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October 2016 Newsletter from FDAMH
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NEWS    EVENTS    SERVICES    FOR THE JOURNEY    DONATE

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October 2016


Hello <<First Name>>,
Referrer? Please take a note of planned changes to our Health and Wellbeing Drop-In Service. Marketing whizz? Check out our job ad! If you like to keep a keen eye on what we're up to our Half-Year Services Report is now available, or for a briefer insight you can watch our swift Annual Summary video! And finally, please don't forget FDAMH when you're Christmas Shopping this year - find out how you can easily generate free donations when you shop :-) Thanks!
Provide Feedback

- - NEWS - -

Developments in Health and Wellbeing Drop-In

Our Drop-In centre continues to be in great demand which means it can, at times, be very busy. Our staff get to know the people who use the service very well and monitoring and encouraging their wellbeing and recovery progress is a key aspect of the service.

To further advance this commitment to our service users we are looking at ways to offer additional structured individual support to people using the centre to help them achieve their desired outcomes. We anticipate this will include supporting people in environments out-with FDAMH.


What it means for new service users:

The first stage of this process is the introduction of an initial discussion with a Drop-In staff member for all prospective service users prior to commencing attendance. This will help to establish at the outset the goals people have in attending the service and the appropriateness of the service for them. Whilst we currently intend to retain the 'open-access' feel of Drop-In, new clients will have to complete this initial discussion prior to attending.

We're Recruiting - But you better be quick!

The FDAMH Training Academy is looking for a Promotions and Marketing Officer to take full responsibility for the Academy's branding and marketing, both on and off line. We think this is a great opportunity for someone to join an excellent team, take on a complete marketing strategy and help us deliver products with far reaching benefits - all supporting the charitable work of FDAMH. Applications close 5pm Monday 31st October.
Apply Now

Keeping it Brief

Who came to us, what they achieved and what made it happen - check out our 2 minute video for a brief run down on our last financial year (2015 to 2016). Full Annual Accounts are available on request at FDAMH.
If last year's all a bit "old-hat" for you, you'll be pleased to know that our services have released their short half-year update, now available on our website!
FDAMH Services: Half-Year Update (Apr - Sep 2016)

More Dates from FDAMH Training Academy

Word is getting out about the excellent quality of the courses and bespoke training being offered by our training team e.g.
  • Learn about keeping mentally well.
  • Improve your response to people coping with particular mental health issues.
  • Take your first steps in Counselling.
  • Make sure your volunteer team have the skills, knowledge and confidence to perform their roles well.
The Academy offers all this and more - pop along to their web pages or sign up to their Newsletter for more information!
Sign Up Now for Exclusive Training Discounts with the FDAMH Training Academy Newsletter
Academy Web Site

2017 - 2018 COSCA Counselling Skills Course


We will shortly be publishing the timetable for the course starting on 31 August 2017 and are accepting applications. If you hope to access financial support from your employer it's never too early to start the ball rolling - more details and application form on the Academy website.

Mindfulness for Cancer Patients

Due to our experience in Mindfulness we have been commissioned to deliver a free Mindfulness programme for cancer patients. The first course has been delivered and we have received lots of useful feedback which has been incorporated into the course. We are now registering students for the next course, you are welcome to share this opportunity with anyone you feel may be interested.

Mindfulness Training for those affected by cancer


Running for 2 hours a week over 8 weeks
This course is a structured programme which offers tools and techniques to relieve emotional and physical distress which are often experienced by those affected by cancer and will help you
  • Learn to handle your thoughts, moods and emotions more effectively
  • Be better able to deal with physical, mental, social and emotional issues
  • Live your life more fully
If you would like to register for a place on this course or find out more:
phone Neil Sowerby on: 01324 671608
or email: neil.sowerby@fdamh.org.uk

Raising Mental Health Awareness

World Mental Health Day took place this month and this year's theme was Psychological First Aid (PFA). Anyone can be trained in PFA and more information is available from the World Health Organisation's website. As you'll read below we marked World Mental Health Day and the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival with a performance by our Freedom of Mind Choir.

Recently some of our staff also took part in an event to promote the Year of Listening at Falkirk Grahamston Rail Station. Organised by Network Rail, we joined other groups to provide people who wished to talk a listening ear.
Read More on World Mental Health Day
Read More on Year of Listening

No Men Nevis Update

The event has now raised a stunning £62,598!

If you'd still like to acknowledge the fantastic efforts of our 313 women there's still time to donate to the No Men Nevis pot on BT MyDonate - the site closes on 31st October!
Donate Now

The Himalayas Beckon

John Wells is making the arduous trek to Everest Base Camp this November, raising funds for FDAMH. We're all wishing you the best of luck John - and stay safe. Sadly John's co-walker Kristina is injured and will be unable to make the trek, however we'd like to thank her and John for their fantastic work in fundraising and, just as importantly, raising awareness about FDAMH in the community. The duo's final fundraising event takes place this weekend:
Donate at John & Kristina's BT MyDonate Fundraising Page

Feel confident giving online!

The two main sites FDAMH is registered with for sponsored events and one-off doantions are BT MyDonate and Virgin Money Giving. These are not-for-profit and take minimal fees from your donations, they work out to be really cost effective for FDAMH because we don't have to handle large amounts of cash or manage Gift Aid claims. We have to verify our charity to register with these services. All online donations are then paid into FDAMH's bank account, not to the individual fundraiser.

You'll also find FDAMH on other services like easyfundraising, eBay, JustTextGiving, Charities Aid Foundation and PayPal. Again we've had to register and any money is paid to FDAMH. If you're ever suspicious about a fundraising site please get in touch with us to check it's valid.
Find out more about donating to FDAMH

Christmas Hamper Donations


We're looking for donations of non-perishable goods for our Christmas Party prize hampers - especially food items and toiletries. Donations can be handed in at reception and in Health and Wellbeing Drop-In.

Christmas Shopping Online?

It's never been easier to generate FREE donations for FDAMH - spread a little good with the happiness!

easyfundraising | Get Started
Watch easyfundraising's video to find out how!

And now it's even easier

easyfundraising have an app and browser toolbar extension that all make raising donations for FDAMH while you shop easy peasy!
Pop along to easyfundraising now!

Save the Date!

Our FDAMH Christmas Party is planned for the afternoon of Friday 16 December - stay tuned for further details!

Rachael makes early Christmas Request

Some people aren't so hard to please! We have 954 likes on our Facebook page. Please make Rachael happy by making it 1,000 by Christmas!


- - SERVICES - -

Family Support

Carers UK Adviceline

Every day Carers UK hear from people who need help with looking after a friend or family member. Carers UK offer advice, information and support  via the Carers UK Adviceline.
The Adviceline is available no matter where you are in the UK or how complex your query is. Information and advice is available on:
  • benefits and tax credits
  • carers employment rights
  • carers’ assessments
  • the services available for carers
  • how to complain effectively and challenge decisions.
In addition Carers UK listening service is there for you to talk through your caring situation with a trained volunteer who understands what you are going through. Adviceline is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. The listening service is available on Mondays and Tuesdays, 9am to 7pm.
Call 0808 808 7777

Time to book your place for the Carers Christmas Meal!

Carers Courses

Carers Education Course

Living with Mental Health Problems
A Free course for relatives, partners and friends


Running for 2 hours a week over 6 weeks, this friendly and informal course will aim to give you:
  • Information about mental health issues
  • Effective ways of dealing with stress and other feelings
  • Ways of supporting and communicating with your friend or relative
  • The opportunity to discuss and share ideas with others
Where?
The Victoria Centre, 173 Victoria Road, Falkirk.

If you would like to register for a place on this course or find out more:
phone Neil Sowerby or Susan Burns on: 01324 671600
or email: admin@fdamh.org.uk.

Mindfulness Training Course

The mindfulness skills we offer have been shown to be highly effective in reducing stress and enhancing well-being.
 
Taking courses like this offers Carers tools and techniques to relieve emotional distress by;
  • Finding new and effective ways of managing stress
  • Learning to handle thoughts, moods and emotions more effectively
  • Being better able to deal with physical, mental, social and emotional issues
  • Living life more fully
Courses are facilitated by experienced practitioners and trainers who use personal meditation as a way of life. We follow a well-structured programme which offer tools and techniques to help relieve stress and anxiety that many carers can and often do experience.
 
The sessions are for 2 hours over a 6 week period.
 
If you would like to register for a place on this course or find out more:
phone Neil Sowerby on: 01324 671600
or email: neil.sowerby@fdamh.org.uk.

Bereaved by Suicide Group

Counselling

Extension to Evening Counselling

By providing counselling in the evenings we are able to help people who cannot attend in the day time and it increases our overall capacity. The Counselling Service is always in high demand and waiting lists are longer that we would like. We are therefore grateful to NHS Forth Valley who have provided support to help us extend our evening service so we can now open late on Mondays and Wednesdays. Thank you also to counselling volunteers who have offered up their time to support these additional hours.

New Evening Receptionist

We're sending a warm welcome to Elaine Fraser who has taken on evening reception duties and will also be providing significant administrative support to the Counselling Service.

Volunteer Update

We'd like to welcome to Carolyn Barr who is one of our new Volunteer Counsellors. It is also farewell to Demetra Papamichael who has now left and we'd like to thank her for all her hard work and support during her time with FDAMH.

Activities at FDAMH

Get in touch!

If you're interested in any of the activities mentioned please get in touch with Emily at FDAMH on 01324 671 600 or email emily.stewart@fdamh.org.uk!

Raising their voices tremendously!

Marking World Mental Health Day and the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival (SMHAFF) FDAMH's Freedom of Mind Choir put on a brilliant performance at Forth Valley Royal Hospital to highlight the immense wellbeing benefits of singing together. Friends from other choirs in the community joined them to raise their voices for wellbeing with a set that included well known songs from Bob Dylan, R Kelly and John Lennon.
I'm Gonna Do It All
Read More

New Groups for November

More reasons to love Felting!

Felters' showcase

Many thanks to Coffee on Wooer for providing a delightful venue for our first ever Felters' Showcase this September. One of our members is now taking commissions!
New classes are underway with a fresh group. They are producing another batch of wonderful work using this fantastically therapeutic craft.

Felting enterprise

Congratulations to Alison who's participation in our Felting Class has certainly led on to new things! Alison recently led a Felting Workshop at Dobbies in Cumbernauld and also sold all of her work while she was there!
Read More

Drawing class contest draws near!

Group Worker Emily is delighted with the progress of the current Drawing Group who are busy for preparing pieces for an Art competition this December at the Fire Station.

There's some fantastic work being produced and we look forward to seeing the work exhibited in the Fire Station on the 8th December after the competition winner is announced.

Good luck everyone!

John Muir Awards for our Outdoor Group

Our much-loved Outdoor Group had their last session on the 4th of October with the wonderful Anna Canning. Everyone has worked really hard and will be getting their John Muir award in November! Well done to Joyce Reid, Steven Murray, Alistair Grainger, Lynn Hempseed, Kathryn Dougan and Ika Mcinor.

We will be running a new group in the spring!
Drama Group
We're still looking for more people to join our latest drama production, particularly if you're interested in an acting role. Volunteers and carers are very welcome! All you need to bring is your enthusiasm!

More Activity Group Images on FDAMH Insta-Gallery

Health and Wellbeing Drop-In

Boo!


Time to dust off your Halloween costume - if only to keep our guaranteed-to-be-dressing-up-not-to-be-named staff company (you know who they are)!

Monday 31st October
1-3pm in Drop-In
£1 for delicious lunch!


- - EVENTS - -

Get Event Details on FDAMH's Website
Full details and event information 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.


- - FOR THE JOURNEY - -

Breathing Space

A free confidential phoneline for anyone in Scotland feeling low, anxious or depressed. Call 0800 83 85 87 (24 hours at weekends, 6pm to 2am weekdays) or visit them online to find out more.
 
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Copyright © 2016 Falkirk and District Association for Mental Health, All rights reserved.


FDAMH is known as Falkirk's Mental Health Association.
Our registered name is Falkirk and District Association for Mental Health.
Registered Scottish Charity: SC011889
Company Limited by Guarantee: SC151357

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