NEWS LETTER one

Up and coming events in the county

Building Carer Friendly Communities.

CCG Workshops Future say in Dorset Acute Mental Health Services. Over the past few weeks meetings have been taking place around the whole of Dorset to hear the views of those involved in mental health, be they carer’s, service users, or professionals, to help improve services for adult mental health needs. This is the first stage of the survey. Anyone who has missed or not been able to make a meeting can show their interest by contacting the CCG by emailing involve@dorsetccg.nhs.uk or call 01202 541946 there is also an online survey at www.dorsetccg,nhs.uk

On Thursday 10th September An OPEN EVENING is being held in Ferndown, all mental health carer’s welcome. Nick Plumridge will give a talk on Care Quality Commission inspections, Nick goes round mental health establishments with a team inspecting the care and its quality.

He will give a talk on what he looks for and answer any of your questions. As Dorset has just had their inspection it will be good to hear how this is done. This will be followed by free refreshment and a social time. To be held on the 10th September at 7-00pm St. Mary’s Church Lounge. Church Road, Ferndown BH22 9EU.

Any carer’s in the west or north of the county That would like to attend may be able to Get a lift, please phone 01305 340045 And we will see what we can do.

Carers Teas Every third Thursday of the month tea and cake is being served in Forston Clinic canteen with Peer carers and acute staff or members of the crisis team to offer carers support. Start at 4-00pm. Do come if you want to Talk to someone, we are there to listen.

Peer Carer

The Dorset Mental Health Carers Project has been working for over a year to set up Peer Carers to give support to carers going through a crisis. We are nearly there with the support of The Dorset Mental Health Forum for training and the Crisis Team in the West helping us understand what they are dealing with and nurses from the acute ward at Forston Clinic, we have taken our first step. Once a month we are serving tea and cake in the canteen at Forston Clinic where there are Peer Carers and Staff on hand to listen to your worries and offer support.

What is a Peer Carer, Firstly and most importantly, a Peer Carer is not a first port of call to talk to someone that is unwell, this should be left to the appropriate services that are trained

for these situations. A Peer Carer is not a counsellor. A Peer Carer is a person who can

support someone that is caring for a loved one with a mental illness who has hit a crisis, either in

the acute ward in hospital, or being visited at home by the crisis team. They can offer a

listening ear, as experience has taught us that just having someone there that “knows what you are going through” can help share the burden. A peer carer can offer empathy, reassurance, point you in the right direction for further support, and

a hug if required

At any other time a Peer Carer can be reached by phoning either Joy or Nigel on for the East 01305 340045 and for the West 01202 373305. Please leave a message and contact details if no one is in and we will get back to you on the same day where ever possible.

Caring for a loved one during times of crisis can be a very traumatic and challenging experience. It can make you feel lonely, isolated and not knowing which way to turn. Talking to someone that has been through that experience can be a great comfort and support, so please call if you feel like that,

DORSET MENTAL HEALTH CARERS PROJECT

Carers are vital partners in the provision of mental health and social care services. There are 1.5 million people who care for someone with mental illness in the U.K.

We are a group of carers who are supported by Dorset Healthcare NHS, The Dorset Mental Health Forum, and Rethink Mental Illness. We act as the voice of the carer, any worries a carer may have about the person they care for or themselves can be relayed to us and we will pass the information onto the appropriate people. We can voice back good and poor care to help improve the carers experience, and encourage a true partnership between carers and professionals.

We support the Recovery concept and can advise on courses being held to support carers and their well-being. These are free course run by the Recovery Education Centre also courses run by Rethink Mental Illness and The Richmond Felloweship. We work together with the Cares Lead in the West and East of the County where professionals, Third Party Sector and Carers work together to improve mental health services for

For any further information, please contact:- Joy or Nigel Ford on telephone numbers 01305 340045 East & 01202 373305 West or email dorsetmentalhealthcarersproject@yahoo.com or send a message via Facebook:-

Dorset Mental Health Carers Project

everyone. If this sounds like something you would like to be part of, why not come and join us.

WORKING TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH FOR CARERS’ AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGHTOUT DORSETAUTUMN 2015

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R-E-A-C-H- Something for the people you care for Carers have asked what is around for the person I care for, something they can do and a chance to meet up with others. REACH is a sports and leisure program that is led and managed by Dorset Mental Health Forum Peer Staff. It is open to anyone over 16 years old and promotes fun exercise within a social, welcoming environment. There are activities in the West and East of Dorset For more information -

congiorgi@dorsetmentalhealthforum.org.uk

reach@dorsetmentalforum.org,uk

CARERS DAY JUNE 10th 2015.

The Carers Choir The day started with the Carers Choir, an uplifting experience, people singing just for the joy of it had many feet tapping and some singing along. There was various stands with valuable information. An excellent lunch and talks and demonstrations. Those that attended had an informative and social day.

RECOVERY EDUCATION CENTRE. The New REC Prospectuses Is Out Two course are running particularly for carers An Introduction. & Recovery for Carers and Supporters. These two courses have been developed for those who are supporting someone through their experience of mental health problems. As well as ways to help you support someone, more importantly we look at ways to take care of your own wellbeing.

Though the above course are pacifically for carers there are other REC course that could be helpful in a supporting role such as Recovery Focused Conversations. Understanding Unusual Experiences. Identify Your Values. Mindfulness an introduction. This is just a few of the REC Courses. All are free to obtain a Prospectuses or for more information Phone-07787836708/01202 584478Recovery.educationcentre@dhuft. uk

Systemic Psychological Therapies Service For Family’s.

Most families experience some difficulties from time to time. If you are no longer sure what to do for the best. Evidence based practice show family therapy is useful for people of all ages experiencing a wide range of difficulties including mental health problems. The focus of therapy is on relationships rather than individuals. Family therapy helps people in close relationships to help each other. It enables family members to express and explore difficult thoughts and emotions safely, to understand each other’s experience and views, and appreciate each other’s needs. Therapists are highly skilled professionals working with children, young people, adults and other professionals. Their aim is not to take sides or provide simple answers. But to encourage families to understand each other.

What happens if I would like to be referred for family therapy?

Please discuss being referred with the CHMT/Care Co-ordinator, who will make the referral via the team’s Clinical Psychologist. If you would like more information, or have any questions please telephone 01305 214500 and someone from the team will be happy to phone you back.

RETHINK MENTAL ILLNESS Wimborne Carers Support Group Early Autumn Program 9-9-15 Massage & meeting up with the Mental Health Carers Project, for an informal chat and questions. 23-9-15 H.G. Walker Solicitors – Mental Health Talk concerning the law, wills, and power of attorney. 7-10-15 Computer talk for carers.

The group meet at The Planet Youth Club, 4 Church Street Wimborne BH21 1JH at 10-00am to 12-00 noon.

Mental Health Advocacy.

The Dorset Mental Health Forum have been awarded the Dorset Mental Health Advocacy Contract for the whole of Dorset. It becomes live at the beginning of October. Watch out for a Road Show, where you can learn more about what they do. They give free independent and confidential service for anyone who has experienced mental health problems and their carers across Dorset.

Dorset Mental Health Advocacy is also the provider for the Independent Mental Health Advocacy Service for patients detained under the Mental Health Act or Community Treatment Orders. Please phone 01305 261483 for more information and a leaflet.

Richmond Fellowship

Have three new support groups for carers opening. One in Wareham held in café “Not Just Sundays” on Tuesdays at 11-00 am. In Wimborne Costa Coffee on Thursdays, and a new one in Christchurch at Baileys.

They also have two courses coming up one of them on the 29th September in Wareham on Mindfulness. A Wrap Course on Friday 25th September. Then on the 8th

of October at 7-30 a charity musical evening in Bournemouth’s Jaharra, for Mental Health. For more information on the Richmond Fellowship Carer Groups events and Courses phone 01202 496276.

Three Peaks Please Sponsor

Later this month Paul Siebenthal the Peer Carer Lead from Dorset Mental Health will be attempting to climb the three peaks in the UK. He is raising money for Cystic Fibroses, anyone wishing to sponsor him please contact Jess on 01305 257172.

Rethink Mental Illness

“Let The Sun Shine In” Caroline Carr introducing BUBBLES, BOUNDARIES and LAUGHTER on 9th September at 2-00pm at Twynham Church Hall, 99 Barrack Road, Christchurch, BH23 2AL. Reconnect With Your Brightside. For more information contact Jude Holt on 07918626258.

Don’t forget the Open Evening on September 10th at 7-00pm at St Mary’s Church Ferndown. Speaker, refreshments and a time to chat. Anyone in the West wanting to go make contact on 01305 340045, to arrange a lift.

Next Open Evening December 10th