News Archive November 2019
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 universalcredit@mindincroydon.org.uk.
Please note that we do not operate a drop in service for this project.
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 25th November 2019
Choir Concert
On Wednesday 18th December the Songsations are holding “A Songsational Seasonal Surprise”.
Join them for a Christmas sing-a-long and a mince pie and help raise money for Cruse Croydon and Mind in Croydon.
This will be held at St John The Divine Church Hall, Upper Selsdon Road, CR2 8DD and starting at 7.30pm.
Tickets are £8/£5 concession (cash only) and under 16’s go free with a paying adult.
Visit songsations.net for more info.
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 18th November 2019
Carers Rights Day
We are hosting a Carers Rights Day with the theme of “Dealing with Professionals”.
There will be information, stalls and presentations from St Christopher’s, Mind in Croydon’s Advocacy on carers rights when their loved ones are in hospital and Mind in Croydon’s Counselling Service on Assertiveness for Carers and how to have your views heard.
For more information contact Carers Support on 020 8688 1210 or carers.support@mindincroydon.org.uk.
Based at Fairfield House, 10 Altyre Road, East Croydon, CR0 5LA
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 13th November 2019
PPF Donates Computers to Mind in Croydon
On 31st October there was an official unveiling of the new computer room at Fairfield House. The room will give members access to first rate IT which will help them in so many ways from improving their skills and confidence on-line to being able to deal with on-line benefit claims. The room has been made possible by the donation of 30 computers from the Pension Protection Fund as part of their on-going support for Mind in Croydon. As well as the computer room at Fairfield House, staff at Mind in Croydon received upgrades to their office machines. Chair of Mind in Croydon, John Pestell, said, “It was a great pleasure to see PPF at Fairfield House once again helping Mind in Croydon. Their generosity know no bounds and we are so pleased with the gift of computers which allows us to offer our clients the very latest in technology. That said PPF do so much for us above and beyond this gift and that it is greatly appreciated by all at Mind in Croydon. Thank you.”
Simon Liste, Chief Technology Officer at the PPF said: “It was truly amazing and so rewarding to see the happiness and excitement of those that use the Mind Hub, when the computer room was unveiled. It makes us proud and honoured, as an organisation to be able to help Mind in Croydon in their journey and purpose”
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 7th November 2019
Advocacy Steering Group Volunteers Required
Have you used Mind in Croydon’s Advocacy Service, or any mental health advocacy service?
- Would you like to volunteer your time to participate in a steering group that will;
- Monitor project activities against plans?
- Review project processes and procedures
- Provide vital feedback for the team from a service user perspective
- Would you be willing to attend at least 4 formal meetings a year?
Mind in Croydon’s Advocacy Service is looking for volunteers to participate in a new steering group. If you would like to express your interest in this role we would like to hear from you.
Please contact advocacy@mindincroydon.org.uk with the subject ‘Steering group’ or call 0208 763 6730 and ask to speak with the manager about this opportunity no later than 15th January 2020
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 5th November 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
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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
