0282_Together_Magazine_Issue 4:Layout 1 13/12/09 19:52 Page 1 Issue 4 time 2010 Healing the emotional scars of war Spotlight on: Together Tigers Food and mental health Soap washes hands of clichés www.together-uk.org 0282_Together_Magazine_Issue 4:Layout 1 13/12/09 19:52 Page 2 CONTENTS Features 6 Healing the emotional scars of war 12 Cover story: Soap washes hands of clichés 14 Strength and Hope exhibition at Our Space 18 Food and mental health 22 Focus on Personalisation 22 6 Contents 12 8 Regulars 4 Together Communicates: news in brief 8 Spotlight on: Together Tigers 10 First Person: your life stories 20 Share Together: the story of Freda and Charlotte Mew 24 Involvement Update: news and opportunities for service users and staff 28 The Notice Board: your pictures and 14 news 2 0282_Together_Magazine_Issue 4:Layout 1 13/12/09 19:52 Page 3 timetogether ISSUE 04 Recession, Public Services and the Third Sector CHIEF EXECUTIVE - LIZ FELTON he recent economic problems personalise services. to have hit the world are well Our sector is well placed and strong T known, along with the eye at empowering citizens, and reaching watering sums of money used to bail into communities and will probably find out the banks and to refloat the personalisation easier to achieve than FEEDBACK of BBC Picture Publicity photo courtesy cover Front economy. This has left a multi state run services. We always welcome feedback billion pound deficit facing the So, should the sector be pushing to >about timetogether from our country and a fear that we will see create a scenario whereby we would readers. So if you'd like to contact severe top-slicing of public service see fundamental changes to the system the team to get your point across funding with greatest threat to that delivers public services and to the or would like to contribute an mental health services and with style of delivery? It has to be better, article, photo or letter, you can third sector contracts feeling does it not, than the type of slashing of contact us at: particularly vulnerable. services we have seen before that often [email protected] But might there be an alternative disadvantages our sector and our scenario and, if so, might this represent service users the most? In this scenario, a significant opportunity for our sector a significant opportunity is created with to influence and contribute to the sector offering solutions to bring transforming public services in a way about the kind of system change that that improves outcomes for service gives greater personalisation, supports users? people’s and communities’ own The task facing the next capacity and achieves cost reductions. government from whichever political This is why we are working with other party, will be a radical rebalancing of organisations to position the voluntary Editor: the public finances likely to result in a sector as the natural partner with Claire Monger radical rethink of the role of public government in making this happen. Together: working for wellbeing services with much greater emphasis on The sector needs to rise to the 12 Old Street, London, EC1V 9BE outcomes. challenge and charities must ensure 0207 780 7366 Incremental improvements in public that the public is on our side by being [email protected] services will not be sufficient. Systemic open and accepting of change. We will Proofreaders: innovation and new systems of need to demonstrate that we can Rosie Shelley and Sarah Fuggle production will be needed, including diversify our funding streams and are support for volunteering and mutual not undermined by duplicating services Design and Production: John Myers support by people for, and with, each or by quality issues. We will not escape [email protected] other. the requirement to operate our services In this scenario, the role of families efficiently and to demonstrate value for and communities would assume money and to deliver measurable greater importance, with social support outcomes. structures complementing the role of All of this depends also on public services. We could see a shift strengthening capacity and resources in from an emphasis on the rights of the the third sector with government individual to one much more concerned setting the right framework and timetogether and its contents are the sole © of for the common good of our conditions. We will be pushing for this Together: working for wellbeing. No part of communities. too. this magazine may be reproduced in any form In public services, the drive would be without the prior written permission of for cheaper and also better, and for a Together: working for wellbeing, registered pro-active focus on prevention, self- charity no: 211091. management and individual control. There would be a rethinking of the job roles of frontline workers to provide increased discretion and power to 3 0282_Together_Magazine_Issue 4:Layout 1 13/12/09 19:52 Page 4 TOGETHER COMMUNICATES Sky’s the limit at How befriending helps Hastings Resource Bob Thrussell at Hastings Resource A series of minor strokes left Tom Powell, a former Centre worked together with Richard college lecturer, battling with depression. Tom says: “I Broad from Lawn Court and others to address a problem a number of their was at a very low ebb in life. I just couldn’t do clients were facing, fear of flying. They had picked up from a number of anything at all and was falling to pieces.” people and their families that anxieties Help was at hand from Rochdale about plane travel were preventing them Community Support Service (CSS), from going on holiday. So the team which runs a befriending service in worked together to encourage 10 people, partnership with the local Rotary Club. including one person who had not flown They encouraged Tom, who has always in 23 years, to take advantage of the 1p been a keen artist, to take up painting flights offered by a budget airline and again. Thanks to this support he accompanied the nervous flyers on a regained his interest and art and in flight to Dublin. They didn’t stay long, just October 2009 put on an exhibition of a couple of hours, before taking the return 20 paintings and prints at the flight home. But it’s really helped increase Touchstone Gallery in Rochdale. Tom people’s confidence. The next step is to continues: “It came to a point where I try and get some funding to turn it into an just couldn’t cope. But thanks to overnight stay. Together and Rochdale Rotary Club, life is looking a lot more encouraging and Successful bid at I’m enjoying painting again.” The befriending partnership was Lancashire CSS the brainchild of Mike Tomkinson, Congratulations to the team at Community Support Worker at Lancaster CSS who have received Rochdale CSS, and a committed funding from North Lancashire Primary Rotarian. It now looks to go from Care Trust (PCT) for a Carers’ strength to strength after a vigorous Engagement and Involvement Worker. assessment saw it meet the Approved This brand new role will focus on Provider Standard (APS) from the team behind it. Mike recently received developing the skills and knowledge of Mentoring and Befriending a well deserved Together staff award of carers so that they can better influence Foundation, a testament to the hard £500 for his outstanding contributions the planning, development and work and determination of the whole to the organisation. improvement of mental health services across North Lancashire. Monday 8th to Sunday 14th March 2010 Since 2007 Together has held a Thanks to the commitment of its members, the week that has seen projects up and views of everybody at Together have been down the country hold events and represented, including front line staff, people activities promoting better mental accessing mental health services, as well as wellbeing for all. In 2010 Mental Wellbeing members of senior management, which has led Week is set to take place from 8th - 14th to some really positive developments.” March, and this year we’re encouraging more See the four page pull-out feature and poster external groups and organisations to get about Mental Wellbeing Week 2010 included in involved too. this edition of timetogether. Visit www.together- Claire Monger, Project Manager for the week uk.org/wellbeing-week to download a pack that says: “This year we’ve had a real mix of people explains what’s happening, and how to get on the steering group, which has been fantastic. involved. www.together-uk.org/wellbeing-week 4 0282_Together_Magazine_Issue 4:Layout 1 13/12/09 19:52 Page 5 TOGETHER COMMUNICATES timetogether ISSUE 04 First Direct Payment success at Verneuil Avenue Staff at Verneuil Avenue in Stowmarket are thrilled to report that one of their tenants, John Harvey, has managed to obtain a direct payment for a two day break in the seaside resort of Great Yarmouth. As Tracey Norman, project co- ordinator says ”We’re so pleased with this Linda Bryant result. It was the first direct payment we’d applied for, the procedure wasn’t as daunting as we thought, and it took just three weeks from application to being told Fresh successes for the John had been successful.” Forensic Mental Health Moving on from Practitioner service (FMHP) Swiss Cottage Colleen Lee, Project Co-ordinator at Swiss Too many people with mental health issues find themselves in Cottage residential home, is delighted at the recent success of two people at the contact with the criminal justice system. Published earlier this year project. Sue and Mark had been living at the Bradley Report presented the results of an inquiry into the the service for a number of years, but diversion of offenders with mental health problems or learning thanks to their hard work and commitment, plus the workers at Swiss disabilities away from prison into other more appropriate services.