16 May

Update from Time to Change – 12 May 2020

Time to Change

No one should have to fear being treated differently because of a mental health problem, and that’s why we’re working to end mental health stigma and discrimination. By sharing the image below on your social media this Mental Health Awareness Week (18–24 May) you’ll help us reach even more people.

And why not share this newsletter with your friends and family and encourage them to do the same?

We know that while attitudes towards mental health are improving, common misconceptions are leaving some conditions behind. In this newsletter, we’re sharing Antonio’s experience of living with schizophrenia to shine a light on the condition and help improve understanding.q

Mental Health Awareness Week

Share this image on your social media this Mental Health Awareness Week. You’ll be helping us to raise awareness of all mental health problems and challenging the common myths that are leaving some conditions behind.

Share now >

Antonio’s story

“Not everyone understands schizophrenia or thinks it’s a real thing. Some people might think it means having a split personality, but it’s not like that.”

Antonio shares his experience of schizophrenia.

Read Antonio’s story

What is schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia affects around 1 in 100 of us, `and it can be different for everybody. Visit our website to find out more.

Find  out more >

Join us for StoryCamp!

Would you like to develop your skills as a blogger, vlogger or online campaigner, and help change attitudes around mental health? Sign up to take part in our online StoryCamp, a 3-month course to help you develop your online storytelling skills and confidence.

Take part >

Let’s support each other

During Covid-19, checking with each other is more important than ever. Read our three tips for supporting someone.

Every Mind Matters

Lots of us will be finding the current situation difficult. Every Mind Matters have shared 10 tips to help if you’re feeling worried.

Information and advice

If you’re looking for mental health support, for you or someone else, there are lots of places you can go for help.

16 May

Updated Government Guidance on COVID-19

The Government has updated guidance on keeping safe from COVID-19 (coronavirus). The updated guidance includes:

Existing guidance on ‘self-isolation’ and ‘shielding’ remains unchanged. You can view all guidance from the main Coronavirus page:

Find out more

16 May

NTAS Creativity and Wellbeing Week 2020 – Positive Futures

Good afternoon

Please find details of our free, online sessions that are running as part of Creativity and Wellbeing Week next week. I would be very grateful if you could share this with your networks, service users, or anyone else who you think might enjoy or benefit from a session that focuses on using art and creativity to improve their wellbeing.

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch.

Creativity and Wellbeing Week 2020 – Positive Futures

North Tyneside Art Studio offers a safe, non-judgemental environment where people can explore their creativity at their own pace, to help improve and sustain good mental health as part of a friendly and welcoming community.

We look forward to a more positive future, where everyone uses their creativity to support their mental health, and so during Creativity and Wellbeing Week we are inviting everyone to join us for three special art sessions, live on our Facebook page at: facebook.com/northtynesideartstudio

Monday 18th May, 2-3pm

Drawing an Adventure in association with Seven Stories
Join us as we use learn to draw characters, appreciate being ourselves, and create a story together, in this all-ages session based on the fantastic artwork held by Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children’s books.

To join in with this session, you just need some paper and your favourite colouring pencils. Register your interest here: https://www.facebook.com/events/276790287057476/

Wednesday 20th May, 11am – 12pm

Drawing from the Past in association with Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums 

Museums can not only teach us about the past, but also inspire us to create something new.  In this no experience needed session, we will explore and draw from specially curated artworks from Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.

To join in with this session, you will just need a pencil and paper, or any other art materials you would like to work with. Register your interest here: https://www.facebook.com/events/920789495032706/

Friday 22nd May, 2-3pm

Live Sculpting Challenge and Artist Q&A

Michael Cunliffe is the Artistic Coordinator at North Tyneside Art Studio, an experienced painter, and novice sculptor.  To share the importance of trying something new, he has challenged himself to create a sculpture live on camera, while answering your questions and talking about creativity, mental health, and the importance of making mistakes.

To join in with this session, you can create your own sculpture with plasticine, play-dough, or modelling clay, or just come along to ask questions and see what happens. Register your interest here: https://www.facebook.com/events/554712732091704/

Michael Cunliffe
Artistic Coordinator

North Tyneside Art Studio, Linskill Centre, Linskill Terrace, North Shields, NE30 2AY

michael.ntartstudio@gmail.com

0191 2961156

Charity No. 1059103

Company No. 3266699

www.northtynesideartstudio.org.uk

www.facebook.com/NorthTynesideArtStudio

08 May

Suicide Prevention website launches to support the North East and North Cumbria

The North East and North Cumbria Suicide Prevention Network is a regional partnership of organisations and individuals, collaborating across different agencies and communities, to help enhance and support all suicide prevention activity across the region. They are working to ensure everything possible is done to get support and information to help people stay safe, and to manage their mental health and wellbeing during this incredibly difficult and stressful time.

The network is working across the NHS, social care and other front-line services to link up with local charities and community resilience groups to make sure we can coordinate our efforts and get support and information to people who need it as efficiently and effectively as possible. As part of their varied approach to this they have launched a new Suicide Prevention Network website, covering the whole North East and North Cumbria area.

The website provides a new community resource for people seeking help and advice about suicide and mental wellbeing, guidance for those who have sadly been bereaved by suicide, and signposting to a library of professional resources for those working in suicide prevention. The online presence is supported by social media accounts, sharing key messages and making new connections on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

To enable the network to reach those vulnerable members of the public who may not have access to online support, they have commissioned Every Life Matters Cumbria to produce a detailed printed booklet. The booklet has been produced with contributions from a wide group of Network members including people with lived experience, senior clinicians and the national NCISH team. It contains both self-help information and links for mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 outbreak, including signposting for urgent support and suicide prevention. This will be available across the region with distribution following a phased approach, initially targeting vulnerable groups.

08 May

Skills for People’s keeping people connected service North Tyneside

Many people with learning disability and /or autism will become increasingly vulnerable during the current Covid-19 crisis.

If you come across vulnerable people, then please refer them to the new telephone support service:

Keeping People Connected : 0191 281 8737

The service is funded by the North Tyneside CCG and aims to help people by keeping connected with them.

They will receive regular calls from specialist staff to access and support them with understanding, practical issues, and signposting where additional help is needed.

Simply ask the person to call, or if it is easier for them give them the email connected@skillsforpeople.org.uk, or it may be easier if you ask for permission to email them their details and Skills for People will then call/email/text, confirm consent and provide ongoing support.

Even if you are not sure if a person has a learning disability and/or autism but it’s clear they are feeling isolated and in need, you can refer them to this service.

The service has a well-developed assessment process which will enable them to evaluate how safe a person is, what additional help they may need, and then to support them to access that help from existing community services and the voluntary sector.

08 May

akt Current Support

Hi

akt are continuing to work with LGBTQ+ young people during the effects of COVID-19.  Our services and support are just as vital and have evolved as young people find themselves locked down with others who don’t accept their identity, or who are making it clear that they don’t want them to live there once lockdown is lifted.

akt can provide support and access to things that might make lockdown a little easier.

Please download a PDF flier here.  Could you please distribute it around your networks, or share with any young people who may need to get in touch with us.  We are a national organisation and can take referrals from anywhere in the North East as well as throughout the UK.

Referrals can be made through akt.org.uk.  However, if you would like to get in touch with us to talk about what we do, please call, text or email Dawn.

Best wishes,

Dawn

Dawn Gascoigne

Services Manager

pronoun: she/her

akt, 45-51 george street, newcastle upon tyne ne4 7jn

Dawn@akt.org.uk

phone: 0191 281 0099 mobile: 07739798594

08 May

Difference North East

Difference North East is a new charity which aims to bring disabled people across the north-east together to create a regional community with voice, identity and influence.

Difference North East is run by disabled people campaigning for disabled people. They aim to provide a voice for disabled people, represent the region in national debates about disability, challenge and change policy, increase the public profile of disabled people, research priority areas identified by members, and to role model positive representations of disabled people in their work.

For more information, please visit their website and follow on Facebook and Twitter.

Contact: Richard Boggie, richard@differencenortheast.org.uk

06 May

Healthwatch North Tyneside News – 30 April 2020

GP services – now and tomorrow

We want to know your views about how GP services are delivered now and into the future

GP services have changed in response to coronavirus. Based on a clinical assessment or triage of the health issue, most people are now talking to a healthcare professional on the phone or by video call and only being invited for a face to face appointment if necessary.

We want to hear your views about how services could be delivered in the future. We are particularly interested in hearing about your recent experiences of accessing GP services and whether some of the new approaches should continue when we return to ‘normal life’.
 

Tell us about your experience and give your views –  take our survey and you could win a £10 voucher

Online survey – GP services: now and tomorrow

 

Coronavirus service changes information hub

`

Keeping you up to date with service changes

Our service changes information hub is updated regularly with news and information. This week you will find more information about adult social care services, emergency dental care and how you can get the NHS support you need.

Go to our service changes information hub

 

Get the NHS treatment you need

If you need medical help the NHS is still here for you:

  • If you need medical help from your GP practice, contact them online, by app or phone to be assessed.
  • If you need urgent medical help, use the NHS 111 online service. If you cannot get help online, call 111.
  • If it’s a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 999
  • If you are told to go to hospital it is important that you go to hospital. 
  • You should continue to attend your appointments, unless you have been told not to attend.

Don’t put off getting the advice and treatment you need. If you have new symptoms, need mental health support, a repeat prescription or your child’s immunisations are due you should contact the NHS.

Go to www.nhs.uk

 

Our work during coronavirus

What we are doing to help the response to coronavirus

As well as providing our information services and analysing all the information we collected last year, our staff team are helping other local organisations to respond to coronavirus. 

We are supporting North Tyneside VODA’s Good Neighbours project by helping to deliver some food parcels and pick up prescriptions for people across North Tyneside. 

We are helping North Tyneside Carers’ Centre to call carers who are isolating because of coronavirus to check how they are doing and see if there is any support they need. 
To contact us:

  • Phone 0191 263 5321, 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday
  • Email info@hwnt.co.uk
  • Use our online contact form here

Volunteering opportunities

Support the response to coronavirus

North Tyneside VODA are working with North Tyneside Council and local community groups to identify people who require support whilst they are self-isolating due to infection or as a precautionary measure.
Find out how you could help by volunteering with VODA 

06 May

Update from Rethink Mental Illness – 28 April 2020

Clic is a new online support community that anyone in the UK can access 24/7 for free mental health support. It includes an online forum where you can chat about how you’re feeling and connect with others, as well as accessing mental health information tools, tips and resources. To ensure everyone’s safety and security the site is moderated 24 hours a day.

Clic is run by Mental Health UK, of which we are one of the founding charities.

To mark the launch of the new site, there will be a live chat this afternoon (Tuesday 28 April) at 3pm about mental health and coronavirus for Clic members. Come along to ask your questions and get helpful tips about managing your mental health during lockdown.

Join Clic now

 

Sharing your experiences

Last week we asked you to tell us about your experiences of mental illness during the ongoing pandemic. Hundreds of you have already filled out our survey and told us what it is really like to live with a mental illness, or care for someone who does, at the current time. For example, 47% of people said that their mental health had become worse because they are now receiving less support from mental health services.

We know that the situation is constantly changing, so we want to make sure as many voices are included as possible. Our survey remains open so if If you haven’t yet, please fill it out now.

Share your experiences

 

Photo of the week

Kathleen shared this stunning mosaic she created showing Tobermoroy on the Isle of Mull. She started this artwork at an art group before lockdown and then finished it at home.

Your tips

“I like to make a gratitude list at the end of each day to remind myself of the things I have to be thankful for. That could be talking to a friend, or eating something I enjoy”

– Kate

“I am finding fiction to be a really good form of escape at the moment. We’ve set up a mini ‘library’ at the end of our street where anyone can take or leave a book – making sure to follow rules about social distancing.”

– Elle

“I’ve arranged to talk to some of my friends and family at the same time every week. For example, I call my sister at 5pm each Saturday. This helps me have some structure to my week as well as giving me something to look forward to”

– Mike

 

Miles for mental health

Miles for Mental Health

Stay safe, get some exercise and help raise money for vital services. Join our miles for mental health challenge and run, jog or walk a marathon over the course of a month while socially distancing.

Almost a hundred people have already signed up and we would love for you to get involved too.

Sign up today, and send us your photos of you clocking up the miles for mental health – whether you’re running in your garden, around your living room or while exercising outside.

Sign up now