News Archive April 2020
Scene in Croydon Hearts
We love these hearts from @sceneincroydon who are kindly donating proceeds from the sales of their Croydon Heart print to us.
They wanted to help by creating something special that can be cherished and act as a reminder of when our community came together to support each other ❤️
The hearts are available to purchase in a variety of sizes at https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SceneInCroydon
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 28th April 2020
Thank You Day Lewis Pharmacies
We are very grateful to Day Lewis Pharmacies for the provision of PPE.
This will enable our ongoing work during the Coronavirus pandemic, including our weekly food parcel deliveries for our existing vulnerable clients.
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 27th April 2020
Food Parcels – We Need Your Support
We know the impact of delivering food parcels can have on peoples lives at the moment so we are helping our existing vulnerable clients with food parcels during the Covid-19 lockdown.
I just wanted to send you a heartfelt ‘Thank you’ for my food parcel.
I laid my mum to rest on Wednesday 15th April, so am feeling very emotional. Up one minute, sad the next etc. … your gift has all made me feel so much better (I am crying tears of gratitude).
Bless you all at ‘Mind in Croydon (Social Networking Service) and the Organisations that you are working with.
It costs £10 a week to provide basic food items to people including bread, milk, eggs and butter. As we are Mind in Croydon we go the extra mile and ensure that on a Friday people receive a hot meal also.
If you feel you could contribute towards this invaluable service which is delivered by us in conjunction with our colleagues at Croydon Fire Service please help us with a donation, no matter how small.
You can support us at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/covidfoodparcels
Thank you!
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 23rd April 2020
Positive Feedback for the Advocacy Service
Mind in Croydon continues to provide high quality and professional services to our clients at this time. Most recently our Advocacy Service were able to support a Nearest Relative under the amended Mental Health Act (2007) to exert their right to appeal the grounds of detention to which their family member was subject to detention.
“I am so thankful and appreciate the time and information you gave me immensely, as your help and valid information made it possible to get my dad discharged. Since the 20th March there is positive cases of Covid-19 on the ward where my family member was an inpatient.
I have continued to have contact with the nursing staff and they have said “you got your father out at the right time”… words can’t explain how much I really appreciate your help, you saved my father’s life in him being discharged and not becoming one of the Covid-19 cases of that ward.”
If you would like to receive Advocacy support please see how you can make a referral by calling: 020 8763 6730 and/ or emailing: advocacy@mindincroydon.org.uk
Further details can be found by clicking here.
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 16th April 2020
Social Networking Food Parcels
During these times, receiving positive feedback goes a long way to keep our staff and each other connected and buoyed.
‘Thank you for the food box you gave to my sibling, and for the care that was taken to provide them with suitable vegan products for their very restricted diet. It was very kind of you all’
Please note that if this is a service you require you must be a member of the Social Networking Service and Croydon Fire Service are only able to provide it to current service users
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 9th April 2020
You Can Still Help By Raising Funds For Us
If you’re looking for something to do whilst you’re isolating in these difficult times, perhaps you might want to organise a fundraising event for Mind in Croydon using social media, video links etc etc.
Despite the COVID 19 restrictions we are still supporting many, many vulnerable people, either by telephone, text or social media. We are also making sure that some of our most vulnerable clients are receiving their medication and we are shopping for food and other essential supplies for our clients too.
COVID 19 restrictions mean that we will probably lose at least £15,000 a month of funding due to our charity shops being closed, rental income being reduced and donations being down.
Any help you can give would be very gratefully received.
You can make your donations via any of the means shown on our website here.
National Mind has listed a few suggestions for ideas you could use here just be sure to direct funds to Mind in Croydon if it is us you wish to fundraise for.
You can also raise money for us while shopping online if you visit retailers through Easy Fundraising. Simply visit this link, support our cause, create an account and visit your retailers through the website each time you want to shop online. We will then receive donations from the retailers for free.
Thank you
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 9th April 2020
Need Help With Your Benefits?
Welfare Benefits Service
There have been a number of changes to the benefits system during the Covid 19 outbreak. We are still here to support you with any questions you might have about Welfare Benefits. This includes establishing benefit entitlement, support with challenging decisions and representation at appeal to the second tier tribunal.
We have a dedicated team of Caseworkers who can help with all welfare benefit issues and can provide up to date advice about benefit entitlement during the Covid 19.
Universal Credit
We also have a team specialising in support around Universal Credit.
The Universal Credit team can help with establishing an entitlement, working out how much Universal Credit you might be able to receive, talking to the Job Centre, filling in forms and challenging decisions made by the DWP.
We are currently limited to support by email, letter and telephone. We are able to pick up the emails and voice messages left.
Email address – wba@mindincroydon.org.uk
Advice line – 020 8763 2037
Please note we are not able to see visitors at any Mind in Croydon until further notice.
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 9th April 2020
London Fire Brigade’s Continuing Support
Continuing their support of Mind in Croydon’s Social Networking Service, Croydon Fire Service assisted in delivering vital food packages to our vulnerable clients today. Food packages included some Easter treats. Our huge thanks go out to all those involved including some of the Mind in Croydon staff who donated towards these packages.
Please note that if this is a service you require you must be a member of the Social Networking Service and Croydon Fire Service are only able to provide it to current service users.
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 8th April 2020
Thanks to New Addington Fire Station
Mind in Croydon are hugely grateful to our colleagues at New Addington Fire Station.
Members of the fire service based at New Addington have enabled Mind in Croydon’s Social Networking Service to support clients who are vulnerable in the most urgent of times.
We would like say a big thank you for the help and support provided including dropping off food parcels to people’s homes as well as ensuring that when a person was admitted to hospital they had their mobile phone delivered to them on a Friday evening to enable them to stay in touch with their family.
Please note that if this is a service you require you must be a member of the Social Networking Service and New Addington Fire Station are only able to provide it to current service users
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 6th April 2020
Service changes at South London and Maudsley
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust wanted to update on how they have been adapting in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Please click here for more information.
People who need mental health support should call SLaM’s mental health support line on 0800 731 2864.
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 3rd April 2020
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
Follow Mind in Croydon on your favourite social network
Mental Health Personal Independence Co-Ordinators
* £26,491 per annum FTE
* Fixed term contract until 31 March 2023
Full time
* 36 hours per week (worked standard office hours, five days a week Monday to Friday but including some evenings and weekends as required for which time off in lieu will be given)
* Based at the Mental Health Wellbeing Hub in Central Croydon and out and about in the community
* Opportunities to work flexibly from home where agreed
Mind in Croydon and the Croydon BME Forum have formed an exciting new partnership, the PIC Partnership to deliver this innovative, explorative project.
We are looking for 6 x Mental Health Personal Independence Co-ordinators (MHPICs). Three will be employed by Mind in Croydon and three by the Croydon BME Forum. These roles involve working directly within the new Integrated Care Network Plus areas (map below) right across the Borough and with clinical partners, including local GPs, in multi-disciplinary teams. As one of our enthusiastic new MHPICs you will be the direct named key worker for a set number of people within the newly formed Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub. You will enable people to develop their own Personal Recovery Plans and support them directly to find and access the support and services available to them in their local community. You will ensure that people are enabled to identify their own goals, needs and wishes and are empowered to achieve them.
To help us deliver this ground breaking project, our MHPICs will be skilled, knowledgeable and empathetic. They will enjoy working with people in a person-centred way. They must be flexible and adaptable in approach and be comfortable working in an integrated, whole-team way with people and professionals across the statutory and community health and social care system.
Mind in Croydon is a registered charity operating for over 50 years, with approximately 40 employees. Croydon BME Forum is the umbrella organisation for Croydon’s Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary and community sector; engaging people, building capacity, and promoting equality and cohesion. Both the BME Forum and Mind in Croydon are equal opportunities employers and welcome applicants from all groups. Details of employment benefits for each organisation can be found by downloading the Terms of Employment documents in the application pack below.
Interviews will be online and are likely to take place on Monday 22, Wednesday 24 and Friday 26 February.
Application pack can be found at: www.mindincroydon.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/
Closing date for return of completed application forms to: The Head of HR, Mind in Croydon Ltd, 26 Pampisford Road, Purley, Surrey CR8 2NE is Monday 8 February 2021 by 9am. For any queries, call the Head of Human Resources on 020 8668 2210 or e-mail admin@mindincroydon.org.uk.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE.
Mental Health Wellbeing Hub Team Manager
* £36,427 per annum FTE
* Fixed term contract until 31 March 2023 (with potential to extend)
* Full time
* 36 hours per week (worked standard office hours, five days a week Monday to Friday but including some evenings and weekends as required for which time off in lieu will be given)
* Based at the Mental Health Wellbeing Hub in Central Croydon and out and about in the community
* Opportunities to work flexibly from home where agreed
Mind in Croydon and the Croydon BME Forum have formed an exciting new partnership, the PIC Partnership to deliver this innovative new project.
We are looking for a Manager for this interesting and varied post. You will be responsible for 6 x Mental Health Personal Independence Co-ordinators (MHPICs). Three will be employed by Mind in Croydon and three by the Croydon BME Forum. The Manager (who will be employed by Mind in Croydon) will have the opportunity to shape the role and the team. Your team will consist of the 6 MHPICs we are recruiting now and there will be the opportunity for up to a further 5 Mental Health Support Workers/volunteers to come on board as the project develops. The role involves working directly within the new Integrated Care Network Plus areas (map below) right across the Borough and with clinical partners, including local GPs, in multi-disciplinary teams. You will have a refreshing and enthusiastic approach to operational design for this ground breaking, explorative work. You and your team will support people to identify mental health and wellbeing goals, and empower them to develop an action plan/Personal Recovery Plan within set targets and performance parameters. The individuals you work with will have a range of mental health and wellbeing issues, including some complex and/or enduring issues.
The ideal candidate will be a skilled, knowledgeable and empathetic person, who enjoys working with people in a person-centred way. They must have substantive previous operational and/or project management experience, excellent communication skills, be resilient, flexible and adaptable in approach and be effective working in an integrated, whole-team way with people and professionals across the statutory and community health and social care system. Ideally they will have previous experience of managing and developing new teams using innovative systems to achieve challenging goals.
Mind in Croydon is a registered charity operating for over 50 years, we have approximately 40 employees. Benefits include an auto-enrolment pension scheme, 28 days holiday pa (33 after 5 years) and the opportunity to work for a genuinely flexible and ‘family friendly’ organisation. Staff are given every opportunity to train and are encouraged to develop. Mind in Croydon is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all groups.
Interviews will be online and are likely to take place on Monday 22, Wednesday 24 and Friday 26 February.
Application pack can be found at: www.mindincroydon.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/
Closing date for return of completed application forms to: The Head of HR, Mind in Croydon Ltd, 26 Pampisford Road, Purley, Surrey CR8 2NE is Monday 8 February 2021 by 9am. For any queries, call the Head of Human Resources on 020 8668 2210 or e-mail admin@mindincroydon.org.uk.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE.
CROYDON TRADING STANDARDS – Fake NHS texts re COVID vaccine
A dangerous fake NHS text has been circulating, telling people they’re eligible to apply for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Clicking on the link (URL) takes you through to an extremely convincing fake NHS website that asks for your personal details. The site requests bank/card details in order to ‘check your identity’. We know that criminals will use the confusion and urgency around the pandemic as a way to target potential victims. Please do not click on any links such as these.
The full article published by ‘Which?’ can be found at conversation.which.co.uk/scams/scam-nhs-covid-vaccine-text-message/.
If you are an older or vulnerable person and have actually been the victim of a fraud please call 101 and request to report to a police officer. Whilst many frauds are now reported over the phone to Action Fraud – any vulnerable person should be reporting directly to the police.
Virtual Coffee Morning
Both the Asian Resource Centre and the BME Forum want our Croydon community and beyond to be well-informed and listened to in regards to the covid-19 vaccine, as well as the effects of 2020 on our mental health.
A virtual coffee morning based around the topic of Mental Health and Social Isolation.
Date: Wednesday 13th January 2021
Time: 11am-12.30pm
To book your FREE ticket visit the Eventbrite Page at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtual-coffee-morning-mental-health-social-isolation-tickets-133366309221....
Dr Vaishali Shetty (Governing Body GP Member Croydon CCG), Dr June Brown (Friendship Bench Project), Susan Underhill (Programmes Director, Age UK) and Tanya Kirrage (Senior Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, SLAM) will be joining the chat to answer any questions you may have.
Mind in Croydon’s Active Minds Service remains open to referrals. We are delivering the service via remote means including telephone and online platforms Visit http://ow.ly/nzis30qMxyO for more information #Croydon
Accreditations & Awards
