 We are fundraising so that our peer support activities can continue to operate. Frances Heather - Director, Founder and Trustee is swimming the half mile zoggs challenge at Henley on Thames on July 9th. Please follow this link to pledge some money for this event and to find out more. Thank you for your support. 
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  Walk With Us, a city-wide event we're running on 27th May. It's a really amazing day out with a big number of us walking from Bitterne, through Portswood, into the city centre and then back over the Itchen Bridge. (Seven miles overall but people can join us for as much or as little as they like!) As you can see from last year's pics, it should be a fantastic atmosphere. It was so fun last year and the day was full of chatting, laughter and celebrating how great humans are at getting through tough stuff! We made some butterflies last night ready to hand out during the walk and it was really great to get messy and play with paints! I've attached the provisional programme so you can get an idea what the day looks like - there'll be butterfly-making workshops, music, a picnic and more! Along the way we want to give out more than a hundred paper butterflies to members of the public with messages of hope and encouragement. We'd love for four or more people to join us from all of the organisations and community groups we work with to come and be part of the day. It's £5 min donation for a day ticket, and this money goes right back to our community in hosting storytelling events. The day is suitable for all ages as it's more focused on community and walking through life together rather than hearing stories. People who can't make the walk can still sponsor a butterfly to send someone a message of hope!   Haven't heard the news?
To stay in touch with the network, you now need to re-register and pay the £2 membership fee. The membership application form with payment details is attached. Please return the completed form to me atsmhn@communicareinsouthampton.org.uk This is applicable to all members - if you are an organisation, each representative you wish to remain on our mailing list will need to fill out a separate application. Feedback to SMHN If you haven't already done so, I would love to encourage you to fill out our short feedback form. In particular, we'd love to hear about the connections you've made through the network, and the impact this has made to you or your organisation. Thanks! Upcoming Meetings Please note - meetings will be temporarily paused during May. We will still be running the Shuffle Club, our informal, in-person networking gathering. Details below! Shuffle Club Tuesday 9th May, drop-in 5:30-7pm The Cowherds An informal, in-person, social networking gathering for members of SMHN Network Information The second part of our Roundup includes content that can be circulated beyond members of SMHN. These will include the appropriate links to the relevant information and organisations - so please feel free to share. Please note: sharing is not endorsing We may include posts that you (and we) may not necessarily agree with. However, the request to include an item and its wording is usually from the source or organisation connected to SMHN. We share the key information to make it as accessible as possible for community benefit. Your invitation to the No Wrong Door stakeholder eventYou are invited to attend a networking event with local organisations and charities who have received funding through the No Wrong Door programme. Following the success of the No Wrong Door (NWD) Advancing Mental Health Equalities Grant Scheme 23/24, we are hosting a networking event to showcase the organisations who received funding to support their work in mental health provision for vulnerable and marginalised groups. Come along to talk directly to the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations and other support services in Hampshire and Isle of Wight to see how we can work together to support the most vulnerable people in our region. The event will take place on Wednesday 14 June, from 2pm to 4pm. This will be an in-person event held at Hanger Farm Arts Centre, Aikman Lane, Totton, Southampton, SO40 8FT. For more information and to register your interest in attending, please contact us by emailing: hiowicb-hsi.nowrongdoor@nhs.net. To find out more about the No Wrong Door grant programme, click here. NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression/Southampton Steps to Wellbeing Southampton Steps to Wellbeing provides NICE recommended talking therapies for adults (including over 65s) experiencing a range of mild to moderate anxiety and depression disorders. The team includes specialist therapists as part of the 'Body and Mind' service who work with people with co-occurring long term health conditions such as diabetes, pain, respiratory conditions, heart conditions, stroke or gastro. Steps to Wellbeing have produced a short video about their Body and Mind service here. Following assessment, the service offers a range of treatments including CBT, Counselling and Employment Advice, in groups or individual suited to your need. Access is via telephone, video calls or in person (in venues across the city). Self-referral for an assessment is encouraged at: Online: Steps 2 Wellbeing - How to Refer Yourself GP & Healthcare Professionals referrals are welcome, when needed, to support patient engagement: Online: Refer a patient Most recent reporting indicates referral to assessment time is only 3 days. Telephone: 0800 612 7000 Website: Steps 2 Wellbeing - Steps to Wellbeing is the Southampton based NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression. NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression is the new name for IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies). Further info - https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/ We are putting together a proposal to University of Southampton, via the SUSU Manager, Wayne. He will pitch this in July for an event on Sat 14th October 2023. We have 6 sections we would like to showcase on what is on offer across Southampton for people to engage with:
We already are getting in Expression Of Interest (EOI) forms. We would love for SMHN members to also be able to get in on the day if possible – so would very much encourage a quick return on the EoI form attached. Please return to havcon@boardinthecity.co.uk as soon as possible. The final proposal will be submitted by the end of May. Plant sale raises nearly £400 for Soton charity tackling loneliness PLANT lovers from Southampton who purchased a range of plants for their gardens and homes at a plant sale last Saturday have helped raise £390 for the charity Communicare (April 29, 2023). Communicare hosted the event at CommuniBakes, at 21, St James Road, in Shirley with all the money raised going towards the work it does helping vulnerable and isolated people in Southampton. Emily Arbery, Fundraising and Finance Coordinator at Communicare, said: “Thank you so much to everyone who came along to our plant sale. It was a fantastic day and we had lots of wonderful donations! “The sale raised £390 and, if you missed the event, we still have some surplus plants available for you to buy this week, just get in touch! A huge thanks to all the volunteers who helped on the day and everyone who came along. “It was lovely to see so many people come to pick up plants and have a chat, and several even enquired about volunteering – fab! All in the sunshine! Plus, the bakery had a queue out the door all day too, which was great news.” Communicare, which is a friendly, neighbourhood charity, provides services that enrich the lives of isolated people in and around Southampton. Its services are staffed by its devoted volunteers, known as Communiteers, who give their time freely. The charity is currently supporting around 600 individuals/families through tasks including, befriending, transport for appointments and assistance with shopping. The services Communicare provides are free to users, although beneficiaries are invited to make a donation if they are able to, and Communiteers are offered expenses. To find out more about Communicare, please visit www.communicareinsouthampton.org.uk. Debt and Financial Anxiety Training Debt and Mental Health Wellbeing Training (escalla.co.uk) By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
Royal Get Together marks new Communicare & Solent University partnership A NEW partnership has been launched in Southampton between the charity Communicare and Solent University and the inaugural event was ‘A Royal Get Together’ to commemorate the Coronation (May 2023). Communicare, which is on a mission to combat isolation and loneliness in the city, took service users to the Spark Building recently to celebrate with Solent University Level 4 Adult Nursing Students. Tricia Kenyon, Communicare’s Service Development Officer says: “Our service users had a wonderful time. “The students had really worked hard to make their guests feel welcome and have fun. We started with some tea and Coronation themed cupcakes, while everyone spent some time getting to know about each other. Then the guests picked memory boxes, which had been decorated by the students and engaged in craft activities to fill them with. “Next was a sumptuous lunch featuring Coronation chicken sandwiches made by the university caterers, Sodexo.” www.communicareinsouthampton.org.uk If you would like anything sharing in the weekly roundup, please forward it to smhn@communicareinsouthampton If you are planning to attend this bring and share lunch please bring enough food to feed 4-5 people  Men's Mental Wellbeing Health Event - Friday 31st March, 11am-3pm Buckland United Reformed Church22/3/2023  You're invited to our Open Day for Men's Wellbeing
Friday 31st March, 11am-3pm Buckland United Reformed Church Come along to our free community event this March, raising awareness for men's mental health and bringing together wellbeing support for men in the Portsmouth area. There'll be a range of information stalls to browse including the Portsmouth Carers Centre, Positive Minds, Men's Sheds, Dadz Club & many more - a great opportunity to meet and chat with local services and community organisations about the activities & support they offer in the city. We'll also be running a programme of wellbeing workshops including, 11.15-12.15 ~ Indoor Games with Kerry from BH Live 12.45-1.45 ~ Introduction to photography project (Lungs of the City) with Paul 2-2.45 ~ Music & Singing with Alex This event will run from 11am-3pm and visitors are welcome to drop by or join us for the whole day! Lunch, snacks and drinks will be available to purchase from the on-site Community Café. For more information about our upcoming Open Day for Men's Wellbeing, click HERE.  Please find a round-up from SMHN to follow as well as information about a conference and survey to complete:
. We'd be grateful if you could: a) fill out the survey for yourselves b) help to circulate the survey - this could be within your organisation, to friends and family, on social media. The survey can be accessed online here: https://forms.office.com/e/A4kUXE8Q7V The deadline is 31st March 2023. Together - let's make Southampton mental health friendly Southampton Mental Health Network Roundup Upcoming Meetings Our subgroups are open to everyone so please feel free to come along to anything that interests you! Family, Friends and Carers Friday 10th March, 2-3pm Zoom Giving a voice to those who support someone experiencing poor mental health Shuffle Club Tuesday 14th March, drop-in 5:30-7pm The Cowherds An informal, in-person, social networking gathering for members of SMHN Doodle Polls: Please click the headings to fill out the doodle polls below with your availability for meetings that interest you: Please note: All polls below were set and emailed out on 1st March. Full Group An opportunity for all network members to gather, hear presentations on a variety of mental health and wellbeing topics, receive updates from across the different subgroups and share information within the network Networking for the Network An online speed networking event - an opportunity to meet groups and individuals from within the network SMILE A platform for people with lived experience of poor mental health to help shape services New Members A chance for you to learn about the vision and structure of the Network, how we got started, and how we got to where we are today. It is a chance for you to get to know us, us to get to know you, and to ask any questions you may have. Engagement Looking at ways to increase engagement within and external to the Network, including running events for the Network, Service Providers and the general public. Funding Exploring alternative funding streams for the network Communications Looking at things that put out a message to the world including – PR, Website and Social Media. Network Information The second part of our Roundup includes content that can be circulated beyond members of SMHN. These will include the appropriate links to the relevant information and organisations - so please feel free to share. Please note: sharing is not endorsing We may include posts that you (and we) may not necessarily agree with. However, the request to include an item and its wording is usually from the source or organisation connected to SMHN. We share the key information to make it as accessible as possible for community benefit. Re:Minds February Newsletter See Southampton Heritage Guides have designed an accessible map of the city of Southampton, along with an accessible walk through the parks of Southampton on Sunday 12th March at 11:30am. Please find attached my leaflet and link for booking. It's free of charge, but booking is mandatory: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/guided-tour-for-people-with-learning-impairments-tickets-517625972217 MHA Communities Newsletter Friendship group for those seeking socialisation in Southampton PEOPLE in Southampton who are seeking friendship and socialisation can attend an intergenerational event in the city supported by a charity helping to combat loneliness (March 2023). Communicare is delivering its next friendship group in partnership with Saint Mary’s Church and St Mary’s Primary School on Ascupart Street on Monday, March 20 from 10am-12noon. Tricia Kenyon, Service Development Officer at Communicare, which helps vulnerable and isolated people, said: “Our next intergenerational friendship group takes place on March 20 at St Mary’s Primary School and we’re inviting people of all ages to come along. “We would really encourage anyone out there, particularly if they are feeling lonely, to give it a go and come along, as it’s a great opportunity to meet new people and make friends. Pupils from the school will also be in attendance.” Anyone interested in attending should contact enquiry@communicareinsouthampton.org.uk or call 023 82 50 0050 in advance. www.communicareinsouthampton.org.uk. Opportunities to get involved - National Institute for Health and Care Research Opportunity to shape the design of a clinical trial in Lymphoma Opportunity to be involved in the co-design of a commercial trial in Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) and Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration (NVAMD). Opportunity to be involved in the co-design of a commercial trial in Leukaemia. Opportunity to be involved in the co-design of a commercial trial in Atrial Fibrillation If you would like anything sharing in the weekly roundup, please forward it to smhn@communicareinsouthampton.org.uk Contact us at: smhn@communicareinsouthampton.org.uk Or visit: https://communicareinsouthampton.org.uk/mental-health-network/  We are very grateful for the grant that SO:Linked have given Creative Options to help and support our wellbeing activities. Please visit our What's on Page to find out more about how you can benefit. |
