Talking Point June 2013

Talking Point JUNE 2013

No time to waste A look at our new integrated drug and alcohol services l News Bringing Parliament to the people throughout the country

l Meet the team The Camden Health Improvement Practice

l Your points of view A focus on the changes to the benefits system

Welcome

Welcome point

Contents 2. Welcome point 3. Update Bringing Parliament to the people.

4-5. Feature A look at our new integrated drug and alcohol services.

6. Meet...

Our Camden Health Improvement Practice.

6. Day in the life David Pritchard is a cook at our Smithfield Project in Manchester. He tells us about a recent day…

7. Your points of view Focus on the changes to the benefits system.

Learn from...Colleagues at Birmingham Drugline.

8. Your Turning Point Blooming great news for Marc.

Plus ’How Turning Point helped me’.

Welcome to the June edition of Talking Point. In the same way that summer has taken a while to appear, after a longer-thanusual gap between this issue and the previous issue in January, I’m pleased to say that Talking Point is now back to normal and will be with you every two months.

I’m also pleased to welcome readers at TP’s new substance misuse services in East Kent, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Northumberland, which you can find out about in our main feature on pages 4 and 5.

The new services are another development in an exciting period of growth for Turning Point and Andy James, Assistant Chief Executive, explains why growth is crucial for us during such challenging economic times.

Another area of increased focus for us is primary care, and in this issue’s ‘Meet the team’ feature on page 6 we meet the Camden Health Improvement Practice team, a primary care service specifically for homeless individuals, which meets our organisational aspiration to help the most vulnerable.

Colleagues discuss how the recent changes to the benefits system are affecting the individuals we support in ‘Your points of view’ on page 7, while Birmingham Drugline shares an example of how peer mentors at the service are supporting clients with the changes in our new good practice sharing feature, ‘Learn from…’, also on page 7.

We also take a look at some of the fantastic work being done by our peer mentors.

Read the inspiring story of John, a peer mentor at our Gateshead Community Integration service in ‘How TP helped me’ on page 8.

Although Talking Point is no longer printed, we hope you find the online format easy to read. If computer access at your service is limited, please print copies off for your team or let me know if you would like me to send some hard copies to your service.

Please keep your entries coming for Talking Point by sending them in to talkingpoint@ turning-point.co.uk. Kristel Tracey, Editor

Useful numbers Confidential Care

0800 085 1376

(Free confidential support and counselling for Turning Point employees)

General Turning Point enquiries Standon House (London)

The Exchange (Manchester)

020 7481 7600 0161 238 5100 Worried about something at Turning Point?

0845 888 1110

$1.3 trillion The estimated value of the global illicit drug trade. 26 June is the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

(Confidential number to call if you are worried about any malpractice)

Have your say Talking Point is your magazine and we are keen to hear any stories you want to share. Email us at: talkingpoint@turning-point.co.uk 2

To the point

£15 20m

people across the UK volunteer every year, donating more than 100 million hours to their communities every week. 1-7 June was Volunteers’ Week.

6,000 people take on new caring responsibilities in the UK every day.

10-16 June is National Carers Week.

Sources: 1. UN Office on Drugs and Crime 2. Volunteers’ Weeks website 3. Carers Week website

Update

Bringing Parliament to the people

A range of issues important to the individuals supported in our learning disability services were discussed at a series of ‘People’s Parliament’ meetings across Turning Point recently.

The People’s Parliament is part of our work to maximise service user involvement across the organisation, and has been created to ensure that these individuals are empowered and supported to influence what we do as an organisation at a local and national level. It allows them to become involved in the

way we work, providing the necessary support and a forum for them to raise the issues that matter most to them and share their stories and ideas.

Individuals have the opportunity to attend regional People’s Parliament meetings.

One service user and support worker from each regional meeting is then nominated to take forward the ideas and raise them at national People’s Parliament meetings, the first of which will take place later in the year.

Transport, health, employment, money, holidays and communication were hot topics at the recent round of meetings, which were attended by more than 40 people, from Wiltshire to Warwickshire and Bradford to Bedfordshire.

For example, at one

meeting the limitations of Speaking after the recent shared vehicles in services round of meetings, Claire was highlighted as a barrier Moszoro, Engagement Lead to social inclusion and for the Learning Disability community integration, in Business Unit, said: ‘This is turn limiting one-to-one an exciting time for Turning support. In Hertfordshire Point’s involvement agenda attendees said they would and we hope the People’s like hospitals to have more Parliament continues to be specialised awareness of their driven forward towards the needs, while in Warwickshire goal of giving the people we the key to positive experiences support a true voice. With with local hospitals was good the positive approach of communication between colleagues and leadership Turning Point staff and of Fiona Ritchie, Managing hospital staff.

Director for our business unit, Other people expressed the future and potential for their desire to have the the People’s Parliament looks opportunity to work. In very bright.’

Hertfordshire, for example, The national meeting of the an attendee said: ‘Work People’s Parliament will take makes us feel valued and place in October. appreciated. Work can be very To find out more about the rewarding and we would like INFO People’s Parliament, see the latest edition of The Link on IRIS or to be a valued member of the POINT contact Claire Moszoro (contact details are available on IRIS). community.’

Saving the planet and helping Turning Point The time of year has arrived when the TP services and office locations that have been chosen for this year’s environmental assessment are being contacted, to ensure that we retain our ISO 14001 accreditation for environmental practices and compliance.

While the accreditation might not sound very glamorous, it’s really important for us; having external accreditation demonstrates to commissioners and other external stakeholders that Turning Point conforms to this standard. It is critical to growth and the winning of new business, as most tenders and retenders require evidence of our environmental actions. As an organisation that supports people to build a better life, it’s part of our responsibility to ensure that our operations have minimal environmental impact.

Helen Grant, who is responsible for coordinating TP’s environmental commitments, says colleagues across Turning Point have played a vital role

in helping us achieve the ISO 14001 accreditation.

‘Now we have it, we want to keep it. It really helps Turning Point as we continue to grow and move forward,’ she says. ‘Once a year we will receive assessments from the British Assessment Bureau, so it’s important everyone knows what our environmental commitments are.’

To make sure that we all know what’s required of us – as individuals, services,

departments and the wider a plan for environmental organisation – a dedicated actions throughout the year, page is available on IRIS and managers can find advice called the ‘Green Heart and guidance on how best of Turning Point’. There, to structure those plans. The colleagues can find out what information on the ‘Green the requirements are in Heart of Turning Point’ page relation to the accreditation. is updated every month and Even if your site hasn’t been there are links to energy chosen for assessment this saving tips and posters that year, we are all responsible colleagues can display in for ensuring we are services. exhibiting environmental To access the ‘Green Heart of INFO Turning Point’ page, go to IRIS best practice at TP. For enter ‘Green Heart’ into POINT and example, all sites must have the ‘find’ box.

Our latest update on just some of the activities our Chief Executive, Victor Adebowale, has been carrying out on behalf of our services and clients: l The report of the Independent Commission on Mental Health and Policing, chaired by Victor at the request of the Metropolitan Police Service, was published in May. The Commission conducted a case review, spoke with families, experts and organisations, and put 28 recommendations to the Metropolitan Police Service for it to improve its response to people with mental health conditions. Launching the report, Victor said: ‘The Commission has sought to provide actionable recommendations, so that there is a real opportunity for the Metropolitan Police Service to change their approach significantly to those with mental health issues in their everyday policing’. You can find the full report at https:// mentalhealthpolicing-independent.wazoku.com/consultation.

Feature

No time to waste It may only have been a short while since we won a series of new integrated drug and alcohol services, but plenty has been going on since to make sure they’re up and running as quickly as possible…

J

ust a few short months after Turning Point was commissioned to deliver fully integrated drug and alcohol services across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and East Kent – along with further new services in Northumberland – all the sites are now live and supporting people across all of those areas.

Comprising all types of community intervention, to address and prevent problematic drug and alcohol use, the services across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and East Kent include prescribing, structured and unstructured delivery, criminal justice and harm reduction/preventative services, delivered by a multidisciplinary team. The new integrated drug service in Northumberland will see us working as a sub-contractor to the Northumberland and Tyne and Wear NHS Trust and, working with Cyrenians, we will deliver the Care Coordination & Drug Intervention Programme

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elements of the service.

As Darren Woodward, Head of Operations for the new services explains, getting all of the services in place and bringing more than 270 new colleagues across to Turning

Point within such a short space of time has been no mean feat.

‘It’s been an incredibly busy time,’ he says. ‘At the time of going live on 1 April, it had only been around two and a

‘Everyone’s working really hard to make it work’ Liz Offor, Area Operations Manager for the new East Kent services, says colleagues there have had some great ideas.

‘We’ve taken on some really passionate and motivated staff and I’m so excited about how peer mentoring is going to work out,’ she says.

We are also working on the provision of recovery vehicles, and our new East Kent team has been at the heart of helping us work out how that will operate.

Roving recovery vehicles will enable us to provide targeted outreach, particularly at

night. To help us do that, we want to partner with other agencies that can provide us with some of the facilities we will need, and we’re currently liaising with them. It will open up the service to people who have traditionally been hard-to-reach, which will make sure we are a truly county-wide service.

‘In addition, I would say that it has been great to have the senior management team involved in the inductions; it’s given everyone a real boost to have the Chief Executive’s Team welcoming new colleagues to the organisation.’

half months since we were awarded the commissions, so the fact we were up and running so quickly is testament to the dedication of the implementation team and our colleagues across Turning Point who have supported the transfer process; providing partnership working, a multi-departmental approach and advice. Everyone has embraced the tasks at hand with genuine enthusiasm and worked together to overcome any challenges.

It’s not a surprise because it’s something we see across Turning Point all the time, but it’s still great to acknowledge the achievement.’

How the work was won The new services are a major win for us, and will contribute around 40% of all substance misuse revenue next year. So what set us apart from the other organisations bidding?

Darren says: ‘There were a number of factors that led to our success but of

Feature

fundamental importance was the strong market research we carried out. We also spent a lot of energy scoping in different areas to understand not only what the

areas, there was a desire for a single provider who could integrate services and provide efficiencies and effectiveness across the areas.

‘That type of model is very

Great signs for the future Now the services are up and running, Darren says that, as with so many of our services, they will help the organisation to grow and develop further as well as supporting more

‘There was a desire for a single provider who could integrate services and provide efficiencies and effectiveness across the areas.’ commissioners were looking for, but to see what types of support the areas were lacking. We made contact with service users to hear about the support they were receiving and to gauge their views. And we spoke to many partners and stakeholders in the areas, such as police, probation workers, hospitals and prevention teams. It was all about getting a really clear idea of the current provision in the areas and how we could complement it whilst filling in any gaps.’

In addition to this thorough preparation, Darren feels much of the success was down to really good tender writing and Turning Point’s ‘fit’ with the services the areas needed.

‘With the integrated services across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and East Kent in particular, it was clear that there was demand for the type of fully integrated services we provide at Turning Point,’ he says. ‘Rather than having four, five or six different providers working in similar ways in different

similar to what we provide, particularly in places like Somerset, where we have been running that model for five years. We have a very strong track record.’

people.

‘Of course, winning new contracts and retaining the services we have will help us in this difficult climate. In the case of the new substance misuse services specifically,

Staff and clients hard at work at our new service in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

the fact that we are also employing new roles with particular areas of specialism will of course bring new skills and ways of working.

For example, we now have five Consultant Psychiatrists and more doctors, nurses and other clinicians working with us in the business unit, which is great for Turning Point. It helps to bring clinical assurance, and it allows us to become a voice in that arena and bring valuable new perspectives’

‘New services will benefit us all’ Our Assistant Chief Executive, Andy James, says the new services are important to Turning Point on many levels - not only because they will extend the reach of the great support we provide to clients, but also because growth is important at such a tough time for the health and social care sector.

He says: ‘It’s really important to acknowledge that, while it’s fantastic to have these new services on board, it’s a tough time in our sector and we still face substantial challenges for the foreseeable future. However, gaining new business is hugely important to helping us build a more secure and sustainable future for Turning Point. It stands to reason that the more contracts we win, the better equipped we are for the long-term future. We can only support individuals if we work together to build a strong, financially viable Turning Point.

‘Most importantly, these services will help us reach more people and that’s the really satisfying thing for me. The work we do at Turning Point is fantastic and changes people’s lives for the better, and these new services will help us to provide support to even more people who need it. For example, we will now be operating in Gloucestershire for the first time; it’s very rewarding to see us moving into new areas.

‘Of course the contracts help us grow as an organisation. But the focus for me is on how many more lives we can turn around as a result of them.’

In focus

Meet...

our Camden Health Improvement Practice Paul Daly, Practice Manager at our Camden Health Improvement Practice, tells us about his team and the support they provide…

Is this a relatively new service to Turning Point?

The general practice has actually been in existence since 1991 and I have been here since 1994, so we’re really well established and have lots of experience.

Until six months ago we were part of the NHS, and then the service was put out to tender and I’m delighted to say that we are now part of Turning Point. This is the only such practice in Turning Point, and it’s great to be part of a team which is helping the organisation move into new areas of support.

Tell us a bit about the service and your team...

The service we run is exactly the same as any other general practice, but we focus solely on supporting homeless people in the Camden area. The team here consists of two doctors, two nurses, an admin team of two and myself. We have also previously deployed the skills of a health and housing access worker to support Number of staff: 7 individuals with their Client group: Homeless people in accommodation Camden needs.

Manager: Paul Daly (below)

To the point

That sounds like a valuable service. How does it work?

The practice is open to all homeless people from the Camden area, which has traditionally had quite a high proportion of people living in doorways and on the streets. We want to make access to the service as easy as possible for our clients, so instead of operating an appointment system like most general practices, we run a ‘drop-in only’ service. That means from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, there is somewhere that homeless people can go to get support from a doctor or nurse if they need it.

Is there good awareness of the service in the area?

Yes. Although we haven’t always been at the same location, the fact that we have been in existence for such a long time means there’s good awareness. Of course, we need to keep getting out there to spread the word because while some of the homeless people in Camden have been here for a long time, others come and go very quickly. We’re letting them know we’re here by leafleting, by getting out and meeting people and through referrals. We get a lot of referrals from the local hostels and other agencies.

Are you having a big impact?

We are. In addition to the fact that we want to help homeless people stay well and have access to a general practice, we have a broader reach because all homeless people looking to get into housing and hostels need a medical certificate – and that’s something we provide. We have huge throughput, so we’re definitely making a difference to a lot of people. People live on the streets for many different reasons – some have lost their homes, some choose to live on the street, some are asylum seekers without housing; whatever their circumstances we provide them with the support they need and we hope this helps them move in the right direction.

If you would like to find out more about the Camden Health Improvement Practice, drop Paul Daly an email at Paul.Daly@turning-point.co.uk.

Camden has traditionally had quite a high proportion of people living on the streets.

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To take part in ‘Meet the Team’ contact talkingpoint@turning-point.co.uk

INFO POINT

A DAY IN THE LIFE David Pritchard is a cook at our Smithfield service in Manchester. He tells us about a recent day…

05.30 As with every day, I am awake early to walk the dog, then drive my son to work.

08.00 I recently became a proud grandparent, so I check my laptop for messages from my family and make sure my daughter and grandchild are OK. I then get started on the washing and other domestic jobs around the house.

9.15 I make the 45 minute drive into Manchester for work.

10.00 The chef is already in the kitchen prepping lunch, and I am on the late shift. I am responsible for preparing the tea meal, but before that I help the chef prepare lunch.

10.30 I am actively involved with our clients.

My philosophy is to speak to others the way I would like to be spoken to, so as I go around the service I am polite and say good morning to everyone I see.

10.45 As we all do, clients can get a bit peckish between breakfast and lunch, so they are coming into the serving area for snacks. The individuals we support at Smithfield have their own self-contained kitchen area upstairs where they prepare their own breakfast, but if they have any shortfalls they can just come down and ask me. If I’ve got it, they can have it.

11.45 Lunch is ready to be served. I smarten up, wash my hands, don disposable gloves, and serve lunch. We have a list of which meals that each client has chosen, so I refer to that.

As Smithfield supports people recovering from substance misuse issues, we provide healthy food that also takes into account their individual preferences and dietary requirements. When the main rush has subsided, I phone the nursing station upstairs to check for any absentees.

14.30 I spend the next couple of hours preparing tea according to what our clients have chosen. There are sandwiches to prepare and garnish with fresh salad, some plated salads to make, baked potatoes to cook and fillings to make.

16.45 Tea service starts and the clients come down for their food.

18.00 I lock away the till, carry out all the necessary health and safety checks and leave the kitchen sparkling. I reflect on what a rewarding day it was, and how great it is to hear people say ‘thanks Dave’.

19.10 I get home and ask how everyone in my household’s day has been, then take the dog out for a walk. It’s nice to unwind slowly; I really enjoy sitting in the garden with my dog by my side just to watch the day finish.

INFO POINT

To take part in ‘A day in the life’ contact talkingpoint@turning-point.co.uk

News extra

Your points of view Focus – changes to the benefits system Thank you to everyone who shared their views on how changes to the benefits system are affecting the individuals we support. We share some of the points raised below, along with a response from our Chief Executive, Victor Adebowale.

Some clients I have spoken to who are subject to the bedroom tax have found their incomes reduced substantially, putting further financial pressure on an already tight budget. It often leads to increased anxiety and decreased opportunities to engage in positive activities for their mental health, because of affordability.

Some clients just don’t want to move and will put up with the tax despite the hardship.

It seems a stupid tax which may result in evictions and further costs associated with poorer health and homelessness. It continues to widen the gap between rich and poor.

Colleague from Rightsteps Wakefield, Mental Health Business Unit I don’t know anyone who was properly prepared for the changes. Department of Work and Pensions staff talk

of backlogs and teething problems, and there are discrepancies everywhere as the paperwork or information fails to match the realities. Seeking information on crisis loans has left us confused as the information on the local borough council’s website is unclear and contradictory. The changes to housing allowance will have the biggest impact on our ex-clients, as many have faced eviction from move-on properties simply because of their age. With £83 being the maximum housing allowance for under 35s, we will struggle to meet the needs of clients who are referred to us in preparation for independent living in the communities. I cannot say that we have been properly prepared for the changes, has anyone? So far, we have found out through trial and error. I feel the effects will snowball – the changes to the benefits system feels like social engineering.

Project worker, Substance Misuse Business Unit, London I have tried to bring myself up to speed on the benefits changes by accessing information on the internet and reading reports in the

media. However, I wonder if an organisation as large as Turning Point shouldn’t be arranging training on Universal Credit, PIPs and HB to support its employees to work with the people these changes are likely to affect?

Social Worker, Mental Health Business Unit, Yorkshire Welfare reform issues often compel me to speak in the House of Lords on behalf of the people that Turning Point supports. During a debate I recently told the Government that many people we support experience benefit and housing difficulties and are already struggling. I asked the Minister to advise how people should cope with the changes, though the answer, disappointingly offered was that ‘we have to be realistic’.

Uncertainty is a big issue too - Universal Credit is particularly ambitious. I’ve urged the Government to ensure that any issues, including teething problems to the IT system are fixed before the national roll out, to prevent delays to benefits being received. Also, there should be more consideration for individual circumstances, especially on the ‘bedroom tax’ which could impact those

including disabled people who require a spare room for live-in support, and I agree risks increasing evictions and worsening inequality.

I would be interested to hear where staff are currently getting information and advice from and how you would like us to keep you informed. One of the comments suggested the delivery of training to staff, and I’d welcome as many of you as possible to share your suggestions via the Have your Say box on the IRIS homepage, so that we can consider what the best approach to supporting colleagues with the changes would be. I was also interested to hear of the work taking place at Birmingham Drugline (see below), working with peer mentors and local agencies to provide information to clients about the reforms – it’s a great approach that I would be keen to hear more about.

Thank you for taking the time to share your views; I’ll be communicating them to ministers when I meet with them and I’ll continue to speak on behalf of those who will be impacted by the benefit changes at every opportunity I have.

Victor Adebowale, Chief Executive

Learn from… our colleagues at Birmingham Drugline Stacey Ennis, Team Leader and Recovery Kitchen Lead at Birmingham Drugline, shares how they have been preparing clients for the changes to the benefits system.

Here in Birmingham we’ve been working with our peer mentors to support clients with changes to the benefits system, and thought it might work for other Turning Point services.

The idea came up as a response to concerns we have about the detrimental impact welfare changes will have on clients. The lack of information and guidance individuals feel they have been given regarding the changes

is extremely concerning. The Universal Credit payment system is causing a great deal of anxiety among the people we support, and the responsibility to manage a month’s worth of all benefits in one lump sum including paying bills, rent and food is overwhelming for many. Some individuals do not even have a bank account.

With this in mind, we decided to work with our peer mentors to contact various agencies who could help provide an information session to clients.

The purpose of the event is to provide information on how the changes will affect them, how to appeal against decisions

regarding their benefits and to make them aware of the support services available.

So far, the Birmingham Community Safety Partnership has presented, a local group called DATUS informed clients on peer and advocacy support services available to them and Supporting People presented on budgeting and money management. One of our peer mentors also went around to different banks and building societies to find out about the type of ID required to open an account, credit unions and banks that are more/less suitable for the individuals we support. We have received positive feedback from

service users thanking us for facilitating the information sessions.

We will continue to work with our peer mentors to support clients with the changes; if other TP services are interested in doing the same and would like more information on how we’ve done it here, please feel free to get in touch with me directly on 0121 632 6363 or email Stacey.Ennis@turningpoint.co.uk.

Where is your team currently getting information and advice on changes to the benefits system and how are you supporting clients? Write into the Have your Say box on IRIS.

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Your Turning Point

‘Blooming’ great news for Marc

Colleagues at the Gateshead Community Integration Team recently entered the Gateshead Flower Show. The team themed its stand around inspirational quotes chosen by those in recovery, and all the pots were made by the service’s clients and peer mentors. Pictured with one of the team’s great-looking pots is Marc, a peer mentor at the service and former client. Marc

helped out at the event along with a number of colleagues from the service.

In a further piece of great news, on the day this photo was taken, Marc was informed that he had been successful in a recent job interview. As well as being fantastic for Marc, the new job is proving to be inspirational for the service’s clients and staff.

The event was held in Saltwell Park in the heart of Gateshead and was open to the public for two days. Our colleagues from the Gateshead Community Integration Team used the show to promote the service.

Read another positive story from one of the Gateshead peer mentors in ‘How Turning Point helped me’ below.

Anthony astounds us all with return to work

A colleague at our Dove Lane learning disability service in Bedfordshire has wowed everyone by returning to work two years after doctors said he might never recover from the injuries he suffered in a hit-and-run incident.

Anthony Cook was on a night out with friends, when a van mounted the pavement and hit him at high speed. Anthony was found in a ditch and had suffered extensive injuries, including 23 breaks to one arm, breaks to his other arm, broken legs, nerve damage to his limbs, a ruptured spleen and head injuries.

After spending days in a coma and having technically ‘died’ three times in the aftermath of the accident, doctors feared he may never recover and said he was unlikely to ever walk again.

However, against all the odds Anthony astonished doctors by taking small steps during his three months in hospital, and following two years of intensive physiotherapy, his colleagues are delighted to welcome him back at work as a support worker.

‘Work has always been really important to me, and when I woke up from my coma, one of the first things I asked was whether everything was okay at work,’ he said.

‘Getting back to Turning Point was a huge motivation during my rehabilitation and gave me a strong focus. Coming back has helped to restore my confidence, and I once again feel I have a purpose and I am contributing. Now I’m really determined to take the next steps to a full recovery.’

How Turning Point helped me

My name is John. As a child I had a good upbringing in an affluent area of Gateshead, but I still left school without any qualifications when I was 15.

I started to use drugs and alcohol at the age of 19, and before long I had developed an amphetamine, alcohol and steroid dependency. This led to numerous mental health problems including OCD. I was also suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of some of the things I had witnessed through my work as a doorman and John (left) stands with Alan, another bodyguard. peer mentor who runs the Advance After 15 years of being dependent on substances and Men’s Group with him alcohol, and struggling with my mental health issues, I entered drug and alcohol treatment with Turning Point. I began to get involved in activities and developed my interpersonal skills. My confidence began to grow and I began to become independent. I attended a men’s group in the community which had been set up by the Gateshead Community Integration Team. After a few months of attending this group, I decided to set up my own group in another area of Gateshead for men who were suffering from similar problems to the ones I had. The group is called Advance Men’s Group and every week we provide a safe space for the men to come where we offer food and mutual support as well as signpost them on to services.

Throughout this time, I kept in touch with Turning Point and I applied to become a peer mentor when the course first started in Gateshead in October 2012. I have since completed the course and I continue to run the Advance Group whilst peer mentor ing for Turning Point. I have helped organise the third annual Recovery Walk in Gateshead and I attend the service user forum in the area to represent Turning Point and support others to have a voice.

I now live a happy and healthy lifestyle and feel ready for full-tim e employment. I have built up some great relationships with services in the community who often refer men to the Advance Group for support.

INFO POINT

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If one of your clients would like to share their experience of how Turning Point helped them, contact talkingpoint@turning-point.co.uk

Jack’s poem A client at our Countisbury House mental health service in Cardiff put pen to paper recently to write the following poem.

An April Tale in Wales by Jack Diamond was inspired by the changes of the seasons in Wales.

Thanks for sharing it with us Jack!

An April Tale in Wales In the spring is seen the return of the green; the rub of the green favours everyone under the young joyous sun So now we can have fun becoming One – communing with mother nature each and every creature For finally winter’s lack of warmth and light is gone; so I come bouncing back and right on track For there is a reason to the season to the rhyme every-time go find your freedom in this sunshine You will find, mind, that you vibrate with love just as the universe does

About Talking Point Turning Point is a registered charity, No. 234887 Address: Standon House, 21 Mansell St, London, E1 8AA Tel: 020 7481 7600 www.turning-point.co.uk Talking Point is published for Turning Point by Red & White Publishing www.redandwhitepublishing.co.uk