Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil
S.U.N. Newsletter October 2015
World Mental Health Day 2015 The World Federation for Mental Health founded World Mental Health Day (WMHD) in 1992. This year’s theme is ‘Dignity in Mental Health.’ Each year, on or around the 10 October, interested individuals and organisations come together to promote greater public awareness and understanding or mental health, emotional wellbeing and mental illness at two events in RCT and Merthyr Tydfil. To mark World Mental Health Day 2015, the Involve 2 Evolve Project worked in partnership with Making Minds to hold Art and Creative Writing workshops on this year’s theme of ’Dignity’. Those who attended the workshops enjoyed the chance to be creative and their work was displayed at both WMHD events. People who visited our stall were very impressed by the high quality of the plaques (pic right) and poetry and although they weren't for sale they could have been sold several times over! On behalf of all who attended the sessions I would like to say a big thank you to the organisers of the workshops. On the left is the ‘Dignity in Mental Health’ board, which was put together by Service Users and Carers. Everyone rallied around to get the printing, laminating done and anything else that was needed. THANK YOU! Every poem, word, picture and sentiment came from the hearts of those who created them. You all should be proud of yourselves! You’re all stars.
World Mental Health Day continued: These fabulous collages were on display at both events, created by very talented Service Users and Carers to celebrate this years theme, ‘Dignity in Mental Health’ A huge Thank You for sharing these wonderful pieces of work!
Thank you Bev for all your hard work making and giving out the free dignity badges and bracelets
One of the many cute badges handed out at both events to bring awareness of this years theme in a fun and light-hearted way!
Don’t forget Readers, We are still looking for your stories, poetry and anything else you would like to see in your newsletter!
Both events received positive feedback. Thank you to those who wrote comments on the Dignity Board.
More poetry written especially for World Mental Health Day will appear in the next issue.
World Mental Health Day continued: This is a photograph of our stall in Sobell Leisure Centre in Aberdare, on Friday 2nd October for World Mental Health Day. As you can see its filled with wonderfully coloured items made especially for the event.
Thank you to all those who Supervised the stalls at both events.
This is a photograph taken of part of the canvas created in the creative workshops.
Rachel introducing the speakers at the Have You Say workshop held at Merthyr Rugby club during the WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY event. Thank you to all those who attended and asked questions for the speakers to answer.
Have Your Say Event. Thank you to; Sharon Phillips (SU Rep)
Jane Treharne-Davis (Carer Rep), For their continued hard work and presentations at the HAVE YOUR SAY
EVENTS.
Read our Engagement Report to learn more about the results from the Wellbeing Survey and the Have Your Say events at the following web address; http://www.interlinkrct.org.uk/2015/10/involve-2-evolve-project-together-for-mental-healthengagement-report/ To request a copy of the Engagement Report, please contact Rachel on 01443 846200 or email rwyatt@interlinkrct.org.uk
Great news The Samaritans launched a new free-to-caller number 116 123 as their main number On 22 September 2015. This number is free to call from landlines, mobiles and payphones. It will enable more people who may be struggling to cope to access this vital service, which provides round the clock support every single day of the year. The new 116 123 number will replace Samaritans’ national UK number, 08457 90 90 90. Anyone who calls the old number will now hear a message telling them that they can now call The Samaritans free of charge on 116 123. People calling from a dedicated Samaritans phone (or any phone that is pre programmed to dial 0845 90 90 90) will have the option to stay on the line and be connected to a volunteer. With the launch of 116 123, more people will be able to access this service even if they are unable to afford the cost of a phone call or have run out of minutes or credit on their mobile phone. The 116 123 number does not show up on phone bills, which means callers will no longer have to worry that other members of their household might notice the number on the bill.
Brian reading his Poem at RCT’s World Mental Health Day 2015 at Sobell Leisure Centre Aberdare, on Friday 2nd October.
Poem for the election are we in separate category My robin sings for me and you Service users mental health/people in wheel chairs/ soldiers who On TV we see give £2 A MONTH FOR TIGERS, MONKEYS ENDANGERED SPECIES’ Please put us on your list Soldiers have fought for their country and have much stress and injuries Do we not have feelings are we a lower life form who are not on the radar of politicians or is there a lower category than trees, flowers, rivers, roads or even climate change and animals? We need someone to start to include us in life and put us on the list. Do you think we could be on the list robin is on the list singing and getting on with his life and so is my pretty bumble bee ARE WE AN ENDANGERED SPECIES? Politicians put us on your list Waterways need cleaning Wind farms Sea barrage millions of pounds Aid for starving in Africa Please Mr Politician, please gracious lady Politicians Can we come on your list? Don’t forget my robin is singing for you, my bee is doing his job Can you please include me? By
Brian Mitchell
John read his Poem out at; Michael Sobells Sports Centre Aberdare, on Friday 2nd October, and Merthyr Rugby Club, Merthyr Tydfil on Friday 9th October, to celebrate World Mental Health Day 2015’ Well done John It wasn’t easy reading in front of so many people!
What Dignity Means to Me The Creative Writing sessions which Interlink ran with Making Minds helped me to get out what has been pestering me for a while about dignity in Mental Health. I wrote about the PAST – when my Dignity was taken Away; the PRESENT when I have been listening to; and the FUTURE and where I feel more like myself. My dignity was taken away as soon as I was told I had a mental health problem because people do not treat you with respect, because they think you are a second class citizen, because they cannot see your illness and think you are not ill. They say certain words like ‘pull yourself together’ or ‘come on, you’re faking it’, but little do they know that mental health problems are the most debilitating disease you can have. But now I have fought to regain my dignity, which has taken me at least forty-two years, the length of time I’ve been in mental health services. I was listened to for the very first time by a psychiatrist who was really good and this seemed to have changed my life. He didn’t look away or look at the clock like some do. He looked at me and answered my questions honestly. With my mental health, because I have not been unwell for nine years or more, which in some way is good, I never had that kind of chance to be listened to. So now I use that same kind of listening knowledge to help others. When I am on holiday in the Isle of Wright, things do change with my dignity because I am so relaxed and the surroundings are so good, especially the hotel and the staff are so helpful. They make you feel wanted. It’s like being on another planet. That is why I like going on holiday.
By
John Bishop
Introducing Amie :)is Amie. I am the newest member of the Hello everyone! My name team here at Interlink and am working alongside Rachel (who you all know and love!) as a Mental Health Service User Involvement Worker. When I’m not busy doing that I love to get lost in the forest, make a racket playing African drums or time travel back to the Viking Age to rain arrows down on our invading enemies. All done safely and in the spirit of fun, of course! After adventuring I like nothing more than curling up on the sofa with my wonderful husband, two adorable little fur babies and a book, or three. Well that’s all from me. I very much look forward to meeting and working with you all soon. Take good care of yourselves!
New Survey on Care Planning: Do you live in RCT or Merthyr Tydfil? Do you receive support from Secondary Mental Health Services? (e.g. a CPN, Social Worker, Psychiatrist, Older Person’s Services or CAMHS (Children and Adolescent Mental health Services. ) If so, please tell us about your experiences of Care and Treatment Planning by completing our Care Planning Survey. The survey has been developed by Service Users and Carers and will shortly be sent out in the post with a Freepost envelope for return to Interlink. The survey is also available to complete on-line at https;//www.surveymonkey.com/r/BRTG7TC To request a copy of the survey, please contact Rachel on 01443 846200 or email rwyatt@interlinkrct.org.uk
Hello, Readers; Woof! Woof! Bonfire Night is on its way. So please keep you furry friends indoors on November 5th because just like me they maybe scared of the fireworks. Be responsible they could run away and get hurt, So please don’t take the chance!
Sukki Persnikitty PLEASE Do not forget to send me your pets’ photos and stories to Rachel at: rwyatt@interlinkrct.org.uk
New Opportunities: Get Involved in Mental Health Training There are various ways that you can get involved in the training of people who deliver mental health services, from GP staff to Care Coordinators.
ry in o t S r u o Y e r Sha h Mental Healt raining T s s e n e r a w A
atment e r T d n a e r a C ing Planning Train
INFORM
—Train ing for GP s taff
Committees: There are various meetings that you can get involved in as a Service User or Carer Representative
Eating Disord ers Partici pation Group
l Health a t n e M World Group g n i n n a l Day P
Care and Treatmen t Planning Monitori ng Group
h Act t l a e lH oup Menta r G g orin Monit
To find out more, please contact Rachel on 01443 846200 or email rwyatt@interlinkrct.org.uk 9
WANTED!
SERVICE USERS & CARERS TO JOIN OUR CARE PLANNING GROUP
By working together, we aim to: Share what’s working & not working with YOUR Care Plan? Help with training that aims to improve the quality of Care Planning in local mental health services?
For further information ,please contact Rachel Wyatt on 01443 846200 or email rwyatt@interlinkrct.org.uk 10
SECONDARY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Mental Health Measure Outcome Focused Care Planning Training for:
Care Coordinators, Service Users, Carers, and Third Sector Agencies. It provides an understanding of: The Mental Health Measure Meaningful care and treatment planning Setting SMART goals and actions Crisis planning and Recovery 26th November 2015 1.00pm-5.00pm
Ysbyty Cwm Cynon
8th December 2015
Pentre CMHT
1.00pm-5.00pm
Ground Floor Meeting Room
13th January 2016
Royal Glamorgan Hospital
10.00am-2.00pm
Training Room 9
17th February 2016
Ty Draw CMHT
1.00pm-5.00pm
Social Room
16th March 2016
Kier Hardie Health Park
1.00pm-5.00pm
Group Room 2, Ground Floor
Ward 7 (MHU)
Please book via: Tracy Stinchcombe Telephone 01443 443712 or email Tracy.Stinchcombe@wales.nhs.uk RHONDDA CYNON TAF
DIGNITY IN MENTAL HEALTH WORD SEARCH R R M E E T S E F L E S
A E E L A R O M R Q Q Y
E G S E D I R P I L U M
T A I P I P E A E T A P
A R G F E A L T N E L A
I D N I T C H H D C I T
C D I G N I T Y S I T H
E N D E C O R U M O Y E
R I Q U R E U L A V H T
P K E R I P S N I O O I
P L E D G E T I M E P C
A C C E P T A N C E E M
KIND
LOYAL
ACCEPTANCE
PLEDGE INSPIRE
DIGNITY
PRIDE SELF-ESTEEM
SIGN
EQUAL
VOICE
MORALE
FRIENDS
HOPE
RESPECT
TRUST EMPATHY
APPRECIATE
GIFT
REGARD
EQUALITY
TIME DECORUM SYMPATHETIC
The first London Underground trains were nicknamed ‘sewer trams’.
Gold has its own E number. E175 is officially suitable for consumption by vegetarians, vegans and members of all religious groups.
Human saliva contains a painkiller called opiorphin that is six times more powerful than morphine. In the first month of its life, a silkworm puts on 10,000 times its birth weight.
In 2005, the 54 billionaires in Britain paid only £14.7 million in income tax between them. Of this, £9 million came from James Dyson. (Lloyd, John; Mitchinson, John (2012-10-30). 1,227 QI Facts To Blow Your Socks Off. Faber & Faber. Kindle Edition.)
Don’t forget anything you want to see in YOUR newsletter then just email Rachel at: rwyatt@interlinkrct.org.uk
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JOHN’S GARDENING CORNER Prepare for the winter during the Autumn period. E.g. Pick any fruit that is remaining Put any remaining plants from the greenhouse on the compost. Clean out the greenhouse and sterilise gardening tools Now if the time to plant bulbs for the spring such as daffodils and crocuses.
PLANTING BULBS When to plant If you want to fill your garden with colour next spring, plant bulbs from October to December, before the first frost. Daffodils, tulips, crocus, grape hyacinths and fritillarias are just some of the plants to choose from.
How to buy bulbs Most bulbs have a long dormant period, requiring little attention for much of the year. When buying bulbs check they're healthy and as fresh as possible or your spring show could be a washout. Avoid any that are damaged, shrivelled or feel soft and go for plump, firm bulbs. Aim to plant within a week or they’ll start to sprout. When possible, check that the plants have been obtained from reliable growers, rather than from stock that has been collected from the wild.
How to plant
Bulbs are some of the easiest garden plants to grow, needing only a well-drained soil and some sunshine. As a general rule, plant bulbs two to three times their own depth and around two bulb widths apart. It's important to plant bulbs with its top facing upwards. If unsure, plant the bulb on its side. Replace the soil after planting, breaking down any large clumps and firm in gently, making sure there are no air spaces around the bulbs. http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/plant_bulbs1.shtml (accessed 14/10/15)
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Pumpkin pie Antony Worrall Thompson shows how to make your own pumpkin pie in eight simple steps - no need to be spooked! http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/pumpkinpie_70659
Ingredients FOR THE PASTRY
FOR THE FILLING
sweet short crust pastry case (or a packet of ready-made sweet short crust pastry with 40g/1½oz crushed pecans mixed in)
450g/1lb prepared weight pumpkin flesh, cut into 1in/2.5 cm chunks 2 large eggs plus 1 yolk (use the white for another dish) 75g/3oz soft dark brown sugar 1 tsp ground cinnamon ½ level teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg ½ tsp ground allspice ½ tsp ground cloves ½ tsp ground ginger 275ml/10fl oz double cream
Preparation method 1. Pre-heat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6. 2. If using a shop bought sweet crust pastry case, use one that is 23cm/9in diameter and 4cm/1½in deep. If using your own pastry, roll it out and use it to line a 23cm/9in pie plate (not loose bottomed). Bake the pastry case blind for 20 minutes. 3. To make the filling, place the pumpkin chunks on a baking tray, cover with foil and roast until tender. This will take about 20-30 minutes, depending on your pumpkin. Press the cooked pumpkin in a coarse sieve and to extract any excess water. Set aside to cool before blending in a food processor, or mashing by hand to a pureé. 4. Lightly whisk the eggs and extra yolk together in a large bowl. 5. Place the sugar, spices and the cream in a pan, bring to simmering point, giving it a whisk to mix everything together. Then pour it over the eggs and whisk it again briefly. Now add the pumpkin pureé, still whisking to combine everything thoroughly. 6. Reduce the oven temperature to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Pour the filling into your pastry case and bake for 35-40 minutes, by which time it will puff up round the edges but still feel slightly wobbly in the centre. 7. Remove the pie from the oven and place the tin on a wire cooling rack. Serve warm or chilled (stored loosely covered in foil in the fridge) with some chilled créme fraïche or whipped cream.
Tips for Baking the pastry case blind Use your rolling pin to lift the pastry into the tin. Metal tart tins are best for baking pastry because they conduct and hold heat well. Roll out the pastry until it is larger than the diameter of the tart tin. Gently roll the pastry around the rolling pin. Unroll the pastry on top of the tart tin, and then use your hands to lower the pastry into the corners of the tin, pressing it into the edges of the tart case. Use a small piece of dough to press the pastry into the fluted edges and corners of the tart tin to avoid tearing it with your fingernails. Line the pastry case with heatproof cling film (suitable for use in the microwave). Pour over dried beans or rice and bake as the recipe indicates. http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/techniques/how_to_blind_bake_pastry 14
A Raven’s Tear What darkest recess through and e’re beyond solitude doth capture the movement of silence be it then so deafening. Render forth unspoketh mystery that so aged the monuments of marking, those who for whenever pass veils amass in reproach for winged messenger… Tis therefore naught of thought in vision that doth appear heartless….nor then even an act of selfishness and savage breast….no for these things hath fallen…. Cloak thereof without needs must for concealment…the fragility and aimless futility to those who wouldst attempt reasoning the labyrinth or maelstrom of tainted emotions…torn though lack of knowing… In truth the Darkness to many an artist eye doth thereto become an inspiration some mayhap murmur the fascination of those in coldness of er’e more, if it torment the wanting to them who might truly quest without fore or even after thought as indeed to why... Then perch thee messenger upon yon bough…and there to survey the multitudes of times marching demise… Yet permit me perhaps to catch the single tear doth trickle from thine eye… Anonymous
HAPPY HALLOWEEN READERS
SCARE YOU! 15
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