News Archive May 2020
Friday 22nd Food Parcels
Today our Hub team and the Croydon Fire Services made another successful food parcel delivery to our existing clients.
Thank you for arranging for me to receive a food present today. Such a lovely gesture in these difficult times. I have to report that the bread was delicious and was superb for bacon sandwiches at lunchtime … everything was great.
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 22nd May 2020
ENDED – Job – Head of Finance and Resources
We are looking for a highly motivated person who has proven financial experience and business acumen which they can exercise within a charitable context.
Based at our head offices in Purley the postholder will be responsible for leading and managing the finance and resources functions for Mind in Croydon. You will work with the Chief Executive and the Board as a key part of the Senior Management Team (SMT) to provide support both at a strategic and operational level. You will ensure the consistent operation of effective financial and budgetary controls. You will provide a high quality service and relevant reporting to a range of stakeholders on all aspects of financial performance and corporate resource planning and implementation.
For further details click here.
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 22nd May 2020
Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 – Kindness
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week and at Mind in Croydon we’ve been looking at what #kindness means to us, our families and friends
#bekind #MHAW2020
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 20th May 2020
Community Advocacy Still Operating
Our community mental health advocacy service is still operating and available to Croydon residents during the Covid-19 pandemic, please contact the team to discuss concerns with your care and treatment.
For more information see the poster below.
You can contact the team on 0208 763 6730 or email advocacy@mindincroydon.org.uk.
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 20th May 2020
Understanding Stress for Carers
As part of our Carers project funded by Croydon Council we are pleased to launch one of our carers Workshop presentations on the theme of ‘Understanding Stress for Carers’ on YouTube.
Caring for someone during lockdown can be especially hard and our services remain open for you to access remotely.
We will look towards posting more presentations on line so please view the news stream on our website: www.mindincroydon.org.uk for updates or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or our WordPress Blog.
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 19th May 2020
More food parcels delivered on Friday 15th May
On 15th May, with the help from Croydon Fire Services, we delivered more food parcels to our existing clients. As it was Friday we also included a warm meal.
Once again this was well received. One client was extremely grateful and said:
I was missing a couple of items that I was desperate for and when I looked in the bag there they were. I am so grateful
This important work is reliant on the generosity of those who are in a position to donate to us. You can still do so by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/covidfoodparcels and support us.
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 18th May 2020
Healthwatch Croydon COVID-19 Survey
At this unprecedented time, Healthwatch Croydon wants to ensure that the voices of Croydon’s most vulnerable are heard. That’s why they have created a survey to listen to what the residents of Croydon have experienced in relation to this crisis.
They want to find out if you are well supported by your local health and social care providers and well-equipped in the knowledge of who to call and possibly where to go to get help especially if you are part of a vulnerable group.
Please click here to fill in their survey and help them.
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 15th May 2020
Mental Health Week – Webinar Series by Happy Heads
New Webinar Series: How the ‘Happy Heads’ Balance Ball Can Aid Early Intervention and Prevention?
To celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week 18-24 May 2020, Happy Heads are hosting a series of ‘free’ evening webinars, focused on the ‘Balance Ball’ and sharing personal stories.
They will be providing an in-depth insight into each of the 7 individual areas of the Happy Heads ‘Balance Ball’ mental health visual recovery tool, rounding off with their team sharing personal stories with you.
All sessions will start at 7pm lasting 45 minutes (excluding 23rd May for 1.5hrs and 29 May for 2hrs), followed by Q&A.
Questions can be submitted in advance by email to: happyheadsmh@hotmail.com.
The sessions will be recorded.
Schedule:
- Monday 18 May – ‘Introduction to Happy Heads (Balance Ball) & Nutrition’ – hosted by Ruth Moragas, Sandeep Saib & Felisha Dussard
- Tuesday 19 May – ‘Purpose, dreams, goals & rewards’ – hosted by Ruth Moragas
- Wednesday 20 May – ‘Hobbies & creativity’ – hosted by Ruth Moragas
- Thursday 21 May – ‘Rest, sleep & self-care’ – hosted by Felisha Dussard
- Friday 22 May – ‘Exercise’ – hosted by Sandeep Saib
- Saturday 23 May – ‘Faith, community & identity’ & ‘Family, friends & alone time’ – hosted by Ruth Moragas & Sandeep Saib
- Friday 29 May – Sharing personal stories – hosted by Happy Heads team
Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1059365194463947/
Join us: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71417208186
Meeting ID: 714 1720 8186
Do pop along to any and please share out wider with your contacts. Join us and let’s empower, encourage and educate.
Stay safe and healthy – see you there!
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 13th May 2020
Food Parcels Positive Feedback
Our Social Networking Team are still working alongside the Croydon Fire Services to deliver food parcels weekly. We have received a mixture of positive feedback from the recipients.
Thank you for my food parcel and hot meal. I just ate the hot meal and thoroughly enjoyed it, as eating well right now is so important but can be a challenge to achieve on a daily basis and especially during lockdown.
Well done Mind in Croydon at the Social Networking Service and the Organisations that you are working with.
I am also very grateful for the Counselling Support you have provided for me.
One of our clients, Nadine, was very thankful to the team.
Thank you so much, it means so much, hope you all keeping well.
We still need donations to enable us to continue this service so if you can support us please think about visiting https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/covidfoodparcels and supporting us.
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 11th May 2020
Counselling Service still running
Mind in Croydon’s Counselling Service remains open to referrals. We are delivering the service via remote means including telephone Counselling.
If you are interested in receiving Counselling please enquire with the service by calling 020 8763 2064 alternatively you can email counselling@mindincroydon.org.uk.
Further information can be found by clicking here.
Author: Cat Ayres
Posted on: 5th May 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
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Mind in Croydon is a Disability Confident employer
7.7 million working age people in the UK have a disability and Mind in Croydon is actively committed to recruiting and retaining disabled people, including people living with a mental illness. We’ve signed up to the national Disability Confident Scheme which encourages and supports employers to make the most of the talents disabled people can bring to our workplaces. The scheme has replaced the Two Ticks: Positive about Disabled People scheme. It has been developed by employers and disabled people’s representatives, working together to change attitudes, behaviour and cultures in businesses, networks and communities, and to realise the benefits of inclusive recruitment practices.
Peter Phillips, our Employment & Social Inclusion Services manager, chairs Croydon’s Disability Confident Action Group (DCAG). He said “It’s an honour to be involved in the DCAG partnership and to work with local employers and disabled peoples’ groups to improve diversity and inclusion in the workplace”.
For more information about Disability Confident, please visit disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/
Trustee Needed for Maudsley Charity
Would you like to make a difference in mental health in South London?
The Maudsley Charity are looking for a new Trustee to join their team. They are seeking candidates who are deeply connected in one of the four boroughs that South London and Maudsley serve (Lambeth, Croydon, Southwark and Lewisham), and are interested in people who have been involved in community leadership and organisation. They would also like candidates from the BAME communities in South London.
Based in South London they work closely with South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Kinds College London and a wide range of community organisations across Lewisham, Lambeth, Croydon and Southwark.
For more information visit www.maudsleycharity.org and for the full recruitment pack visit jobs.prospect-uk.co.uk/jobs/details/hq00178170.
The full advert can be read by clicking the image below.
Deadline for applications is Monday 8th March 2021.
We’re Recruiting
Mind in Croydon is looking for up to 4 new trustees to strengthen its friendly and effective Board. If you would like to help promote positive mental health, resilience, recovery, independence and social inclusion, have an enquiring mind, can think creatively and challenge constructively, we’d love to hear from you. We’re looking particularly for local people with lived or other experience of mental health, and skills in finance, local authority or health commissioning, housing, fundraising, income generation, social enterprise, campaigning, marketing, publicity, PR, or social media.
Please check out our Trustee Recruitment Pack found at www.mindincroydon.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/, and get in touch.
Closing date for applications: Sunday 28th February.
Zoom Groups for Hub Members – 8th Feb onwards
From Monday the 8th February onwards, Hub Members are invited to the following groups on Zoom. Please contact the team in advance for the links to the groups.
Mondays
Fitness – 11am – Session lasts for one hour, please ensure you have water if needed
Telly Addicts – 2pm – Session lasts for one hour, please ensure you have a pen and paper
Tuesdays
Bingo – 11am – Session lasts one hours, please inform staff if you need a Bingo card or print off.
Quiz – 2pm – Session lasts one and a half hours, please ensure you have a pen and paper
Wednesdays
Blockbuster Quiz – 2pm – Session lasts one hour
Thursdays
Over 55’s – 11am – Session lasts 2 hours
Text Factor Singing – 2pm – Session lasts one and a half hours, please contact the team with a song choice
Fridays
STAFF MEETINGS – No Groups
For more information and the zoom links contact the team on 020 8688 1210 and leave a voice message or email fairfield@mindincroydon.org.uk.
We will get back to you by the next working day.
Time to Talk Day – Virtual Festival – 3-4 February 2021
Time to Talk Day from Time to Change is a chance for thousands of us – schools, workplaces and communities – to join together on one day to tackle the silence and the stigma that still surround mental health. And we won’t let the fact that we can’t see each other face-to-face stop us.
They are hosting a day of online activities that anyone can join from home – no tickets required! They are creating a space where their supporters can come together and feel the power of being part of something much bigger.
Whether you’re watching as part of a group or simply enjoying the event yourself, they want you to go away feeling inspired to talk about mental health.
You’ll be able to watch the virtual festival and catch up with any sessions you missed on their virtual festival page found here - www.time-to-change.org.uk/time-talk-day/get-involved/virtual-festival?utm_source=Schools%20Update...
Wednesday 3 February
7pm: Time to Talk Day 2021 launch – the power of talking
A conversation between Jo Loughran, Director of Time to Change, and representatives from their sister charities in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and about the importance of talking mental health and the power that conversation has in tackling stigma.
Thursday 4 February
10am: Young Champions – tips for talking mental health
Ever wanted to check in or support a friend with a mental health problem, but worried about how to go about it? Join two of their Young Champions who will be discussing how small things that anyone can do, can make a big difference. This event is perfect for young people and schools.
12noon: Cooking lunch with Sean
Hang out in Time to Change Champion Sean’s kitchen as he shares his recipe for a tasty salmon lunch. Either cook alongside him or just watch and listen as he talks about healthy cooking and the importance of talking about mental health. If you’d like to cook along with Sean, you can download the list of ingredients below.
Ingredients can be found at: www.time-to-change.org.uk/sites/default/files/Sean%27s%20salmon%20lunch%20ingredients_2.pdf
1pm: Lunch and learn
Time to Change has worked with more than 1,500 employers over the years to improve attitudes to mental health in the workplace. Jo Loughran, Director of Time to Change, will host a conversation between Darea Flanagan from E.ON and Jessica Badley from Blood Cancer UK to find out about the small changes that make a big difference in the workplace when it comes to talking more openly about mental health.
3pm: Fontanna’s laughter yoga
It’s time to get laughing as Time to Change Champion Fontanna takes you through a series of exercises that will have you in stitches. Fontanna will also talk about their experience of being a Champion.
5pm: Ridhima’s Bollywood dance
Learn some new moves as Time to Change Champion Ridhima teaches you some key steps. Ridhima regularly uses Bollywood dance as a way of encouraging people to talk about mental health.
Accreditations & Awards
