Sunderland Wellbeing Network Newsletter

Washington Mind

Newsletter June 2013 “Washington Mind exists to enhance the quality of life, promote recovery and improve the mental health and wellbeing of people; by working in partnership with our community in inclusive, creative and innovative ways”. We have moved!

On Thursday 27th June 2013 the Washington Mind staff moved into our new building as phase 1 of the renovations are now complete!

Washington Mind’s Painting Day at Columbia To help with the completion of Phase 1, on Monday 17th June, Washington Mind staff/volunteers, and volunteers from Lloyds TSB and Barclay’s embarked on the epic task of painting our new building!

Throughout the day, everyone worked together to tidy and paint the rooms to get them ready for us to move in to this week and the end result was fantastic. The day succeeded in uniting staff, volunteers and the executive committee and lots of fun and laughter was had by all, as you can see from the pictures!

On behalf of everyone at Washington Mind, we would like to say a massive thank you to the volunteers from Lloyds TSB and Barclay’s for your hard work, team spirit and continued support in getting our new building to look just right!

Well done to Pam who is the winner of our competition to name our new building! Our new address is: The Life House Grasmere Terrace Columbia Washington NE38 7LP - Please visit www.washingtonmind.org.uk for more information about office closures in the coming weeks.

In the middle of our make a Difference day we also hosted a visit from volunteers involved in a mental health project in our twin town of St Nazaire. 1 Both parties were keen to look at opportunities to develop links and even the prospect of some future partnership work – watch this space! Or for our new french friends - Surveillez cet espace!

Nicola’s Tandem Skydive – The Story! On the 4th May 2013 I jumped 10,000ft from a plane in order to raise money for National Mind! Despite being absolutely terrified in the lead up to it, it ended up being one of the best experiences of my life and nothing at all like I expected! When you jump out of the plane and feel the wind rushing past you, it is such a surreal and surprisingly quiet and calming experience. I even had a go of This is me – I promise! controlling the parachute! I would also like to say a massive thank you to everyone who supported me and donated money to this worthwhile cause. Because of your generosity, I managed to raise £395 for National Mind (part of which also covered the cost of the sky dive). I can’t wait for the next challenge! Men’s Health Week: 10th – 16th June 2013 It was Men’s Health week in June (10th – 16th) and Washington Mind was out and about with partners across the city raising men’s awareness of the health issues that affect them.

One active event was a ‘Walk in the Park’ in Barnes Park. We introduced them to the Sunderland Men’s Health Network campaign Ha’way Man! and encouraged them to make a START to improve their physical and emotional health, reduce their risk of cancer and become Alreet Man! The START message is simple – Stop Smoking, Take 30 mins exercise a day, Ask for help, Reduce alcohol, Try eating a healthy diet.

Ha’way Man is an engaging chap and helps us to have conversations with men to signpost them to further information, support and activities.

Meet Ha’Way Man! & His Mate Alreet Man!

2 Race For Life 2013

On Sunday 19th May Washington Mind staff joined the thousands of women, all dressed in their pink finery at the Herrington Country Park to participate in the Race For Life 5K! It was an honour and a privilege to take part and we raised £75 for Cancer Research UK - we can't wait to take part in the next event! As you can see from the pictures below, we all had a lot of fun!

A LIFE Worth Living Suicide Prevention Campaign

Farringdon detached under 12's who play in the Russell Foster league are contributing to the A LIFE Worth Living suicide prevention campaign and Washington Mind have sponsored them to help get the message across to young people. They are helping to do this by wearing the A LIFE Worth Living logo on their brand new shirts (Taken from the Sunderland Echo article on the 17th May 2013)

Farringdon detached are helping Washington Mind to promote the message to other young people of all ages that it is okay and also important to talk honestly and openly about our feelings.

There has also been a lot of interest from local organisations who are eager to get involved in the A LIFE Worth Living Campaign.

The photograph to the left shows what the football 3 t-shirts look like with the ‘A LIFE Worth Living’ logo on them.

Caption Competition!

Welcome to Washington Mind’s first caption competition!

Let us know what caption you think should go along with this picture and we’ll include the best one in the next issue!

Please email caption suggestions to: [email protected]

Have your say!

Please contact Washington Mind on 0191 4178043 or email [email protected] if there is anything you would like to see included in future editions of the Washington Mind newsletter. We welcome any suggestions or feedback. Whether you have a delicious recipe you’d like to share, a photograph, quote or uplifting story, we’d love to hear from you!

Washington Wild Fowl A big thank you to Ray for sharing this ‘quacking’ photo with us! Wellbeing Network’s Update

5 This online guide was designed to give advice and information about how to keep your mind and body healthy and where to find help if you have a problem.

You can now access wellbeinginfo from your mobile device and be taken directly to our brand new mobile view of the site!

If you would like to add your organisation to the directory of local services, follow the ‘Add your organisation’ button which is situated on the right hand side of the main website.

We would love to have you on board!

Young People’s Project

Washington Mind and Encompass Healthcare have been selected to be one of the ten pilot sites of a pioneering national project to improve young people’s health. The work so far involves consulting with local young people to find out what services and activities they would want in our new building; making a video of a young person speaking to a local GP and LIFE trainer and developing leaflets for GPs, Parents and young people explaining access to GPs and confidentiality.

Washington Mind’s Young People’s Project are now on Facebook!

Please Like our page! www.facebook.com/pages/ Washington-Mind-Young- Peoples-Project

6 In each future newsletter, Washington Mind will promote one organisation which has been added to www.wellbeinginfo.org – this month, we have chosen the Social Chef!

Mission Statement

“Social Chef aims to aid, guide and support, in the achievement of a healthy balanced diet through food based activities, so that informed choices can be made. With a holistic approach, we use food as a tool to improve general health and well-being, reduce social isolation and health inequalities whilst instilling self-confidence in participants.”

Social Chef is a Not for Profit organisation which is having a real impact on the lives of local people. The fundamental aim of Social Chef is to support individuals/groups in improving health through a balanced diet, thus tackling increasing obesity levels, lifestyle diseases, poor dietary habits and reducing health inequalities.

We also believe food can also be used as a fantastic tool for engaging with people and improving the following: Self-confidence Social inclusion Independent living skills Soft and functional skills Community cohesion Social skills

Whilst dispelling some of the myths surrounding food preparation, we develop confidence in participants by teaching practical food skills in a nurturing, inspirational, fun and engaging environment.

Social Chef has a fully mobile kitchen that can be adapted to a range of settings and environments. Models can be tailored to individual or group needs and designed to meet the specific requirements or goals of the participants or organization. Where appropriate our activities are user led, we find this helps dramatically aid participants’ development and self-confidence, helping them to gain more enjoyment and knowledge.

All of our activities are interwoven with nutritional advice, food labeling information, budgeting tips and food hygiene/safety messages. Although our activities are open to all we especially work within the more deprived, disadvantaged and vulnerable sectors of the community.

Our Services We offer the following: Cookery Classes 4-10 week cookery courses Half and full day food workshops Event Food demonstrations We can also provide outside catering and food consultation services.

Social Chef is a not for profit organisation and a company limited by guarantee (No: 8103762). We hold full public liability; employer insurance and all staff members are CRB checked and have relevant teaching and catering qualifications.

For more information please contact us on 07595976047 / [email protected] www.facebook.com/socialchef 7 Please turn over to see the latest recipe kindly given to us by the Social Chef! Social Chef Recipe

Asparagus, Mixed Mushroom and Parmesan Frittata

Ingredients:

1-2 tbsp olive oil 300g cooked slice new potatoes 5 free range eggs 200g mixed mushrooms sliced (chestnut, portabella etc) 5-6 pieces of asparagus Handful of grated parmesan or other strong cheese.

Method:

Firstly slice the asparagus into 1cm pieces and cook in boiling salted water for 2 mins. Cool under cold running water, then drain and dry with kitchen paper. In a small non-stick frying pan, heat ½ tbsp of oil over a medium heat and cook the mushrooms. When done, put to one side on a plate to coo a littlel. Add a little more oil to the pan, then fry the potatoes for about 6-8 mins till crispy. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs. Then add the asparagus, cooked mushrooms and some seasoning. Heat a grill to a medium heat.

Turn the heat on the pan down and tip the egg mixture into the frying pan. Mix quickly till it starts to set, then sprinkle over the parmesan. After about 4 mins, once the bottom has almost set, pop under the grill for 2-3 mins or until firm and golden. Leave to cool for a few minutes before sliding out of the pan. Serve warm or cold with dressed seasonal salad leaves and cherry vine tomatoes. Washington Mind Recipe - Tomato and Basil Skewers

Ingredients: 16 small fresh mozzarella balls 16 fresh basil leaves 16 cherry tomatoes Extra-virgin olive oil, to drizzle Coarse salt, to taste Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Method: Thread mozzarella, basil and tomatoes on small skewers. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. 8

Tomato skewers recipe taken from: http://www.delish.com/recipefinder/tomato-basil-skewers-recipe-4985 Activity Schedule June 2013

Session Venue Time Monday Mothers In Mind Rainbow Centre, Concord TBC

Open Mind Woodridge Gardens, Washington 4:00 - 6:00