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TUNBRIDGE WELLS MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE LTD (MHR), A REGISTERED CHARITY, BASED IN THE HEART OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS, WAS FOUNDED IN 1993 TO PROVIDE PRACTICAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT IN A SAFE AND CARING ENVIRONMENT, FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILL HEALTH. Figures show that in the region of 160,000 people in Kent require support for their mental health illnesses. Despite living in what is popularly thought to be an affluent area, many of these people find themselves in financial hardship and social isolation as a result of their illness, sometimes losing their job, home and family. Greg Clark, MP for Tunbridge Wells As Patron for Tunbridge Wells Mental Health Resource, I am very familiar with the invaluable work that MHR does and have seen for myself the positive impact it has on so many people’s lives in my constituency. Perceptions about mental health are slowly changing but there is
still a lot of misunderstanding and prejudice which often means that people don’t get the help they really need. This is why organisations such as Tunbridge Wells Mental Health Resource are so important and deserve our support.
promoting
mental well-being 03
our centre & activities
OUR CENTRE IS BASED AT THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY AND IS EASY TO ACCESS BY LOCAL TRANSPORT. QUALIFIED, FRIENDLY STAFF OFFER PRACTICAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND PROVIDE INFORMATION TO HELP IMPROVE YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE. Our friendly qualified team of staff are here to help by listening to you, identify your needs and support you to deal with your difficulties. We have a variety of supportive options and whilst we will do all we can to help you, we recognise that sometimes specialist help is needed and we will therefore put you in touch with the relevant organisations. Attending our centre would enable you to access meaningful activities that help to raise confidence and self esteem encouraging positive emotional and physical well being. Workshops in community based settings with members of the public can help to break down the barrier associated with mental health. We work alongside individuals to identify short and long term goals thus gaining a sense of achievement and enhancing the quality of life.
Recovery is achievable; we support people to gain new skills and improve on existing ones at their own pace in order to reach their full potential and move on to voluntary or paid work. Ongoing support helps to maintain positive outcomes as people face new challenges. There are activities every day that you can join, and these are facilitated within and outside of, the centre. Our aim is to work alongside you to achieve long and short term goals. You will have the opportunity to learn new skills and refresh existing ones, at your own pace, and socialise in a safe environment, thus helping to maintain your mental and physical well being. A free counselling service and community one to one support programme are also available. To view further information about our activities please visit our website www.twmhr.org.uk
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ASSERT ADVOCACY IS INDEPENDENT OF NHS AND SOCIAL SERVICES AND SEPARATE FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE CHARITY. ADVOCATES HELP THE CLIENT TO EXPRESS THEIR OWN VIEWS AND NEEDS TO THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR LIVES. We aim to protect people’s rights, give them information, and promote informed choice. We work with adults living in South West Kent who have a mental health diagnosis, and with formal and informal patients. The person can contact us themselves, or be referred by GP, Trust staff, social services or carers. The important thing is that the person themselves feels that advocacy would be helpful, and agrees to our involvement.
assert & advocacy
At our first visit, which can be anywhere the person feels is convenient:- home, ward, or a
A FREE, CONFIDENTIAL SERVICE THAT PUTS THE CLIENT’S WISHES FIRST
local café, we will talk through the problems and discuss how to work on them. As appropriate, we will signpost people to other services, help them obtain professional advice, or agree a series of actions. The advocate will then work in partnership with the client until the issue is resolved or the client decides on a different course. If the person is detained under the Mental Health Act 83 or subject to recall to hospital – for example, under Guardianship or Community Treatment Order – they have a right to an Independent Mental Health Advocate. IMHAs help explain to patients how the law applies to them and how to participate in, or appeal against, the plans made for their care and treatment. Just as with other clients, the IMHA will also help with general rights related to benefits, debt, housing or children and families.
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reachout & our community REACHOUT PROVIDES FRIENDLY AND CONFIDENTIAL PEER SUPPORT GROUPS FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH DIFFICULTIES BASED IN THE COMMUNITY. OUR AIM IS TO REDUCE ISOLATION AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO BE PRO-ACTIVE IN MANAGING THEIR OWN RECOVERY.
Those who attend the groups are encouraged to share their personal experiences and coping strategies, and in addition, they have the opportunity to feedback their experiences and views of treatment and care. Groups meet to make friends and share personal experiences in an environment where members find they can understand one another. Our groups offer friendly, confidential self-help support groups in a caring and non-judgemental environment,
facilitated by a paid member of staff. Group members are given the opportunity to provide anonymous feedback, which we hope will improve mental health services within the local area. On occasions our groups organise guest speakers and social activities.
“MY LOCAL GROUP GIVES ME SUPPORT AND REASSURANCE WHEN I NEED IT, TO BE ABLE TO CARRY ON MY EVERYDAY LIFE”
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“The directors of the company are also trustees as TWMHR is a registered charity. Our work entails giving strategic direction, setting the budget and monitoring performance. The directors are all volunteers and receive no payment. We value enormously the work of our paid staff and volunteers and the positive impact they have on our clients.”
“As Reachout Coordinator I enjoy a varied job in different locations across West Kent. Supporting facilitation of Service User forums in local communities and assisting those who wish to become more involved with designing and developing services by attending a wide range of community meetings with members and on their behalf.” Our facilities are conveniently situated in the heart of Tunbridge Wells Town Centre with suitable rooms for hire for all types of community group events. Evening and weekend hire is also available at competitive prices. For more information visit; www.twmhr.org.uk or Tel. 01892 615552
our people
& clients
“The Centre has been a constant throughout alot of change in my life. Volunteering here has given me a purpose and a place to feel useful and appreciated. Attending once, sometimes twice a week the staff and members make me feel welcome and at home, I have also been given encouragement to retrain for work gaining valuable experience and support assisting in my future choice of career.” “I look forward to the fortnightly Reachout in Tunbridge Wells – our group is friendly, welcoming and worthy of the loyalty shown by members. We care about each other’s progress, give peer support and discuss many issues ranging from emotional health to practical matters and current affairs. Membership of Reachout is also the best platform for getting into service user involvement opportunities”.
partners Rethink – Sevenoaks 01732 742351 www.rethink.org.uk
& links
Crossways Community Care Home 01892 529321 www.crosswayscommunity.org.uk
Gateway Tunbridge Wells 01892 526121 www2.tunbridgewells.gov.uk
Town & Country Housing 01892 501702 www.tchg.org.uk
Citizens Advice Bureau 01892 617256 www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Porchlight Homeless Charity 0800 5677699 www.porchlight.org.uk
Live it Well (steps to wellbeing) www.liveitwell.org.uk
Moat Housing 01892 544127 www.moat.co.uk Invicta Advocacy Service 01322 285234 www.invicta-acvocacy-network.org.uk Medway & Swale Advocacy Service 01634 713739 www.msap.org.uk South East Advocacy Project 0330 4409000 www.seap.org.uk Rethink Advocacy Maidstone 01622 678674
Samaritans 08457 90 90 90 www.samaritans.org Carers First 01732 357555 www.carersfirst.org.uk Tunbridge Wells Counselling Service 01892 548750 www.thecounsellingcentre.org.uk Mental Health Matters – Helpline 0800 107 0160 (5pm – 9am 24hrs weekends & bank holidays) Sevenoaks Area Mind 01732 459558 www.sevenoaksareamind.org.uk
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Swedish House Company
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Tunbridge Wells LRC Church
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Grosvenor Pet Centre Rose & Crown
2a Grosvenor Park, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2BD Tel: 01892 615552 Fax: 01892 554729 Email: enquiries@twmhr.org.uk
www.twmhr.org.uk Š 2011 Registered Charity No. 1049854 Registered No. 2826452 England Tunbridge Wells Mental Health Resource Ltd
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