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
Information Line
Mind in Croydon operate a confidential mental health telephone information line: Please telephone our freephone number 020 8668 2210 Find out more
Side By Side
Side by Side is a supportive online mental health 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
Latest Updates
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Mind in Croydon is a Disability Confident employer
7.7 million working age people in the UK have a disability and Mind in Croydon is actively committed to recruiting and retaining disabled people, including people living with a mental illness. We’ve signed up to the national Disability Confident Scheme which encourages and supports employers to make the most of the talents disabled people can bring to our workplaces. The scheme has replaced the Two Ticks: Positive about Disabled People scheme. It has been developed by employers and disabled people’s representatives, working together to change attitudes, behaviour and cultures in businesses, networks and communities, and to realise the benefits of inclusive recruitment practices.
Peter Phillips, our Employment & Social Inclusion Services manager, chairs Croydon’s Disability Confident Action Group (DCAG). He said “It’s an honour to be involved in the DCAG partnership and to work with local employers and disabled peoples’ groups to improve diversity and inclusion in the workplace”.
For more information about Disability Confident, please visit disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/
Trustee Needed for Maudsley Charity
Would you like to make a difference in mental health in South London?
The Maudsley Charity are looking for a new Trustee to join their team. They are seeking candidates who are deeply connected in one of the four boroughs that South London and Maudsley serve (Lambeth, Croydon, Southwark and Lewisham), and are interested in people who have been involved in community leadership and organisation. They would also like candidates from the BAME communities in South London.
Based in South London they work closely with South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Kinds College London and a wide range of community organisations across Lewisham, Lambeth, Croydon and Southwark.
For more information visit www.maudsleycharity.org and for the full recruitment pack visit jobs.prospect-uk.co.uk/jobs/details/hq00178170.
The full advert can be read by clicking the image below.
Deadline for applications is Monday 8th March 2021.
We’re Recruiting
Mind in Croydon is looking for up to 4 new trustees to strengthen its friendly and effective Board. If you would like to help promote positive mental health, resilience, recovery, independence and social inclusion, have an enquiring mind, can think creatively and challenge constructively, we’d love to hear from you. We’re looking particularly for local people with lived or other experience of mental health, and skills in finance, local authority or health commissioning, housing, fundraising, income generation, social enterprise, campaigning, marketing, publicity, PR, or social media.
Please check out our Trustee Recruitment Pack found at www.mindincroydon.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/, and get in touch.
Closing date for applications: Sunday 28th February.
Zoom Groups for Hub Members – 8th Feb onwards
From Monday the 8th February onwards, Hub Members are invited to the following groups on Zoom. Please contact the team in advance for the links to the groups.
Mondays
Fitness – 11am – Session lasts for one hour, please ensure you have water if needed
Telly Addicts – 2pm – Session lasts for one hour, please ensure you have a pen and paper
Tuesdays
Bingo – 11am – Session lasts one hours, please inform staff if you need a Bingo card or print off.
Quiz – 2pm – Session lasts one and a half hours, please ensure you have a pen and paper
Wednesdays
Blockbuster Quiz – 2pm – Session lasts one hour
Thursdays
Over 55’s – 11am – Session lasts 2 hours
Text Factor Singing – 2pm – Session lasts one and a half hours, please contact the team with a song choice
Fridays
STAFF MEETINGS – No Groups
For more information and the zoom links contact the team on 020 8688 1210 and leave a voice message or email fairfield@mindincroydon.org.uk.
We will get back to you by the next working day.
Time to Talk Day – Virtual Festival – 3-4 February 2021
Time to Talk Day from Time to Change is a chance for thousands of us – schools, workplaces and communities – to join together on one day to tackle the silence and the stigma that still surround mental health. And we won’t let the fact that we can’t see each other face-to-face stop us.
They are hosting a day of online activities that anyone can join from home – no tickets required! They are creating a space where their supporters can come together and feel the power of being part of something much bigger.
Whether you’re watching as part of a group or simply enjoying the event yourself, they want you to go away feeling inspired to talk about mental health.
You’ll be able to watch the virtual festival and catch up with any sessions you missed on their virtual festival page found here - www.time-to-change.org.uk/time-talk-day/get-involved/virtual-festival?utm_source=Schools%20Update...
Wednesday 3 February
7pm: Time to Talk Day 2021 launch – the power of talking
A conversation between Jo Loughran, Director of Time to Change, and representatives from their sister charities in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and about the importance of talking mental health and the power that conversation has in tackling stigma.
Thursday 4 February
10am: Young Champions – tips for talking mental health
Ever wanted to check in or support a friend with a mental health problem, but worried about how to go about it? Join two of their Young Champions who will be discussing how small things that anyone can do, can make a big difference. This event is perfect for young people and schools.
12noon: Cooking lunch with Sean
Hang out in Time to Change Champion Sean’s kitchen as he shares his recipe for a tasty salmon lunch. Either cook alongside him or just watch and listen as he talks about healthy cooking and the importance of talking about mental health. If you’d like to cook along with Sean, you can download the list of ingredients below.
Ingredients can be found at: www.time-to-change.org.uk/sites/default/files/Sean%27s%20salmon%20lunch%20ingredients_2.pdf
1pm: Lunch and learn
Time to Change has worked with more than 1,500 employers over the years to improve attitudes to mental health in the workplace. Jo Loughran, Director of Time to Change, will host a conversation between Darea Flanagan from E.ON and Jessica Badley from Blood Cancer UK to find out about the small changes that make a big difference in the workplace when it comes to talking more openly about mental health.
3pm: Fontanna’s laughter yoga
It’s time to get laughing as Time to Change Champion Fontanna takes you through a series of exercises that will have you in stitches. Fontanna will also talk about their experience of being a Champion.
5pm: Ridhima’s Bollywood dance
Learn some new moves as Time to Change Champion Ridhima teaches you some key steps. Ridhima regularly uses Bollywood dance as a way of encouraging people to talk about mental health.
Accreditations & Awards
