The UK Government has produced new guidance and information for people under the age of 25 who cares for a family member who cannot cope without their support during the coronavirus pandemic.
As part of North Tyneside’s COVID-19 recovery, VODA has created a new Good Neighbours volunteer buddy scheme to help support beneficiaries to take their first steps back out into the world. The roles include:
Each role has been created to support people with specific elements of their emergence from isolation. VODA are looking to recruit new volunteers to help with this scheme, if you are interested you can read more about the roles and sign up here
The Campaign to End Loneliness’ new report is the first of its kind to look at how psychological approaches can help tackle loneliness. Due to lockdown, more people than ever before are reporting feelings of loneliness. Mindfulness, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and positive psychology are all approaches that can help people who are feeling lonely.
The goal is that the evidence and insights in this report will shine new light on this issue and improve our collective ability to tackle loneliness.
This is the first policy report on loneliness and psychology in the UK and there is still much to learn. Nevertheless, the case for action is clear.
The report has the backing of the Minister for Loneliness, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, Cruse Bereavement Care, Relate and the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
To read the report visit: The Psychology of Loneliness Report
We are currently offering free on-line courses in:
Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
Level 2 Certificate in Equality and Diversity
Level 2 Certificate in Awareness of Mental Health Problems
Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Safeguarding and Prevent
Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties
Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Behaviour That Challenges
Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Data Protection and Data Security
Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Team Leading
Level 2 Certificate in Information, Advice or Guidance
This is for people living in Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland, we may also be able to take a small number from the South Tyneside area.
HOW DO OUR COURSES WORK?
The qualifications are delivered by flexible learning and you will be allocated a personal tutor to support you.
You will be provided with learning and assessment materials that have been developed to meet the qualification requirements. The course is fully online, although you will also receive paper-based materials which you can work from, and keep for future reference. Upon enrolment you will be given submission deadlines for each unit. When you complete the work is completely up to you, as long as it’s submitted by each deadline. Your assessment questions answers are submitted through our online portal and then sent off to your tutor for marking and guidance. Your tutor will provide you with written feedback on the assessments you submit, as well as be on hand for any additional support needs you may have.
AM I ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING?
To be considered for this course you must:
* Live in England
* Be aged 19+
* Not currently be on any other funded programme or an apprenticeship
* Have lived in the EU for at least 3 years
* Not have already completed the course
* Live in a non-devolved postcode area (we will check this for you if you decide to go ahead with the course)
It doesn’t matter if you’re employed or unemployed, and unlike some other courses, it’s available to those who have previously studied at degree level.
Please note that you are required to complete a short, untimed English informal assessment online prior to enrolment. This is purely to ensure that you have an appropriate level of English to complete the course but no formal results are recorded so please don’t worry about this.
WHAT NEXT?
If you are happy to go ahead and enrol on this course, please respond to this email as soon as possible. Can you please call on 07501 161 011 or email me your number
Alternatively, if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask or check our website at www.keytraining.co.uk for further information
John
John McKegney
Business Engagement Executive
Key Training Limited
22 Dean Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1PG
Mobile: 07501161011
Tel: 0191 908 4397
email: john.mckegney@keytraining.co.uk
Web: www.keytraining.co.uk
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Community groups in Newcastle are being invited to share their own secrets of happiness by taking part in free, happiness-themed storytelling workshops. The workshops are run by the team behind the new podcast, The Geordie Guide to Happiness.
Podcast host and creator, Alex Henry, explains: “We’re interviewing all sorts of special guests, exploring how different people find happiness and look after their mental health. We’ve already heard from groups as diverse as Tyneside Women’s Health and Chilli Studios, which helps people improve their mental health through art, but we’d love to involve more people in spreading some extra happiness across Newcastle and beyond.”
The podcast also explores what’s special about Newcastle and its surroundings, and how being in the city makes life happier for its residents.
Community groups of all kinds are invited to take part in free, online workshops to share their own members’ stories about what makes them happy.
Listen to the podcasts at: www.thegeordieguidetohappiness.co.uk
To find out more, email Alex Henry on: hello@thegeordieguidetohappiness.co.uk
Download a flyer for a new Encompass initiative to support people with their employability and career success here.
Many thanks
Helen
Please note I work Tuesday to Friday
Helen Collins
Development Worker – Encompass
Linskill and North Tyneside Community Development Trust, Linskill Centre, Linskill Terrace, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE30 2AY
T: 0191 257 8000 Xt 4271
Charity No: 1119143
Company No: 04827255“`
Test four of our five tests asks the UK Government to provide a financial safety net to protect people with mental health problems from falling into poverty. A crucial part of this is making benefits assessments more accessible.
Assessments can be stressful for anyone, but for those of us with mental health problems, being forced to have the wrong type of benefits assessment can be traumatic, discriminatory, and financially devastating.
Do you have experience of applying for disability benefits during the coronavirus pandemic, or can you share this email with someone who has? We’re gathering evidence directly from people with mental health problems who’ve faced this process.
Last week, Nadia* told us about her telephone assessment:
“She just called me in the morning and I was working […] I burst into tears. I was just overwhelmed immediately. [You should at least help] people to choose what is going to not just exhaust them immediately or overwhelm them immediately, right? It becomes less intimidating because you’re able to choose. A process like this doesn’t have to be so horrible.”
People like Nadia should be able to choose when they have their assessment, and if it is by phone, video call, on paper, or in person (when it’s safe to do so). Making these changes now is even more urgent: the UK Government has announced that people already on benefits may have to face a reassessment, which could risk people losing their income during this pandemic.
We’re using this evidence to call for people to be able to choose the type of assessment that’s right for them. The Department of Work and Pensions has now suggested there could be a ‘menu’ of options in the future, and we’ll keep fighting for this to include real choice for people with mental health problems.
Take care,
Nancy
*Not her real name
Hi there
We just wanted to let you know that our helpline is up and running again and draw your attention to the possible impact of proposed ‘call before you walk’ access to A&E services.
We hope you’re plodding on in a manageable way and that we will be able to bring more useful service updates very soon.
With best wishes
All at Self injury Support
UK-WIDE WOMEN’S SELF INJURY HELPLINE RE-OPEN
We’re really pleased to announce that we are able to re-open our UK-wide self harm helpline for women and girls offering non-judgemental compassionate support from 7-9.30pm on Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 22nd July 2020.
After a four month closure we are incredibly happy to announce that the UK-wide CASS Women’s Self injury Support Helpline is open again on Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 7-9.30pm on 0808 800 8088.
Although we were able to keep our text, email and webchat services running remotely, our phone service has been more tricky to run, for both technical and confidentiality reasons. But with the easing of some lockdown measures and our shiny new office risk assessment we are able to take calls again from Wednesday 22nd July at 7pm.
SHARE YOUR VIEWS ON THE IMPACT OF ‘CALL BEFORE YOU WALK’ FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED SELF HARM TREATMENT
The NHS in England and Wales is considering using a ‘call before you walk’ approach to attending A&E over the winter to try and reduce pressures on A&E.
What has been suggested is:
We have been contacted by some people who attend A&E for self-harm treatment to say they have concerns about this approach and we would like to gather more views so that we can feed them back to policy makers in this area.
We can talk to policy makers about how this will impact on people who need self-harm treatment and how to make sure they get the treatment they need.
PO Box 3240, Bristol BS2 2EF I www.selfinjurysupport.org.uk I info@selfinjurysupport.org.uk
Support for women and girls, resources and training for all
Tuesday to Thursday 7-9.30pm
Text: 07537 432 444 email: tessmail@selfinjurysupport.org.uk or webchat via link on website
Keep up to date with resources, innovation & research around self injury – sign up for our monthly ebulletin
A new normal
There are very few jobs that have not been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. From furlough to job losses and financial insecurity, to simply losing the structure of our daily routines, coronavirus has changed working life significantly. Furthermore, many people have been facing this time without being able to see their loved ones in person.
We’ve put together a hub of information about how you can navigate this strange time. Whether you’re a line manager looking for ways to support your team, struggling to work from home or facing redundancy, we hope this information helps.
We know many of us are not working – we’ve also got some information about how to look after your mental wellbeing during this time, including some tips about how to continue navigating spending more time at home.
Take care,
Emma at Mind
Update from our Project Manager
Our Project Manager, Rachel Wilkins, has been focussing on the information we have received over the past few weeks. In particular, she has been looking at the data coming in via our latest survey ‘COVID-19: health and social care experiences in Newcastle and Gateshead’.
Rachel is producing monthly reports summarising the data from this survey. This is so we can make sure we regularly give feedback to services on people’s views as we all adapt to changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read more at www.healthwatchnewcastle.org.uk/news/update-from-our-project-manager
Improving participation in GP practices
We jointly launched the pilot of our ‘Healthwatch Participation in Practice’ award with Healthwatch Gateshead in September last year. This is a best practice award for Patient Participation Groups (PPGs).
Twelve practices and their patient participation groups (PPGs) across Newcastle and Gateshead signed up to take part. Over the past ten months we have supported them to become more effective with these initiatives:
In March, the impact of COVID-19 meant we had to put all our activities associated with the pilot on hold. However, we continue to offer online support to those participants who wished to keep working on the award. We are delighted to announce that Newcastle Medical Centre is the first practice to complete the award, with distinction (Practice Manager Cheryl Mooney pictured).
The remaining practices will complete their activities over the coming months and we plan to end the pilot in December 2020. Healthwatch and the Academic Health Science Network will evaluate the pilot in the New Year. If the outcome of the evaluation is positive, we will consider how it can be made available to all local GP practices and their PPGs.
Join our Healthwatch Committee
Would you like to help us fulfil our vision to be Newcastle’s independent and trusted voice for outstanding social care and health services for all?
We’re on the lookout for members to join our Healthwatch Committee. These are voluntary, unpaid roles although travel and carers’ expenses will be covered.
If you would like to discuss becoming a Committee member, please email Cynthia Atkin, Interim Operations Manager, at cynthia@healthwatchnewcastle.org.uk
Join our TUN Board
Tell Us North (TUN) is a Community Interest Company that involves people in shaping improvements that impact on health and wellbeing in the North East. TUN currently holds the contracts for Healthwatch Newcastle and Healthwatch Gateshead and is seeking a new Chair.
This is a voluntary tole that requires a time commitment of between two to three days per month (depending upon the activity and the timing of meetings) including attendance at quarterly Board meetings.
Find out more at www.healthwatchnewcastle.org.uk/work-with-us
Listen to us!
Enjoy this newsletter on the go by downloading our podcast at soundcloud.com/healthwatch-newcastle
COVID-19 information and support
There is a lot of information out there about COVID-19 (coronavirus). Unfortunately, not all the information is correct or accurate and some of the incorrect advice is potentially dangerous. The government and the NHS are asking that people use official and reliable sources of information.
See our links to helpful COVID-19 information at www.healthwatchnewcastle.org.uk/covid-19
Tune in to ‘Health Matters’
This weekly radio currently covers the health and social care aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The next few shows are looking at issues relating to coming out of lockdown. Past shows have included advice from a pharmacist who works with the NHS 111 service, a primary school teacher and parent of young children, a hypnotherapist, a psychologist and a men’s mental wellbeing advocate.
Listen in next on Tuesday 28 July from 2pm to 4pm on 98.8 FM or listen online at www.spicefm.co.uk
Catch up with previous Health Matters shows at https://soundcloud.com/spice_fm
Need an eye care appointment?
With the easing of lockdown, opticians have started routine work but are prioritising people with vision and eye concerns. They advise ringing ahead to make an appointment rather than just turning up. They are also encouraging patients to wear a face covering to the appointment and to attend on their own where possible.
Northumbria, Tyne and Wear LOC (Local Optical Committee) has launched a new website. It holds a list of providers that offer sight tests to people in their own homes, if they can’t attend the opticians unaccompanied.
Find out more at https://tinyurl.com/y78uqmy2
Find out how to keep safe at your opticians at https://tinyurl.com/y8r8morc
How busy is the toon?
Planning on shopping, socialising or getting a haircut?! Newcastle University’s Urban Observatory has a real-time map of Newcastle city centre. There’s a traffic light display showing social distancing information:
The site also provides information on parking capacity.
Take a look at www.howbusyistoon.com
Wearing a face covering
From Friday 24 July wearing a face covering will be compulsory in shops and supermarkets in England. This is to keep the virus under control while lockdown restrictions are being eased. Exemptions will be made for children under the age of 11, as well as those with certain disabilities and medical conditions.
Failure to comply could result in a £100 fine, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days. Enforcement will only be carried out by the police.
Find out more at https://tinyurl.com/gov-face-cover
Printing this newsletter
We’re currently unable to provide copies of this newsletter.
If you would like a version you can print out yourself please email info@healthwatchnewcastle.org.uk
