Shepway Open Forum Christmas Blog 2011

Christmas Greetings from SWOF. It has been a very busy year and we have enjoyed many interesting and happy times together.

We held a very successful Christmas lunch at the Clifton Hotel in Folkestone recently and a good time was had by all.

This year we have had some new active members, who are contributing their recent experiences of using Mental Health Services, which was especially helpful at the Service User Meeting for Shepway with Andy Oldfield (Associate Director for Community Recovery) and fellow Service Line Managers.

We continue to offer Peer Support and need to work more closely with the Community Mental Health Team to make sure Service User issues are dealt with more swiftly.

Have a Peaceful Christmas Time and a Healthy New Year.

Jackie and Angela

The first meeting in the New Year will be on Tuesday 10th January in the Group room at the Walk In Centre at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Folkestone at 4pm. Hope to see you there.

Christmas Quiz Night

The COMMUNITY NETWORK are holding a fundraising

Christmas Quiz Night

on 17 December, 7-9pm, at

378 Cheriton Road
Folkestone CT19 4DX

£2.50 entrance fee

Games, Raffles, Sing-a-long and other entertainment!
Bring your own refreshments and nibbles

Call 01303 270024 or email kent.area@unitedresponse.org.uk

Folkestone Churches Winter Shelter

The Winter shelter starts on the 5th December 2011 and runs through until 27th February 2012. It will be hosted by 6 different local churches who will each offer the same night/s per week for consistency. The shelter is open daily from 7.30pm through until 7.30am. It is not just purely a “drop in” service, it is through a referrals from local agencies, contact fcws.office@gmail.com for more information.

Folkestone Mind Open Day

Folkestone Mind would like to invite you to our forthcoming Open Day on Thursday 1 December between 11am - 1pm. There will be refreshments, cakes, handmade Christmas craft and much, much more!. A chance to find out more about our facilities and the services we have on offer.

We hope to see you at the Centre on the 1st.

Folkestone Mind Centre
24/26 Dover Road
Folkestone CT20 1JQ

The Power of Telling my Story

Help others learn from your experiences

Help services learn how to improve

A two day workshop for those who have a lived experience of mental health challenges. Those of us who have mental health challenges are strong, worthwhile people who have a story to tell which can encourage us, and those who hear it.

This two day practical workshop, led by trainers from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, will cover:

• Recovery in mental health
• The recovery journey that we are all making
• The vital role and positive impact of ‘telling our story’
• The skills of story telling
• Opportunities for sharing our story to help further improve services

Building on your strengths and increasing confidence the course will equip you to tell your own recovery story; helping you to see the hero that you are.

Dates: 24th & 25th Nov, 2011  
Venue: Westgate Hall, Westgate Hall Road Canterbury. CT1 2BT 
Time: 9.30 - 4.45 each day

Travel expenses will be reimbursed and lunch and refreshments provided. For further information, or to apply to join this training please call or email Nick on 01227 81202

Carer Support Groups

Rethink Mental Illness have a Carer Support Group every 2nd Thursday of the month at the


Folkestone Mind Resource Centre
7pm - 9pm

All carers are welcome. The aim of the Support meetings is to facilitate networking of Carers in the area to encourage mutual support. Carers meet up in an informal environment and the group gives them the chance to discuss their roles and experiences within their Carer role. The Carer Groups are an effective tool in preventing isolation and promoting social inclusion.

Carer Groups provide support via publications, personal experiences and, on occasions, speakers are invited to attend to discuss a variety of areas that you may find useful within your caring role. The Carer Groups have proved to be highly effective and feedback has been very positive.

News from Shepway Open Forum

We had a third successful open forum meeting with the Community Mental Health Team for Shepway and Ashford. It took place at the Salvation Army building in Folkestone on 28th September and was well attended. The focus was on 'Recovery' but unfortunately the Chair Person (Howard Roles, Recovery Service Line Manager) was unable to attend at the last minute so Angela took over the job of chair.

We would like to say thank-you to our Local Mind, Aspirations, Nick Dent (PALS Manager) and Chris Watson, for their presentations and all those who attended the meeting. Also the CMHT for working in partnership with our forum on this event. When we have the next meeting (either in Folkestone or Ashford) it would be useful if staff members could encourage more Service Users to attend.

World Mental Health Week Lunch
Members of the Forum will be meeting up at the Skuba Bar (opposite the Leas Cliff Hall) in Folkestone on Wednesday 12th October at 1pm to celebrate World Mental Health Week so if you feel like joining us give us a call on 01303 850856.

Shepway Community Exchange

Would you like to feel more involved in the Voluntary & Community Sector in Shepway?

Would you like an opportunity for networking, sharing information and working with other VCS organisations?

Would you like to develop an effective working relationship with the Statutory sector?


The Shepway Community Exchange is funded by East Folkestone Together and is being co-ordinated by CASEKent. The initial year’s funding will be used to develop a membership database and host four meetings, which are open to all organizations/ groups, either statutory or voluntary, that provide services in Shepway (with the focus being on the East Folkestone area) It is hoped the Exchange will develop into an established network which could

• reduce isolation and weak communication
• allow VCS to share good practice and knowledge
• reduce duplication of work
• give an opportunity for the wider VCS to identify what the sector does
• act as a collective voice in order to interact with the statutory sector
• encourage networking and development of effective working relationships

The meetings will feature guest speakers on a range of topics (chosen by the members of the Exchange) smaller group discussions and an open networking session. All organisations are encouraged to bring along any information about their work to share with others.

If you are interested in attending the next Shepway Community Exchange meeting from 10am -1pm on Wednesday 12th October at the Salvation Army Hall, Canterbury Rd, Folkestone, please contact Michael James at CaseKent via email or call 01233 610171

Shepway Open Forum for Mental Health - blog update 10/8/11

Shepway Open Forum held a successful trip to Broadstairs Folk Festival last Saturday. It is thanks to Folkestone Salvation Army for the hire of their minibus and our volunteer driver that we were able to have a good day out. This is a good example of local groups working well together. Our 12 members had an enjoyable and independent day knowing that they had a map and a mobile phone number which they could contact us on if needed. Even though some of them did not like Folk Music they still enjoyed the rest of what Broadstairs had to offer. As it was so successful we are planning another event soon.

Draft LPMG minutes published

Draft minutes of the July 2011 Shepway LPMG meeting have been published.

Shepway Open Forum for Mental Health - blog update

"On the 27th July Shepway Open Forum (SWOF) and Folkestone Rethink Carers Group held a joint meeting with Howard Rowles, the Recovery Service Line Manager for Shepway and Ashford.

Howard gave a presentation updating us on changes and proposed changes for both the Recovery and Access Teams and discharge back to Primary Care.

The question and answer session was lively, challenging and informative. The meeting was very well attended and everyone had a chance to ask questions, even if the answers sometimes did not relate to peoples' current experience of services.

We would like to thank Howard for attending and will be taking up his offer to meet again in six months time."

Summer message from the Shepway Open Forum

We have made the most of the good weather, enjoying lunches with our members at outside venues. Good company, good food and sunny weather can certainly lift your mood.

We have held a successful evening meeting in partnership with our local Carers Group. The guest speaker was Ian Maidment, a Pharmacist from Kent and Medway Partnership Trust. He was, as always a great success, answering questions about peoples concerns with side effects and long term use of medications. Thank you Ian.

In September we are jointly hosting a third meeting with our local CMHT. Hopefully we will be able to engage with current clients and offer support to those being discharged back to their GP’s.

LOOK OUT FOR THE DATE in our late Summer Blog.

Shepway Open Forum is YOUR Mental Health Forum for Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh. You can contact us on 01303 850856.

Jackie and Angela

Peer Support - the way forward

KMPT are holding an event aimed at both service users and staff considering how peer support is transforming mental health services in the UK, and how it can be put into action across Kent and Medway.

Thursday 7th July 10.00am - 4.00pm at

Lenham Community Centre, Groom Way,
Lenham, Near Maidstone ME17 2QT

For further information and an application form, see this flyer.

Exhibition of Unusual Art

The exhibition runs from 21-26 May (except Sunday 22 May) from 10am to 4pm at

The Community Network
378 Cheriton Road
Folkestone CT19 4DX

See this colourful poster.

We Want Your Art!

United Response and the Cheriton Community Network are organising an exhibition at

The Community Network
378 Cheriton Road
Folkestone CT19 4DX

If you are an artist making something unusual, they want to show it!

For more details see this flyer, call 01303 270024 or email

Changes to your Wellbeing Blog settings

Some improvements have been made to your local wellbeing blog.

Firstly, anyone can now comment on any of the posts. You do not have to be a registered user. So if you have something to say about anything you read here, let the rest of us know! 

Secondly, there are now two new ways to stay up-to-date with your local wellbeing blog, using two new options on the right hand menus, "Subscribe to" and "Follow by Email".

"Subscribe to" allows you to pick up a news feed with, amongst others Google Reader, My Yahoo and Atom RSS.

If that sounds complicated, the really easy option is "Follow by Email". Enter your email address, follow the simple verification instructions, and henceforth you'll get an email every time there is a new post!

Rethink East Kent Advocacy Service

A reminder that the Rethink East Kent Advocacy Service will be running a drop in for anyone wishing to access the advocacy service on the following dates and times in March and April:

Herne Bay Umbrella Centre - 31 March 2 - 4pm, and 28 April 2 - 4pm
Canterbury Umbrella Centre - 24 March 1 - 3pm, and 21 April 1 - 3pm
Whitstable Umbrella Centre - 5 April 12 - 2pm
Faversham Umbrella Centre - 14 April  12 - 2pm

For more information about Rethink and the services provided click here.

Changes in the NHS - What will it mean for YOU and your doctor?

This Kent LINk Community Engagement Event is your chance to find out what is happening to your health and social care services.


The formal meeting will start at 10.45am although refreshments will be available from 10.00am to give people an opportunity to socialise and network. See full information and book your free place here.

Wednesday, 23 March 2011, 10am - 3pm

The Camden Centre,
Royal Victoria Place
Market Square
Tunbridge Wells
TN1 2SW

Art Uniting People - Spring Exhibition

Art Uniting People is a non-profit organisation who have run two successful annual exhibitions in 2009 and 2010 to promote the talents of artists around Kent, including professionals, amateurs and those with mental health and physical disabilities. This year, for the first time, there is also a Spring Exhibition at


County Hall
Maidstone
ME14 1XQ



from 14th -28th March, 10:30am-4:30pm, Monday to Friday.


Entry is FREE

Learning from Experience 2 - How are we doing?

This event is for service users and carers and is a follow up to the actions that the Kent & Medway Partnership Trust have put into place since the National Patient Survey of last year.

Tuesday 15 March, 10:30am - 3:30pm

Upstairs lounge, The Salvation Army
74-80 Union Street
Maidstone ME14 1ED

Lunch is provided. Registration is required, so for more information see the flyer here or call Maria Duran on 01227 812034.

Personal Development Fund - up to £500 for service users & carers!

A reminder about the Personal Development Fund, which is intended to promote the personal development of individuals living right across Kent whose lives have been directly or indirectly affected by severe or persistent mental ill health.

The fund has been able to pay for things like conferences and training courses, travel and accommodation for such events, art materials, Reiki training, laptops, printers and so on.

A panel of service users, carers and voluntary organisations meet every three months to decide on awards. For more information, see this flyer. To apply, download an application form in either Word or PDF format.

The scheme is funded by Kent County Council and administered by Sevenoaks Area Mind.

Your feedback on community mental health in Kent and Medway

Medway PCT, who lead the development of mental health services across Kent and Medway, are asking for your help in looking at how these services can be improved. They would like to ask service users and carers six simple questions about the services they are using - including what works, what doesn't work, and what are the key factors that make a good service.

This is a great opportunity to have your voice heard!

The survey can be completed very simply online here, or alternatively you can download the survey in Word or PDF format to complete and return by post or email.

Please make sure your voice is heard by Friday 18 March!

No Health without Mental Health

The government have published "No health without mental health - A cross-government mental health outcomes strategy for people of all ages." A news item on the Live It Well website gives details of where you can read this, and a sample of responses from relevant organisations.

Fit for Work Service

Fit for Work is a free service running across East Kent. The aim is to help individuals, who are employed but currently off work sick, to return to work. A team of occupational therapists, employment
specialists, psychologists and physiotherapists is available depending on the employees support needs.

More information in this flyer, or on the Eastern and Coastal Kent NHS website.