News

Hello, there.

There's not been an update this week, as we've all been busy. Among other things, we attended the 'Road 2 Recovery' Conference at Crewe on Thursday 28th February, and we'll have a full report about that soon.


As you may know (especially if you turned up - sorry) the 'Directions Plus' evening on Wednesday fell apart at the last moment. We're now trying to deal with its future organisation and arrangements, and Dorothy has organised a meeting at Rosemount on Tuesday, 11th March 2008 at 3:15 pm to discuss these details. We urge anyone invoved with 'Directions' to come and have a say in its future - it is your group, after all. I will post further details soon.


Martyn.

Directions Plus

The February meeting of the Directions Plus self-help group will be another of the popular social evenings.

It will take place on the last Wednesday of the month, as usual; that's the 27th February 2008, at 7.30pm at the Brocklehurst Arms, as usual!

This time we're not booking a meal due to the lateness of the arrangements, so you might want to grab something to eat beforehand, though maybe the Brock Arms will have something available on the night. For more information phone 01625 663 122.

Interview

Dr Waring, a recently retired psychiatrist, interviewed by Richard Muirhead

“In August 2007 I conducted an interview by means of a postal questionnaire with Dr. Waring. This is the complete interview below:

Richard: How did you first become involved in psychiatry?

Dr Waring: I was always interested in the subject since being quite young at secondary school but at that time I didn`t recognize it as medical psychiatry. I knew I wanted to do something involved with psychology and brain science.

Richard: What has been the most challenging experience in your life as a psychiatrist?

Dr Waring: I don`t think there has been one, but trying to practice in a self-reflective way, keeping the patients interests at heart, is it, I think.

Richard: Do you support drug administration or talking therapies within psychiatry?

Dr Waring: Both; I don`t see them as mutually exclusive. The use of medicine will depend upon several factors: How unwell the patient is, the patient's wishes, the type of symptoms present.

Richard: What changes do you anticipate in psychiatry over the next 10 years?

Dr Waring: There will be a further development in the understanding of how emotional experiences/thoughts are represented chemically. This will lead to many ethical issues of the interaction of chemistry and self determination and may lead to many challenging legal issues.

Richard: What advice would you give to a newly qualified psychiatrist?

Dr Waring: Keep the patients' interests at heart, keep listening, don`t fall foul of `fashions`

Macclesfield District CVS

CVS:
81 Park Lane, Macclesfield; 01625 428 301

Volunteer Centre:

125 Park Lane, Macclesfield; 01625 439 736

http://www.macclesfieldanddistrictcvs.co.uk/

Liz Hudson of Macclesfield District CVS is compiling a series of articles about grant funders with a special interest in mental health. Her first article is about Comic Relief.

Everyone has heard of Red Nose Day, and everyone is probably aware that it’s to do with raising funds for Comic Relief. Not everyone knows that a substantial part of these funds go to support mental health groups.

Comic Relief’s website (www.comicrelief.com) makes the point that one in four people are affected at some point in their lives by mental health problems, and explains that the grants programme is intended to address the issues of exclusion and stigma.

The main grants programme aims to support the rights of people with mental health problems, making awards in excess of £5,000. There is also a small grants programme for user-led mental health groups who are trying to get people with mental health problems more involved in developing mental health policies and services.

Here are two examples of the sort of projects which have been funded:

Sound Minds (£88,000) - a project to help musicians, artists and workshop leaders with mental health problems access seasonal employment, thus addressing the fact that nearly 80% of people with severe and enduring mental health problems are unemployed.

Beyond the Cuckoo’s Nest (£5,000) – funding for a small mental health organisation which gives presentations in local schools and colleges, and trains police and ambulance staff and other agencies to be aware of mental health issues, thus reducing the stigma of mental illness.

For more advice on grants and funding contact Macclesfield CVS on 01625 428 301 or your local volunteer Service.

Advocacy for Mental Health

Springbank Centre, Victoria Road, Macclesfield SK10 3LS
Contact John Deakin or William McKeller on: 01625 663 142

Have you ever been in a meeting and felt that your views weren’t being listened to or that you weren’t able to take it all in? Perhaps you had trouble obtaining the correct benefits. Or maybe you find it tricky obtaining all the different services that are available to you. Do you feel that you are not being listened to regarding your medication or care plan? These are just examples of the sort of issues the Advocacy Service deals with on a day-to-day basis.

The Advocacy Service is independent from other organisations and you will not find us making judgements about what is concerning you. You can be also assured that any dealings you have with us will be treated in strictest of confidence. And of course it’s free to service users.
We are not an advice service but can help you find advice. By listening and discussing with you the issues and if necessary obtaining information we can help you arrive at a well informed decision. We can also accompany you to meetings with professionals and others.

If there is an issue that you feel you would be able to deal with better if you had some support then contact us.

Bits

Remember that although the deadline for submissions for the next issue is upon us (Tuesday 12th February 2008), relevant articles may be considered for the Blog. Submit them in person to Martyn Hughes or Dorothy lauder (both from the IT Suite), or e-mail them to: inner.mind@cwpnt.nhs.uk

By the way, the missing web address from the Citizens Advice Bureau article in the winter issue of the newsletter is: www.macclesfieldcab.org.uk

They can also be e-mailed on: macclesfieldcab@bigfoot.com

The full article will appear in this space soon.

Diary

Mental Health Plus01625 663 932 for details/enquiries.

Singing Group - One Tuesday afternoon per month in Townley Street Church rooms, Macclesfield 1.30pm – 3.00pm.
Circle Dancing - Every 2nd Thursday (starting Thursday 3rd January) in the Peatfields Centre, Macclesfield (next to Macclesfield College) 6pm-8pm. The cost is £1.
Unfortunately, the Young Persons’ Group (18-35) has been cancelled indefinitely. Apologies for any inconvenience.
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East Cheshire Mental Health Forum01625 431 690 or 07738 148 275

First Friday of every month 10am to 12 noon at the Disability Information Bureau, Pierce Street, Macclesfield.