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Local Update, 18 November 2024
Barnet Voice for Mental Health
020 3475 1314
bvmh@inclusionbarnet.org.uk
Welcome to our weekly newsletter about mental health services and support available in Barnet and beyond. Also bringing you updates on Inclusion Barnet mental health news. Produced by Ed Peston, Communications Assistant.
Events and news from the web
Urgent: Social Care consultation deadline approaching
We continue to urge Barnet Council to extend the consultation deadline for the proposed social care charge increase. Time is running out! The current deadline is November 21st. If you haven't already, please take a moment to share your feedback through the online consultation: Adult Social Care fees and charges consultation | Engage Barnet
Barnet Service User and Carer Forum
Date: 21st November 2024
Runs on the third Thursday of every month
Time: 14:00 –15:30
Topic: Barnet VCS service
Speaker: Natalia Lorenc, Hestia Integrated VCS Manager
They will also be joined by Carol Moyo, Managing Director of Barnet Mental Health Services.
Carol will update you on what is happening across Barnet and there will be time to ask her questions.
Barnet Mental Health services want to hear what you have to say about Adult Mental Health services. Their forum encourages and promotes service users and carers working alongside staff to improve their services.
They have speakers arranged each month and chat about other topics attendees may want to discuss. They also share useful information about things happening in Barnet.
Venue: In person at The Network, 24 Hendon Lane, London, N3 1TR
OR
Microsoft Teams, join by clicking the link or entering the details below. MS Teams link is also available on the BEH trust website.
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+44 20 3321 5208,,325359623# United Kingdom, London
Phone Conference ID: 325 359 623#
Contact Ella Goldberg at ella.goldberg@nhs.net
Help shape research to make acute general hospital care safer for people with mental health needs (from Imperial College London)
Acute general hospital stays can be difficult for people who may become agitated, confused, or distressed (e.g. due to a mental health need). Acute general hospitals mainly treat physical health conditions. Although people with a mental health condition sometimes receive specialist support or closer observation in hospital, they might still be at-risk of coming to harm during their hospital stay.
Imperial College London want to work with service users and family/carers on this research to improve care safety within acute general hospitals. You can get involved if you are a service user: aged 18 years or above, with experience of a mental health condition, who has had an overnight stay in an acute general hospital in the past two years. They would also like to work with family/carers of adults who meet these criteria. You will receive £25.00 per hour plus expenses for your involvement with this work.
You do not need to have any previous experience of research, we will support you to become involved and provide training as necessary to help you to develop new skills. The project will run from November 2024, and will initially involve sharing your opinions to help shape a review of research evidence. If you are interested in staying involved, there may be further opportunities to share your experiences on other aspects of this research. You will need to live in England to be involved.
If you would like to be involved, please provide your contact details here, or contact Phoebe with any questions p.averill@imperial.ac.uk.
North London NHS Trust Governor Elections Now Open
Be a voice for mental health across North London
To stand in the Governor Elections or to vote, you must be a Member by 25 November 2024. Joining is quick and free, Sign up on the website North London NHS Foundation Trust or contact them at 020 3317 7017 or nlft.membership.bso@nhs.net
The Role of a Governor
As a Governor, you'll:
- Represent the interest of Members, service users, carers and the wider public.
- Serve as an ambassador for the Trust and its membership.
- Participate in discussions that influence service development and direction.
- Attend quarterly Council of Governor meetings, plus an Annual Members' Meeting.
- Approve key decisions and hold Non-Executive Directors accountable for Board performance.
They're electing 21 Governors:
- 11 Public Governors: 2 each from Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey, and Islington, and 1 from the rest of London.
- 6 Service User / Carer Governors
- 4 Staff Governors
Time Commitment
This manageable and rewarding voluntary role requires up to two days per month to engage with Members and the public, review papers, and attend meetings and occasional events. Meetings are typically held in person in the evenings.
Training and Support
As a Governor, you'll have access to bespoke training and ongoing support to help you thrive in your role.
How to apply
If you're interested in standing, find more information and a nomination form at www.cesvotes.com/NorthLondon. For a printed form or assistance, contact Civica on 020 8889 9203 or email ftnominationenquiries@cesvotes.com.
The deadline for completed nomination forms is 5pm on Monday 25 November 2024.
Mental health and wellbeing for leaders and managers (webinar from Stratus Coaching), Monday 25 November, 10.00 - 10.45am
This interactive webinar will look at:
What is mental health?
Stigma and discrimination
What stops people from speaking up
What are the common signs and symptoms to look out for if we're struggling
How to support team members
Best practices to create a mentally healthy workplace culture
My mental health - having hope (online workshop from Mid West Aries), Tuesday 19 November, 2.00 - 4.00pm
Exploring where we find hope and how having hope can benefit our mental health.
My mental health - looking after me at Christmas (webinar from Mid West Aries), Wednesday 27 November, 2.00 - 3.00pm
Discussing how we can look after ourselves during the Christmas period
Webinar: Supporting family members with their mental health (from State of Us), Friday 29 November, 12.30 - 1.30pm
In this lived experience webinar, they will explore this topic from both the angle of those who have experienced mental illness and the family members who have been there to support them.
Book Webinar: Supporting family members with their mental health
Understanding antisocial personality disorder (webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Wednesday 20 November, 6.00 - 7.00pm
Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) is a complex mental health condition marked by persistent disregard for others, impulsivity, and a lack of empathy. People with ASPD may ignore laws or social norms, potentially putting themselves and other people in harm’s way. Discuss how it’s diagnosed, the challenges of managing ASPD, and the impact it can have on relationships and society
Mindsnaps online (online session from Steve Rose). Wednesday 4 December, 7.00 - 9.00pm
Using photography to enable discussions about feelings and emotions in a fun, safe format.
Got a relevant event to share in this newsletter?
Let us know by emailing the details to bvmh@inclusionbarnet.org.uk
Podcasts
Podcast: Mental Health experts weigh in on seasonal depression (from WITF)
Depression, which is affiliated to a particular season, generally happens in fall and winter
Listen to Podcast: Mental Health experts weigh in on seasonal depression
Podcast: When anxiety interferes with work (from Harvard Business Review)
Worrying is a fact of life; it comes and goes—usually. But what do you do when it doesn’t go away?
Articles
The power of gratitude: 5 ways practicing gratitude benefits the body and mind (from Deseret News)
Brief, regular practice of gratitude boosts mood, reduces depression and anxiety
Read The power of gratitude: 5 ways practicing gratitude benefits the body and mind
Mental health tips on how to handle Trump blues and anxiety (from the Guardian)
Charity relaunches advice page recommending volunteering and getting involved in local civic causes during traumatic world events
Read Mental health tips on how to handle Trump blues and anxiety
Can a two-letter word really change your life? (from the BBC)
Rejection therapy: while it's not an officially recognised form of therapy, some people will tell you it's changed their lives.
We want children to be happy. They want to be good. (from Psychology Today)
Children recognize the relationship between morally good actions and happiness.
Regular Events on the Web
Online wellbeing workshops from Mid West Aries
Offering a range of free courses online via Zoom. Anyone over the age of 18 with an interest in mental health and well-being can sign up for the courses.
Music To remember (online event from Music Heals Minds), Tuesday 19 November, 7.00pm
These weekly virtual recitals with Nandani “Nani” Sinha and guests stimulate remembrance and gently invite reflection through familiar and bellowed songs.
International wellbeing support group (From Rain on Me), Monday 18 November, 5.30pm
A free, international safe space to vent and grow with people who understand and accept you.
Regular Events in Barnet
Barnet Depression Alliance Peer Support Group
A local self-help group for people suffering from depression or depression with anxiety.
Meets twice a month – on a Tuesday evening in North Finchley and on a Monday evening online via Zoom. The group also runs social events throughout the year.
Address: North Finchley
Phone: 0754 118 7907
Email: barnet.depressionalliance@gmail.com
Website: http://www.barnetdepressionalliance.org/
For more details of times and venue please telephone or email
Sanctuary in Barnet (from Mind in Enfield and Barnet)
Sanctuary in Barnet is a short-term crisis intervention and prevention service. They are open every day of the year, 4:30pm-10pm weekdays and 12-6pm weekends. They act as an A&E and Emergency services alternative, providing support to individuals in the Barnet Borough aged 18+.
Andy's Man Club in Barnet, Every Monday at the Meritage Centre, 7.00 - 9.00pm
Andy's Man Club run talking groups for men who have either been through a storm, are currently going through a storm, have a storm brewing in life or just want to meet a good group of people with the aim of improving one another. No referral, no registration and no charge. Even the brew and biscuits are free!
The Meritage Centre,
Church End,
London
NW4 4JT
Meridian Wellbeing in Barnet
A range of events and activities in Barnet and online including Barnet Wellbeing Hub, Barnet IAPT, Wellbeing Cafe, Wellbeing Workshops, Chinese Wellbeing Services, Supportive Online Communities
More information about Meridian Wellbeing events and activities
Barnet Carers
Barnet Carers provides support and information for unpaid, informal, carers across the London Borough of Barnet. Includes yoga, meditation and mindfulness.
Building Friendship
Building Friendship is a free weekly drop in every Friday for those with mental health difficulties.
Meet at East Barnet Baptist Church hall, EN4 8PS. Come along for a cup of coffee and a friendly chat between 10am and 12noon.
For more information email: buildingfriendship@gmail.com. Or leave a message with your name and contact number on 020 8449 5320.
Mind and Mood Support Group
We celebrated our eighth successful year on 4th January 2023 and have a group of regular attendees (usually around 6, but this may vary). The first half of the meeting our Guest Speaker speaks (on the day we have one) for approx. 20 mins, following this members are free to ask questions. Then half-way through, about 6.45 we have a comfort break with tea, coffee and biscuits. The second half, we all share our experiences of where we are since the last meeting.
The group is facilitated by Sandra Turner and Peter Sartori, both with considerable experience of the mental health system.
Since the Pandemic. Our group has gone through necessary changes. One week our group meets via Zoom from 6-7.15pm. Alternate wks. we meet, in person at 55 Christchurch Avenue 6-7.30pm. No-one is allowed to join our meetings without prior arrangement.
If there is anything else you wish to know, please do not hesitate to contact:
Peter Sartori e: mailto:petersartori168@gmail.com m: 07947 713306 Sandra Turner e: santana.turner01@gmail.com
If you wish to subscribe to our monthly “Creativity & Wellbeing Newsletter” please email Sandra with “Subscribe to Newsletter” in the subject of your email.
About Inclusion Barnet
We are a Peer-Led Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisation (DDPO).
Nearly all of our directors and staff have lived experience of disability, including mental health issues and/or long-term health conditions.
We believe that learning to use our lived experience for social change is a skill. We have become experts in harnessing the lived experience of our staff, members, volunteers and the people who use our services to design and deliver higher quality, more person-centred services.
Other services run by Inclusion Barnet that you might be interested in are:
Benefits Advice Service (supporting Disabled people in Barnet to access the benefits they are entitled to).
Touchpoint (supports people experiencing any form of disability in Barnet to access the services and resources they need).
Healthwatch Barnet (an independent, statutory organisation dedicated to improving health and social care services in Barnet).
For more information about the wider range of other work we do please visit our website www.inclusionbarnet.org.uk
Useful links for mental health and wellbeing
Click on the title to go to the individual websites.
LOCAL
- Mind in Barnet - counselling
- Mind in Barnet Sanctuary - find calm, make space, move forward
- Barnet Wellbeing Service
- BEH-MHT* crisis helpline 0800 151 0023 24/7, 365 days a year.
(*BEH-MHT = Barnet, Enfield Haringay - Mental Health Trust)
LONDON & NATIONAL
- Good Thinking - free online Mental Wellbeing for London
- Kooth - free, safe and anonymous online support for young people
- Qwell - free online safe and confidential space to share & support
Shout - free, 24/7 text messaging support - text SHOUT to 85258 - Samaritans - free phone & email support in a crisis
Independent Living Centre, c/o Barnet & Southgate College,
7 Bristol Avenue, Colindale, London NW9 4BR
Inclusion Barnet is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
Registered Charity Number: 1158632
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