News Archive February 2019
Relief in Need grant supports Active Minds
We were delighted to hear that Croydon Relief in Need Charity had awarded us a grant of £20,000 a year for three years to support the work of our Active Minds service. Relief in Need have been supporting our work for a number of years and we are delighted that they are able to continue to give financial help. We are most grateful. You can find out more about Active Minds here.
Author: StuAdmin
Posted on: 28th February 2019
Unspoken now on YouTube
We have uploaded our film, Unspoken, to YouTube for everyone to view. You can view this at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCct-6vGMx_I6RbYsgOh4rpA
Unspoken
a film about sex, relationships and mental health
The sexuality of people with mental health problems raises important clinical, social and legal concerns. Despite this, there is relatively little written about the subject and staff can feel confused and embarrassed when discussing these issues.
Mental health problems may interfere with peoples’ sexual function. For example, depression is typically associated with decreased sexual interest, libido and sexual performance, whereas mania is associated with disinhibition, sexual inappropriateness and heightened sexuality.
Practitioners are aware that psychiatric medication can interfere with sexual function, yet service users sometimes feel that these matters are ignored or discounted.
Sometimes, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service users feel poorly treated by services.
This is perhaps not surprising, given that for many years psychiatry considered homosexuality to be a mental disorder.
Unspoken explores these issues, with service users explaining their experiences. A range of other experts discuss how professionals might respond differently, and models of good practice are presented.
At a time when there is such an emphasis on promoting equality, working towards recovery and overcoming stigma, the film argues the importance of discussing matters openly, challenging poor practice and recognising and celebrating progress.
The film is also available for purchase on DVD at £5 per DVD.
If you would like to purchase please make a donation through our website – https://www.mindincroydon.org.uk/fundraising/donate/ – and email the receipt to admin@mindincroydon.org.uk with the name and address you would like it posted to.
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 8th February 2019
Selsdon Shop Re-Opens After Refurbishment
The Mind shop in Selsdon re-opened today (6th February) after being completely refurbished. Here at Mind in Croydon, we would like to express out thanks to Jason, Andrew and all at Mind Retail and to Vicky and all of her wonderful volunteers who work at the shop. Although the shop is run by Mind Retail, Mind in Croydon gets a share of the profits and this money supports the work that we do here in Croydon. The quality of goods for sale is excellent and the welcome that you’ll get from the volunteers is first rate, so make your way along to 135 Addington Road, Selsdon, Surrey CR2 8LH to bag a bargain and support our work.
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 6th February 2019
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
www.eventbrite.co.uk
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
www.mindincroydon.org.uk
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
