ve come and I feel that I was ready to do it. I’ve moved on with support and I wanted to let people know how I got Lanarkshire Links would like to thank all that support so that they know that they are ways of of the staff at the Alona Hotel for their coping. I was really pleased to get other people like the Beatson Cancer Charity and Lanarkshire Links involved continued support and assistance to our to show that. I hope that people will realise that they members and staff attending our quarterly can get help that they can get better. The more people members meetings held at the Hotel. Their that talk about their mental health problems the better, professionalism and friendly manner is I feel that it will help people reach out. I really want to appreciated by all at Lanarkshire Links, and we thank Audrey and Gerald for helping me make this film, look forward to continue working together in it’s so important and I’m just delighted with it.” the future. Carol Wallace, Storyteller Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019 15

You are my Sunshine (YAMS)

therapies in-house. We can also offer support on a wider range of practical issues such as help with completing forms; benefit checks; employability issues, or just everyday stressors.

We also offer regular activities with Crafts & Chat every 1st Monday of the month and Knit & Natter every 3rd Monday 6.30-8.30pm, all ages welcome. We have a Kiddies Corner where children can safely engage in some activities and play, with the support of our friendly volunteers, while parents can relax and chat knowing their children are happily occupied. Gemma Jones struggled with mental health difficulties since childhood and was later diagnosed with Emotionally Our educational sessions cover a wide range of topics and Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD). Sadly, Gemma are free to attend. We advertise these through our social regularly battled to find the correct support for her media pages (Facebook and Twitter) our website and via ongoing problems and on 17th September 2017 her Eventbrite. All our educational sessions are facilitated life came to an end, just before her 30th birthday. by qualified professionals and are certificated upon Unfortunately, the treatment Dialectical Behaviour attendance. In partnership with Choose Life, Lifeways, Therapy (DBT) she required was not available on the NHS LivingWorks, North Lanarkshire Council and NHS in her area and she struggled to find the right support. Lanarkshire we have already trained over 300 members of the public in SafeTALK to enhance their confidence, Following Gemma’s passing, a group of her family and knowledge and awareness of reducing the stigma around friends organised a charity night in her memory and to mental ill-health and suicide. raise awareness of mental health. The success of this We have also been fortunate to work alongside our local event, and recognition that a local space to support schools, engaging with pupils through assemblies on the those experiencing mental health problems would be subject of mental health awareness and stopping the welcomed by the community, resulted in You Are my stigma. Our local GP practices and pharmacies have also Sunshine (YAMS) being established (Scottish Registered agreed to display leaflets within their surgeries to help us Charity #SC048442). Recognising that long waiting lists promote 3rd sector services and support offered through and referral times can be challenging for those needing YAMS. immediate support, we wanted to open a drop-in hub in the local area. We are grateful to the many individuals and organisations who have donated and fundraised for YAMS and we YAMS is a small hub with a huge heart and our dedicated welcome any contributions to aid our invaluable support team aim to make a difference through education, service. Our hub is open to anyone non-discriminatively, support, advice and therapies. We provide a drop-in hub every Monday evening from 6.30pm until 9pm. Please at Brannock High School in Newarthill, open Monday find our contact details below: evening from 6.30pm until 9pm. The confidential support we provide is not only for those who might be experiencing mental health problems, but also for family and friends looking for advice and support.

Our volunteers have received SafeTALK, Mental Health First Aid and ASIST training. Counsellors and therapists are trained in their relevant qualification, including BACP membership. Every member of our team is vetted and holds PVG membership for adults and children. We are Contact Information OSCR regulated, members of Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL) and pride ourselves on the level of professionalism and operational conduct we conform to Email: [email protected] through our delivery of charitable services. Website: www.yams.org.uk Facebook: We provide a range services from guidance to signposting individuals, family members, and friends to appropriate facebook.com/YouAreMySunshineYAMS services and other charities, along with self-help materials Twitter:@YamsCharity and recovery-focused resources required for their needs. In addition, we also offer 1:1 counselling and alternative 16 Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019

The Carers’ Charter – Knowing Your Rights 2. Adult Carer Support Plan – Adult carers have the right to an ‘adult carer support plan’ and the responsible local authority must offer an adult carer support plan to anyone they identify as an adult carer and must prepare one for anyone who accepts The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 took effect from the offer. Theymust also prepare an adult 1st April 2018. The Act extends and enhances carer support plan for anyone who meets rights for carers in Scotland to help improve the definition of an adult carer if that their health and wellbeing, so that they can person requests one. continue to care, if they so wish and have a life alongside caring. 3. Young Carer Statement – Young carers have a right to a ‘young carer statement’ The Act requires local authorities to have a and the responsible local authority must local information and advice service for carers. offer a young carer statement to anyone North Lanarkshire Carers Together can provide they identify as a young carer and they you with information and advice about a must prepare one for anyone who accepts number of areas relevant to caring, including this offer. Theymust also prepare a young carers’ rights that are set out in the Carers’ carer statement for anyone who meets charter, as required by section 36 of the Act. the definition of young carer if that person requests one.

4. Support as a Carer – Carers have a right to support to meet any ‘eligible needs’ and the responsible local authority must provide support to any carer who has identified needs (which meet local eligibility criteria) that cannot be met through support provided to the person being cared for, or through general local services. The local authority must provide support to meet these ‘eligible needs’ and this should be done in a way that gives the carer as much choice and control as they would like. A full copy of the charter can be downloaded 5. Carer Involvement in Services – Carers from our homepage on our website. have a right to be involved in services. www.carerstogether.org Local Authorities and Health Boards must involve carers in planning the carer Here is a summary of each section. services they provide. Local Authorities The charter has six key sections: must involve carers in assessing their needs for support and providing that 1. Am I Carer – this sets out the meaning support and must take carers’ views into of adult and young carers and highlights account in assessing the needs of the that carers do not need to be providing a person being cared for. Local Authorities substantial amount of care for someone on must consider the views of carers and a regular basis. carer representatives when preparing and

reviewing short breaks service statements. Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019 17

6. Hospital Discharge – Carers have a right to be involved in the hospital discharge Professionals – are process of the person they are or are going to be caring for. Each Health Board must you Carer Aware? ensure that, before a cared-for person is discharged from hospital, it involved carers Details of North Lanarkshire’s eligibility criteria can be found on North Lanarkshire Council’s website in the discharge of the cared-for person. www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/carers This means, if the person being cared for is admitted to hospital, the Health Boardmust For information on Adult Carer Support Plans and take appropriate steps to:- direct support for carers contact the Lanarkshire Carers Centre on 01236 755550 or 01698 428090 • Inform the carer as soon as it can about when the person being cared for is to be For information on Young Carer Statements and discharged; support services for young carers contact Action for • Invite the carers views about the Children, North Lanarkshire Young Carers Project on . discharge; and 01698 258801 • Take the carers views into account To speak to a Carer Information Worker contact when planning the discharge (as far ‘as North Lanarkshire Carers Together on reasonable and practical’). 01698 404055 or email [email protected] The carers involvement in the hospital discharge process must happen whether or not the cared for person moves from hospital to their normal home. It is the responsibility of the Health Board discharging the cared for person to involve the carer in the hospital discharge process and it is important that health and social care professionals begin a conversation with the carer at the earliest opportunity so that the carer can share knowledge and information. The team at North Lanarkshire Carers Together work The Health Board discharging the cared in partnership with professionals from a range of backgrounds to provide information, signposting and for person may not necessarily be the access to carer support for unpaid carers in North one where they normally live. In these Lanarkshire. circumstances, the health board which the cared-for person is receiving treatment If you would like someone from the team to visit you must involve the carer in the discharge to talk about carer identification, carers’ issues, the process. new duties contained in the Carers Act and the range Marc Howard of services provided by North Lanarkshire Carers Project Worker-Carers Together and our partners please contact Carolanne via email: [email protected] Contact Information As part of a partnership approach North Lanarkshire For more information please contact: Carers Together has developed a range of Carer Website: Aware sessions to support GP’s and healthcare professionals to identify carers and access them to www.carerstogether.org the support and resources they need to improve Email: their own quality of life and that of the person they [email protected] care for. If you are a healthcare professional and would like us to provide a Carer Aware session to Phone: 01698 404055 your team please contact Yvonne via email: [email protected] 18 Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019

North Lanarkshire Adult Protection Committee

of police concern reports. This is where the police report concerns to social work about an adult who does not meet the criteria for adult protection but requires assistance. Police Scotland continue to be the main source of referrals, with health and social work referrals remaining fairly consistent North Lanarkshire Adult Protection over the past 2 years. Committee is made up of a number of representatives from each of the key In 2017/18, adults with mental health partner agencies, including Police, NHS, issues were represented in 37% of total Third Sector and Social Work and has been ASP referrals received and were as such in place since 2009. the main primary group referred. This finding is consistent with 2016/17, with All Adult Protection Committees are adults who have disabilities next, and then required to produce a report to the older adults. Scottish Government on their activity over a two year period. This is the fifth Biennial This reinforces the importance of key Report of the North Lanarkshire Adult service developments such as Distress Protection Committee and covers the Brief Intervention and social work period April 2016 to March 2018. investment in delivering ASP training for those organisations who deliver services at Some of the key areas within the report home to our most vulnerable service users. were: Supporting and Protecting Adults at Risk Adult Support & Protection (ASP) Activity of Harm Training:

Each of the public agencies submit Regular training programme are available quarterly reports to committee on the to staff and local communities on how number of ASP referrals they identify and to identify and report adult protection report to social work. concerns. This training can be accessed through Liz MacWhinney, Manager, Data shows that North Lanarkshire Social Lanarkshire Links and organised by Eileen Work Service received 2317 ASP referrals Niblo, Adult Protection Co-ordinator. for the period 2017-2018 compared to 2334 for the previous year. While this is North Lanarkshire Service User and Carer a 1% decrease from last year there has group has been in existence since 2010 been a significant increase in the number and hold an annual event each year. Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019 19

North Lanarkshire Adult Protection Committee

The group had raised concerns at the lack adults interviewed and the effectiveness of preparation prior to discharge from of the partners to deliver positive adult hospital while some of their members had protection outcomes. enjoyed a more positive experience. It was agreed that the annual event held on North Lanarkshire Adult Protection 6 October 2017 would focus on “Hospital Committee continues to focus on Discharge” and use this opportunity discharging its key responsibilities as to listen to service users & carers’ outlined in legislation and guidance and experiences as well as promote some of have identified the following four key the new innovations taking place across priorities for April 2018 –March 2020 Lanarkshire and the focus on capacity • Improving awareness of adult building with all partners. The event was protection within registered care well received and the Committee had homes and staff delivering care at an opportunity take away some of the home challenges raised for further action. • Financial Harm Awareness Advocacy Services North Lanarkshire has a range of advocacy • Service User ad Carer Engagement services who are very committed to taking • G.P. Engagement forward the adult protection agenda. Eileen Niblo Similar to many other councils we have Adult Protection Co-ordinator struggled to engage with service users on Contact Information their experiences when subject to adult protection. For further information on the Committee and access to the Local advocacy services agreed to develop full Biennial Report please visit an evaluation form that they can discuss our website at: with the adult at the most appropriate www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/ time. At the end of the year they will protectingadults introduce a report on the views of the 20 Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019

The Community Liaison Service

• Social opportunities • Support for families and friends who have a caring role. • Leisure and physical activities. • Future planning. • Support to help you self-manage specific health conditions. • Support for addictions. • Online support and telephone support • Local mental health based support groups • Learning and volunteering opportunities. • One-to-one supports such a peer support • Directing you to help with welfare rights. • Advice on how to provide feedback on the Mark Slorance Gary Donegan services that you receive and how to become involved in shaping future services. The Community Liaison Service was established in As well as facilitating direct referrals to carer 2013 with the aim supporting hospital discharge support organisations, our service also offers the by providing a link between acute settings and opportunity to access low level support for carers. the support provided in the community by the 3rd For example, the service may refer your family Sector, we provide this pre and post discharge. member or friend to a local befriending service. This could provide a few hours’ social contact every The Community Liaison Service is funded through week to the person you care for and provide you the Community Capacity Building and Carer with a few hours break from your caring role. The Support Group in North Lanarkshire and our service service can also provide information to you as a is hosted by Getting Better Together (GBT) at Shotts carer which may help reduce social isolation and Health Living Centre. GBT was established in 2000, promote your wellbeing. and is a community based health initiative that aims to promote the education, health and well- In the first two quarters of 18/16 the service has being of the local residents in North Lanarkshire had 87 enquiries from patients and carers who have through a range of activities. Their activities focus identified themselves as living with or caring for on community members taking an active part in someone living with a mental health issue. These improving their health and well-being. enquiries have led to 53 referrals for low level support such as welfare rights, dementia support We can meet with patients, families and their carers services, transport, carer support and help to reduce to offer advice on possible community supports and isolation and loneliness. refer to appropriate organisations when required. The service is available to all North Lanarkshire We have a base in both Monkands and Wishaw residents aged 16+ in hospitals and NHS sites University Hospitals General but also liaise with across Lanarkshire. Referrals are welcome from Hairmyres and other rehabilitation settings patients, carers and all professionals. throughout North Lanarkshire and community teams. Contact Information

Community supports are wide and varied and Mark Slorance the information we provide may include support (Based at Monklands) on provided by the third sector as well as information 07715093069 or email: relating to health promotion, social, cultural and [email protected] physical activities. The information and advice is tailored to you, your family and carers individual Gary Donegan (Based at Wishaw) on needs and interests. This information may include: 07802880479 or email [email protected] Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019 21

North Lanarkshire PPF

are dealt with, and agreed for implimentation. The subjects most prominent at the present time are the discussions and considerations of the proposals for a new build to replace Monklands District Hospital, many of our membership have attended such meetings and discussions, and we are aware of the overall feelings expressed by both The North Lanarkshire Public Partnership Forum staff and locality membership across Lanarkshire (PPF) meets at least six times a year. At locality who were invited and attended such meeting so as level the PPF is represented by the eight North to voice their concerns. Lanarkshire community forums: The IJB has agreed to reinstate the Participation and The forum meets at regular periods and is made Engagement Group, thus allowing more involvement up with members from all six Community Forums to take forward any action plans. The NLIPPF has who can have two representative on the organising agreed to examine the posibiity of nominating a board, who will have voting powers should representative to serve as our representative on this whenever such a provision be required. Meetings group. are held at NHS Headquarters Kirklands Bothwell and are from 2pm. Please do consider taking part in our efforts as we are fully committed to bringing the best a service The forum has a good number of supporting available across Lanarkshire as is possible, and organisations represented and these are groups giving information directly aimed at informing such a Lanarkshire Links, Partnership 4 Change, everyone being a service user or caring for someone Scottish Health Council, Speak Easy and other very who is getting services, from NHS or their involved organisations from across NLC as well as local council. SLC.

An annual coming together of both North and South representatives has been established and gives a good means of discussing matters of dual interest. The work of the forum is supported by our very able administrator Ms Jean MacDonald PFPI NHS Lanarkshire, members reasonable travel expenses are provided.

Regularly the group are provided with excellent presentations from NHSL on matters relating to changes to care systems, or the introduction of new inititives, equally NLCISLC provide similar types of information, however, most reporting is delivered Francis Fallan (MBE) directly from the Locality Forums with local members represntatives on the group. Contact Information Other areas of interest is covered by members speaking to the work and involvement of NHS Lanarkshire Partnership Boards now operating within Faliside Road the Council, again information is given by Bothwell representatives who deliver updated information. G71 8BB

Members receive both oral and written reports back email: [email protected] from the Integration Joint Board, who are now (PFPI) Facilitator the main management area where all such matters 22 Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019

LAMH Trains DWP Staff in Mental Health Awareness

It was pointed out to work coaches that for some people part of their action plan could be as simple as getting out of the house once a day, or engaging with their Community Mental Health Team. For others, volunteer work might be an option, or further education could be the right thing. Over the last number of months Lanarkshire Association for Mental Health has been training DWP Jobcentre The main point here is making achievable goals that will Plus staff in mental health awareness as part of aid recovery rather than expecting people to overreach, an ambitious training programme being rolled out essentially pushing them backward. nationwide. Stigma and seeing the person More than 200 Jobcentre Plus work coaches across Lanarkshire have attended the in-depth course to help We wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t talk about them better support claimants experiencing mental ill stigma. Throughout the course we reinforced the fact health. that people with mental illness do not want to be spoken to differently from anyone else. People want Devised by the DWP, LAMH were asked to deliver the to be treated as people. We touched on the fact that a course to bring local expertise and lived experience to claimant will pick up on stigma straight away, which will the table. The expertise of former Employment Support only serve to make them feel isolated. Worker Jack Alexander and my own lived experience of a mental health condition formed crucial elements of In addition a key point was seeing the whole person, not the course. just the illness. As someone with a mental illness, I know I am not defined by it. I have strengths and abilities and The recovery journey and the individual hopes and dreams like anyone else. There is a lot more to me than a label and this was a key point I wanted to The course itself was firmly rooted in the concept of make. recovery and the role that Work Coaches play in the recovery journey was a key highlight. But at the absolute Seeing the whole person and using a strengths-based centre of the training was the idea of the individual and approach to build someone’s self esteem is one of the that working with people with mental illness means most important things a Work Coach can do. listening to and understanding each and every person’s differing needs. Moving forward

As such, I was able to bring my own experience to the A workforce trained to better support people fore and to tell my own recovery story, running it like experiencing mental illness is now in every Lanarkshire a thread throughout the various topics of the course. Jobcentre and the new ways of working should already This allowed me to highlight the challenges faced when be benefiting claimants. The Jobcentre may be a living with mental illness and trying to find a way back daunting place to visit for the first time, but it should to living a fulfilling and meaningful life including moving now be a place where people with mental ill health can back into a work environment. be fully supported in their recovery by taking the right steps at the right time. The training was comprehensive but focused at one point on how a person with mental ill health might Lesley Reid be feeling the first time they visit the Jobcentre – a World of Work daunting prospect for most people but harder for those who experience symptoms of mental ill health. Work Contact Information Coaches learned how to best engage with people and how to use the essential skill of empathic listening to LAMH build solid and trusting relationships with claimants. 17-19 Cadzow Street Hamilton The right steps at the right time ML3 6EE

In this vein, recognising exactly where a person is in T: 01698 201020 their recovery journey was a key aspect of the training. Website: www.lamh.org.uk In order to support a person with a mental health Facebook: facebook.com/lamh4 condition fully, Work Coaches need to find out what Twitter:@_LAMH_ each individual is capable of so they can work on a

sustainable plan toward the future. Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019 23

Heads Up for Airdrie Academy

In addition, twelve senior pupils from S5 & S6 were trained as Mental Health Ambassadors and will be available for peer support. Staff also committed to train in Mental Health First Aid.

Staff and pupils at Airdrie Academy launched their collaborative positive mental health campaign, ‘Heads Up’. Their aim is to raise awareness about mental health problems, including suicide, and to empower young people to start having positive conversations about mental health to stamp out stigma. As part of their in initiative, the school is partnership up with Stigma Free Lanarkshire, a Lanarkshire wide programme bringing people together to influence change and challenge mental health stigma and discrimination.

On 3rd October the school signed the Stigma Free Lanarkshire pledge to action making a commitment Airdrie Academy also works in partnership with to challenge stigma and to help improve the mental Airdrieonians. As suicide is the main cause of young health, wellbeing and lives of staff and pupils as well as deaths in Scotland, the club recognises the importance the wider community. of teaming up with Suicide Prevention North Lanarkshire to raise awareness. “We are taking action to promote positive mental health for our young people, staff, parents and our community. We will also endeavour to end the stigma and discrimination experienced by people with mental health problems. This is our pledge, we take it very seriously and we are committed to a whole school approach. No tick box exercises here at Airdrie Academy. We are on our way to being a mentally healthy school.” (Head Teacher)

Diamonds’ director Sam Greene, midfielder Craig Truesdale, and commercial manager, Dougy Allsop, were on hand to help with the campaign launch.

Airdrie Academy is really bringing people together to promote the mental wellbeing messages within the school as part of a bigger picture. Lynn Carlin (Airdrie Academy), Audrey Bremner (SFL), Martin Anderson (Head Teacher, Airdrie Academy), Jenny Avril Cutler Hutton (Public Mental Health & Wellbeing Development Stigma Free Lanarkshire Programme Co-ordinator Officer, NHS Lanarkshire) 24 Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019

Gathering Recovery Stories Project

This Stigma Free Lanarkshire project gives people with Michael’s Story lived experience of mental health issues the opportunity to share their story of recovery. It is understood that individual stories of recovery can not only enhance the storyteller’s healing process and convey the reality of recovery but can also contribute to tackling stigma and discrimination.

Whether the storyteller wishes to use the written word, film, photography, poetry, or other, we want to offer people the chance to tell their story in a way that reflects its uniqueness.

The team are celebrating the latest recovery stories and those who have shared them.

Carol’s Story Download Link: https://adobe.ly/2AP78bS

Poems From A Mod is a remarkable story of ongoing recovery from complex PTSD, told by Michael Byrne. The book is a collection of ‘Survival Poetry’ based on his feelings and emotions around the journey that he’s been on. The collection is split into four acts which illustrates the different stages of how he has dealt with his illness; a reflection of his recovery process. Michael first started writing poetry in May this year and has found it to be extremely therapeutic and a positive part Download Link: http://vimeo.com/287269581 of his recovery.

Carol’s Story is a short film that starts in Carol’s His aim is to encourage others to be open about childhood to help us understand what led to her mental their experiences and seek the help they need. He is health issues. Carol shares with us what has helped passionate about promoting the reality of recovery her in her recovery and we hear what others have to and tackling the stigma that all too often hinders its say about the changes they’ve seen in Carol as she progress. progresses in her journey. “Many times even the smallest words of encouragement Carol wanted to share her story of recovery to get have helped me since my breakdown. You will never know people talking about their own mental health and to de- how much it has helped me and for that kindness I am stigmatise mental health problems. It’s a story of hope eternally grateful. I hope that these poems will help fellow as Carol reflects on how far she has come, how much survivors of trauma realise that you are not alone and that she’s overcome, and how she feels about life now. there is hope. The emotional pain might never go away but we can learn to manage it by sharing our experiences with “I’m happy that I’ve told my recovery story, it’s been a each other.” Michael Byrne really positive experience. I’ve moved on with support and I wanted to let people know how I got that support so “We’re delighted to be able to share these very personal that they know that there are ways of coping. I was really stories as a celebration of recovery. It’s a real privilege to pleased to get other people like the Beatson Cancer Charity work together with people, for their voices to be heard, and Lanarkshire Links involved to show that. I hope that and for them to be able to use that voice to help others. people will realise that they can get help, that they can get What a way to demystify mental health issues, create some better. The more people that talk about their mental health understanding, and tackle stigma in the process.” problems the better, I feel that it will help people reach out.” Audrey Bremner, Development Officer, Stigma Free Carol Wallace, Storyteller Lanarkshire

“If you have 11 minutes then this is the most uplifting thing To find out more about the project or get involved, you will watch today.” whether that means telling your story or supporting Heather McArthur, Volunteer Manager, Beatson Cancer someone to tell their story, please get in touch: Charity [email protected] [email protected] Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019 25

Hope Café Lanarkshire

The Stigma Free Lanarkshire (SFL) team is delighted to announce The Hope Café Lanarkshire’s commitment to challenging mental health stigma and discrimination by signing the SFL pledge at their Christmas party and celebration on Thursday 13th December.

By its very nature and presence within the community, the Hope Café could be said to be already tackling mental health stigma. All volunteers either have lived experience of mental health issues themselves or have supported others through recovery. A non-religious charity, Susan McMorrin (NHS Lanarkshire), Audrey Bremner (SFL), Avril Cutler (SFL), Gerald Szafranek (SFL) the cafe is hosted by St Ninian’s Church in Front: Bob Millar (Hope Café Lanarkshire) Stonehouse. (Jenny Hutton (NHS Lanarkshire) This year, Hope Café Lanarkshire has been working with SFL to develop a pledge to action which has included access to training and resources including access to suicide prevention, mental health awareness training, and opening up conversations about the emotional impact of stigma. Part of the committee’s plan is to make training available for the wider community in 2019.

Bob Millar, Chair, Hope Café Lanarkshire said:

“The stigma surrounding mental health can have a huge impact on people and can be a significant barrier to people asking for help. It really can and does negatively affect people’s quality of life. Here at The Hope Café Lanarkshire our hope is that by our presence here in the community, and our willingness to be open about mental health and mental health issues, we can begin to challenge stigma within this community. “

Jenny Hutton, Chair, Lanarkshire Recovery Network:

“We are delighted to be involved with Hope Café Lanarkshire and in working together to tackle mental health stigma in Lanarkshire. The commitment from the café, through their pledge, is truly inspiring. Volunteers and customers at the café have gone out of their way to support the programme and we look forward to working together in 2019. This voice Avril Cutler of support can change minds, behaviours, and Stigma Free Lanarkshire Programme Co-ordinator ultimately, lives.” 26 Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019

North Lanarkshire Disability Forum

Support in the Right Direction (SiRD)

Laura and Bryony are the community connectors for this project. They offer a service to people who are not yet eligible for an Individual Budget, or if there social needs can’t be met by statutory services.

Programme Outcomes

• People and Carers feel more informed, listened to and less stressed North Lanarkshire Disability Forum is a user led • People and Carers can creatively and flexibly plan organisations who provide up to date information on to achieve personal outcomes including assessing Disability issues throughout North Lanarkshire. We community assets contribute to local consultations as well as raising • People and Carers have increased knowledge and awareness at different platforms, highlighting good understanding of self directed support principles and bad practice around welfare, home care, aids and and options for social care. adaptations, access, transport and many more.

What will we do to meet these outcomes? We support people to with form filling for things such as Personal Independence Payment or housing applications, making complaints, accessing both Health • Signpost & Social Care services, attending appointments such as • Face to face meetings to help you decide what hospital, GP, Housing, Money matters etc. your needs are and how these may be met in the We help people know their rights. community • We can help you to understand a bit more about If you have gone through the self-directed support individual budgets and how we can help if you not assessment process but not eligible at this time for a eligible at this time. budget, our Community Connectors can support you • Connecting people to appropriate services and with personal outcomes that may be met by utilising supports on your local community. community resources and helping you to maintain independence. Lorraine Elliott Manager We have an open door policy, so you can pop in at any time. To ensure privacy and suitable time is arranged to help you we offer an appointment system, so there is no waiting around for long times to be seen, appointments Contact Information are usual within the week; however we do try to accommodate the best we can. We may also offer home North Lanarkshire Disability Forum visits if required. 42 Civic Square Motherwell Our funding does not allow us to provide transport or ML1 1TP advocacy but we can let you know of services available or travel on public transport with you if suitable. Community Connectors Laura Jamies on If you are unsure if we can help please call, we are happy 07428312202 to make referrals to other services if they are more (Bellshill, Motherwell, Wishaw, Shotts and appropriate. Coatbridge) [email protected] T: 01698 275 710 Website: www.nldforum.org.uk Bryony Lang Facebook: facebook.com/nldisabilityforum 07427645077 (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Airdrie) Charity No: SC019728 [email protected]

Mental Health Matters - Issue 38 | February 2019 27

Care & Repair

• Help set up a contract between you and your contractor; • Visit to ensure the work is carried out to an acceptable standard; • Advise you of funding options you may be entitled to and help you to complete forms and other paperwork;

Care and Repair is an independent charity based in Lanark, covering all of South Lanarkshire. We provide a free and confidential service to those who need advice and practical help with carrying out adaptations and repairs to their home. The work is to help you change your home so that you can remain there safely, securely and independently for as long as possible.

Adaptations Telecare and Key Safes

We will be able to assist you once you have been Following a referral from Social Work, we will visit your assessed by your Occupational Therapist and it has been home and provide the wireless technology requested to agreed that you will need to have an adaptation carried enable a person to remain at home including movement, out in your home. An adaptation may be to replace a falls, flood, gas, temperature and CO sensors, smoke bath with a level access or wet floor shower, installing alarms and pressure mats. If requested, we will also specialist toilets, widening doors – in fact anything that install Police approved key-safes to enable access to a your OT asks for that will enable you to continue to client’s property by family, carers and other professionals live at home. Our experienced officers will visit you at and euro locks to enable a client to have their door home and can provide you with information, advice and locked but not need a key to unlock from the inside. support to assist you with adaptations to your home. We can assist you through all stages including helping you Safe as Houses assess extent of work required, obtaining estimates from The Safe as Houses initiative is a free service for reliable contractors, investigating sources of funding everyone in South Lanarkshire over 65 years of age and which might be available and ensuring work is completed for anyone who has been a victim of domestic abuse, properly. house breaking or bogus callers. You can get this service Repairs and Maintenance by phoning the Safe as Houses hotline on 0800 24 20 24 or by contacting us direct. We will write to you This service is available to all over the age of 65 and to arrange a visit to assess the security of your home. anyone living with a disability. An experienced Care and Where suitable, we will supply and fit free of charge; Repair Officer will make contact with you and discuss the repairs that you require; this may be by telephone or by a • Door lock, viewer, chain, and handle alarm; home visit. The Officer will provide you with information, • Intercom where a viewer and a door chain cannot advice and practical assistance free of charge and in be fitted; confidence will: • Personal safety alarm; and • Timer switch for sockets. • Listen to any concerns you have about looking Jamie Burgees after your home and discuss these with you; Manager • Help you decide what repairs or improvements are needed; Contact Information • Arrange the preparation of any drawings if required; 6a Hope Street, • Help you to access any approved or accredited Lanark, contractors list and, if necessary, provide ML11 7LZ specifications; • Obtain quotes for the work from qualified and T: 01555 666200 reliable contractors; Email: [email protected]

East Kilbride / Camglen First Friday every month at 1.30pm, Arts Centre, 51-53 Old Coach Road, East Kilbride, G74 4DU (Coffee and Chat from 1pm in cafe)

Hamilton / Clydesdale First Monday every month at 11.00am, Crossroads Cafe, Kirkton Church Centre, Station Road, Carluke, ML8 5AA (Lunch Provided)

Airdrie / Bellshill / Coatbridge Second Tuesday every month at 10.30am, Salvation Army Community Centre, Gladstone Street, Bellshill, ML4 1AT (Lunch Pro- vided) Motherwell / Wishaw / Shotts Last Friday every month at 1.30pm, Houldsworth Centre, Wishaw, ML2 7LP. Lunch at The Wishaw Malt 12.30pm Cumbernauld / Kilsyth Second Wednesday every month at 11am, Cafe, Cornerstone Centre, Cumbernauld, G67 1BZ ( Coffee and Chat from 10.30am)

Lanarkshire Links, Rooms 3.5 & 3.6, Dalziel Business Centre, 7 Scott Street, Motherwell, ML1 1PN Phone: 01698 265232 Email: [email protected]