Facebook
Twitter
Website

Stepping Stones Service Update


Hello and welcome to the May 2020 edition of our newsletter. I hope this newsletter finds you well in these difficult times. As you know the coronavirus pandemic has affected everyone’s lives. There appears to be some hope on the horizon as we look to our political leaders to guide us through this crisis. However, our services have been impacted somewhat although the main office is open normal hours. If you need to speak to anyone contact us 01419412929 or via email on admin@stepstones.org.uk. 

Our face to face services and group activity are now delivered remotely by telephone and video links for the time being. This is not ideal, however, it’s the best we can offer at this time until the situation improves. We are still taking referrals from West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership services and GP’s.

When the lockdown occurred just over a month ago we were supporting 460 people and had around 140 people on our waiting list for an assessment. We have now re-established most of our activities and are designing new ones in partnership with our members and peers. These are highlighted further down the page.

Our previous e-bulletins can be accessed in the link below.
https://us18.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=74a98e689c674eebef0e74910&id=b8852c095e


Take care and keep safe!  John White – Operations Director

Stepping Stones - Our Services

___________________________________________

Groups - via the Zoom App and hosted by Stepping Stones staff

Aspire - Tuesdays 2-3.30pm
Reflect and Connect - Wednesdays 2-3.30pm
Connections - Thursdays 2-3.30pm
Peer2Peer groups - Various times
T'ai Chi and Relaxation Classes - We are trying to set some sessions online using Zoom and we will be in touch when we are ready to share.
If you want to join any of the above and a re not sure how to do this - get in touch with us!

1:1 Support Sessions - Via telephone and Video Link.
Person-Centred Therapy (Counselling) - up to 8 sessions of therapy. Briefly, a person-centred therapist will help you to explore your own issues, feelings, beliefs, behaviour, and worldview, so you can become more self-aware and achieve greater independence. When you’re attending counselling sessions you will be encouraged to bring your own issues to the session – the counselling is led by you and not directed by the counsellor.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - up to 8 sessions of therapy. Briefly a cognitive behavioural therapist will support you to help you manage your problems by working with you to change the way you think and behave. It is a common approach that is used to support people manage anxiety and depression - although it can be a useful support for other mental health or physical problems. 

Individual Support - It is for people who have ongoing difficulties that can either be practical or emotional, or a combination of both. We find that people benefit from having time with a support worker to reflect on the issues they are going through. This helps people work out what is most important to them now and helps people identify some goals. It normally lasts between 3-6 months but there is some flexibility about timings.

"Drop in" Support - It is for people who have previously had support from Stepping Stones and are still registered as a service member with the organisation. If service members feel their mental health has taken a dip they may benefit from having someone to speak with for practical and emotional support without joining a waiting list.

All the above supports are offered remotely to people. If remote support won't work for you, let us know and we can discuss other options with you.

Helpful Information and Links


NHS Services
Please note that the NHS is still here to help everyone. It is important that people seek help, and when they need to, contact their GP or, if it is out of hours, contact NHS 24. Link below for NHS information.
https://www.nhsinform.scot/

Clydesider Magazine
The Old Kilpatrick based social enterprise have prepared a Mini Mag that contains lots of information about resources that are currently available. Their website is regularly updated and is available at the link below. Organisations can join the weekly Zoom chat to catch up with each other. You can access this if you contact the Clydesider Team via the link below. 
https://clydesider.org/covid19publications/#covid

WDCVS Community Response
They have volunteers delivering food / medicine to people who can’t get out in their local area and have volunteers providing Telephone Befriending for those who are socially isolated. Check the link below.
https://www.wdcvs.com/news/telephone-befriending/

Stress Control
They have online relaxation and mindfulness exercises and an online course running later in May. Link below.
https://stresscontrol.org/relaxation-mindfulness/

Anxiety UK website
Coronavirus page link: https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/coronanxiety-support-resources/

Anxiety UK phone line hours extended, no available until 10pm weeknights and 10am-8pm on weekends. 03444 775 774 (however, calls may not be free “Calls to this number are the same as dialling an 01 or 02 number. The national rate for these type of calls is generally up to 9p from landlines and from 3p to 55p on mobile phones. However, you made find that this cost is included in your phone plan.”) (more info about these services:https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/get-help/anxiety-uk-national-infoline-service/infoline-email-text-live-chat-services/)

Samaritans
Samaritans have a web page relating to mental health during coronavirus: https://www.samaritans.org/scotland/how-we-can-help/support-and-information/if-youre-having-difficult-time/if-youre-worried-about-your-mental-health-during-coronavirus-outbreak/
  • They have a short video on the above page to encourage people to talk about feelings and connect with others which could be shared.
  • Lower in the page there are links to several other resources on various topics.
SAMH
SAMH page specifically related to coronavirus https://www.samh.org.uk/about-mental-health/self-help-and-wellbeing/coronavirus-and-your-mental-wellbeing
  • This is good as links will be relevant to our members as this is a Scottish based service.
  • Includes links for practical issues such as claiming benefits due to coronavirus.
  • Link to free daily mindfulness session with the Mindfulness association.

NHS
https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-staying-at-home-tips/
NHS page is easy to follow as they break things down into 12 steps to look after mental health, such as stay active, look after sleep, keep a daily routine, etc. with links to resources.

NHS24 Living Life
https://www.nhs24.scot/our-services/living-life/
The Living Life service offers support to people in Scotland through guided self-help and cognitive behavioural therapy. You can access the service by referring yourself for an assessment by phoning 0800 328 9655 (Monday to Friday: 1pm - 9pm).

Breathing Space
https://breathingspace.scot/
A confidential phone line for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16, feeling low, anxious or depressed.

Notable Dates for May

Stress Control Online Course

Stress is a normal reaction to the rapidly changing and uncertain times we are all living in at the moment. If you are feeling a bit more stressed than usual and would like to learn some great ways, free-of-charge, to deal with common problems like anxiety, depression, panicky feelings, poor sleep and poor wellbeing then come along to our classes.

‘Stress Control’ is a six-session cognitive-behavioural therapy class used extensively in community-settings by the NHS (UK) and HSE (Ireland) and across the world. You can find out more here: www.stresscontrol.org and check out the YouTube link for an introductory video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UUmZKoy-tk&list=PL_BKErJ_jlSQHKFtHPCRmEctDtcNCCowB

West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute Conversation Cafe


Facilitated by the Scottish Recovery Network, the online conversation cafe will be facilitated in West Dunbartonshire, Inverclyde & Argyll 28th May 2020. The café will run from 2pm until 3.30pm for a maximum of eight people. You can book your place at the link below.
Conversation Cafe - book here!
 


Stepping Stones Office Hours

Stepping Stones office will be closed on Friday 22nd May and Monday 25th May.

Normal hours are Mon - Thurs 9-4.30pm, Thurs 5-8pm, Friday 9-4pm.

Privacy Policy

Our Privacy Policy is available to read on  our website.
View this email in your browser.

Our mailing address is:
Stepping Stones
Unit A10
Whitecrook Business Centre
78 Whitecrook Street
Clydebank
G81 1 QF
Tel: 01419412929; Our 24 hour answer machine facility.
Mobile: 07848 042521
Email: admin@stepstones.org.uk - Email us and one of our team will get back to you within 24 hours

Update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list






This email was sent to <<Email Address>>
why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences
Stepping Stones · Social Economy Centre · Ground Floor, 63 Kilbowie Road · Clydebank, G81 1BL · United Kingdom

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp