www.mcch.org.uk
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Spring 2015
mental health and wellbeing news
See how we celebrated Time to Talk day. Page 3.
Photo: Kent Messenger Group
Sam Woollard Editor
Welcome Page 3
Time to Talk day update.
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Mental health and young people. An article by our guest writer James.
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Some facts about mcch.
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Walking challenge.
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Abseil down the ArcelorMittal Orbit.
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Fundraisers’ achievments.
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Support to get back to work.
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Some positive words from budding poet Stacey.
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Launch of our new autism strategy.
The Pines development is now live! We have started the construction of a new 16 person service in Tunbridge Wells for people with learning disabilities. We will own the property and be the landlord. You can watch the progress of the development on our live camera feed: www.mcch.org.uk/our-services/housing-services
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Make time to talk ...it can help! We have been involved in England’s biggest anti-stigma programme - Time to Change. Their event, Time to Talk, is a national event that gets people talking about mental health. We organised events across the South East and made a video about why it’s great to talk. We filmed people from our Wellbeing Centre in Hart and Rushmoor. “It’s good to talk about mental health, it stops me from feeling isolated.” Alistair We also is challenged people to talk about mental health over tea and music at our Pathways to Wellbeing service in Ashford. Spring 2015
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Mental health and
young people James Creative Writer On average, 1 in 4 people will develop some kind of mental illness during the course of their life and like any illness, it really doesn’t care who that person is. Young people experience seismic changes in themselves and in their environment as they transition from Primary to Secondary education. If mental illness strikes now, it has the potential to do serious damage that will be felt long into their adult lives. I know this because it happened to me, but it doesn’t have to happen to others. In ‘Mental health and young people’, I talk about a range of issues including stories that have featured in the news recently, the pressures and negativity put on young people about the world they will eventually be released in to and a small insight into my own struggle with mental illness.
Read the full article on our website: www.mcch.org.uk If you would like to read more of James’s work, please contact the Gravesend employment service: 01474 321166 eandvgravesend@mcch.org.uk
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Summer 2014
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About mcch In the 1980s, the Department of Health’s Care in the Community programme helped people with learning disabilities to move out of long-stay hospitals and into homes in the community. No single agency had the skills or resources to take on this task independently. In 1987 agencies in Maidstone joined together as a consortium to form Maidstone Community Care Housing Society ltd. These agencies included Maidstone Health Authority, Kent Social Services, Sanctuary Housing Association and Hyde Housing Association.
We now support around 2000 people with autism, learning disabilities and mental health needs across the South East.
It wasn’t until the Community Care Act in the 1990s that mcch became an independent provider.
Maidstone agencies come together to form mcch. We move 50 patients from the long-stay hospital in Lenham into homes in the community.
1987
1999
2015 2003
2011 1500 people
1251 people supported 1162 people
supported
supported
1992 123 people supported
Spring 2015
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Get involved
Thames Path Challenge Follow the Thames from its source in the Cotswolds through London on this 100km, 50km or 25km endurance walk. When: Saturday 12 September to Sunday 13 September Where: London How much do I have to pay to enter? 100km 50km 25km
£49 £39 £29
How much money do I need to raise? 100km 50km 25km
£475 £295 £179
How do I take part? Call Emma on 01622 722536 or email fundraising@mcch.org.uk
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F Henley on Thames
Eton Runnymede
Staines
Kew Gardens
Hampton Court
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Putney Bridge
Emma Cassley Fundraising Manager
Abseil 80m for mcch
Abseil from the tallest sculpture in the UK and raise money for mcch. When: Saturday 4 July Where: ArcelorMittal Orbit, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park How much money do I need to raise? ÂŁ100 How do I take part? Call Emma on 01622 722536 or email fundraising@mcch.org.uk
We have some FREE places for people we support
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Thank you for your help Charity of the year 2 student groups at Invicta Grammar School have chosen mcch as their charity of the year. So far they have raised £1,600.
Creative writers The local writers group in Deal awarded mcch £750 to fund exciting creative writing projects.
Christmas presents Select Plant Hire donated over 40 amazing Christmas presents to the children who go to our playschemes and respite centre in Bexley.
New playground for Falconwood Thanks to donations from the Sobell Foundation, Childwick Trust and an anonymous donor Falconwood has a brand new accessible garden and play equipment. The playground is now a much friendly, accessible and usable space for the children who go to the service.
Brave abseilers Thank you Emma, Alex and Charles who abseiled from the ArcelorMittal Orbit in March. They raised over £1,059 to help us support young people.
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Charity fun day PricewaterhouseCoopers held a charity day at their offices in London raising £529.
Work opportunities Jacqui supports people to get back into work at the Employment Service in Dartford. “I was a prison officer for 23 years and decided it was time to try something different and to make a difference. I have been an employment advisor now for 15 months. “A lot of the people we support are nervous and anxious. Many do not value their own abilities. I aim to put people at ease the moment they step through the door. “I help people to search for jobs, fill in forms, go with them to the interview if needed and practice interview techniques. My work also includes supporting people to keep their job when they are struggling due to their mental health. “Recently I supported someone to do a training course as personal trainer. He then secured a post within a gym and worked his way up to be an assistant manager. His confidence has greatly improved and has a great career and personal life now. This is a great achievement and is why I do the job I do.”
Tips to support your journey into work 1.
Keep an open mind.
2. Everybody has worth and
something to offer (we just need to recognise it).
3. Asking for help is being brave.
4. You are given options...
You make the choices.
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Poem by Stacey To mcch peeps I’m feeling you I’ve been through hard times too Bit I’m writing these wordsJust to let you know Look to the future Let the past go Mental illness is hard to beatThis is true Want to make it easier? Find something to do Being around others really does help you Voluntary work maybe helping someone out too All those times when you’re taken it out on you My people PLEASE that’s not the thing to do Anger inside I understand this People hurt you give’em a miss This is your life now Make it one you can say I’ve recovered. I’ve done it my way Let people help you out Have faith and trust in them Don’t give one thought of doubt BE HAPPY! 10
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Do you like this poem? Let us know and we will pass your kind words on to Stacey. marketing@mcch.org.uk 01622 722419
Autism strategy launch We have launched our new autism strategy. It tells people how we are going to support people with autism and what we are going to do to make things better. We launched the new strategy at an event that promoted our work in autism. The event inlcuded talks from people we support and people who are involved in mcch projects about their experiences of living with autism. There was information about positive behaviour support, language and technology, storytelling and involving people with autism. The crowd were kept entertained by DJ Chris’s disco and karaoke. Chris is also a delivery assistant at our Tuck by Truck enterprise.
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Are you looking for support? Call us free on 0800 028 28 15
mcch One Hermitage Court Hermitage Lane Maidstone Kent ME16 9NT
Other versions available: • Learning disability and autism news • Easy read • Video
t. 01622 722400 f. 01622 722450 www.mcch.org.uk
twitter.com/mcchcharity facebook.com/mcchcharity
Printed on 100% recycled paper
mcch is a registered charity number 1156486 and a company limited by guarantee (registered in England and Wales number 8971493).