|
|
|
|
September 2015 Newsletter
Hello <<First Name>>,
We're really proud to have officially launched our Training Academy. Our courses are receiving excellent feedback and we hope sharing our experience, knowledge and enthusiasm will go a long way to increasing mental health understanding and tackling stigma - whilst also helping to support our charitable work.
Please note: all services at FDAMH will be closed for a Public Holiday on Monday 7th September.
|
|
FDAMH's Training Academy launched by Jamie Hepburn
|
|
|
|
Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health with FDAMH's Chair, David McClements
|
|
FDAMH continues to blaze a trail by launching Forth Valley’s first Training Academy dedicated to reducing stigma and discrimination surrounding poor mental health.
FDAMH’s Training Academy was launched on Tuesday 25th August by Jamie Hepburn, Scottish Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health. Also in attendance was Michael Matheson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Provost Pat Reid and Dennis Canavan, FDAMH’s Patron, along with over forty invited guests, marking another milestone in FDAMH’s history.
Mr. David McClements, Chair of the Board of Trustees thanked Mr Hepburn for visiting FDAMH for the second time this summer. He advised that with thousands of hours of training already delivered to individuals and local organisations, the Training Academy aims to build on this success by offering bespoke training and e-learning courses in the near future. This will allow the Training Academy to reach a wider audience and contribute to the goal of further reducing the stigma and discrimination all too often surrounding mental health issues.
Mr Hepburn thanked FDAMH for inviting him to launch the Training Academy and for making him feel so welcome again. Remarking on how impressed he was with the aims of the Training Academy, Mr Hepburn added that he was fully supportive of all initiatives that support people and those caring for them, who live with poor mental health.
If you are interested in finding out more about FDAMH’s Training Academy please visit our website.
|
|
|
|
The Training Academy team (Morag Fullard, Diane Stewart and Margaret Anne MacMillan) with some of our course tutors (Neil Sowerby and Liz Trodden) photographed with Jamie Hepburn and FDAMH's Chair, David McClements.
|
|
|
Patron Dennis Canavan with Jamie Hepburn and local MSP and Cabinet Secretary for Justice Michael Matheson
|
|
Academy adds new dates for popular Understanding Self-Harm Workshop!
Students on our latest Understanding Self-Harm Workshop said:
"Reinforced and expanded existing knowledge...provoked additional thinking and consideration"
"Feel more confident supporting people affected by self harm"
"Very relaxed and informative session"
"Great course, great presenter"
|
|
|
Counselling Skills Course
|
|
We have spaces on Modules 3 and 4 for anyone who has only part-completed their COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills. Module 3 starts now and 4 will commence in October. If you have successfully completed modules 1 and 2 (or 1,2 and 3) and are interested in continuing your studies please get in touch with us as soon as possible.
The next new course has just commenced, so good luck to all of our students - we hope you enjoyed meeting each other this week. This course is fully subscribed, but students that have missed out this time are already applying to join our waiting list for the next course, possibly starting early in the new year. If you'd like to get your application in please visit our web page to find out more.
|
|
|
This year's Annual General Meeting is only open to members - we hope this might encourage more of you to join! The AGM will take place on Wednesday 30th September, 7pm at the Victoria Centre. If you are not a member but would like to attend you can apply for membership before the meeting by visiting our website or by asking at reception. Membership only costs £1 per year. Remember: You do not need to be a member to access any of FDAMH's services.
|
|
Thanks for New Funding from:
|
|
Eve McAuley and friends (thanks also to the Ellwyn, Grangemouth, for hosting their fundraiser)
Fundraising for FDAMH right now:
Fraser Houston will be running for FDAMH in October. You can support Fraser on his MyDonate page. Good luck Fraser!
Claire Brunton is in the middle of a new open-water swimming challenge, taking part in two different events. Hope its going well Claire! You can support Claire at Virgin Money Giving.
Emma Hale will be running the Edinburgh Half Marathon for FDAMH next year - thanks Emma, hope the training goes well! You'll find Emma on Virgin Money Giving too!
|
|
New staff member, Emily, aims to develop a fun, therapeutic and creative programme for all!
Activities at FDAMH have received a substantial boost with the recruitment of Emily Stewart as our dedicated Project Group Worker and Media Coordinator. Building on the success of our Arts and Media Group, Emily will be opening up opportunities more widely to people accessing any of our services, saying "I welcome all suggestions from staff and service users as to activities that they would like to see introduced in FDAMH"
|
|
|
First up, a new 8-week Creative Writing class, if you currently use any of FDAMH's services and are interested in attending please get in touch. In addition, a Network Rail Drama Project with Kat Wilson will be performed in the Edinburgh Waverly Station in November.
|
|
|
Anxiety Management Course
|
|
|
|
Congratulations to our latest batch of students to complete the 8-week Anxiety Management Course, we wish you well as you continue on your journeys. This is a popular course so there is a waiting list, however if you are interested in attending please contact Jane Shirra at FDAMH.
|
|
Health and Wellbeing Drop-In
|
|
Changes to the Drop-In Calendar
Just a reminder that to accomodate new group activities Drop-In is no longer open on Thursdays. The Women's Group continues on Thursday mornings, but is a little earlier, running from 10.30am to 1pm. Yoga has moved to Tuesdays at 4pm.
|
|
Activities and Events
Well done to the 'Irn Bru Crew' who won the recent long-running games tournament!
|
|
|
|
Thanks to Tee 'n' Tee once again for getting us dancing with a great afternoon of music!
|
|
|
At the end of August Drop-In shipped out for a fab day at Blair Drummond Safari Park!
|
|
|
|
Group meets next on 14th September. This is a small group and is open to anyone using FDAMH's services.
|
|
Service User and Carer Involvement
|
|
Trailblazing SRI 2 Project Attracts Attention
FDAMH’s Involvement Group is making its mark undertaking valuable projects that will help to improve mental health services. The Scottish Recovery Indicator 2 project (which provides a framework to evaluate FDAMH's recovery focus) was further boosted recently thanks to a very useful meeting with Robert Stevenson, Network Officer from the Scottish Recovery Network. Robert reported that FDAMH is the first organisation in Scotland that has asked its members to evaluate its services in this way.
If you are interested in finding out more about the Involvement Group or how to get involved yourself please contact Linda McGonigle at FDAMH.
|
|
Supporting the Triangle of Care
FDAMH's Involvement Group are delighted to have been asked to contribute to a new initiative at Forth Valley Royal Hospital (FVRH) to implement the ‘Triangle of Care’ in the Mental Health Unit. They will be using their extensive experience of mental health services to assist in the development of a Carers Information Pack which will be given to carers when their family member or person they care for is admitted to hospital.
|
|
Forth Valley User and Carer Forum
This Forth Valley-wide forum is attended by members from Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Falkirk. Rebekah Moore from See Me attended the latest meeting in August and has given the group some interesting food for thought to look at developing their own anti-stigma work.
|
|
COSCA Recognition
The Counselling Service has successfully undergone annual monitoring and achieved COSCA Recognition Status once again. Counselling Coordintor, Liz Trodden, is delighted by the positive comments made by the Assesor.
|
|
|
Third Age Befriending (TAB)
|
 ..
|
|
 A new service from our Third Age Befriending (TAB) project aims to help older people experiencing loneliness who are presently unable to leave their house. “Blether Together” allows clients the opportunity to chat with a friendly volunteer once a week, for around 30 minutes. It is hoped that this will help to sustain mental well-being and help alleviate the negative impact of loneliness.
Referrals are invited from health and social care professionals operating in Falkirk District. Full information/referral criteria on our website.
|
|
Family and Carers Support
|
|
Mindfulness for Carers Course starting 3rd October
FDAMH’s Mindfulness Course for Carers can help relieve the stress and anxiety often associated with caring and has proved popular and extremely beneficial to participants. This course commencing in October has a few spaces left so please contact Neil Sowerby on 01324 671 600 as soon as possible if you would like to attend.
|
|
Next Carers Education Course starts Autumn 2015
|
|
Volunteer Support and Development
|
|
Welcome to our New Volunteers
We are delighted to have 5 new volunteers successfully complete our Volunteer Training Programme in August. All are now moving on to work with their elected projects. As we all gain from their generosity, we hope that equally our new volunteers will all find it a rewarding and life-enhancing experience!
|
|
Third Age Befriending Seeks Peer Volunteers
|
|
|
|
If you are a friendly, active older person and have some time to spare, our Volunteer Coordinator Morag would love to hear from you. Why not get in touch today to arrange an informal chat about peer volunteering with our Third Age Befriending project? Call on 01324 671600.
|
|
Join our Board!
FDAMH is still seeking a Finance Director. Our Board meets every two months on Wednesday evenings (6-8.30pm). Successful applicants will be given the opportunity to meet with other trustees and attend a Board Meeting as an observer before committing to joining. FDAMH's Board is made up of friendly people keen to work together to help FDAMH develop and continue its good work. If you have relevant financial skills and experience we would love to hear from you.
|
|
We'd Like to Help YOU Build a Better World!
Not sure what you have to offer your community? Uncertain about what volunteering at FDAMH could mean for you? Interested in having a chat about volunteering? You can contact Morag Fullard, Volunteer and Training Development Officer, on 01324 67100 or by emailing morag.fullard@fdamh.org.uk
|
|
|
There's so much going on this just covers the rest of September. Full details and event information for further weeks is available on our website!
Please get in touch with us before attending any of the groups for the first time: it helps to make sure you're accessing groups that are best suited to your needs and we can let you know which groups have a waiting list.
|
|
Closed for Public Holiday
Mon 7 Sep, All Day
Victoria Centre
A Time to Remember
Tue 8 Sep, 7pm
Forth Valley Royal
Women's Group - Bonnie Buttons
Thu 10 Sep, 10.30am-1pm
Victoria Centre
Welfare Benefits Appointments
Fri 11 Sep, 9.30am-3.30pm
Victoria Centre
Carers Coffee Afternoon
Fri 11 Sep, 12-2pm
Victoria Centre
Film Group
Mon 14 Sep, 1-4pm
Victoria Centre
Carers Tuesday Support Group
Tue 15 Sep, 7-9pm
Victoria Centre
Health Check Appointments
Wed 16 Sep, 1.30pm-4.30pm
Victoria Centre
|
Women's Group - Lunch Out
Thu 17 Sep, 10.30am-1pm
Venue TBC
Welfare Benefits Appointments
Fri 18 Sep, 9.30am-3.30pm
Victoria Centre
Women's Group - Quiz
Thu 24 Sep, 10.30am-1pm
Victoria Centre
Creative Writing Course
Thu 24 Sep, 1.30-3.30pm
Victoria Centre
Carers Coffee Afternoon
Fri 25 Sep, 12-2pm
Victoria Centre
Film Group
Mon 28 Sep, 1-4pm
Victoria Centre
Bereaved by Suicide Group
Mon 28 Sep, 6-8.30pm
Victoria Centre
Annual General Meeting
Wed 30 Sep, 7pm
Victoria Centre
|
|
Anxiety Management on your Mobile from SAM app
A reminder of this app for managing stress and anxiety. Our Social Prescribers love this app and get a lot of good feedback about it from their clients!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
