COVID-19 Service Update
We are still here to support you and continue to deliver a telephone and email advice service 5 days a week while following government guidance around social distancing. You can contact us with all benefit related issues at wba@mindincroydon.org.uk throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
Thank you for all your help. I don’t like to keep phoning you, but how could I have dealt with it without you? If they take money off when they shouldn’t, how am I supposed to know it’s wrong
The Welfare Benefits Advice service was set up to offer advice and assistance on complex welfare benefits issues to people suffering from mental health problems, their carers, and professionals working in the mental health field.
It is a specialist service focusing on cases which need to be taken to Tribunals on appeal and others which raise difficult legal issues or which require detailed understanding of the administrative procedures of the Department of Work and Pensions and other public bodies.
We also offer advice, support and consultancy where necessary to people helping clients with any sort of benefit problem.
Since the service began in 1995 it has raised in excess of forty-one million pounds in previously unclaimed benefit
Welfare Benefits Advice Line
Please leave a message on 020 8763 2037 if you require assistance with welfare benefit appeals work. If you leave your name and number and a brief detail about the issue we will respond when we are next available.
Universal Credit Advice Project
Mind in Croydon is now offering an advice service aimed around supporting Croydon residents with Universal Credit claims. Started in October 2019, the service offers advice and support from the point of claim up to and including the Work Capability Assessment.
From one-off advice to ongoing support from the team, our Welfare Rights service is here to support with your Universal Credit Claim.
Through collaboration between National Mind and local Mind organisations, this project aims to achieve the following dual objectives:
- To support people with mental health problems to navigate the Universal Credit system, to ensure they can access the income they’re entitled to; and
- To gather data and insight to inform and strengthen Mind’s national campaigning efforts to make the benefits system work for those it services.
How to access support?
Referrals or advice can be sought by leaving a message at 020 8763 2037, or by emailing wba@mindincroydon.org.uk.
Please note that we do not operate a drop in service for this project.
Further information
Additional information on welfare benefits can be obtained at the following sites:
Mental Health Directory
Search for information on mental health services in the Croydon area Find out more
Elefriends
Elefriends is a supportive online community where you can be yourself. We all know what it’s like to struggle sometimes, but now there’s a safe place to listen, share and be heard. Find out more
Information Line
Mind in Croydon operate a confidential mental health telephone information line: Please telephone our freephone number 020 8668 2210 Find out more
Latest Updates
Follow Mind in Croydon on your favourite social network
Mind Responds to Benefits Reassessments Returning
The government announced that benefits reassessments will return this month. This is far too soon. Mind has been calling for urgent improvements to make benefits assessments more fair, accessible and accurate during this crisis and beyond.
Our very own Tom Goddard, Welfare Benefits Service Manager, was mentioned in Mind’s response which you can read at www.mind.org.uk/news-campaigns/news/mind-responds-to-governments-announcement-that-they-will-rein....
“So I Speak” poem
Amanda Brown-Bennett has volunteered with Mind in Croydon in the past and continues to work with us supporting our volunteer counsellors. She created the poem, So I Speak which can be viewed here.
" It really breaks my heart to observe many of the ongoing tensions we currently face, and for me, the saddest part has to be the naivety that we have in understanding just how prevalent injustice and inequality is within our social institutions. As a person of colour, what particularly concerned me was how I operate within this system, and having being challenged in a number of ways, came to realise just how much I had allowed my environment to silence me, suppress my cultural identity and personal convictions.
The ‘So I speak poem’ was my attempt to speak out and finally overcome the silencing that had me bound. "
You can follow the So I Speak project on instagram @soispeak_project) and Facebook (So I Speak Project).
Immersive Spring Show by Music Relief
A 360° DIY transformative, interactive, gallery experience that brings together the best of music, art, augmented, and virtual reality. Sound tracked to a special rendition of Bill Withers – ‘Lean On Me’ and Ben E King – ‘Stand By Me’ performed by music students, Music Relief ambassadors, as well as featured tracks from established and up and coming artists, using the complex interplay between music and technology to shape your emotions and take you on a cathartic storytelling experience.
In addition, they are also inviting submissions from young people to showcase their artistic talents The shortlisted pieces will be exhibited in their virtual gallery. The themes are ‘Positivity and Mental Health’, highly relevant given the current global situation surrounding COVID-19. They are accepting entries in the form of poems, spoken word, creative writing, as well as photos or videos of sculptures, graffiti work, drawings, graphic design, illustration, photography, and paintings. Entries can be submitted to office@music-relief.com. Music Relief understand the value of arts and culture, and so aim to provide young people with as many opportunities as possible to develop, share and celebrate their creative skills. Entries are open to youths aged up to 25.
This virtual event will take place Saturday 11th July @ 1pm and will be streamed worldwide to promote unity and solidarity with the global community.
Please note: The virtual event will take place on YouTube and is accessible for all. However, for an enhanced immersive experience you can also watch using Google Cardboard.
Tickets are available at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/young-artists-immersive-spring-show-tickets-104200789366
Young Artists - Immersive Spring Show
Join us for a spectacular virtual reality experience - featuring performances and multi-dimensional art exhibition.Mayor of Croydon Gala Dinner Change
Mind in Croydon is delighted to be one of the Mayor’s chosen charities that he is supporting in 2019/20.
Unfortunately due to COVID19 the Mayor will be unable to have his Gala Dinner.
As a result the Mayor has decided to do one last fundraiser for his chosen charities in conjunction with 4 local restaurants (Chat House; Urban Guj; Bagatti’s; and Zafran) with an opportunity for you to have a conversation with him as a final farewell.
The idea is that there will be a set menu which you can choose from (see Menu’s on our website at: www.mindincroydon.org.uk/news/mayor-of-croydon-gala-dinner-change/) and a percentage of the proceeds will go to the Mayor’s charities. Once you have placed an order you can request a code from the restaurant which will enable you to join the Mayor for a conversation on Sunday 5th July 2020 via Zoom for 30 minutes. Slots are from 6.30pm – 8.30pm depending on the restaurant code.
How it will work:
Place an order at your preferred restaurant mentioning ‘The Mayor’s Charity Gala Diner’ and request a code
Receive delicious food
Email: humayun.kabir@croydon.gov.uk with your code for a link to join him for a conversation
Zoom Timings:
Chat House: 6.30 – 7pm
Urban Guj: 7 – 7.30pm
Bagatti’s: 7.30 – 8pm
Zafran: 8 – 8.30pm
You can try a menu from these 4 restaurants multiple times. Food can be ordered anytime from now till Sunday 5th July 2020.
Mr Mayor hopes you will help him fundraise one last time and join him for a final farewell as Mayor.
Mayor of Croydon Gala Dinner Change - Mind in Croydon
Unfortunately due to COVID19 the Mayor will be unable to have his Gala Dinner. As a result the Mayor has decided to do one last fundraiser for his chosen charities in conjunction with 4 local restaurants (Chat House; Urban Guj; Bagatti’s; and Zafran) with an opportunity for you to have a conversat...Mind in Croydon’s Allotment Plot is looking fab after some work in preparation for re-opening to the horticulture group later this year. We look forward to welcoming you! For more information on this group contact Active Minds on 020 8253 8205 or email activeminds@mindincroydon.org.uk.
More information on the service can be found at www.mindincroydon.org.uk/how-we-can-help/connecting-with-people/active-minds/.
Accreditations & Awards
