Important Notice

 

 

The functions of the South West Kent Wellbeing Blog have now been moved on to the main Live It well site at

 

www.liveitwell.org.uk/local-news/west-kent

Here you will find all the local news about mental health and wellbeing, plus the minutes and other documents about the West Kent LPMG meetings.

The Live It Well site is a great resource for everything to do with mental health and wellbeing across Kent and Medway, and we are very pleased that in future all of the local news and LPMG documents from the 8 geographic areas will be on the main site.

This site is now an archive for material up to April 30 2013, and is no longer maintained or updated. 

New ASD Carers Support Group

Sevenoaks Area Mind announce a new mutual support group for parents and carers of children with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) including Autism and Asperger Syndrome. The ASD Carers Support Group will meet at our Sevenoaks centre on Mondays from 10am – 11:30am, starting on 20 May.

The period leading up to and after an ASD diagnosis for a child can be a very challenging, bewildering and emotional time for parents and carers. Mums from our support groups who have been through this have recognised the need locally for a mutual support group for others in a similar situation. This new group will offer a relaxed, friendly and confidential place to share experiences and feelings with carers and parents who have had similar experiences.

A chance to have your say…

Do you or have you had a mental health problem?

Rethink Mental Illness and Sevenoaks Area Mind want to know what you think of the support you have had or are having and what, if anything, you might find more helpful. You’re invited to share your views on Tuesday 14 May, after which we’ll be holding an event on World Mental Health Day on 10th October 2013 to share our findings with some of our key local decision makers and service providers.

So if you would like a chance to have your views heard and you would like to share your experiences with others then please come and join us for tea/coffee and cakes! We will be holding two sessions on Tuesday 14 May at Sevenoaks Area Mind, you can choose to attend either the morning session, 1:00pm to 4:00pm, or the evening session 5:30pm to 8:30pm.

To reserve your place, call 01732 744950, email admin@sevenoaksareamind.org.uk or use the online reservation form on our website at www.sevenoaksareamind.org.uk/have-your-say. We look forward to meeting with you!

Domestic Abuse Services

 

Sevenoaks District Freedom Programme

Support Group for woman to break the cycle of domestic abuse.

Free 12 week programme.  For more information please following the links:-

http://liveitwell.org.uk/docs/blogs/blog_southwestkent/Freedom%20Programme%20Poster.pdf

http://liveitwell.org.uk/docs/blogs/blog_southwestkent/Referral%20Form%20for%20Freedom%20Programme.pdf

Commonwork

Forthcoming Events and Courses

Want to find out how to set up a bee hive, have happy beesand how to collect the honey? Or maybe you’d like to find out about caring for chickens including food, housing and health? We’re offering two, 1 x day introductory course here at Commonwork, Bore Place, KentTN8 7AR with John Shepherd, smallholder and Commonwork Tutor.

Sat 18 May “Backyard Bees”

Sat 1 June “Backyard Hens”

Offered in association with the Soil Association's Farm School, courses run 10:00am to 4:00pm and cost £50 including lunch. Concessionary places are available - please enquire. Book places with beckyb@commonwork.org 01732 463255. Full programme and booking forms available on our website.

Commonwork Summer Open Day

Plans are under way for an exciting summer open day this year at Commonwork on Sunday 21 July 11-5pm. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for the sun!

• tours around the Jacobean manor house and gardens
• find out about the different renewable energies used at Bore Place
• drop-in activities and workshops for children
• cookery sessions
• organic garden tours
• fresh organic veg for sale
• local food and craft stalls

and a whole lot more!

Enjoy a delicious local organic lunch prepared by our onsite team or bring your own picnic. Relax listening to live music - this year we are really pleased to welcome

Green Street Blues local ladies chorus, specialising in a cappella singing

The Dave Reay Trio playing jazz, latin and swing.

No booking required, pay on the gate adults £6, children £3. Entry fee includes all activities (but not refreshments/lunch). Keep an eye on http://www.commonwork.org/courses-and-events/commonwork-summer-open-day-2013for more information and you can now follow us on Twitter! @commonwork

All best

From Everyone at Commonwork

Voluntary Action within Kent: Training Programme

 

We have just put together our Summer 2013 training programme.

We have some great courses on offer which provide excellent value for money.

Please to view our full list of training courses; in house courses are also available,

read Click here the full document for details.

Courses can be booked via our website please click on the link below.

http://www.vawk.org.uk/Training-and-Consultancy/Training-Calendar

Call me Crazy

 

 

*Free tickets available on Saturday 20th April, 7.30pm…

We are delighted to be able to now offer some free tickets to students, teachers and members of voluntary & community sector organisations and their guests for a creative, moving and comic production of the award winning play Call Me Crazy. To take advantage of this offer telephone The Stag Theatre on 01732 450175 and quote the promotion code MIND. We can offer up to 4 free tickets per person. This will be on first come first served basis so book now to claim your free tickets. Evening performance only.

Your free tickets will be waiting for your collection at the box office at The Stag Theatre, London Rd Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1ZZ from 6.45pm on the night or you can arrange to pick them up sooner from the Stag Theatre, Sevenoaks. This event is supported by Sevenoaks District Council and West Kent NHS Trust and is aid of Sevenoaks Area Mind. Some scenes may be unsuitable for year 8 children and below.

For further information about the show please visit:

http://www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk/whats-on/live/call-me-crazy-665/ or http://sevenoaksareamind.org.uk/call-me-crazy

 Rethink Mental Illness : Benefits Guide

 

Your free benefits guide Benefits rules are confusing at the best of times. But this month, we have been deluged with changes. Bedroom tax, the end of DLA, PIP, Crisis loans, Council Tax Benefit, the list goes on…. We’re hoping that we can help you get the information you need about all these changes. Our advisers have put together a pack explaining all the changes we know about. Follow the link below:- http://liveitwell.org.uk/docs/blogs/blogs_all/benefits_changes_pack_black_and_white.pdf Rest assured, this is not all we’re doing. We are still working on our secret campaign to improve benefits tests, which we will tell you about as soon as we can. And we are working on more information about Universal Credit. We will send that to you once it is ready. I hope this helps you and your loved ones to get the support you need. Best wishes Jane Harris Rethink Mental Illness

 

 

 

 

 

http://liveitwell.org.uk/docs/blogs/blogs_all/benefits_changes_pack_black_and_white.pdf

Important information for anyone looking to contact Kent County Council by phone

 

As a result of a technical problem beyond our control, all our phone numbers beginning 08458 are currently unavailable. We're working to resolve this issue as soon as possible.

 A temporary number has been set up to replace the main switchboard number. This is 0300 333 5540. Please visit our website www.kent.gov.uk for more information, or as an alternative way of accessing council services.

John Callaghan

Business Resilience Officer

Workplace Management Team
Operational Support Unit
Families and Social Care

Kent County Council
3rd Floor, Brenchley House

123-135 Week Street
Maidstone, ME14 1RF

Bipolar Self-Help Group Tunbridge Wells

 

First group will be on Monday 13th May, 5pm - 6.30pm and the following meetings will be held on the second Monday of each month. 

Tea and coffee will be available for £1.00 per person. The groups are intended for self- help , peer support speakers will be arranged as and when  possible.

 

 

 For further information please follow the links below:

 http://liveitwell.org.uk/docs/blogs/blog_southwestkent/Bipolar%20Group%20Poster.pdf

Or contact Carol Lawrence,

Hub Project Manager

Tunbridge Wells Mental Health Resource Limited

2a Grosvenor Park Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 2BD

Email:  caroll@twmhr.org.uk  Telephone: 01892 539422  Website : www.twmhr.org.uk

 

 

Staff Vacancies at Sevenoaks Area Mind

1. Team Leader, Supported Housing, Part-Time (Sevenoaks)

 

2. Development Officer, Fundraising, Part-Time (Sevenoaks & Tonbridge)

3. Support Worker, Community Services, Part-Time (Sevenoaks & Tonbridge)

 For job application packs tel Annie or Ruth on 01732 744950,

 

email admin@sevenoaksareamind.org.uk or visit www.sevenoaksareamind.org.uk/jobs

 Closing date for applications : 25 April 2013

Call Me Crazy

Saturday 20th April at the Stag Theatre

Call Me Crazy is a comedy which tackles some serious issues on mental health.

 

 Tickets on sale at the Stag Box Office  now. All proceeds go to Sevenoaks Area Mind.


 
For further information please follow the link below,

 http://liveitwell.org.uk/docs/blogs/blog_southwestkent/Call%20Me%20Crazy%20Poster.pdf

Stress in the Workplace : A Free Course For Managers

There are still spaces available for this course on Tuesday 26th March.

For details on how to book please follow the link below:


http://liveitwell.org.uk/docs/blogs/blog_southwestkent/A5%20Stress%20in%20the%20Workplace%20SDC%20part%201.pdf

Service User Involvement Training : March 2013

This 1 day workshop will look at the skills that are needed for service users to effectively influence service improvement in mental health care provided by KMPT.
Workshops available in Medway, Canterbury and Maidstone.

For more information please follow the link below:-

http://liveitwell.org.uk/docs/blogs/blogs_all/Service%20User%20Involvement%20Training.pdf

Mental Health Trainging for Frontline Staff

Sevenoaks District Council Offices 25th February 2013.

For more information and to book a place click on the link:

http://liveitwell.org.uk/docs/blogs/blog_southwestkent/A5%20MH%20Frontline%20Staff%20v3.pdf