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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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