Annual review 2007/08

In your area

London

Making a difference

The London region has had a productive and positive year making advancements in many areas. For example in the past year Springfield Advocacy has been working hard to support the request of inpatients to have more frequent access to ground leave, allowing for fresh air and exercise, an important part of recovery. In total we have 24 services in our region and we continue to strive to improve the quality of life of people who use them.

Making it happen

• As part of the Time to Change programme, funded by Comic Relief and the Big Lottery Fund, we’re establishing walking groups over the next two years.  This project, Walking for Well-being, acknowledges the link between physical and mental well-being and will support people with mental health problems and carers to engage in physical activity.
  
  
• Funded by the Tudor Trust a part time BME Group Development Officer has been increasing BME membership for Rethink in London and raising our profile amongst these members of the community.  
  
  
• In 2007 the Hillingdon Carer Support service ran the first Carers Education and Training Programme. The course gives carers valuable knowledge, good practice models and provides much needed support.  On evaluation this course had a 100% satisfaction outcome. 
  
  
• Rethink Recovery House in Harrow is a unique care home that develops practical living skills through peer lead recovery workshops that emphasis empowerment and recovery.
  
  
• In Havering Rethink’s Employment Service has worked in partnership to provide the Havering Mentoring Service with funding and support from Capital Volunteering.  This service has been able to provide training to volunteers to become mentors, who then support people with mental illness on their recovery journey.

Making an impact

• Wallking for Well-being will increase social interaction and understanding between people with mental health problems and the wider community.
  
  
• We’ve increased BME membership in London and established two new BME groups with a third currently in development. Rethink has also been represented at a number of BME specific events including World Mental Health Day, London and Croydon Mela, and PCT open days.
  
  
• The benefits of our Carers Education and Training Programme (CETP) can not be understated. All the carers attending agreed it should be available to everyone caring for someone experiencing severe mental illness and described it as ‘excellent’.
  
  
• Rethink Recovery House has provided a positive example of how rehabilitation services and community support work together. The recovery, spirituality, and healthy living workshops are held every three weeks and are well attended by residents.
  
  
• Our mentoring service in Havering has really given one volunteer, Michael, a way forward with his life. It eventually led to his present job at Rethink as an Employment Support Worker. He said “Volunteering has given me self-belief.”

  Moving forward

• Walking for Well-being launches in summer 2008. We’ll be organising group activities, developing training for walk leaders and establishing key links with regional contacts such as Ramblers Association, Walking the Way to Health Initiative, Sports England & NHS London as well as local mental health services.
  
  
• We hope to secure further funds to support our BME Development Officer and work on a BME development strategy going forward.
  
  
• Hillingdon Carer Support Service will be running six follow up sessions for carers who were involved in the course over the next six months.  Building on the success of CEPT course is vital for carers and communities alike. The sharing of good practice in the London Borough of Hillingdon and throughout Rethink is crucial for the continued success of this programme.

• Recovery House will encourage residents to participate in group work with families and friends, and promote recovery through action.
  
  
• We’ll be working to secure funding so that the project can continue as part of the Havering Employment Service and keep providing holistic solutions for those volunteering, mentoring, or needing support into employment.

Moving you forward

If you would like more information about our services in the London region please contact london@rethink.org.