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
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This year Advocacy Awareness Week takes place on 26th – 30th October.
Mind in Croydon’s advocacy service supported over 100 people from May to September this year in ensuring that their rights were met and their voices heard.
This shows how important advocacy remains during a time when many vulnerable people are subject to detention under the Mental Health Act and whilst there remains the risk of Covid-19 people who have a statutory right to access independent mental health advocacy are able to continue to do so.
#AAW20 #HearMyVoice #PowerofPartnership
www.ndti.org.uk/advocacy-awareness-week/aaw19/
Light a Candle for World Suicide Prevention Day 2020
Join us on Thursday 10th Sep, World Suicide Prevention Day, and light a candle near a window at 8pm to show your support for suicide prevention, to remember a lost loved one and for the survivors of suicide.
If you want to find out more about our Suicide Prevention project, and how you can help those in need, check out our website: swlondon.nhs.uk/ourwork/suicide-prevention/
Suicide Prevention - South West London Health and Care Partnership
swlondon.nhs.uk
Suicide is preventable. We can all do something to help a person that is feeling suicidal, whether it be a family member, friend, or stranger. Simply just starting a conversation with someone could save a life. The 10th September marks World Suicide Prevention Day and we want to encourage you ... Re...World Suicide Prevention Day - 10th September 2020
The 10th September marks World Suicide Prevention Day and we want to encourage you to take a minute.
Taking a minute to reach out to someone in your community – a family member, friend, colleague or even a stranger – could change the course of another’s life.
The FREE Zero Suicide Alliance Training teaches you to recognise warning signs & safeguard someone who could be at risk. It takes 20 mins and could prove absolutely vital. Sign up here: zerosuicidealliance.com
If you want to find out more about our Suicide Prevention project, and how you can help those in need, check out our website: swlondon.nhs.uk/ourwork/suicide-prevention/
Mindline Trans+ Crowdfunder
Mindline Trans+ is a joint service delivered by Mind in Bristol and Mind in Somerset.
Trans and non-binary people are particularly vulnerable to developing mental health problems due to societal stigma and a lack of access to focused services.
This is a vital service for people in society who are at a greater risk of hate crime and of experiencing mental health problems. A transgender mental health study showed that 88% of transgender people had experienced depression and 84% had thought of ending their life.
They need your help to extend their UK Wide service from 2 to 3 nights a week. This will help them to reach people in hard to reach areas. Part of the funding will help the training and support of call handlers by staff. Another expense they anticipate this funding will cover is the publicity of the service in rural areas and the coordination this will involve.
To support their crowdfunding campaign please visit www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/mindline-trans.
www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk
#StrongerCommunities 💛 To expand our emotional support helpline for people who identify as transgender and non-binary from 2 nights to 3 nights a week.JOB - RECOVERY SPACE (crisis café) MANAGER
* Full time permanent 36 hours per week (worked on a rota basis so that the Recovery Space can operate 6pm -11pm, 7 days per week, 365 days of the year)
* £30,466 to £32,452 pa permanent (between Grade 5, Scale point S11to S14 on the Mind salary scale)
We are looking for a Manager and four staff for an exciting innovative venture at Mind in Croydon. We are starting up a new Recovery Space (crisis café) for Croydon Clinical Commissioning Group. This new service is an opportunity to make a real difference, and to give clients the support they need at the time they most need it. The aim of the service is to divert people, who would be better supported elsewhere, away from Accident and Emergency (A&E) and other crisis services in Croydon. The Recovery Space will operate in the evenings with people triaged by the Emergency Department of Croydon University Hospital or from the Crisis Assessment Team (CAT).
We are looking for some exceptional individuals to come and join us in our award-winning local Mind. The Recovery Space (crisis café) Manager leads this provision of a non-clinical, warm and welcoming setting to support and hold individuals during the evening which will operate from our social Networking Service in the heart of East Croydon.
Mind in Croydon will operate the Recovery Space during the hours of 6pm – 11pm 7days/week, 365 days of the year. The post is permanent, 36 hours per week, worked on a rota basis with other members of your team. Your skills and expertise will be used to lead this successful venture. You will have solid experience in the mental health field as well as good managerial skills and the ability to motivate a team. We offer a supportive environment to staff, with excellent terms and conditions, a pension scheme with Now pensions, and 28 days per annum holiday rising to 33 days after 5 years.
Last date for return of signed application forms to our offices, 26 Pampisford Road, Purley, Surrey CR8 2NE is 5pm, Friday 11 September.
Application forms can be found at www.mindincroydon.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/
Mind in Croydon Ltd is striving to be an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all groups.
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