30 Jul

Time on my Hands Exhibition – 1 to 24 August 2021

Sunday 1 August to Tuesday 24 August
Artist Gail Curry has selected 35 works submitted by members of the community to go with her own creations for her new Time on my Hands exhibition, showcasing what she created during the pandemic lockdowns. The age range of the exhibitors is 5 to 92, both men and women are well represented and works have been made in a wide range of mediums. The exhibition is being held at the Bank Studio space, which is situated in the former Nat West Bank, within the Beacon Centre in North Shields. The exhibition is open Sunday, Monday and Tuesday 10 am to 4pm, free entry

25 Jul

Mind Mail: What has the impact of coronavirus been on mental health?

“I worry that many people will be traumatised and fall through the cracks.”

Adult survey participant

Following the survey we ran earlier in the year, we heard from almost 12,000 people about the ongoing impact of the pandemic on their mental health. Thank you so much to those of you who filled in the survey or told us your story in your own words. This important research will help us better understand your experiences and fight for what matters to you. It also gives us clear evidence to shape effective mental health services for the future.

A special thanks to Anisah, Blake and Maccartney, who spoke to us about their experience of the past year, how they’ve coped, and what they hope to see in their futures. You can watch the video and read some more of our findings on our website.

Coronavirus and mental health

Our research shows that we have to ensure the pandemic’s after-effects don’t make life worse for people who were disadvantaged before it even started, and that people can access the right support that caters to new and complex needs. We want this research to change lives. That’s why we’re using it as evidence to shape services and fight for what you care about.

If you’re finding things tough right now, you’re not alone. We’re here to provide information and support. Visit our coronavirus hub, or you can use our get help now tool.

Take care,

Candy at Mind

23 Jul

Zoe, Mind Campaigner: Young People Demand Change

Hi

School days – the best days of our lives. So why are kids in classrooms across the country having their school days ruined due to negative treatment of students with mental health problems? That was my experience and unfortunately I was not an exception to the rule. My school did not have the training to deal with mental health problems.

From the pastoral team telling me that they “could do nothing to help me” to a senior member of staff shouting at me to “breathe” during a panic attack. The lack of education for both staff and students on mental health was evident in their discriminatory actions towards me.

Being on the Steering Group for the inquiry report has opened my eyes to so many more flaws in the system

In my role, I hope that I have used my own lived experience and the courageous stories of other people with negative experiences to help create a report and recommendations to the UK Government that accurately display the reality of mental health within schools and that the young people of today are being failed by the system.

Myself and the other steering group members have been involved the whole way through the researching and writing of the report. Lived experience is so fundamental in creating change that matters – it will never be challenged by something you can just learn from a textbook.

There are so many issues within the mental health system. While we need to look at a whole school approach to mental health, we have to look at the lack of treatment options catered to individual needs. We can’t let the UK Government shy away from this any longer.

Thanks so much,

Zoe

Young People Steering Group Member

23 Jul

Studio News! Chilli Studio now open 4 days a week & safety

Welcome to the Chilli mini Newsletter. There’s a lot of exciting things happening soon and opportunities for our members to be involved with.

In this email:

  1. New Chilli Programme & New Studio Safety Guide
  2. Beach Art Day
  3. Chilli Studios Annual Exhibition now on!
  4. Support links

NEW Programme NEW Studio Safety Guide!

Chilli Studios programme is expanding an extra day, adding more workshops and we can increase numbers attending each too (a little bit). Basically more CHILLI! No booking is needed other than one to ones, music rooms and advice.

With the current high rates of covid-19 in the North East our charity has decided to maintain a number of safety practices and review these with the changing situation and Government Guidance. This is also because we have a diverse community that includes many with risky multiple health issues and through a questionnaire, members meeting and members feedback this is the best way forward together – keeping everyone safe with respect.

Do join us for creative stimulus and social. Using creativity as a focus on supporting our mental health.
Chilli Studios is an Arts and Mental Health Charity run via a subsidised membership scheme. Membership is needed for engagement in our activity unless advertised as Public/Free. It is a flexible, accessible membership we are happy to discuss with you.

For more info see https://www.chillistudios.co.uk/membership
info@chillistudios.co.uk
0191 209 4058

“Creatively Improving Mental Health”
#chillilove #kindnesmatters #mentalhealthawareness #creativityandwellbeing

 

BEACH ART DAY FRIDAY 16th July 12-3pm @ Whitley Bay near The Rendezvouz Cafe.
Chilli Studio Members only please.

 

NEVER NORMAL
Chilli Studios Annual Exhibition
July 7th-24th, Wed-Sat 12-5pm
@ Vane Gallery, First Floor, Commercial Union House,
39 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6QE

Chilli Studios annual exhibition showcases a diverse collection of over fifty artists. It is a celebration of the immense creativity of our members and their valuable personal experiences through the testing period of 2020-2021. Playfully approaching the media’s concept of “The new normal”, this show questions notions of “Normality” and our individual and collective experiences of mental health.

“This year has only highlighted the importance of art to our mental health and wellbeing. Using art as a powerful and liberating tool to often distract and heal ourselves, to self-express, to also challenge and make actions towards change.” Jo Burke, Arts Coordinator.

Opening times:
Reduced capacity of venue viewing is in place.
No need to book. Groups of 6+ please contact venue prior info@vane.org.uk
Vane is open Wednesday-Saturday, 12-5pm, admission free.
Vane, First Floor, Commercial Union House, 39 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6QE.

 

Support Links

Remember, there is comfort in knowing that you are not alone, we will come together soon and be stronger still.

Chilli Love to all x

Chilli Studio Team

21 Jul

Healthwatch North Tyneside News – 8 July 2021

Read our latest annual report detailing our achievements over the past 12 months and our priorities for the coming year. Find out where to get vaccinations, how to cancel and change vaccination appointments, and other answers to commonly asked questions. View our current surveys and hear from our volunteer Antalya about being part of the Healthwatch team.

Have your say

Have you recently had your COVID-19 vaccine in North Tyneside?

We’re continuing to gather feedback about getting a COVID-19 vaccine. In particular we’d like to hear from people who have received their vaccine at a North Tyneside vaccine centre in June or July. Tell us where you received the vaccine, what was done well and what could be improved in this short survey.

Tell us your experience here

 

Carers’ survey

We want to hear about carers’ views and experiences in a survey from North Tyneside Carers’ Centre and Healthwatch North Tyneside, on behalf of North Tyneside’s Carers Partnership Board. Your views will help local services better understand carers’ issues and identify ways to improve services. You could also win £100.

Tell us your experiences as a carer

 

Our news

In what was an unprecedented year, Healthwatch North Tyneside stepped up to the mark. We not only delivered on our core charitable aims of sharing health and care information and ensuring people’s voices were heard, but also rethought the way we worked to better support local people during the pandemic.

Download our annual report here

 

How to get a COVID-19 vaccine

We’ve created a comprehensive guide to getting a vaccine in North Tyneside, with help from our partners North Tyneside VODA, Community Health Champions, TyneHealth  and North Tyneside CCG.

A guide to getting a COVID-19 vaccine

How to change or cancel a vaccine appointment

We are often asked how to change or cancel vaccine appointments, so we’ve put together a step-by-step guide for both the national and local booking systems.

A guide to changing or cancelling appointments

 

Local health news

The latest vaccination sites

The drive to increase vaccine rates in North Tyneside continues with the provision of a number of walk-in clinics and bookable appointments in community pharmacies. North Tyneside Council are keeping their website up-to-date with the latest vaccination sites. Find dates, times and locations here in the Testing and Vaccination section. https://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/page/26134/coronavirus-covid-19#test-and-vaccination

The Community Health Champions are also sharing regular updates on their Facebook page. Follow them at https://www.facebook.com/ChampionsNT/

 

How long to wait between vaccine doses?

Lots of people have been asking how long to wait between COVID vaccination doses. The Government announced earlier this week that it should be 8 weeks between the first and second dose for all ages. There may be clinical reasons that mean you could get your second dose earlier but you would need to discuss that with your vaccinator.

Vaccine passports

You can access your NHS COVID Pass through the free NHS App on a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet. Proof of your COVID-19 status will be shown within the NHS App, which can be downloaded as a PDF. For a paper copy call 119.

The NHS COVID Pass will show that you have had a full course of vaccinations.

Please DO NOT contact your GP as they are unable to provide you with the pass.

Vaccination programme update

 

TyneHealth launch their Long COVID webpage

The website and social media campaign #MyLongCOVID provides trusted information and support on Long COVID for both North Tyneside residents and healthcare professionals. Visit the webpage at https://tynehealth.org.uk/long-covid/

Keep up to date with the latest information about COVID-19 and the vaccination programme on the TyneHealth website https://tynehealth.org.uk/covid-19/

 

Competition winner

Congratulations to Richelle Duffy from North Shields, the winner of our prescription services survey prize draw, who’ll be receiving £25 Love2Shop vouchers.

 

Our volunteers

 

Volunteers’Week 2021

It has been a while since we had a chance to meet face-to-face with our amazing volunteers, so we all really enjoyed our Volunteers’ Week celebration event at the Linskill Centre. Our volunteers told us they are really looking forward to getting out and about again as soon as restrictions allow.

Find out more about becoming a Healthwatch volunteer

 

Useful information and opportunities

LD:NorthEast launch Health Cards – an easy read resource to help with health related appointments

The Health Cards use Easy Read text and pictures to explain what may happen during a medical or health related appointment. The cards can be used in various health settings to help reduce fears and anxieties, and to help ask and answer questions. Download the cards on the LD North East website.

 

Consider mental health support for some people with acne, says NICE

NICE have recommended mental health support for people who experience acne, which can lead to psychological distress and in some cases contribute to a mental health disorder. Read more here

 

Latest news and reports from Healthwatch England

 

Please feel free to forward this email to anyone who may find it useful and they can sign up here to receive their own copy. If you’d like an article included in a future eNews, please email l.johnson@hwnt.co.uk

Follow us on social media for the latest local health and care news and information

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09 Jul

Northern Pride Festival 2021

Northern Pride Festival 2021 in Newcastle will be a virtual event once again with a packed online programme set to bring the celebration directly to your living rooms on Saturday 24 July 2021.

North East festival-goers are invited to show their pride virtually when one of the UK’s largest LGBTQ+ events returns for another online event. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, organisers of the Northern Pride Festival, sponsored by Barclays, have decided to postpone the ‘in person’ event but will make a splash online in 2021 and have plans to return in style with their UK Pride status in 2022.

Gok Wan will join Miss Rory with hosting duties for the Northern Pride Online 2.1 which will be beamed into your homes, mobiles devices and smart speakers.

You can watch Northern Pride 2021 on Facebook and YouTube, listen via Pride Radio or catch the highlights on Local TV on Freeview, Sky and Virgin TV.

Watch the Northern Pride Trailer for 2021

For further info, please contact mesmac@newcastle.gov.uk

09 Jul

FREE – Adult Outdoor Well Being Activities

Hello

It is with great pleasure to announce the WinG Outdoor Club is able to offer a selection of free outdoor activities for adults over the coming months.

The purpose of the activities is to provide some relief, enjoyment and connection with nature after enduring challenging times.  Available to adults who wish to improve their mental wellbeing, physical health, socialise and learn new skills by undertaking a range of outdoor activities. 

Activities can include Forest school sessions, Canoeing, Mountain Biking and Country Walks.  Sessions are from 10am – 4pm weekdays.  All necessary outdoor equipment, instruction and resources provided.

Download poster here.

To find out more please contact:

WinG Outdoor Club

Nick Coates – Outdoor Activities Provider

Email: nickcoates.wing@gmail.com

Telephone No 07506 176 888

Messenger: WinG Outdoor Club

Website:  www.wingoutdoorclub.org

06 Jul

NTAS II What’s On – July 2021

Our aim is to raise awareness of positive mental health and wellbeing through the arts.

Details of workshops and online events can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/NorthTynesideArtStudio/

NTAS ll is situated in The Forum Shopping Centre, Wallsend.

To book a session please email: booking.ntas2@gmail.com
Phone: 0191 2961156

Download the flyer here.