North Tyneside Carers’ Centre are launching dedicated new support for bereaved carers. Running from October – March 2021, bereaved carers will have the opportunity to take part in a range of activities as we take the necessary steps together for what “tomorrow” brings.
Join us for an informal meeting via Zoom 1pm, 18th November 2020
Download flyer here.
Andrea Lanaghan
Carer Community Link Worker
North Tyneside Carers’ Centre
Meet other carers and enjoy some time for yourself at our introductory coffee morning with Sophie from Tyne & Wear Museums and Jacqui from North Tyneside Carers’ Centre.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation these sessions may be changed to
online only. Please check our website for the most up to date details www.northtynesidecarers.org.uk.
Download poster here.
Traincon Learning, based in Wallsend, is offering free training for anyone who is a carer and would like to come along and join the ‘Heal Yourself Build your Future’ training course. The training has been adapted to be offered via zoom over 4 sessions and scheduled to take place on Mondays/Wednesdays in the weeks leading up to Christmas, starting on Wednesday 18th November. The training is specifically targeted at anyone who is within an unpaid caring role.
Download the flyer here. Anyone interested can contact Bridget Woodhead at Bridget@trainconlearning.co.uk
My name is Ebony, and I recently started volunteering as a Community Activist for Mind.
For a long time I was unaware I was experiencing anxiety, even though I have a background working in mental health myself! Any small unexpected change at work or home would cause my heart and mind to race uncontrollably.
When I went on statutory maternity leave I had my first experience of living on such a small amount every two weeks. As well as my existing anxiety, I faced the extra worry of how I was going to manage financially.
It’s time we openly acknowledge the intricate relationship between mental and financial health. The benefits system should strive to promote independence and empower people. It needs empathetic staff and processes that take into account the mental health of the people they deal with.
Because of my own personal struggle with mental health and debt, I now run a small business that helps women and families with both their mental and financial health. This also inspired me to become a Community Activist.
As a Community Activist, I was given training by Mind on the campaign to improve the benefits system for people with mental health problems, as well as practical training on how to go about meeting with my MP.
I was nervous at the thought of talking to my MP initially. I mean MPs go to the House of Commons! I was worried about getting tongue tied whilst talking. But to my surprise he was so down to earth – he made me feel really relaxed and expressed a real interest and concern for mental health and the local community. He also acknowledged how much the pandemic will have increased pre-existing mental health issues. He suggested we meet to discuss Mind’s campaign to improve mental health and finances over a coffee soon!
If you are thinking of campaigning in your local area, I say go for it! You can sign up to become a Community Activist by filling in a simple application form on the website.
Apply to be a Community Activist
Becoming a Community Activist has given me the confidence to push for further change in the area I live in. My campaigning doesn’t stop here! I plan to take my MP up on his offer and see what suggestions he has to help raise awareness and support for mental health and the Mind benefits campaign.
Take care,
Ebony
Twisting Ducks Theatre Company are inviting people with learning disabilities and/or autism to join their employability training.
The programme involves job coaching, using drama approaches to explore employability skills, and supported work experience.
The funding is restricted to people who are unemployed and not in full time education. To be eligible, people have to live in one of the areas within the red boundary on the map (see flyer). People are taking part via Zoom at the moment, but they can arrange risk assessed one-to-one meetings with individuals if they are not digitally active.
Download the flyer here.
Time to Change to close after funding ends
It is with great sadness that we announce that Time to Change as England’s primary anti-stigma and discrimination programme will close on 31 March 2021 when the campaign’s funding ends.
You have played an integral role in our overall success – you and more than 1600 Pledged Employers employing more than 4 million people across England have championed this cause and created a more open and understanding culture around mental health problems in the workplace. Together we have improved public attitudes by 12.7% over the past 15 years.
We want to say a huge thank you for helping to improve the lives of those of us with mental health problems, for enabling everyone to bring their whole selves to work, to create safe spaces for people to seek support and for everything you’ve done to support and amplify our message through your work.
Although we have been unable to secure government funding we will continue campaigning right up until the last moment.
We will be working with our Charity Partners, Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, to embed anti-stigma ambitions in what they do, share our learnings with others, and of course deliver our remaining peaks of national activity: Ask Twice in November and Time to Talk Day on Thursday 4 February 2021.
Reaching Out
Ask Twice this November
Now, more than ever, we know everyone’s mental health is under pressure. But there is something you can do to help. This November, you can work with us to tackle mental health sigma and discrimination by getting more people than ever to ‘Ask twice’. Launching on 19 November – International Men’s Day – we want everyone to keep it simple and Ask Twice.
Last year alone our Ask Twice messaging encouraged over 600,000 men to ask their mates twice, with a further 2.27 million saying it made them think about stepping in for a mate. So this really can make a difference to men’s lives – but only if we reach them.
Your channels can make all the difference in reaching more people, making sure they take the time to ask twice – and building their confidence to do this. And you’ll be doing even more to tackle mental health stigma.
Our Story
Time to Change Impact Report 2019 – 2020
We’re proud to publish our latest impact report detailing the strides the campaign has made this year to change the way we think and act about mental health in the workplace, in schools and in communities.
Useful Resources
Delivering behaviour change in the workplace
Part of Time to Change’s new Impact Series, this publication explores the tools and models the Time to Change Employers Programme has utilised to create behaviour change in workplaces across England for the last 15 years.
Being anti-racist in the workplace
This toolkit, curated by Mind’s Equality Improvement Manager, sets out a number of useful resources and publications for organisations committed to progressing their journey to becoming proudly anti-racist.
Upcoming Events
10 NOV
Masterclass: Mental Health Policy
In this Masterclass, Mind’s legal team will be discussing the importance of having a mental health policy in place, why policies matter and the importance of policy review. This event will run from 12-1pm on Thursday 10 November. Participation will be via Zoom.
19 NOV
International Men’s Day
Save the date! This International Men’s Day we’ll be launching this year’s Ask Twice campaign.
It is with great sadness that I have to announce that Time to Change will close on 31 March 2021 when our funding ends. I had hoped to have been able to secure funding for a future phase of our work because we know there’s still so much more to be done – but this has not been possible.
While Time to Change has been the principal mechanism by which our Charity Partners – Mind and Rethink Mental Illness – have delivered behaviour change at individual, organisational and community levels since 2007, they have always challenged, and will continue to challenge stigma and discrimination in their own work.
Over the next few months, we will turn our attention to embedding our anti-stigma outcomes into the work of our Charity Partners, sharing our learning with those within and beyond our sector and of course delivering our two peaks of national activity: the Ask Twice campaign in November and Time to Talk Day on Thursday 4 February 2021.
I do not underestimate the devastating impact this news will have on many of you and while you’ll each react in different ways please remember to look after yourselves or reach out for support, whether that be through your friends, your family or your colleagues. If you need any additional support, there are lots of organisations who are there to help – you can see a list of these on our website.
Although we have been unable to secure funding we will continue to campaign right up until 31 March 2021. I hope you continue to campaign alongside us and long into the future.
Please keep an eye out for your supporters’ newsletter where you will be able to find the latest updates and information on how you can be part of celebrating the success of Time to Change.
Jo Loughran
Director of Time to Change
Racism has impacted on Black people’s mental health throughout history, and it continues to shape the lives and mental health of Black people today. This Black History Month and beyond, we need to do everything we can to ensure it doesn’t continue to affect our present.
We know that in England, Black men are four times more likely to be admitted against their will to hospital for treatment, and three times more likely to be restrained or held in isolation while in hospital than white men. Despite research showing that people exposed to racism are more likely to experience mental health problems, Black people are less likely to receive therapy. Systemic inequality has also meant Black people have faced higher risks of illness and death from coronavirus, making many people’s mental health worse at an already difficult time.
As campaigners, we know the reasons for these inequalities are deeply rooted in historic and systemic racism.
At Mind, we have a proud history of supporting groups that face discrimination and unequal support for their mental health. Our policy and campaigning work is no exception: with your help, we have campaigned to bring in ‘Seni’s law’ to dramatically reduce the use of restraint in mental health services, and we are still fighting to combat the racial disparities in the use of the Mental Health Act and other mental health services.
But we know that this isn’t enough. The Black Lives Matter movement and the disproportionate impact coronavirus has had on Black people has made us examine how we address systemic racism – both in our campaigning work, and in the organisation as a whole.
In our new strategy for 2021, we are committing to becoming an anti-racist organisation. We are undertaking an organisation wide review to identify what we must do to achieve this goal.
We know it won’t be easy, but creating change never is, as all campaigners know. We look forward to sharing this journey with you.
Take care,
The Mind Campaigns Team
Listen to us!
Enjoy this newsletter on the go by downloading our podcast at soundcloud.com/healthwatch-newcastle
Because we all care
COVID-19 has affected all our lives and how we access all of our NHS and social care services. Services are doing everything they can to support you and your loved ones but they need our help to know how they can improve.
Research to date shows that just over half of people in the North East say they are more likely to take steps to improve health and social care services since the outbreak of COVID-19.
Join our national campaign and share your experiences of care.
Take the Healthwatch survey at https://tinyurl.com/because2020
If you would like assistance in completing the survey over the phone email info@healthwatchnewcastle.org.uk or call Freephone 0808 178 9282.
#BecauseWeAllCare
Accessing children and young people’s health services
Healthwatch Newcastle is working in partnership with Healthwatch Gateshead and Children North East.
We’re gathering local children and young people’s experiences of accessing health settings. We’d like to hear from their parents and carers too.
Experiences can be shared in several ways — through online focus groups, 1-to-1 phone calls, via email or text and WhatsApp. Everyone who shares their experience can enter a draw to win a £25 voucher as a thank you.
If you run a group for children and young people in Newcastle, please also get in touch to see how we can work together.
If you have ideas for future topics for discussion, would like to join the forum or work with us, please email our Volunteer and Outreach Co-ordinator, Jacqui Thompson, at jacqui@healthwatchnewcastle.org.uk or text/WhatsApp/voice call 07538 857 627.
How COVID-19 shapes our work: the future of outreach
We are always looking at ways to connect with local organisations and gather views. It has proved very difficult this year for obvious reasons! So, we are exploring new ways to speak to people and listen to their current experiences.
On 8 October, Volunteer and Outreach Co-ordinator, Jacqui Thompson, held our first online forum to reach out to local organisations. We invited organisations to join us to discuss what 2020 had been like for them and their service users.
We also wanted to explore ideas about how outreach can work in this new environment. Problems caused by the suspension of treatment and services during the pandemic was a common theme in our discussions.
Thanks to everyone who attended the forum — you can read more about it at www.healthwatchnewcastle.org.uk/news/newcastle-outreach
If you have any ideas for future topics or would like to work with us, please email our Volunteer and Outreach Co-ordinator, Jacqui Thompson, at jacqui@healthwatchnewcastle.org.uk or text/WhatsApp/voice call 07538 857 627.
COVID-19 restrictions in Newcastle
A new three-tier system of local lockdown measures came into force for England on Wednesday 14 October. These are medium, high and very high.
At the time of publishing this newsletter, Newcastle is in the ‘high’ category — tier 2. The table shows what this means in practice. Restrictions include no household mixing indoors, the ‘rule of six’ applying outdoors, and pubs and restaurants having to close at 10pm.
You can download a poster of the table above at www.healthwatchnewcastle.org.uk/news/tier-2-newcastle
Find out more about tier 2 at www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-level-high
If you were previously shielding, the government has produced updated guidance to support those who are clinically extremely vulnerable at https://tinyurl.com/s5pc7wh
Accessing dental care
NHS dentists across the North East are prioritising dental care for those who require immediate attention. Patients requiring an urgent appointment should be offered the next available slot, whether or not they have been treated on the NHS previously at the practice.
Strict infection control procedures have to take place between appointments and this reduces the number of patients that dentists can treat on a daily basis. As a result routine dental care, such as dental check-ups, may not be available at this time.
The measures are expected to remain in place regardless of any local lockdown restrictions, so patients can be assured that their urgent dental needs will be met.
What’s been your experience of dental care in recent months?
Please let us know by completing our ‘Because we all care’ survey at https://tinyurl.com/because2020
If you have sought NHS dental treatment in the last seven months and have a specific experience you would like to share, you can also email our Volunteer and Outreach Co-ordinator, Jacqui Thompson, on jacqui@healthwatchnewcastle.org.uk or text/WhatsApp/voice call 07538 857 627.
If you need urgent help with your mental health or learning disability
If you need urgent help with your mental health right now and live in Newcastle or Gateshead please call:
Adults — 0800 652 2863
Children and young people — 0800 652 2864
Phone lines are open for open to all, 24 hours a day.
For more information on NHS support visit www.cntw.nhs.uk/need-help-now
Finding cancer early saves lives
Although the number of urgent cancer referrals is back up to 85% of pre-COVID levels, there are still some people who may have worrying symptoms and are not contacting their GP.
If you’ve had unexplained blood that doesn’t come from an obvious injury, an unexplained lump, weight loss which feels significant to you or an unexplained pain that lasts three weeks or more, it could be a sign of cancer. It’s probably nothing serious, but finding cancer early makes it more treatable, so do please speak to your GP. Your NHS is there to see you, safely.
Find out more about symptoms at www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer/symptoms
Volunteer to help find the vaccine for COVID-19
We mentioned in last month’s newsletter that several vaccines for COVID-19 are being developed, but only large scale studies can give researchers information about how effective they are.
The National Institute for Health Research is working with the NHS and aims to recruit people onto a volunteer register. This allows people to be put in touch with vaccine studies in the coming months.
Researchers say 270,000 people across the UK have signed up so far but thousands more are needed, particularly from groups more vulnerable to COVID-19.
More people from black and Asian backgrounds are being urged to volunteer to help ensure potential coronavirus vaccines work for everyone. More people over the age of 65 or with chronic diseases are also needed.
Take part at https://bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk
Get fit in your own home
HowFit is a new exercise programme from the NHS that helps you keep fit in the comfort of your own home. especially when it’s difficult to get out. It’s been designed in conjunction with a personal trainer and professional physiotherapists and doesn’t need any special equipment.
Everyone in our area is receiving an NHS HowFit booklet through their door. Online videos and animations demonstrate how to do the exercises.
Find out more at www.healthwatchnewcastle.org.uk/news/howfit
Experiencing domestic abuse?
A joint investigation by the BBC’s Panorama programme and Women’s Aid during the summer found that two-thirds of women in abusive relationships had suffered increased violence from their partners during the pandemic.
If you’re experiencing domestic abuse, or feel at risk, help is on hand. Call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on Freephone 0808 2000 247 or go to www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk (for women and children). You can also chat live online Monday to Friday, 3pm – 6pm.
Men experiencing domestic abuse can find help at https://mensadviceline.org.uk
Boots pharmacies have safe spaces. Ask staff at the counter to use the consultation room. Once inside, you will find the 24-hour national domestic abuse helpline, the men’s advice line and other resources.
If you are in immediate danger always call 999 and ask for the police. If you can’t speak dial +55 when prompted by the operator (mobiles only).
Shape the future of health research — enter the Multiverse Lab
People living north of the Tyne are being asked to shape the future of health research by taking part in an interactive online experience called Multiverse Lab.
Multiverse Lab will gather the opinions of 2,000 people to find out what matters to local people when it comes to their health.
Through a specially designed website, Multiverse Lab asks visitors the question, ‘What is the health breakthrough you hope to see in your lifetime?’
Read more at https://healthwatchgateshead.co.uk/news/multiverse-lab
Printing this newsletter
We’re currently unable to provide copies of this newsletter. If you would like a version you can print out you can find copies of all our recent newsletters at www.healthwatchnewcastle.org.uk/about-us/resources
Over 317,000 households across Gateshead, Newcastle and North Tyneside will have the new HowFit (Home Wellbeing and Fitness) Plan instructional leaflet delivered to their homes free of charge in October. The Plan is designed to help people improve their fitness and health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the aid of a brand new website, HowFit encourages users of any ability, from chair based to fairly fit, to undertake a plan of simple exercises that can be carried out at home without the need for any special equipment.
The programme has been created by local Consultant Physician, Dr Steve Parry, in partnership with NHS North Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Newcastle Gateshead CCG.
More information can be found on the HowFit website at www.howfittoday.co.uk
