MASH Grapevine

RIPPLE: The digital suicide crisis intervention tool

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:02:25 GMT

published : 15 April 2026

Ripple is an innovative digital crisis intervention tool designed to ensure more help and support is provided to individuals conducting searches related to self-harm or suicide.

Download the browser extension

Ripple's focus is on proactive intervention, bridging the gap between individuals in crisis and the help they require.

How to talk about suicide

This is free guide, built with leading experts, to make talking about suicide easier.

Click here >

By installing Ripple on your device, or supporting our mission, you become a part of a movement dedicated to saving lives and promoting a brighter, better-informed conversation around mental health. The installation will discreetly intercept flagged search terms and signposting to free, 24/7 mental health support.

Read the full details here >

See other support and help here >

Black patients to gain stronger rights under new Mental Health Act

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:00:31 GMT

source: The Voice Online
first published: 23 December 2025

Black patients with severe mental illness are to be better protected thanks to landmark new legislation. The new Mental Health Act has received Royal Assent meaning it is now law, delivering on a key manifesto commitment.

It will reform the outdated Mental Health Act of 1983, which provides the legal framework to detain and treat people in a mental health crisis who are at risk of harm to themselves or others.

Under the new act, the Government say they will tackle the 'unacceptable disparities' that have seen Black people detained at disproportionately high rates.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “For too long, thousands of vulnerable people in mental health crises have been failed by outdated laws that stripped away their dignity and voice.

“The new Mental Health Act will transform lives by putting patients back in control of their care, tackling the unacceptable disparities that have seen Black people detained at disproportionately high rates, and giving NHS staff the tools to deliver care that truly helps people recover."

Read full article >

See previous reform updates here >

Catalyst's new online membership portal, MemberSPACE

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:03:40 GMT

source: Catalyst/Tippa Naphtali
published: 11 June 2024

In May 2024 Catalyst 4 Change launched its brand new self-service membership platform, MemberSPACE .

They encourage all existing members to re-register on the new platform. Although they will retain previous records, registering on MemberSPACE comes with the benefits of numerous new interactive features.

GET FREE MEMBERSHIP HERE >

You have complete control over your membership with Catalyst. Downgrade or upgrade membership at any time! Basic Membership includes addition to our e-newsletter, reduced price event entry & stalls etc, and access to limited 1-2-1 signposting.

BECOME A DONOR HERE >

Donors are not full members, (unless registered separately), but do have access to certain service & events benefits and they also support our work programmes through their donations.

Starts at just £7.50 per month, billed quarterly.

Please Note: Only the FREE membership option is currently available.

This gives basic membership which includes addition to our e-newsletter, reduced price event entry & stalls etc, and access to limited 1-2-1 signposting .

Catalyst's Background:

The organisation was first conceived in 2016 by founding directors Sandra Griffiths and Tippa Naphtali, and was incorporated as a Community Interest Company in June 2017.

Catalyst supports community organisations, social enterprises, faith groups or businesses that have a significant African and Caribbean mental health / wellbeing service user base.

National Lottery Fund announces grant for the MASH Meet & Eat Programme

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 11:50:47 GMT

source: Clive Coley
published: 26 October 2025

We are incredibly delighted to announce that the Mentoring, Advocacy and Support Hub (MASH) Meet & Eat programme has been awarded a grant of £19,987 from The National Lottery Community Fund , through its Supporting Communities Programme.

This funding will be instrumental in supporting our critical and ongoing work with African and Caribbean men and women in Birmingham and Solihull who have lived experience of mental health.

The MASH Meet & Eat sessions, which previously ran from 2017 to 2019, were extremely popular, but had to be discontinued due to a lack of funding resources. These sessions provide low cost but impactful social engagement through a social meal. We are excited to bring these informal sessions back to help reduce isolation. Participants will also be signposted to relevant support networks, and an opportunity to have a social meal in a relaxed atmosphere with friends and support staff.

The Lottery Funding will also support the broader MASH Programme by covering sessional staffing costs, and various events over the next two years. This includes offering specific support to participants towards the meal cost, and travel expenses for those facing financial hardship barriers

About The National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF)

The NLCF distributes over £600m annually across the UK United Kingdom. The Community Fund award money is raised by Lottery players to fund and support initiatives that help communities thrive, with a focus on community projects that connect people, foster growth, growth and build a better future.

The NLCF specifically supports individuals facing, poverty, disadvantage, or discrimination. By 2030 the NLCF aims to share over £4billion to create stronger, fairer communities across the UK. You can learn more by visiting the NLCF website here.

Visit the NLCF website here >

The MASH Plan

MASH has an ambitious development plan, and several new initiatives will be rolled out over the next 2+ years. We are actively seeking funding to re-start the MASH services as outlined in our community development programme. This includes leadership development, easy access to culturally appropriate community services, a social value model and various social activities.

The MASH social activities connect people together through our Meet & Eat sessions and others which offers structured activities in the form, of guests’ and motivational speakers.

We plan to run the Meet & Eat sessions monthly which will be supported by a dedicated project worker at each session. See full details here >

What can you do?

Further information will be provided shortly about the MASH Meet & Eat sessions, including details about how you can get involved and support this initiative.

For more information, please contact Clive Coley (Projects & Development Manager)

Mobile: 07599 295 265 or Voice Messages: 0844 884 3133.

Email: clive.coley@catalyst4change.org.uk

New 24/7 mental health text service for Birmingham and Solihull

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 11:50:08 GMT

source : Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Trust

originally published : 4 August 2025

Text ‘Space’ to 85258 for Free, Confidential Support Anytime.

A new, round-the-clock mental health text service is now available to people living in Birmingham and Solihull, offering free and confidential support at the touch of a button. Download the flyer

Launched today, the all-age service is a partnership between Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and Shout, the UK’s first 24/7 text messaging support service, powered by the charity Mental Health Innovations.

Anyone experiencing anxiety, stress, loneliness, depression, or other mental health challenges can text ‘Space’ to 85258 to connect with a trained mental health professional – anytime, anywhere.

The service is designed to be discreet and accessible, particularly for those who may not feel ready to speak on the phone or in person.

In addition to providing in-the-moment support, texters can be signposted to a range of local mental wellbeing and mental health services, including Talking Therapies, Crisis Cafés, and NHS 111 Option 2 .

This new digital service aims to support and reduce pressure on services by offering an alternative route to support - especially for those waiting for further help or seeking early intervention.

Roísìn Fallon-Williams, Chief Executive of Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Building on the range of services that are currently available, this localised approach offers a truly accessible first step for people who may not yet feel ready or able to talk face-to-face or over the phone."

Read the full details here >

Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 11:49:09 GMT

all credits: Mental Health & Wellbeing Hubs
published: 25 October 2025

The Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health & Wellbeing Hubs (BSMHWH) is a service delivered in partnership by Birmingham Mind and Creative Support. The service supports adults over the age of 18, under secondary mental health services in Birmingham or Solihull, on GP SMI list or having long term/severe mental health problems.

Through a tiered model of support, BSMHWH offer a combination of Structured Recovery Courses & Therapeutic Activities. This is complimented by 1-to-1 support planning and personalised goal setting, to assist you on your mental health recovery journey. In addition to this, BSMHWH offers a range of social opportunities which aim to increase peer support and build social networks.

The Mental Health & Wellbeing Hubs are delivered in partnership by Birmingham Mind and Creative Support, leading providers of mental health support both locally and nationally. The aim of our service is to empower each person to build the mental health resources, life skills & community networks they need to achieve and maintain their mental health long-term.

BSMHWH works closely with Employment Services, Recovery Colleges, FTB, CMHTs, GPs and other agencies to ensure that individuals can access the right support that enables them to thrive.

The Hubs are located in Birmingham, Northfield, Handsworth, Erdington, Yardley, North Solihull and Shirley. They are open to all Birmingham and Solihull residents who are either: under secondary care, on the SMI register and those with a long term mental health condition (over 12 months). See the full timetable here .

Eligibility

The service is available and free of charge for adults over the age of 18, under secondary mental health services in Birmingham or Solihull, on GP Serious Mental Illness Register (SMI register) or those experiencing long term/severe mental health difficulties.

How to access the service

To access the Mental Health & Wellbeing Hub service you must first complete a referral form.

You can complete an online form or download a Word version and email it to mhwh@birminghammind.org once complete. Alternatively you can call your nearest Hub and speak to one of our Recovery Navigators for more information.

Visit the website: Click here

Read about the Mental Health Text Support Service: Click here

NHS 111 now offering crisis mental health support

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 17:36:57 GMT

source: NHS England
first published : 27 August 2024

Millions of patients experiencing a mental health crisis can now benefit from support through 111 , the NHS has announced today.

The change means the NHS in England is one of the first countries in the world to offer access to a 24/7 full package of mental health crisis support through one single phone line.

People of all ages, including children, who are in crisis or concerned family and loved ones can now call 111, select the mental health option and speak to a trained mental health professional .

NHS staff can guide callers with next steps such as organising face-to-face community support or facilitating access to alternatives services, such as crisis cafés or safe havens which provide a place for people to stay as an alternative to A&E or a hospital admission.

Previously, local health systems had their own separate phone lines, which were fast-tracked during the pandemic and took around 200,000 calls per month.

For people who need support at A&E, if there is a risk to life, every emergency department in England now also has a liaison psychiatric team available to offer specialist care.

NHS Talking Therapy Services are also available for people who need help with other mental conditions such as anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and PTSD and anyone can refer themselves online via NHS.uk or by contacting their GP .

Read the full article >

It's back in business - Book your MASH Meet & Eat places now!

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 11:15:48 GMT

source: Catalyst/Tippa Naphtali
published: 1 July 2025

We are pleased to announce that the long-awaited MASH Meet & Eat sessions are back, with the first one taking place on Thursday 7 August 2025. The sessions were so popular until they were discontinued in early 2019 due to a lack of funding resources. The very first eat-out had taken place in November 2017.

We have secured discounted prices for buffet meals with a number of restaurants across Birmingham.

The sessions will be open to anyone with lived experience of mental health issues, their carers, friends, and support staff from a wide range of organisations and agencies. See the flyer here

What is Meet & Eat?

It is simply about enjoying relaxed evenings with good food and company, helping to alleviate isolation and loneliness, while sampling fine multicultural cuisine from around Birmingham, Sandwell and, eventually, the wider Black Country.

The sessions will be open to anyone with lived experience of mental health issues, their carers, friends, and support staff from a wide range of organisations and agencies.

How to book

If you are interested in attending the first meal session on 7 August 2025, please complete the Meet & Eat expression of interest form on here: www.mashhub.org.uk/eatingout

Numbers at each session will be limited. This will be stated on the booking form.

Meal charge is between £9.00 - £11.50 per head

Meet & Eat Hardship Fund

For attendees experiencing severe financial difficulties, the Hardship Fund will cover the meal cost and contribute to local travel costs.

If you need assistance contact: Clive Coley (Projects & Development Manager)

E: clive.coley@catalyst4change.org.uk, M: 07599 295 265

Want to hear more?

Be sure to keep up with future developments by signing up for the Catalyst 4 Change e-newsletter, if you have not already done so Click here . See the MASH Newsletter Archive. Click here .

Mentoring & Advocacy Support Hub (MASH):

After almost a 8-year gap in service delivery due to loss of funding, Catalyst 4 Change is now actively seeking funding to re-start the service as outlined in the community development plan as announced at its Annual CommUNITY Assembly in 2023 .

For more information or if you are able to help please contact Clive Coley:
Mob/Message: 07599 295 265 or 0844 884 3133
Email: clive.coley@catalyst4change.org.uk

Mental health Lampard Inquiry chair vows to 'seek out' truth

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 10:42:22 GMT

source: BBC News
first published: 28 April 2025

The chair of England's first public inquiry into mental health deaths vowed to "seek out the truth" - despite difficulties getting documents from the NHS.

The first key evidence sessions in the Lampard Inquiry - examining more than 2,000 deaths at NHS inpatient units in Essex between 2000 and 2023 - have begun in London.

Baroness Lampard said although the hearing was "breaking new ground" , 21 legal notices had been issued to NHS organisations to force them to submit evidence.

"We will seek out the truth," she said, adding she would not hesitate to use her legal powers "to the fullest extent necessary to compel the production of evidence where it's not provided".

Baroness Lampard said the inquiry was of "national significance" as it focussed on "the big critical concerns about what went wrong over almost a quarter of a century".

Counsel to the inquiry, Nicholas Griffin KC, said: "We have been unimpressed with a significant number of requests for deadline extensions... and the number of occasions where providers have not given the material expressly asked for."

He said there were problems with the condition of paper records, "missing documents" and providers, including private ones, sending information late.

Mr Griffin said it was a criminal offence to suppress, conceal, alter, or destroy relevant evidence and said providers should be properly resourced to respond to the inquiry.

He said the inquiry should not be delayed because of it.

Read the full article here >

22 April 2025

Lampard Inquiry: terms of reference

10 April 2025

What is the Lampard Inquiry and what could it change?

9 September 2024

The online Shared Events Calendar from Catalyst 4 Change

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 17:31:36 GMT

source: Catalyst & Eventbrite
first published: 30 November 2024

Check out the Catalyst 4 Change shared events calendar which also features Black event creators that are at the forefront of a movement that creates spaces for communities to thrive and enact real change.

As well as Catalyst events, we will also include selected items listed on Eventbrite that spotlight a diverse selection of events that break new ground, raise awareness and bring people together. From enlightening panel discussions through to workouts and decolonised history lectures.

Relevant submissions to the calendar are encouraged.

See the online calendar here >

Some of the past events have included:

British Black Power: Leila Hassan-Howe in conversation

Leila Hassan-Howe has fought against state and street racism since the 1970s. She was strategist and activist in her own right quite apart from being the wife of the legendary Black Power activist Darcus Howe.

Spaces for Listening: Black Faces, White Spaces

This group is set up by and for Black and mixed black women residing in Birmingham and surrounding areas. It is a safe space for women to come and share their experiences or listen to others.

Liverpool: Black History and Black Activism

Online workshop with writer, entrepreneur, educator and activist Chantelle Lunt. Responding to the themes of the autumn exhibitions, Lunt will take us through a workshop that unpacks the history of Black people in Liverpool across the centuries, alongside wider contributions by Black cultural figures in the UK.

Mental Health Awareness Week 2025

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 10:11:19 GMT

all credits: Mental Health Foundation
last updated: January 2025

This year, Mental Health Awareness Week will take place from 12 to 18 May 2025.

The theme for 2025 is 'Community'.

Being part of a safe, positive community is vital for our mental health and wellbeing. We thrive when we have strong connections with other people and supportive communities that remind us, we are not alone. Communities can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and give us a sense purpose.

The Foundations says;

"We want to use Mental Health Awareness Week to celebrate the power and importance of community.

"Find out why we chose the theme 'Community', and why community is important for our mental health."

See related blog post >

The Mental Health Foundation will be providing expert information and guidance on how community supports good mental health, providing ideas for how to cultivate mentally healthy communities, sharing inspiring stories from communities across the UK, and encouraging people and organisations to get involved with activities and events.

See original article +expression of interest here >

An update on the MASH Meet & Eat social sessions

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 17:36:06 GMT

source: Catalyst/Tippa Naphtali
republished: April 2025

In October 2024 we announced a delay to the return of the MASH Meet & Eat sessions that were so popular until they were discontinued in early 2019 due to a lack of funding resources.

The very first eat-out had taken place in November 2017.

This was due to significant staff changes and a temporary lack of staff capacity to carry out the preparation work to complete the delivery of this service.

We are pleased to announce that due to the recent appointment of Clive Coley (Projects & Development Manager at Catalyst 4 Change) the engagement and organising of the Meet & Eat programme will be driven by him and other community development staff.

So, what is Meet & Eat?

It is simply about enjoying relaxed evenings with good food and company (helping to alleviate isolation and loneliness) , while sampling fine multicultural cuisine from around Birmingham, Sandwell and, eventually, the wider Black Country.

The sessions will be open to anyone with lived experience of mental health issues, their carers, friends and support staff from all sorts of agencies.

Tippa Naphtali said; "We're simply taking a thing that we all do in everyday life, tweaking it and injecting a little resource, to ensure that those who do not often enjoy socialising in this way, can do so in an affordable and safe space, with familiar people around them."

When will Meet & Eat sessions start?

We hope to commence in the Summer of 2025 once we have been able to secure discounted meal-deals with various restaurants and establishments. Initially the sessions will be Birmingham-based, but we hope to role these out in other areas in future.

Though not the primary purpose of Meet & Eat, we may also use these meal sessions to listen to any service user general concerns, and consider those of others present!

Want to hear more?

For more information or if you are able to help please contact Clive Coley:
Mob/Message: 07599 295 265 or 0844 884 3133
Email: clive.coley@catalyst4change.org.uk

The 'Black Voices on Policing Reports' have been published

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 10:00:59 GMT

source: Black Thrive Global CIC
published: February 2025

Black Thrive Global (BTG) has announced the official publication of 'Black Voices on Policing', a series of reports produced by Black Thrive Global in collaboration with Psi. The work was delivered to the Mayor’s Office in the fourth Quarter of 2023 and has now been officially published this month.

This body of work gathers the experiences and ideas of London’s diverse Black communities on how to build a credible, representative, and impactful model of community-led scrutiny of policing. It represents a valuable contribution to the evidence base that has led to a Mayoral commitment to build a new model for police scrutiny, one that makes it easier for all Londoners to scrutinise police work and influence change .

The Black Voices on Policing Reports Include:

Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, emphasised the importance of this work:

"This is an important body of work that represents a valuable contribution to the wider evidence base that has led to a Mayoral commitment to build a new model for police scrutiny... The Commissioner, the Mayor, and I remain more committed than ever to implementing a robust and transparent framework of community police scrutiny that is truly representative of London."

A summary of Black Thrive Global:

Since 2016 Black Thrive in Lambeth has been working with statutory and community partners to address the inequalities that Black people face throughout their lives which negatively impact their mental health and wellbeing, experiences, and outcomes. Black Thrive Global evolved from the work of Black Thrive Lambeth.

It was founded upon the common understanding that wherever Black people of African and Caribbean descent are located, detrimental outcomes persist. We determined that focused Black Leadership which facilitates systems change will transform the Black experience from surviving into thriving.

The role of Black-led organisations in mental health

Sun, 13 Apr 2025 09:53:11 GMT

source: Taylor & Francis
published: 9 January 2025

The objective of this Black emancipatory action research project was to explore the role of Black-led community organisations in supporting Black mental health and wellbeing in the UK.

The framework application involved adequately compensating community organisations for their consultancy role; having ‘research conversations’ rather than interviewing participants; and focusing outputs on community benefit. Eight individual and group research conversations took place with nine Black directors, employees and volunteers working with Black-led community organisations, aged between 19 and 62, living in the UK. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse conversations.

Conclusions

Black-led organisations play multiple roles in supporting individual and collective mental health, crucial for mediating the effects of racism and mitigating ethnic inequalities.

To our knowledge, this is the first study to both illuminate the critical role of community organisations in promoting Black mental health in the UK and to prioritise participant, and community, benefit throughout the research process.

Black mental health inequalities

In the United Kingdom (UK), people from Black communities have a higher prevalence of mental health conditions including depression, panic disorder and psychosis.

Higher rates of schizophrenia are found in Black Caribbean and African communities compared with South Asian, Chinese and white communities (Hunt et al. 2021).

Despite worse mental health outcomes, evidence suggests that Black people are less likely to report or seek help for mental health conditions and when they do, are less likely to have their mental health conditions detected by health care professionals.

Black communities report experiencing racist mistreatment by mental health services. This leads to expectation of racist treatment, discourages early access, and leads to the perpetuation of mental health inequalities.

Read full article here >

The Waiting Room Mental Health & Wellbeing Directory

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 13:58:12 GMT

source: CommonUnity

originally published: 8 June 2016

The Waiting Room (TWR) Directory provides an alternative approach to taking control of our own health and well-being. It is a virtual bridge across “The Information Chasm” that connects support services to the recipient almost instantly.

TWR, by engaging citizens with sources of support directly and seamlessly is, in its own right an intervention, taking away the often wearisome process of finding the right place to get help. TWR is an online resource library of information and support that can be navigated with minimum difficulty. In addition, the ongoing management of the process is relatively small but engagement can be realised at high levels and monitored effectively.

With an emphasis on protection and prevention, The Waiting Room is split into various Life Domain key areas and by clicking on a key area, will take the user through to a list of local and national websites and contact numbers (fully accessible) that can be accessed for the purposes of information and direct support.

Visit The Waiting Room Directory >

Research Better Together 2025 launch announced

Sat, 30 Nov 2024 17:33:07 GMT

source: Catalyst/Sandra Griffiths
first published: 18 October 2024

'Research Better Together 2025' is a programme designed to support partnership working between voluntary sector, faith communities and social enterprises (VCFSE) organisations and university researchers. Catalyst 4 Change is a member of this partnership.

It has been developed by the University of Birmingham and Birmingham Voluntary Sector Council (BVSC) and is now funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHCR). Research Better Together is about doing research differently.

The programme supports VCFSE organisations (with their communities/service users) and researchers to be equal partners within research activity through:

FREE networking activities
Grants of up to £8k to support VCFSE organisations to develop/undertake participatory research activity alongside a university researcher
Access to FREE training, mentoring and a community of practice

There is a new opportunity to access funding and free training to support research/co-production activity.

Are you part of a voluntary, community, faith or social enterprise (VCFSE) organisation working with people living in Birmingham or Solihull to support their health and/or wellbeing?
Do you have an interest in co-production and/or research activity?
Are there topics relevant to your work that you think need to be researched to enable better services, increased understanding and/or change in society?
Would you be interested in working alongside a university researcher to develop and conduct this work?

Networking Event, 2025:

There will be an in-person networking event on Tuesday 14 January 2025.

For further details please visit the BVSC Research Unit .

For further information please contact:

Clare Harewood at clareh@bvsc.org or Catalyst 4 Change at catalyst.advice@gmail.com

Benjamin Zephaniah: The Brighter Flame exhibition celebrates poet

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 11:08:23 GMT

source: Colmore Business District
published: 3 June 2024

This summer a special exhibition celebrating the life of Birmingham poet and activist Professor Benjamin Zephaniah will take place in the city centre of Birmingham.

The outdoor exhibition called ‘ Benjamin Zephaniah – The Brighter Flame ’ will take place between July 5-31, 2024. Created with the support and acknowledgment of the Zephaniah family , the exhibition will feature more than 20 specially curated artworks displayed in cabinets located in Victoria Square, Birmingham, as part of the 100 Days of Creativity programme.

In addition, flags designed in his memory will fly high on Colmore Row, the heart of Birmingham, while a Q&A with David O Springer, Zephaniah’s brother, plus poetry recitals from spoken-word performers will take place at The Exchange on Broad Street.

Zephaniah was recognised as champion of the people and his death on December 7, 2023, aged 65, drew tributes from across the world.

See Handsworth Park mural unveiling >

Born in Handsworth and influenced strongly by what he described as ‘street politics’ and the music and poetry of Jamaica, Zephaniah was gifted an old typewriter as a child, which inspired him to become a writer. In recent years, the typewriter has been housed in the collection of Birmingham Museums Trust and photographs of it will feature in the exhibition.

Through his work, Zephaniah was inspired by music, his lived experiences in Birmingham and his Barbadian-Jamaican heritage. In 2008, he was included in The Times list of Britain’s top 50 post-war writers and won numerous awards and honorary doctorates for his literature. Zephaniah also made numerous acting and media appearances, most recently as the preacher Jeremiah Jesus in BBC’s Peaky Blinders.

Read full article here >

Update: The new Culturally Appropriate Advocacy Service

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 11:05:00 GMT

source: Catalyst/Sandra Griffiths
published: 11 June 2024

Earlier this year Catalyst 4 Change announced the launch of a new Culturally Appropriate Mental Health Advocacy Service for people of African, Caribbean heritage and other racialised communities within the Birmingham and Solihull Area.

This service, called Advocates for Change, is a partnership between POhWER, Sandwell African & Caribbean Mental Health Foundation (SACMHF) and Catalyst 4 Change. The service is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care.

Advocates for Change is designed to meet the cultural needs of people from racialised communities so that they can access support without encountering barriers, have improved experiences and achieve better outcomes.

The service opened to clients in January of this year.

Activities of the service to date

Between January - March of 2024 the Advocates for Change team have conducted the following activities:

The POhWER team has provided 42 service users with one-to-one advocacy support, drop-in sessions, and group advocacy sessions on psychiatric units. The group advocacy sessions have provided service users with information and an opportunity for them to explore culture and identity, discrimination and how to challenge it, and empowerment in hospital to promote self-advocacy.

Here are snapshots of some of the issues service users have raised with the Advocates for Change team:

Feeling overwhelmed by the number of staff at ward rounds and review meetings
Mealtimes are not protected during Ramadan
Access to Black hair products and skin care
Access to nutritious African and Caribbean food on the wards

The SACMHF team has promoted this service to Community based services and produced a directory of services that service users can access once discharged from hospital. They also supporting service users to reintegrate back into the community.

SACMHF and Catalyst have worked together to promote this service to carers and organisations supporting carers.

Based on feedback from these sessions we have started to develop a series of information sessions called ‘Know Your Rights’ to help Carers better understand their rights and promote self-advocacy. Carers support groups will be set up in the next quarter.

Service Change:

The concerns and complaints we have heard from service users and the carers are long standing. Central to improving the experience and mental health outcomes for people from racialised communities is the Patient Carer and Race Equality Framework (PCREF). The Patient Carers Race Equality Framework looks at the key ‘organisational competencies’ that NHS mental health trusts need to develop to address mental health inequalities experienced by racialised communities.

Catalyst 4 Change has been working in partnership with Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust (BSMHFT) since 2021 on its PCREF programme .

The Advocates for Change team are now supporting BSMHFT to meet its PCREF objectives to ensure that the issues raised by service users and carers during our one-to-one and collective engagement activities drive service change and are more culturally appropriate.

If you would like to make a referral or require more information about Advocates for Change, please contact:

POhWER

Email: pohwer@pohwer.net

Tel: 0300 456 2370

www.pohwer.net/culturally-appropriate-advocacy-service-birmingham-and-solihull

Sandwell African & Caribbean Mental Health Foundation

Email: info@sacmhf.co.uk

Tel: 0121 525 1629

Catalyst 4 Change

Email: enquiries@catalyst4change.org.uk

Tel: 0844 884 3318

Tina’s Haven: Catalyst for emancipatory practice for birthmothers

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 11:02:35 GMT

source: Women's Resource Centre
first published: May 2024

"In Love and Anger" is a report of an action research-based study of the pioneering Tina’s Haven pilot project, delivered in East Durham during 2022 and 2023. Twenty-eight women in addiction recovery participated in the Tina’s Haven pilot project, the majority were birthmothers severed from their children. Full Report / Executive Summary .

This study emerges within the context of:

Marginalised and vulnerable females in the North East being found 1.7 times as likely to die early than in England and Wales as a whole; and the average age at death falling by ten years, from 47 to 37
Mortality rates from drug poisoning decreasing for males and increasing for females in 2022; and drug related deaths in the North East being consistently the highest of any English region for ten consecutive years
The North East, having the highest number of children in the care system, 113 per 10K; 1.6 times the national average

The study shines a light on the plight of birthmothers severed from their children by addiction as a result of: VAWG, early trauma, exclusion from their families and communities, being marginalised and stigmatised by state services; and further harmed from involvement with legal institutions that are known to blame and punish women for the abuse they have been subjected to .

The intention of the Tina’s Haven project is to develop a transferable model of holistic and emancipatory praxis, that will bring about self-empowerment and solidarity among birthmothers severed from their children by trauma-based addiction.

Read full article here >

MASH Meet & Eat sessions are coming back in Summer 2024

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 22:58:39 GMT

source: Catalyst 4 Change
published: 16 January 2024

The Central Services & Development Manager at Catalyst 4 Change is very pleased to announce the return of the MASH Meet & Eat sessions that were so popular until they were discontinued in early 2019 due to a lack of resources.

The very first eat-out had taken place in November 2017.

Now, with the help of a small project award from the LEx Leaders Training Programme in 2023 and from other sources, we have been able to set aside a small bursary fund to assist any participants experiencing serious financial hardship - for all other attendees there will be a small charge of between £10.00 - £12.50 per session. All such charges will go back into the bursary fund .

In addition to this, the engagement and organising of the programme will be driven under the support and guidance of Tippa Naphtali (Central Services & Development Manager) .

So, what is Meet & Eat?

The sessions will be open to anyone with lived experience of mental health issues, their carers, friends and support staff from all sorts of agencies.

Tippa Naphtali said; "We're simply taking a thing that we all do in everyday life, tweaking it and injecting a little resource, to ensure that those who do not often enjoy socialising in this way, can do so in an affordable and safe space, with familiar people around them."

When will Meet & Eat sessions start?

We hope to commence in the Summer of 2024 once we have been able to secure discounted meal deals with various restaurants and establishments. Initially the sessions will be Birmingham-based, but we hope to role these out in other areas in future.

We may also use these meal sessions to listen to any service user concerns, and consider those of others present!

Want to hear more?

Be sure to keep up with future developments by signing up for our e-newsletter, if you have not already done so! Click here . See the MASH Newsletter Archive. Click here

Mentoring & Advocacy Support Hub (MASH):

After a five year gap in service delivery due to loss of funding, MASH is looking like it has a brighter future now that it features centrally with the Catalyst 4 Change community development plan as announced at its Annual CommUNITY Assembly in 2023 .

Following the end of Phase 2 of the 300 Voices Project , The Peer Support Programme (renamed as MASH) secured funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner's Office for a further year to March 2017 - at this point the service was sadly closed.

For more information or if you are able to help please contact Tippa Naphtali:
Mob/Message: 07874 926 246 or 0844 884 3133
Email: tippa@catalyst4change.org.uk

Emergency Food Bank from A Father's Child Services

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 22:54:59 GMT

source: A Father's Child Services CIC
first published: December 2023

A Father's Child Services (AFCS) are delighted to inform you that the Emergency Food Bank and Cost of Living projects are set to commence operations. Their primary focus is to provide support to individuals within and around Birmingham and Evesham (parts of Warwickshire), particularly those from BAME communities and who are most marginalised.

If you or any of your family members are in need of assistance from our food bank, please complete and submit a food bank referral on the AFCSCIC.ORG website - click here

Please be aware that food bank collections will be scheduled and assigned on a weekly basis until March 2024.

Collections will occur weekly. (Please bring your own bags, as they will not be supplied).

AFCS do not offer delivery services so please bear in mind that food bank services are pick-up only.

Deliveries are only available for the most vulnerable and agreed by the A Father's Child Services management on a case by case basis.

If you are local resident in need of support, AFCS strongly encourage you to refer yourself or any family member who may benefit from the AFCS Food Bank Support.

Note: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, you may be placed on a weekly waiting list.

Where can I get help in the Midlands as the cost of living soars?

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 22:50:19 GMT

source: ITV Network
first published: 26 August 2022

Almost everyone will have heard of the cost of living crisis by now, but no-one can be sure exactly how it will affect them. From soaring energy and fuel bills to an increase in National Insurance and council tax payments, prices are set to increase dramatically over the next few days and weeks'.

Charities predict it will further push people into hunger, fuel poverty, and crippling debt.

What costs are rising?

Ofgem has said the energy price cap will rise by 54% from April 1, affecting around 22 million customers
People paying for energy on default tariffs by direct debit will see an increase of £693 from £1,277 to £1,971 per year, while prepayment customers will see an increase of £708 from £1,309 to £2,017
Council tax bills increased at the beginning of the month. The increase depends on which local authority you live in and which band your house falls under
Food prices are being affected by the inflation rise, with prices 5.2% higher than a year ago
From April 6, National Insurance (NI) will increase by 1.25%

From free debt and employment advice, to providing affordable and healthy food, ITV have provided a listing of who is on hand to help across the West Midlands.

Read the full article >

Also see Birmingham Food Justice Network Map >

Other sources of support;

Impact Pathways W.Mids: Cost of Living Support
Birmingham City Council: Cost of Living Support
W.Mids Combined Authority: Cost of Living
NHS Black Country: Cost of living support hubs in Dudley
City of Wolverhampton Council: Cost of Living Support
Gov.UK: Cost of Living Payments 2023 to 2024
Sandwell Council: Household Support Fund
West Bromwich: Cost of Living Support Programme

See general Google search here >

Community Power - Catalyst CommUNITY Assembly, 2023

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 22:46:51 GMT

source: Catalyst 4 Change CIC
first published: 12 December 2023

On Thursday 26 October 2023, Catalyst 4 Change held its second annual Black Thrive CommUNITY Assembly at the Midlands Arts Centre in Birmingham. The theme for this assembly was 'Community Power.'

A powerful keynote speech was given by Dr Jacqui Dyer MBE , Black Thrive Global Director & Chair of the Advancing Mental Health Equalities Taskforce and Mental Health Equalities at NHS England. Jacqui delivered her address on the national Patient Carers Race Equality Framework (PCREF). Personalising her presentation, she talked about her personal experience of losing two brothers aged 53 and 41 who struggled with mental health challenges and the loss of her aunt, who died while in the care of mental health services.

The event also included a dedication to Mikey Powell who was killed in the custody of West Midlands police in 2003. Cousin, Tippa Naphtali said; "Though tragic, Mikey's death subsequently bought me back to Birmingham, and as a result saw the development of Catalyst as part of his legacy."

The Catalysts 4 Change team also provided an update on the work they have been doing this past year and how they intend to further this.

There were two discussions, firstly: ‘Beyond Lip Service: Holding Systems to Account’ which looked at the practical and systemic ways that people can hold system to account, and secondly 'Link, Think, Act: Community Development’ . This discussion was based on a presentation by Tippa Naphtali and Kwesi Ochosi about Catalyst’s substantial community development outreach and infrastructure development initiatives that will be launched in 2024.

Both discussions created time to explore the different methods of community development and empowerment, and the kind of support needed both to galvanise and sustain it.

See full original article here >

LGA: The police mental health service withdrawal is too quick

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 21:59:50 GMT

source: LocalGov
published: 26 July 2023

Local authority leaders have raised concerns that plans for police to stop attending mental health incidents, as set out in the National Partnership Agreement, are ‘being rolled out too quickly’.

The Local Government Association (LGA) said police were stepping back without adequate ‘local engagement and partnership working’, creating a risk that other agencies would be unable to pick up increased demand.

The agreement will mean the police do not attend mental health incidents, unless there is a ‘significant safety risk’ or crime involved, and instead refer them to a partner agency.

An agreement signed today (26 July) means the policy will begin in England, while forces in Wales work with the Welsh government to draw out a plan.

According to the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), the policy could save a million police hours each year.

President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Dr Lade Smith, said it was ‘no secret’ that the police were ‘under an incredible amount of pressure, whilst at the same time being chronically underfunded’.

Police withdrawal posed a ‘real danger’ to patients, Dr Smith added. Rachel Bacon, NPCC lead for mental health, said: ‘I do want to reassure our communities that the police will always be here to protect you and will always attend incidents where there is a threat to life.’

Read full article here >

‘Inhumane’ NHS fees left more than 900 migrants without treatment

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 22:01:58 GMT

source: The Guardian
published: 20 August 2023

Hundreds of migrants have declined NHS treatment after being presented with upfront charges over the past two years, amid complaints the government’s “hostile environment” on immigration remains firmly in place.

Data compiled by the Observer under the Freedom of Information Act shows that, since January 2021, 3,545 patients across 68 hospital trusts in England have been told they must pay upfront charges totalling £7.1m. Of those, 905 patients across 58 trusts did not proceed with treatment.

NHS trusts in England have been required to seek advance payment before providing elective care to certain migrants since October 2017. It covers overseas visitors and migrants ruled ineligible for free healthcare, such as failed asylum seekers and those who have overstayed their visa.

The policy is not supposed to cover urgent or “immediately necessary” treatment. However, there have been multiple cases of people wrongly denied treatment.

Dr Laura-Jane Smith, a consultant respiratory physician and member of the campaign group Medact, said: “I had a patient we diagnosed as an emergency with lung cancer but they were told they would be charged upfront for treatment and then never returned for a follow-up. This was someone who had been in the country for years but who did not have the right official migration status. A cancer diagnosis is devastating. To then be abandoned by the health service is inhumane.”

Read full article here >

Introducing the online Events Calendar from Catalyst

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 21:57:24 GMT

source: Catalyst & Eventbrite
first published: February 2023

Check out the new Catalyst event calendar which also features Black event creators that are at the forefront of a movement that creates spaces for communities to thrive and enact real change.

Relevant submissions to the calendar are encouraged.

See the online calendar here >

Some of the past events have included:

British Black Power: Leila Hassan-Howe in conversation

Spaces for Listening: Black Faces, White Spaces

This group is set up by and for Black and mixed black women residing in Birmingham and surrounding areas. It is a safe space for women to come and share their experiences or listen to others.

Liverpool: Black History and Black Activism

Your Voice Matters: Patient Carers Race Equality Framework (PCREF)

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 16:14:35 GMT

source: Catalyst 4 Change CIC
published: 13 February 2023

Catalyst 4 Change is working in partnership with Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust (BSMHFT) on the Patients Carers Race Equality Framework (PCREF) to challenge racial disparities in mental health care and improve access, experiences and outcomes for African and Caribbean communities.

PCREF looks at the key ‘organisational competencies’ that NHS mental health trusts need to develop to address the health inequalities experienced by many people. PCREF is a way of bringing together local Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, service users; their carers and staff, to work together in partnership to look at how we implement the national PCREF competencies and develop local competencies as needed.

PCREF has three main elements:

Part 1: Ensuring that Trusts deliver their statutory and regulatory obligations
Part 2: Implementation of a framework of national organisational competencies
Part 3: Development and implementation of a service user and carer feedback mechanism

The development of the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF) is being overseen by NHS England’s PCREF Steering Group and Advancing Mental Health Equalities Taskforce, established in February 2020.

The PCREF is currently a draft framework and being tested throughout 2022/23 by four PCREF pilot trusts; Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, East London NHS Foundation Trust, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, and Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, along with a number of self-selecting early adopter sites.

It is envisaged that by later in 2023 there will be a statutory requirement for all Mental Health Trusts to have in place and implement PCREF.

PCREF and the African Caribbean communities

In 2021 Catalyst 4 Change, Association of Jamaican National and Making Change Work were commissioned by BSMHFT to undertake a series of dialogues with Birmingham based African and Caribbean service users in psychiatric units and their carers; and in community settings including barber shops and hair salons and with faith communities.

We consulted over 100 African and Caribbean people and about their experiences and views of accessing mental health services and support experiences.

With the support of the Black Thrive Global Research Team we have analysed the data collected from these discussions and identified five key themes : Access, Advocacy, Complaints, Pathways and Representation. We have further reflected on these themes and prioritised 'Advocacy' to challenge poor practice and to promote advance race equalities across all mental health pathways.

The term advocacy is used in diverse ways in different contexts. Broadly speaking, advocacy refers to speaking out on an issue to bring about change in society, as is the case with civil rights movements, or to achieve change for an individual. Advocacy exists in different forms, but they all have their foundations in achieving greater social justice and equality.

In health and social care, advocacy is based on a recognition of power imbalances experienced by people using these services. Advocacy in these settings is concerned with supporting and promoting health and/or social care rights and improvements in services or policy initiatives concerned with the availability, safety, and quality of care.

Catalyst has now recruited a team of sessional PCREF Advisors from the African and Caribbean community to help us take this work forward. We will launch our implementation plan in March 2023.

We'll be providing further details soon!

I Can’t Breathe: Race, death & British policing (from INQUEST)

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 15:53:48 GMT

source: INQUEST

published: 20 February 2023

In ‘I can’t breathe’: Race, death and British Policing, INQUEST has investigated the processes, procedures and evidence base of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and the coronial system to examine how accountability for racism is delivered.

INQUEST found a system which works against delivering accountability, that appeared blind to the evidence and where racial discrimination was not addressed meaningfully.

The detailed report makes the following issues clear for the first time:

Official data never before made public shows that Black people are seven times more likely to die than White people following the use of restraint by police.
No death of a Black person following police custody or contact has led to officers being disciplined for racism, at a conduct or criminal level.
Despite the stark racial disproportionality evidenced in data, none of the accountability processes effectively or substantially consider the potential role of racism in deaths.
Britain’s leading human rights lawyers told INQUEST that the role of racism is not adequately scrutinised by post-death investigation system.

The report features new data and analysis. It includes powerful interviews with expert human rights lawyers who are members of the INQUEST Lawyers Group, and five bereaved family members who have been through the legal processes.

See executive summary here >

Read original article >

Who gets believed: Abuse in mental health services (NSUN Report)

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 15:41:11 GMT

source: National Survivor User Network

originally published: 31 October 2022

In the past couple of months, we have seen exposures of a culture of abuse in mental health services. First there was BBC Panorama’s undercover investigation at the Edenfield Centre , a secure psychiatric hospital run by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.

This was followed by a Channel 4 Dispatches programme which aired footage captured secretly by a healthcare assistant at two mental health hospitals run by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust. And most recently, an investigation by The Independent and Sky News reported systemic abuse of patients in units run by the Huntercombe Group , a private company which was responsible for at least six children’s mental health hospitals in the last decade.

These investigations have all reported the physical and emotional abuse, bullying, humiliation of patients by staff, and an excessive use of restrictive and coercive practices such as restraint and seclusion. They follow countless similar investigations and news stories of failings in care across other hospitals under other Trusts.

People on the receiving end of this abuse have spoken out about it for decades. Claims that the investigations are “shocking” are insulting. They give the impression that these are isolated or unique incidents, that it is a case of “a few bad apples”; as if we haven’t heard account after account of abuse in mental health services ( and of exclusion from them ), such as those published in Asylum Magazine , as if the friends and families of people who have died in custody , including mental health detention, haven’t been marching for over twenty years.

We need to have a conversation about who gets believed: a conversation about power, the systematic silencing of survivor testimony, the weaponisation of mental ill-health, trauma, and distress to discredit and further coerce people who talk about or raise complaints about their experiences of abuse in mental health services.

Read full article >

Migrant Media to produce new documentary on the Bradford 12

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 15:27:43 GMT

source: Migrant Media
originally published: 5 September 2022

Migrant Media are pleased to announce that they are going into production on a radical feature length documentary about the seminal case of the Bradford 12 , supported by the BFI Doc Society Fund (awarding National Lottery funding).

In 1981 twelve young Asian men were arrested and charged with terrorism for defending Bradford from an imminent racist skinhead attack. Following national and international protests in support of the defendants, and a tense lengthy trial, they were acquitted establishing the precedent of the right of organised self-defence for the first time in the UK. This is their story .

At the time Bradford was tense with police inspired rumours of an imminent invasion by coach loads of racist skinheads. The United Black Youth League called for an organised defence of Bradford and prepared themselves, along with others from the community.

Twelve men were arrested in a case that became known as The Bradford 12. The defendants were imprisoned on Conspiracy and Terrorism charges, facing life behind bars. The police said they were terrorists. The community rebutted, “They are our sons.”

The documentary will be a journey through the case, from the victories against the old racism and fascism of the 80’s, to the resistance against the new racism of Islamophobia of the present.

We will see how the Asian Youth Movements and United Black Youth League were actively engaged in showing solidarity with the dead of the New Cross Massacre; of protesting against racist murders in Southall and East London and organising community self-defence of Brick Lane. They actively supported anti-colonial struggles internationally, especially in Palestine and Ireland.

Read full Press Release here >

For more information contact:

Email: bradford12film@gmail.com

Instagram: @migrantmedia

Twitter: @TariqMehmood000 @kenfero @mukhtardar260

Where can I get help in the Midlands as the cost of living soars?

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 10:41:12 GMT

source: ITV Network
published: 26 August 2022

Almost everyone will have heard of the cost of living crisis by now, but no-one can be sure exactly how it will affect them. From soaring energy and fuel bills to an increase in National Insurance and council tax payments, prices are set to increase dramatically over the next few days and weeks'.

Charities predict it will further push people into hunger, fuel poverty, and crippling debt.

What costs are rising?

Ofgem has said the energy price cap will rise by 54% from April 1, affecting around 22 million customers
People paying for energy on default tariffs by direct debit will see an increase of £693 from £1,277 to £1,971 per year, while prepayment customers will see an increase of £708 from £1,309 to £2,017
Council tax bills increased at the beginning of the month. The increase depends on which local authority you live in and which band your house falls under
Food prices are being affected by the inflation rise, with prices 5.2% higher than a year ago
From April 6, National Insurance (NI) will increase by 1.25%

From free debt and employment advice, to providing affordable and healthy food, ITV have provided a listing of who is on hand to help across the West Midlands.

Read the full article >

Also visit Find FoodBanks Brum >

Poverty, economic inequality and mental health

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 10:39:26 GMT

all credits: Centre for Mental Health
first published: 26 July 2022

The Covid-19 pandemic is being accompanied by a substantial rise in demand for mental health services. Whilst investment in mental health services is vital, it is also necessary to tackle the factors that cause and worsen mental ill health in the first place.

Poverty, economic inequality and mental health , by Ed Davie, explores evidence about the links between these factors, showing that living in poverty increases people’s risk of mental health difficulties, and that more unequal societies have higher overall levels of mental ill health. The briefing also demonstrates that poverty and economic inequality intersect with structural racism to undermine the mental health of racialised and marginalised groups in society.

The evidence is clear that poverty, deprivation and economic inequality are toxic to mental and physical health. Policy makers need to prioritise reducing them as an urgent public health necessity.

The briefing calls for concerted and concrete actions to improve mental health by increasing the incomes and reducing the costs of the poorest people in society. These include increasing benefits and paying the Living Wage, help with housing and childcare costs for the least well-off, and improving access to vital services in the most deprived areas.

Read original article here >

AbilityNet: A digital world that is accessible to all

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 10:34:28 GMT

source: AbilityNet
published: September 2022

AbilityNet supports people of any age, living with any disability or impairment to use technology to achieve their goals at home, at work and in education.

They do this by providing specialist advice services, free information resources and by actively helping to build a more accessible digital world for everyone.

Free Resources:

Get the most from your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone. AbilityNet's free resources include factsheets, webinars and MyComputerMyWay publications.

AbilityNet's friendly tech volunteers provide free IT support to older people and disabled people of any age, anywhere in the United Kingdom.

All of their volunteers are disclosure-checked and they can help with all sorts of IT (information technology) challenges, from setting up new equipment, fixing technical issues, showing you how to stay connected to family, using online services and more.

See full details here >

Catalyst 4 Change update - First Black Thrive Community Assembly

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 10:32:20 GMT

source: Catalyst 4 Change CIC
first published: 20 July 2022

On the 14 May 2022 over 100 Black community members, community organisations, businesses, statutory services, and allies gathered at Midlands Arts Centre for the launch of Catalyst 4 Change’s Black Thrive Birmingham programme. This was our first Community Assembly.

There was a bustling marketplace of local, Black-led initiatives, enterprises, voluntary sector, and statutory organisations showcasing their work and services against a backdrop of mellow and classic tunes from DJ Ezeek.

The Black Thrive Birmingham programme is a partnership between Catalyst 4 Change and Black Thrive Global that is working together to co-create a society where systemic racism and other oppressive systems are dismantled . The programme will work with and on behalf of Black people and Black led organisations to ensure that Black communities are at the forefront of reimagining, redefining, and realising fulfilling lives.

The event began with a powerful short film called ‘Black Anxiety’ written and produced by Birmingham based spoken word artist, Dan Man . This powerful film reminded us of all the emotional and physical impact of Covid 19 and racism on Black communities.

The day included presentations from:

Three of Catalyst 4 Change Directors shared their approach as ‘positive deviants’ to help create better mental health services and support for African and Caribbean communities in the West Midlands
Lela Kogbara, a BlackThrive Global Director, provided an overview of Black Thrive’s history and mission to facilitate systems change that will transform the Black communities experience from surviving into thriving
Black Thrive Global Research team, Dr Celestin Okoroji, Tamanda Walker and Dr Jolyon Miles-Wilson, described their commitment to produce high quality data that can be used by Black communities to help them thrive and change how public systems go about their work. The team provided a snapshot of their data analysis that aroused positive interest in the approach and use of community owned data from the delegates present
Dr Justine Varney presented the Birmingham and Lewisham African and Caribbean Health Inequalities (BLACHIR) review. This is a partnership between Birmingham and Lewisham to explore and better understand the inequalities affecting African and Caribbean communities in our areas and co-produce with communities’ opportunities for action to break structural inequalities

The day also included a series of conversations about working together for effective change. Several themes emerged. Here are a few that stood out throughout the day.

Spaces to connect:

To speak frankly about the aspirations of, and challenges faced by our community and stand in collective solidarity as we navigate the necessary system change.

Better mental health services:

Removing the barriers that prevent Black people from getting the help they need, and services where staff can offer compassion, humility and respond to what we say.

Tackle the root causes of ill health:

Public systems need to focus more on prevention and healing.

Community owned data:

To shape, lead and get involved with collecting, owning, and using data to achieve our collective goals.

The Assembly responses and feedback made it abundantly clear that you (our stakeholders and supporters) are behind the Thriving Futures vision, and that you are also ready to help, develop and improve the areas in need of change through our collective responsibility and commitment.

How you can get Involved!

Thriving Futures is a decade long endeavor. Catalyst 4 Change will hold Assemblies twice a year.

Our next Assembly will be on Friday 4 November 2022.

If you would like to know more about how you can get involved, please visit our Call to Action page here >

Black Thrive Birmingham: Launch event announced

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 22:08:40 GMT

source: Catalyst 4 Change CIC
published: 24 April 2022

Catalyst 4 Change is inviting Black people, voluntary and statutory organisations, faith communities, entrepreneurs and allies that are striving for an equal society to join our CommUNITY Assembly on Saturday 14 May 2022 for honest discussions about how together we can achieve real change for Black communities in Birmingham.

You can download the flyer here >

The event will include a marketplace, presentations, films, guest speakers, and interactive discussions. Attendees will learn more about the Black Thrive Programme , our plans in Birmingham and also hear from some of our collaborators and supporters.

In the afternoon sessions attendees can share their views on what we need to focus on in Birmingham.

Come and hear about this amazing new initiative, share your ideas, and be a part of the vision for change!

The event will be accessible for disabled people, including wheelchair access and British sign language interpreters.

Book your FREE ticket(s) : Click here >

Bookings opened on 25 April 2022 : Places are limited.

Black History Every Month: Action, education and connections

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 22:00:13 GMT

source: Eventbrite
republished: April 2022

Black event creators are at the forefront of a movement that creates spaces for communities to thrive and enact real change. Eventbrite wants to celebrate them.

Every week Eventbrite will be spotlighting a diverse selection of events that break new ground, raise awareness and bring people together. From enlightening panel discussions through to workouts and decolonised history lectures.

Some of past events have included:

British Black Power: Leila Hassan-Howe in conversation

Spaces for Listening: Black Faces, White Spaces

This group is set up by and for Black and mixed black women residing in Birmingham and surrounding areas. It is a safe space for women to come and share their experiences or listen to others.

Liverpool: Black History and Black Activism

The directory of events is kept updated continuously!

Read the current event details here >

MASH is on its way back: An update!

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 02:11:52 GMT

source: Catalyst 4 Change CIC
published: 1 March 2022

After a five year gap the Mentoring & Advocacy Support Hub (MASH) is looking like it has a brighter future.

Following the end of Phase 2 of the 300 Voices Project, The Peer Support Programme (known as MASH) secured funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner's Office for a further year to March 2017 - at this point the service was sadly closed.

With the support of its parent body, Catalyst 4 Change , MASH is set to see new services and activities beginning to emerge.

The initial restructured services will look like this;

Leadership Development

A new development support programme that builds the abilities and confidence to develop and effectively manage user-led community organisations, has already been funded and Catalyst are seeking to appoint a programme co-ordinator.

Easy Access Initiative

Over coming months we are developing a collaborative initiative to provide easy access and referral to a range of culturally appropriate local services for people of African-Caribbean heritage with a lived experience of mental health.

Social Activities and Events

We are planning and fundraising to bring our popular social drop-in sessions back. The sessions will be a place to relax, build friendships, learn new skills, get advice and provide a space for sharing and support.

Stay tuned to our updates for future progress reports!

Synergi Collaborative Centre Phase 2: Continuing the legacy

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 01:54:23 GMT

source: Synergi Collaborative Centre
published: 28 February 2022

The Synergi Collaborative Centre officially launched in 2017 as a five year national initiative, funded by Lankelly Chase Foundation, to transform the realities of ethnic inequalities in the lived experience of severe mental distress and the impact of multiple disadvantage.

"We aimed to amplify and centre lived experience narratives in research as part of a clear commitment to challenge institutional, structural and interpersonal racism in mental health systems, supported by collaborative leadership and placed-based strategies, underpinned by creative interventions."

Instead of saying a permanent goodbye, Synergi are pleased to hand over the reins to valued partners from within the Synergi ecosystem as the new project leads for Synergi Phase 2 with Catalyst 4 Change and the National Survivor User Network (NSUN). With these organisations come a refreshed collaborative vision, building on Synergi: Phase 1.

There will be a period of transition to Phase 2, alongside the continuation of Creative Spaces , the National Pledge to reduce ethnic inequalities in mental health systems and the Synergi National Pledge Alliance .

"We couldn’t have arrived here without you. Thank you for your support, partnership and allyship".

Find out how to be part of Synergi: Phase 2 by emailing info@synergicollaborativecentre.co.uk.

Click here to see all of Synergi's briefing papers >

Ethnic Inequalities in Healthcare: New rapid evidence review

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 00:51:56 GMT

all credits: NHS RHO

published : 14 February 2022

The NHS Race & Health Observatory has published its much anticipated rapid review into ethnic health inequalities across a range of areas including key priorities set by the independent health body.

Ethnic inequalities in access to, experiences of, and outcomes of healthcare are longstanding problems in the NHS, and are rooted in experiences of structural, institutional and interpersonal racism. This report is the first of its kind to analyse the overwhelming evidence of ethnic health inequality through the lens of racism.

The university-led rapid review focussed on priorities set by the NHS Race and Health Observatory (RHO), relating to ethnic inequalities in:

mental healthcare
maternal and neonatal healthcare
digital access to healthcare
genetic testing and genomic medicine
the NHS workforce

Read a summary of the rapid evidence review in PDF format here

Read the full review in PDF format here

Complete the survey on trust in primary care services now >

Catalyst commissioned for consultation on the Patient Carers Race Equalities Framework

Thu, 15 Jul 2021 20:30:48 GMT

source : Catalyst 4 Change CIC

published : 1 July 20211

Catalyst 4 Change have been commissioned by Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust (BSMHFT) to work in partnership with them to coordinate your views and experiences through a set of conversation events and then feedback your views about their Patient Carers Race Equalities Framework (PCREF).

PCREF has been established at NHS national level to improve the competency of mental health services so that the experience of BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) patients and carers improves. Making services more accessible and improve the health outcomes for BME people. This framework forms part of the National PCREF development and BSMHFT is one of several pilot sites committed to building their understanding of the impact of their mental health services through the experience of services users, inpatients, carers, and communities.

Catalyst 4 Change will organise conversation spaces for BSMHFT’s inpatient, carers, community groups and voluntary sector organisations, to give feedback on your experience when accessing and receiving mental health services and the changes you would like to see in mental health services and support. Your experiences and views on improvement will then help shape the PCREF for Birmingham.

Who is Catalyst 4 Change?

We are a community interest company formed in 2015, 3 of the 4 directors are African Caribbean with lived experience of mental health problems. Each has 30 or more years’ experience of developing new approaches to community based mental health services for BME communities including user led initiatives, consultation, and engagement; managing health and social care in the voluntary and statutory sector; campaigning and advocating for improved mental health services and for building the capacity of organisations to provide culturally appropriate services.

Our key objective is to contribute towards developing equality of access to mental health services for BME communities, supporting the African and African Caribbean communities to overcome stigma and hesitancy to access mental health services whilst also working with healthcare providers and statutory services to increase cultural awareness in the provision and design of services that are right first time for BME people who require care services.

For more information about Catalyst's work please click here .

Catalyst 4 Change will be holding a range of conversations over the summer to hear your views about how Statutory mental health could be improved for African and Caribbean communities and the standards of care that you would like to see delivered by BSMHFT. We will be sending more details about these events and PCREF shortly!

Finally, we know that your views may have been sought before and you may not have seen any visible improvements in the care or treatment your loved ones, clients or service users have received. The team at Catalyst 4 Change has worked with BSMHFT for the last 3 years and we have witnessed that there is now more commitment to addressing race inequalities across the organisation. They signed Synergi’s National Pledge calling on senior leaders in the NHS Mental Health Trust, Public Bodies and Commissioning Groups to declare their commitment to reduce ethnic inequalities in mental health care systems.

As part of this Pledge, they are required to provide an update on their progress - click on this link to see BSMHFT’s progress. Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust - Synergi Collaborative Centre

Catalyst 4 Change is committed to holding the Trust to account to their declared commitment to tackling race inequalities in mental health services. Take part in our PCREF conversations to ‘turn talk to action’ .

We'll be providing further details soon about how you can get involved and contribute to the development of PCREF.

The environment: A natural remedy for mental ill-health

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 18:10:14 GMT

source : Open Access Government

published : 10 March 2021

Jennifer Oroilidis from Mental Health Europe probes why the environment is a natural remedy for mental ill-health. The natural environment is one of the key determinants concerning mental health.

In past years, research has increasingly highlighted the interplay between both. Given the overwhelming evidence of nature’s positive impact on mental wellbeing, tackling environmental degradation can offer win-win solutions to rising numbers of mental health problems and the economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.

The pandemic adds a heightened urgency for policy-makers to integrate environmental solutions with mental health policies that promote a better future for European citizens.

Environmental degradation poses a threat to mental health

Research by the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) and the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) shows that environmental degradation can have a profound negative effect on citizens’ mental wellbeing.

Climate anxiety – psychological distress about the future due to climate change – puts a strain on many people’s mental health. The studies also show that extreme weather events, acute weather conditions, and chronic long-term weather changes can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , anxiety and depression.

Read full article >

Covid-19: How to deal with lockdown social anxiety

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 18:09:30 GMT

source: BBC News
published: 9 March 2021

When the roadmap for lifting lockdown restrictions was set out a couple of weeks ago a lot of people felt like they had a summer to look forward to.

Even 21 June, the day when nightclubs could be allowed to open again in England, started trending on Twitter and memes popped up everywhere.

Group chats were flooded with plans for well-overdue nights out and links to events that were somehow on their final release of tickets despite going on sale that day. Smaller gatherings will be allowed outside from 29 March in England.

And while for many people it's been a really exciting time, for those with social anxiety there's a worry about how they'll adapt to life after lockdown.

When are restrictions easing across the UK?

Read the full article here >

Cruse Bereavement Care: Leading national charity for bereaved people

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 18:08:59 GMT

source : Cruse Bereavement

published : 13 March 2021

Cruse Bereavement Care is the leading national charity for bereaved people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Watch Andy Langford, Cruse’s Clinical Director , explain who they are and how they are actively supporting people during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond.

Cruse History

From their beginnings running clubs for widows from the founder’s house in Kew, Cruse Bereavement Care has grown to be a charity with an international reputation.

Over the years, they have helped bereaved people in times of crisis, such as after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and the Manchester Arena Bombings, and have expanded to support hundreds of thousands of people each year.

Find out more about Cruse’s history .

What Cruse stands for;

Vision: That all bereaved people have somewhere to turn when someone dies.

Mission: To offer support, advice & information to children, young people and adults and enhance society’s care of bereaved people.

Values: Cruse Bereavement Care are Responsive, Compassionate, Respectful,

Supportive and Innovative.

Feelings After Someone Dies

Many people are surprised by the range of emotions they experience after the death of someone close.

What does grief feel like?

People often ask Cruse, what does grief feel like? In this video, Andy Langford- the Clinical Director for Cruse Bereavement Care, explains some of the most common feelings after a death.

Training

Cruse Bereavement Care provides training and consultancy for any external organisation who may encounter bereaved people in the course of their work. Contact them to find out more: training@cruse.org.uk.

Visit the Cruse website here >

Faith in Mind film : the background and the launch event

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 12:25:32 GMT

source: Red Earth Collective
published: November 2020

A new film exploring how a Black majority church in Birmingham is challenging mental health stigma and discrimination in the communities it serves is now available to watch on the Catalyst 4 Change CIC YouTube channel.

'Faith in Mind' is a short documentary about the work of the New Testament Church of God in Handsworth and features interviews with church leaders and members who speak openly about their own experiences of mental health and what they are doing to support mental wellbeing.

The film was funded by Birmingham Time to Change Hub and co-produced by Catalyst4Change in partnership with two black led Birmingham organisations, film makers Open Lens Productions and mental health and arts specialists the Red Earth Collective.

The film was launched at a special Zoom event on Friday 9 October to an audience of 150 people hosted by BBC WM broadcaster, Nikki Tapper and featured a Q and A with church members.

Lakhvir Rellon, Director of Community Engagement , Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust attended the launch and told us;

"fantastic film we need to get this out widely across our communities. thank you so much for your arresting honesty and courage in sharing your personal stories"

Also watching the film was Carlene McKenzie, a Project Coordinator with Soho First an organisation that works to support community cohesion in Birmingham who was very impressed by the film;

"I came with an open mind as to see what would be said about Mental Health in the light of Faith and Churches. I was greatly surprised by the sincere efforts by all to portray an honest, heart-felt presentation on how people view mental health, testimonies of people who have, and are still going through the effects of mental health as individuals or family members; and the negatives and positives of how people are viewed and dealt with; specifically through churches and their faiths"

You can watch the film here >

Racism is a mental health crisis, and we need to support each other

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 12:09:25 GMT

source: Huffington Post
originally published: 11 June 2020

Black Lives Matter has re-opened wounds from centuries of trauma. But how do we protect black minds as we strive to protect black lives?

Exhaustion . If one word has echoed around our social media feeds these past few weeks, it’s this one. Black people are tired: tired of justifying how we feel, as if 400 years of oppression were not enough to explain it; tired of showing we are human beings with emotions; and tired of proving how valuable our lives are. And this exhaustion goes beyond mere fatigue. It’s a mental health issue.

Black Lives Matter has opened unhealed intergenerational wounds from centuries of trauma, oppression, anger and humiliation. This has been very much evident in the protests that have spread across all 50 US states – and the world – since the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, in what has become the biggest civil rights movement in history.

Racism is a disease that can kill a human being, directly, as we have seen in these horrific cases of police brutality, or indirectly, in its lifelong impact on our physical and mental health. The rage we’re seeing now has been burning for a long time – anger at why systemic racism continues to the present day.

Barack Obama recently joined civil rights icon John Lewis and lawyer Bryan Stevenson to address mental wellbeing during a pandemic – of racism . The former US president said of the Black community: “We inherited extraordinary strengths, but we have also inherited trauma.”

So, how do we protect Black minds as we strive to protect Black lives?

Read full article >

National Family Fund now formally incubated by Catalyst4Change

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 15:24:18 GMT

source: The National Family Fund
published: 11 August 2020

We are pleased to announce that (with effect from 29 July 2020) the National Mikey Powell Memorial Family Fund (NMPMFF) is now formally incubated by West Midlands based social enterprise Catalyst 4 Change, thereby taking on its legal identify but maintaining their operational independence.

How this helps the National Family Fund!

Being incubated by Catalyst 4 Change provides the NMPMFF with a legally constituted lead/governing body to guide and administer good governance and accountability practices. The incubation also opens up new avenues of funding and income generation for the NMPMFF until it is formally constituted in its own right.

Other long term aims of the NMPMFF include:

Stage a range of national events (e.g. live music, theatre & drama, films & Q&A’s etc) to raise both awareness of the issues of deaths in custody in the UK, and revenue for the fund
Develop regional helplines (in partnership with Red Alert HELP! ) for families concerned about a loved one detained in police, immigration, prison institutions or detained under the Mental Health Act
Develop a range of counselling & therapy hubs across the UK to help children, young people and families deal with the devastation following a custody death
Provide respite, group outings and short UK-based holidays for families affected

Mikey Powell’s cousin, Tippa Naphtali (and co-director of Catalyst) said;

“This fund has the potential to make a real difference for families and their campaign groups that need financial support during the often long and drawn out struggles for justice that can last for decades.

“The needs of affected families and children can often get lost in the equally important work of campaigning and lobbying of state institutions. We want to change that with a permanent national support fund set up specifically for their needs.“

Catalyst 4 Change has a powerful social mission to strengthen the capacity and networks of user-led, voluntary, social enterprise, grassroots, statutory organisations and businesses to ensure the right mental health care is in place.

The Catalyst 4 Change team is made up of directors and associates that came together in 2015 with a shared vision to tackle mental health inequalities, and support grassroots activities aimed at those affected. The team have several decades of combined experience in delivering a range of wellbeing and community initiatives to some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

Sandra Griffiths (co-director of Catalyst) said;

"We look forward to working with The National Family Fund to support their goals and aspirations".

Catalyst secures SUPPORT-CONNECT Project Funding

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 15:24:13 GMT

source: Catalyst 4 Change CIC
published: 11 August 2020

Catalyst 4 Change has secured £10,000 of funding from the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund, towards our SUPPORT-CONNECT helpline service. Thanks to the Government Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and the National Lottery Community Fund for making this possible!

Catalyst are co-developing a number of pan West Midlands freephone support lines across the areas of Birmingham, Sandwell, Wolverhampton and Coventry.

The lines would be available to African & Caribbean people with a mental health support need, their families and carers during the COVID-19 pandemic and the social distancing measures initiated by the UK government.

This is a particularly difficult time for people with a diagnosed mental health condition or lived experience of mental health problems. Many will be isolated and cut off socially and from previously provided mental health support services.

The SUPPORT-CONNECT lines would give them access to people and workers that they are already familiar with at no cost to them or the support organisations.

Further updates to follow shortly!

Pledge to reduce ethnic inequalities in mental health systems

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 15:24:05 GMT

source: Synergi
published: August 2020

Welcome to the UK's first national pledge calling on senior leaders in NHS mental health trusts, public bodies and commissioning to declare their commitment to reduce inequalities in mental health care systems.

Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities are facing disproportionate risks in mental health services that require urgent action, intent, shared vision and collaboration.

The context is stark. Ethnic inequalities in mental health care are longstanding and exceptionally large, disadvantaging BAME people in access, care, treatment and outcomes.

CEOs, medical and nursing directors of NHS mental health trusts, commissioners and public bodies who have signed up to the pledge, along with NGOs, BAME voluntary organisations, community groups and activists, share why they are determined to reduce ethnic inequalities in mental health systems and why they want to be part of Synergi collaborative Creative Spaces Network to share good practice, challenges and progress every six months.

Click here to see all the statements >

We believe it is unacceptable that despite 30 years of research, inquiries and reviews into this issue, a staggering 80% of recommendations made to address this problem have not been implemented fully. It is unacceptable that despite longstanding and pervasive ethnic inequalities, there are no plans for meaningful and sustainable change.

Read full article here >

UK firms urged to examine slavery links and 'eradicate racism'

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 11:47:00 GMT

source: The Guardian
published: 18 June 2020

Business groups have told companies they should examine their role in history after two big firms said they intended to make financial donations to minority communities in reparation for their role in the slave trade.

Pub chain and brewer Greene King and insurance marketing group Lloyd’s of London both said they would make donations, amid intense scrutiny on the legacy of slavery in the UK and the continued effects of racism.

Some of the UK’s most recognisable business names have said they are considering their historic links to the slave trade, including banks such as Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group and the private bank Arbuthnot Latham.

RBS also said a newly founded taskforce would consider making donations to charitable groups in black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

Read more here >

Catalyst 4 Change launches COVID:19 information & resources page

Wed, 13 May 2020 12:18:19 GMT

source: Catalyst 4 Change

published: 6 April 2020

Catalyst 4 Change CIC has launched a comprehensive resources page for individuals and organisations. You will find specially selected links to useful information and resources to help you during the Coronavirus crisis.

Catalyst have ensured that the page includes support information for individuals and agencies as well as emergency funding available to charities & community groups, and business resource tools and sources of in-kind support available from business and industry.

Note: This page will be updated as often as possible – contributions welcomed!

Some of the items included on the page:

Bereavement Support Line

(Birmingham & Solihull CCG)

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, we are facing a tragic loss of life, often under very difficult circumstances. Being in ‘lockdown’ is tough, but for those who have lost a friend or loved one during this time, it can be even harder.

Waiting Room Wellbeing Directory

(URBRUM/Common Unity)

A Common Unity & URBRUM resource, The Waiting Room (TWR), is the online information directory for health & wellbeing services and much more across Birmingham and Solihull. (Note: Enter ‘Coronavirus’ in the search option).

See the dedicated resources page here >

One in four young people with mental health referral 'rejected'

Mon, 13 Jan 2020 17:42:38 GMT

source: The Guardian

originally published: 10 January 2020

One in four children and young people referred to mental health services in England last year were not accepted for treatment, according to data, raising concerns that many are still failing to get vital support at an early stage.

Research by the Education Policy Institute (EPI) estimated that more than 130,000 of those referred to specialist services in 2018-19 were “rejected”, among them young people who have self-harmed, suffered eating disorders and experienced abuse.

According to the EPI, rejection rates have remained unchanged over the last four years, despite government commitments to address shortages in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), including an additional £1.4bn investment between 2015 and 2021.

The research also revealed significant regional variations, with services in London rejecting 17% of referrals on average, compared with 28% in the south, the Midlands and the east, and 22% in the north.

Read full article >

The idea that personality disorders can't be treated is ‘damaging myth’

Mon, 13 Jan 2020 17:42:33 GMT

source: The National Scot

originally published: 9 January 2019

The idea that people with personality disorders cannot be treated is a damaging and untrue myth, leading psychiatrists have said.

In its first-ever position statement on the issue, the Royal College of Psychiatrists said failure to treat a personality disorder can be fatal, with one in 10 people with a personality disorder committing suicide.

The College said psychiatrists and sufferers alike “believe there is a pervasive myth in society, including amongst some health professionals, that a personality disorder cannot be treated”.

It pointed to national variation in the services on offer, with only one in four people with personality disorder who go on to commit suicide ever being referred to a specialist service for personality disorder.

When it comes to medication, 90% of people with personality disorder are given drugs even though it is not considered best practice unless the person is also suffering from a mental illness which can be treated with medication.

Read full article >

Britain is one of world’s most age-segregated countries, study finds

Mon, 13 Jan 2020 17:42:05 GMT

source: The Guardian
originally published: 23 July 2018

Britain is one of the most age-segregated countries in the world with divisions between generations increasing over the last decade, according to a report.

The report by United for All Ages , a social enterprise that works to bring together old and young, calls for urgent action to end what it calls the “age apartheid” dividing the country.

It says people often have little contact with other generations outside their own families. Divisions have grown, it says, partly as a result of housing market trends, with wealth concentrated among older generations who tend to live in towns and rural areas while younger people gravitate towards cities.

United for All Ages, which was set up in 2010, supports intergenerational projects as a way of tackling key social and economic issues, including housing, anxiety and loneliness.

Read full article >

Birmingham People's Centre : free employment law advice

Sat, 15 Jun 2019 13:27:04 GMT

source: Birmingham People's Centre
published: May 2019

Birmingham People's Centre are a charity providing a free employment law advice for employees and employers in Birmingham. If you are a trade union member, have legal insurance or can afford to employ a solicitor then they would expect you to pursue those options.

They can assist with a wide range of employment problems, from disciplinary hearings right up to providing representation at the employment tribunal. They provide advice and information and offer a casework service and can act on your behalf.

The centre has recently received funding from the Access to Justice Foundation and the Big Lottery to support clients to conduct their own cases, with on-going support, access to resources and guidance.

The centre is managed by a qualified solicitor who is supported by a paid caseworker and a dedicated team of experienced volunteers. They understand that when things go wrong at work it can be a stressful experience and take pride in a friendly, approachable and supportive service. They will clearly explain your employment rights and provide an honest assessment of the strength of your case.

Visit the website here >

I was lost and helpless when my mum died. Volunteering saved me

Sat, 15 Jun 2019 13:27:02 GMT

source: Guardian Society
published: 5 June 2019

In many ways, I believe volunteering has saved my life. It helps me feel valued and confident and gives me the chance to forget about my own pain and troubles, and see others happy and cared for.

We all know it’s important to take time out for self-care, whatever life throws at us, to protect our own health and wellbeing. For me, it’s crucial to feel connected to other people and have a sense of purpose – and volunteering meets this need.

I have been a carer for as long as I can remember. At primary school, I cared for my mum, due to her severe alcoholic addiction, and for my baby brother. My mum moved around a lot and I went to 18 different schools. At one school, I used to sit and eat lunch with the head of year every day. By the time I was 15, I developed a eating disorder, which started as anorexia and developed into bulimia.

By the age of 16, I was homeless, because I’d come out as bisexual and my mum didn’t accept it. Despite living in temporary hostel rooms, I managed to have a Saturday job and study for a BTec in performing arts.

At 18, I applied to the local council for a flat of my own.

For the first time in my life, there was no one around me that I had to put first.

Read full article >

What if we just stopped it before it happened?

Sat, 15 Jun 2019 13:27:00 GMT

source: Make An Impact
published: 5 June 2019

It’s no secret that I believe the ultimate goal of a Social Enterprise should be not to need to exist… after all, if their mission is to end a world problem, not existing means they’ve succeeded, yes?

Regretfully, this isn’t the case. But it could be. So many Social Enterprises are focussed on intervention; they rescue and save people after something has gone wrong in their life.

It’s a model that almost relies on problems to exist, so they can too. Now, don’t get me wrong, intervention-based socents, as our world problems stand right now, are vital to our welfare, and arguably, there are some problems we, as humans can never control, such as natural disasters. And yes, I do understand that some natural disasters are a direct link to climate change.

But, what if more was done on the prevention side?

In plain talk, what if we stopped the problem occurring in the first place?

Read full article here >

Catalyst 4 Change : Making an impact

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 14:55:54 GMT

source: Sandra Griffiths co-founder/co-director of Catalyst
published: 5 December 2018

Catalyst 4 Change offers a fresh approach to support community organisations, social enterprises, faith groups or businesses that have a significant African and Caribbean user-base, to enable them to achieve positive improvements for their mental health support needs in the West Midlands.

This is a pressing issue as a considerable body of evidence exists which demonstrates poor experiences and outcomes within African and Caribbean communities in relation to mental health.

Despite the shocking statistics, there has been an ongoing failure to achieve consistent improvements in this area, notwithstanding countless consultations and reviews, as well as endless reports, recommendations and policy commitments.

Since Catalyst 4 Change was established in 2017, we have spoken with faith-based organisations, statutory and voluntary sector organisations, grassroot organisations, black people with lived experience of mental health problems and their carers to create a better understanding of the current mental health experiences of African and Caribbean communities in the West Midlands.

We have co-hosted three black mental health seminars. Two of these seminars were held with two different black majority church organisations: New Testament Church of God and Gospel Express . One seminar, 'Working in Collaboration with the Community' , was with the Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust.

These events have helped us gain qualitative data so that we have a better understanding of the real life experiences of African and Caribbean people with mental health problems and their carers when accessing services both from the statutory and voluntary sector in the West Midlands.

Earlier in the year, Catalyst contacted Synergi to explore how we could collaborate to pool our expertise to develop a regional strategy to tackle ethnic inequalities experienced by African and Caribbean communities in the West Midlands.

We wanted an original approach. We did not want to just rehearse the same problems that have shaped the African and Caribbean mental health discourse over the last 30 years. We wanted to find opportunities for change and we wanted to develop sustainable solutions.

Synergi suggested that we co-host a knowledge sharing event under its Creative Spaces hub as a starting point. We held our first West Midlands Creative Spaces event on 24 October 2018 , hosted by Sean Russell and the West Midlands Mental Health Commission.

The event brought together 22 colleagues from statutory services, public health, the voluntary sector, faith Communities, people with lived experienced of mental health problems and carers from across the West Midlands.

We had a rich, multi-layered and focused dialogue about the continued inequalities African and Caribbean communities face: the short-term nature of past initiatives that have been set up to address mental health inequalities and need to improve commissioning of culturally responsive services.

One of Catalyst’s objectives is to stimulate, develop and promote a thriving and diverse voluntary and community sector and grassroots initiatives so that they can make a positive impact on the emotional and mental wellbeing of African and Caribbean communities in West Midlands.

Our first co-hosted Creative Spaces event has enabled us to begin that journey.

See unedited original article here >

Freephone helpline for stressed families to be launched

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 14:55:49 GMT

source: Guardian Society
published: 21 January 2019

A national freephone helpline for people in stressed-out families who feel they have no one else to talk to is to be unveiled by the Duchess of Cambridge.

Aimed at people struggling with issues including family rows, money worries, new parenthood and relationship difficulties, Family Line will be launched on Tuesday by the duchess, who is focusing her charity work on early intervention in domestic problems, including supporting people who are about to start family life.

The line will be open every weekday evening from 6pm to 10pm and at weekends from 10am to 1pm. Its launch follows research suggesting one-third of people in families want someone to talk to about their problems as social isolation grows.

The service joins other free helplines such as Childline , which was founded by Esther Rantzen 33 years ago, and Samaritans, which provides support to anyone in emotional distress , struggling to cope or at risk of suicide.

Read full article >

Employers must do more to protect staff mental health

Mon, 19 Nov 2018 11:18:08 GMT

source: The Guardian / Camilla Nicholls
originally published: 12 November 2018

Nearly 20 years ago I had a breakdown. I was approaching 40. I was not in a serious relationship and had no children of my own, but I was devoted to my job; married to it, some said. I was a senior executive at this paper.

I fought and lost a battle with my GP, who wanted to sign me off work. I didn’t feel I’d have a recognisable identity without my job; she said I might struggle to live if I didn’t take a break. I had five months off work. Sleep evaded me, eating felt a battle not worth winning, a psychiatrist made house calls every week, I found it almost impossible to leave my home. If only I had acted, sought help at work, before the total slide began.

Earlier this month, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) announced that, for the first time, work-related stress anxiety or depression accounts for over half of all working days lost due to ill health in Great Britain.

In total, 15.4m working days were lost in 2017-18 as a result, up from 12.5m the previous year. These figures might be shocking but they’re not surprising. My breakdown had a complex cause, but one significant factor was my attitude to work.

Read full article >

Family celebrate lasting legacy as ‘Seni’s Law’ receives Royal Assent

Mon, 19 Nov 2018 11:09:31 GMT

source: INQUEST
published: 1 November 20188

Today the Mental Health (Use of Force) Bill has received Royal Assent in Parliament, eight years after the death of Seni Lewis for whom it is intended as a lasting legacy. Known as Seni’s Law, the Bill will increase protections and oversight on use of force in mental health settings.

The Private Members Bill brought by Steve Reed MP is named after Olaseni ‘Seni’ Lewis, a 23 year old IT graduate who died as a result of prolonged restraint by police officers whilst a voluntary inpatient at Bethlem Royal Hospital, Croydon in 2010.

Steve Reed MP has worked closely with the family of Seni Lewis, who are constituents of Croydon North. He worked on this Bill with the family’s lawyer Raju Bhatt, INQUEST, and a coalition of NGOs including Agenda , Article 39, Mind, Rethink and YoungMinds.

Throughout its passage in Parliament and the Lords the Bill has received cross party support. It also led the Minister Jackie Doyle Price to make commitments to consider the issue of the lack of independent investigations into deaths in mental health settings.

Read full article >

Young people’s mental health is a ‘worsening crisis’. Action is needed

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 20:02:50 GMT

source: The Guardian
originally published: 23 July 2018

In both the UK and US, services for young people are being cut, leaving those from marginalised groups at greatest risk of suicide.

One recent report called the problem a “ silent catastrophe ” while a survey of teachers labelled it an “ epidemic ”. But, whatever the language deployed to describe the scale of mental health challenges facing Britain’s young people, it has to be addressed immediately.

NHS figures published last month revealed that almost 400,000 children and young people aged 18 and under are in contact with the health service for mental health problems . According to the figures, the number of “active referrals” by GPs in April was a third higher than the same period two years prior. Those seeking help for conditions such as depression and anxiety showed a sharp increase.

Demand for help is up, but services are diminishing. Last month also saw new figures showing a 30% fall since 2009 in the number of hospital beds for people with acute mental health conditions . This follows the revelation in November 2017 that two-thirds of children referred for specialist mental healthcare are not receiving treatment.

Last week, the charity Barnardo’s warned that ministers were “ sleepwalking ” into a deeper crisis in children’s mental health, after the government’s response to a parliamentary select committee report and green paper failed to promise urgent action to plug “gaping holes” in services.

Read full article >

MASH fundraising update 2018-2019

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 14:53:04 GMT

Catalyst 4 Change CIC is actively reviewing fundraising for both short term funding for our engagement activities and main funding for the general MASH services in 2018-2019.

The planned engagement activities will include:
- Social outings and coach trips to various locations
- Women in Society national tours
- Arts, drama and creative industries outings

Organisations we are working with:
- Building Bridges Training - www.building-bridges-training.org
- LouDeemY Productions - www.loudeemy.co.uk
- WAITS Action - www.waitsaction.org

The long-term strategy of MASH will include a collaborative programme with the Villa Cross Soup Kitchen run by The New Testament Church in Lozells.

Keep up to date with developments by visiting the MASH website and signing up for FREE updates:
www.mashhub.org.uk/get-news

Guidelines for psychologists working with refugees & asylum seekers

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 11:44:53 GMT

source: The BPS News
published: 12 February 2018

When asylum seekers arrive in the UK they may believe this signals an end to their difficulties, but the reality can be different.

Professor Bill Yule from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London, says:

“Asylum seekers have shown great fortitude in fleeing to this country. They bring many skills and experiences with them. But they may not always be familiar with the way things are done in their new country. Many individuals and organisations have offered to help them settle, but while many local communities show support, some others may show a lack of interest or worse. Asylum seekers may experience a lot of stresses such as homelessness, social exclusion, stereotyping and overt discrimination. The psychological impact of this realisation can be significant.”

This is one of the points emphasised in new guidelines for psychologists working with refugees and asylum seekers produced by the British Psychological Society.

Produced by the Society’s Presidential Taskforce on Refugees and Asylum Seekers, of which Professor Yule was Chair, these guidelines say psychologists have an important role in supporting refugees and asylum seekers and supporting the institutions and communities of which they form part.

Read full article >

Tackling Mental Health conference made its mark

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 16:49:53 GMT

source: The Voice Online
published: 14 December 2017

A rallying cry for black communities to play a greater part in their own wellbeing and push for improvement was made at a mental health conference in Birmingham in November 2017.

Self-reliance and self-determination were themes that echoed throughout Stepping Out for Our Community, in which the harsh realities of fifty-plus years of failed policies and overlooked recommendations were brought into sharp focus by eminent speakers with tragic personal accounts alongside professional experience of mental illness.

Joanna Bennett, a professor of mental health with a 30- year history of campaigning for change in the UK and the Caribbean, talked to delegates at The H Suite conference in the Edgbaston area of the city through reports, enquiries and legislation dating back to the 1960s, en route to a damning conclusion: their failure to stem the tide of people of African and Caribbean heritage being subject to more control, restraint and resuscitation techniques and prescribed stronger medication.

Prof Bennett also shared the story of how in October 1998 her brother David ‘Rocky’ Bennett died after being restrained face down for 28 minutes by five nurses in the medium secure unit he was staying in to receive treatment. “The same issues about the overuse of restraint and resuscitation came up when I read the report into my brother’s death. I am determined to fight to stop these things happening.”

Read full article >

Note / Correction:
In the final paragraph under ‘CONCERN’, Tippa Naphtali has said this should read;

“C4C will nurture developing community [mental health] organisations and fund culturally-aware research. [Naphtali and the Mikey Powell Campaign were one of ] the driving forces behind the implementation of Street Triage, an initiative that sees police officers joined by paramedics and qualified practitioners to prevent people with mental health issues being put in custody.”

See the new Newsletter Archive on the MASH website

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 13:56:35 GMT

As well as MASH e-News we also publish a paper newsletter!
Now you can get all of our back-copies archived on our website via www.mashhub.org.uk/newsletter-archive

The MASH newsletter is issued monthly (or at less frequent intervals) to our registered participants or volunteers, with useful information about MASH activities & services and other local or regional news of interest.

All our files are securely hosted on Box.com. You will need to sign-up to use the interactive features.
FREE to use for domestic / private users.

See the MASH Newsletter Archive here >

Jacqui Dyer: "Mental health is everyone’s business"

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 18:31:59 GMT

source: The Guardian
published: 8 November 2017

For Jacqui Dyer, trying to talk about the issue of race and inequality in mental health services is sometimes like “pulling teeth”. Yet the over-representation of black people in inpatient mental health services is part of the country’s “dirty secret” that needs to be addressed once and for all.

“Wherever there is exclusion or detention in this society, that’s where you find over-representation of black people,” says Dyer, who argues that the notion of the black person as “big, black and dangerous” still prevails within institutional service settings.

Dyer, 51, has just been appointed to the advisory panel for the government’s Mental Health Act , which aims to investigate, among other things, why a disproportionate number of black, Asian and minority ethnic people are detained under the act. It is too early to say what the review will achieve, but Dyer is clear that detention cannot be seen in isolation from the systemic inequalities in mental health.

Last month’s race disparity audit showed that common mental disorders such as anxiety and depression were most prevalent among black women, while black men were more than 10 times as likely to have experienced a psychotic disorder within the past year as white men.

Read full article >

Recognising that mind and body are not separate opens door for new treatments

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 15:17:41 GMT

source: The Guardian
published: 3 November 2017

Descartes’s notion of dualism – that the mind and body are separate entities – is wrong, but has proved surprisingly persistent, and until recently dominated attempts to understand mental illness. When the brain stopped working properly, a psychological origin was sought.

Undoubtedly, life’s experiences and our personalities shape the way our brains function. But there is now a compelling body of evidence that brain disorders can also originate from things going awry in our basic biology.

Particularly intriguing is the discovery that the brain, once thought to be separated from the immune system by the blood-brain barrier, is powerfully influenced by immune activity.

The latest trial, focused on schizophrenia, is backed by converging evidence from several fields that immune cells in the brain, called microglia, play at least some role in this disease. Prof Oliver Howes, the psychiatrist leading the work, discovered that these cells appear to go into overdrive in the early stages of schizophrenia.

Genetics studies have linked changes in immune system genes to increased risk for schizophrenia and anecdotal evidence, including a recent case report of a patient who developed schizophrenia after receiving a bone marrow transplant from a sibling with the illness, also triangulates on to the immune system.

Read full article >

Families of men with mental health issues who died in police custody welcome new report

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 15:17:32 GMT

source: ITV News
published: 30 October 2017

The families of two men with mental health issues who died in police custody has welcomed a report into how vulnerable people should be treated by emergency services. 32-year-old Thomas Orchard died in police custody in Exeter in 2012 and 25-year-old James Herbert died at Yeovil Police Station seven years ago.

The report into deaths in custody was ordered by Theresa May when she was the Home Secretary. It has stressed mentally ill people should never be held in cells.

Thomas Orchard suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and his family say being held in Exeter’s Heavitree Road Police Station made his condition worse. Before reaching the station Mr Orchard was handcuffed and bundled into a van. Moments before falling unconscious, a restraint was wrapped around his head.

His mother says more care should have been taken.

"I know that Thomas would have been feeling very scared because he was in the middle of a psychiatric breakdown and I think that was a very cruel, unkind place for him to be."
– ALISON ORCHARD

Today’s report says police practice must recognise any restraint can cause death. The report also called for officers involved in incidents in police cells to be kept apart so notes cannot be compared.

Read full article >

Welcome to OCD Action

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 09:35:50 GMT

OCD Action works for a society where OCD is better understood and diagnosed quickly, where appropriate treatment options are open and accessible, where support and information is readily available and where nobody feels ashamed to ask for help.

OCD Action are here because OCD tears families apart and leaves people isolated and exhausted. OCD ruins lives. It is a sad fact that many people with OCD delay seeking help.

They put up with it for too long, perhaps thinking that nothing can be done or just not knowing where to turn. OCD Action believes in taking action.

"We want people affected by OCD to seek help, to understand their treatment options and find the support and motivation they need to fight back. OCD is treatable, it can get better."

OCD Action Strategy:
The Charity's 2015-2018 Strategic Plan sets out OCD Action’s vision and the core activities that the Charity plans to undertake . Its purpose is to help the Trustees and the Director plan ahead and ensure that there are clear targets and objectives for each year, so that they are confident that all activities work towards achieving the Charity’s vision.

Visit the website to find out more >

‘Motivation’ in austerity UK and why opposing it will improve our mental health

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 10:57:28 GMT

source: The Orkney News
published: 8 June 2016

Motivation is an impulse that causes people to act. It’s an internal process that makes us move towards a goal. Trouble is we have to set that goal first and believe in it strongly. The eye has to be firmly on the prize or the goal will not be realised.

We can’t observe motivation we can only infer it from someone’s behaviour. In Scotland we can be said to suffer from a ‘cringe’ not universally but there is a cultural norm that pulls us back. Looking at the optimist /pessimist divide how are we placed.

A positive attitude (more on that another time perhaps) does make all the difference. Our perceptions lock on to some things then they cannot be unseen. Thinking outside of the box it reads Opportunity is now here for me. I must be an optimist!

Back to motivation. Theories of motivation describe how people react to reduce their needs and maintain a constant physiological state such as eating to stay in a state of balance or homeostasis.

These theories fail to make sense of why some people can starve themselves for political causes despite extreme hunger, so there is more going on in terms of what motivates us.

Read full article >

Lankelly Chase commissions new national centre of excellence

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 23:14:41 GMT

source: Lankelly Chase Foundation
published: 5 July 2017

Lankelly Chase Foundation has commissioned Queen Mary University of London, the University of Manchester and Words of Colour Productions to establish an independent centre of excellence on ethnic inequalities, severe mental illness and multiple disadvantage.

With a strategic award of £1,245,000, the Synergi Collaborative Centre will deliver a five-year national programme, focused on working towards the transformation of health services for ethnic minority people with severe mental illness.

Over the five years the centre will:

Collate, interpret and communicate data and knowledge on ethnic inequalities in mental health and related systems, and how this relates to severe and multiple disadvantage.
Bring together the full range of stakeholders through models of co-production, and co-curation of knowledge, to develop and implement solutions.
Place lived experience narratives centre stage.
Use creative, digital and evidence-based platforms to share these narratives.
Become a focal point for action, leading to systems change regarding ethnic inequalities in mental health services.
Identify opportunities to reduce and prevent ethnic inequalities to improve the health of individuals and populations.

The centre will take a collaborative approach, using the principles of co-production of knowledge and a creative mix of robust research methods.

Cathy Stancer, Director, Equalities and Rights, Lankelly Chase, said: “ Lankelly Chase’s area of concern is why people dealing with the most severe problems get the least effective support, often resulting in catastrophic outcomes. Through the many projects we have supported, we know that ethnic inequality in mental health remains an intractable issue needing new energy, creativity and collaboration. The creation of the Synergi Collaborative Centre follows several years of engagement with ethnic minority-led organisations who agreed that the way evidence, practice and communities connect is a crucial step towards changing systems. ”

Download full Press Release (pdf file) >

MASH Programme : Post-March contact updates

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 23:11:37 GMT

Please note that from 1st April Tippa Naphtali will no longer be employed by Mind and any input that he provides to the MASH Programme will be limited and on a completely voluntary basis. See details of the closure here >

Please note the following updates:

Email Contact:

From 1st April all email messages to Tippa (via t.naphtali@mind.org.uk ) will be redirected. Please note the new email will be enquiries@mashhub.org.uk . It will be covered intermittently so responses may be considerably delayed at times.

Telephone:

A voicemail message service will be available via 0844 884 3133 . Calls to this number will cost 7p per a minute . Your telephone provider (including mobile providers) may add an additional access charge. For more information on pricing guidelines visit OfComs website >

We are hoping that with any surplus from our budget we will be able to purchase mobile handsets for currently matched mentors who have kindly offered to remain available to provide support to their mentees in a semi-personal capacity. Further news to follow!

Once again please be aware that the 0844 884 3133 voicemail will be covered intermittently so responses may be considerably delayed at times.

Website:

The MASH website and social media profiles will remain online with limited voluntary input by Tippa.

Post-March 2017

Tippa has already had agreement (and held advanced talks) with 3 established community organisations who will be working with him to secure funding for activities that they will deliver for our participants whilst MASH secures new direct funding. Further news to follow!

A full update on what's happening post-March 2017 will be sent via email (and postal newsletter for participants) by the end of March or early April . Occasional newsletters will follow.

MASH Members complete 'Managing My Money' course

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Thu, 09 Mar 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Several MASH members successfully completed the Managing My Money course delivered by Building Bridges Training and sponsored by Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust (BSMHFT) Community Engagement Team.

This was a three day course accredited with the Open College Network West Midlands , for service users who live independently and manage their own budget. The course enables learners to identify bills and expenses, to plan spending in order to maintain a home and recognise regular and weekly expenses; understand fixed and variable costs, and long-term expenses.

The course was delivered through fun activities such as using picture cards, quizzes, completing worksheets and role plays.

Tippa Naphtali (project co-ordinator) said; “This was a brilliant 3 days that really helped service users to identify strategies to help them manage their personal finances more effectively which in turn empowers them and helps to reduce stress levels related to money worries.

“I feel strongly that this course and others like it should be adopted mainstream by BSMHFT and other mental health organisations as a practical way of supporting people with a lived experience to build confidence and resilience”

About Building Bridges Training CIC

Building Bridges Training CIC is an independent social enterprise which makes a difference to people’s lives through delivering training, demonstrating how everyone can contribute towards providing better support and improved services and true inclusion for all. Their training is co-delivered with trainers with a learning disability.

MASH Programme : Theatre Project

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 00:00:00 GMT

LouDeemY Productions delivered eight 3-hour sessions involving mentors, volunteers and mentees/participants exploring mental health, resilience and well-being, through the medium of creative arts.

Aimed at current participants of the MASH Programme, we will engage participants in a variety of interactive arts techniques, including drama, comedy, creative writing, poetry, music, role play, monologue, sketch and ensemble activities.

Participants were encouraged and nurtured in sharing and developing talents they may already have, engaging in new ones, and working together in a safe, supportive and welcoming environment.

The activities themselves will benefitted the participants in terms of increasing their self-confidence, self-worth, self-esteem, self-awareness, awareness of others, ability to work as part of a team and on their own initiative. The project also help them gain/develop a range of social, interactional and communication skills essential to living well in the wider community.

During the course of the eight sessions the participants developed performance pieces around a variety of genres, as individuals and in small and/or large groups to be performed to an invited audience, including potential funders, in March 2017.

The purpose of this performance/sharing will be to demonstrate to the audience the importance and value of the peer mentor and advocacy support group engaging in participant-centred activities provided by the programme in conjunction with third party providers.

Peer Research Project : Get involved!

firststopwebdesign@gmail.com (First Stop Design) — Tue, 07 Mar 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Can you help to make the case for the importance of mentoring services like those provided by MASH?

Would you be willing to take part in a brief and confidential interview?

The MASH Programme is working with Dr Chris Wagstaff (Senior lecturer in nursing. University of Birmingham ) to take part in his study into the MASH mental health peer support programme, from the perspective of the mentors and mentees.

Participants will receive a £10 gift voucher.
Before you decide whether to get involved the following will help you understand why the research is being done and what it would involve for you. See the full guidance sheet here >

What is the purpose of the study?
The aim of this research is to understand participants experiences of being involved with the MASH project, whether that is as a mentor or as a mentee.

Why have you been invited?
You are being asked to participate in this research project if you are currently involved with the MASH project, either that is as a mentor or as a mentee or participant.

Do you have to take part?
It is up to you to decide whether or not to join the study. Dr Wagstaff will describe the study and go through the information sheet with you. If you agree to take part you will be asked to sign a consent form . You are free to withdraw at any time, without giving a reason.

What will happen to me if I take part?
The research will be one interview, which should take about an hour. The questions in the interview will be about you and your experiences of either being a mentor or mentee with the MASH project. The research interview will be recorded and that recording will be written up. At no stage will your personal details be disclosed to any third parties.

See the interview example questions here >

If you are interested please contact:
Dr Chris Wagstaff (Senior lecturer in nursing. University of Birmingham)
E: c.wagstaff@bham.ac.uk
T: 0121-415-8589