East Kent User Forum open meetings

The East Kent User Forum (EKUF) are having a series of three open meetings. Come along and find out how you can become more involved in your area and have a say in how local services are planned. Meet the staff, volunteers and user reps over a mince pie and hot chocolate. We look forward to seeing you.

Ashford meeting on Thursday December 2nd at 11.00am

Braethorpe
Canterbury Road
Ashford

Deal meeting on Friday December 3rd at 11.00am

Deal Resource House
London Road
Deal

Dover meeting on Wednesday December 8th at 11.00am

Ashentree House
Ashentree Lane
Dover

For more information – ring Maggie or Amanda on 01843 230 726

Ways to Wellbeing Workplace Workshops

The NHS is funding free Ways to Wellbeing Workplace Workshops as part of the Live It Well Strategy.

Organisations are invited to arrange for workshops covering issues such as stress, anxiety, low mood and the sorts of work-related and financial worries that are becoming everyday realities as more people face coping with the impact of the economic downturn.

The free Ways to Wellbeing workshops are run by professionals from KCA’s Psychological Therapy team and employment specialists mcch. They aim to help people survive uncertain times by introducing them to strategies designed to build up their resilience and help them thrive. The workshops are run by professionals from KCA and mcch.

To arrange a workshop for your organisation or find out more, call Don MacLeod, KCA’s Programme Co-ordinator on 01634 406087.

Race & Ethnicity in Mental Health Action Group

The East Kent Race & Ethnicity in Mental Health Action Group (REMAG) will be holding their initial meeting on Friday 12th November at the Spring Lane Neighbourhood Centre in Canterbury between 10am and 12pm; lunch will be provided afterwards.

"We envisage that service providers, mental health and social care commissioners (from statutory and voluntary groups) alongside members of the community, will engage with this action group in order to encourage equity in access and experience of services for black and minority ethnic (BME) groups in East Kent. This opportunity is the first of its kind in East Kent and it has the potential to be a beacon of good practice across the region."

Further information in this flyer and in this report. If you would like to attend or have any other queries please contact Bernadette Avis on  01622 230718.

If you were in charge, where would you spend the money?

After the recent spending review all Kent Adult Social Services are expecting cuts, meaning some difficult decisions. Service users and others can make their views known at this free event on Thursday November 11th, 10:30-2:45, with lunch.

Ashford Enterprise Centre
Towers School, Faversham Road,
Kennington, Ashford
TN24 9AL

A Kent LINk Community Engagement Event

October KENT LINk Bulletin

This months bulletin has two articles of particular interest. "Transforming Mental Health Services for Children in Need" introduces Wintrop Hall in Staplehurst, near Maidstone, which is being transformed into Kent's first dedicated specialist children's mental health centre.

"What is Big White Wall?" introduces the revolutionary mental wellbeing social network Big White Wall. A number of places are available to Kent residents on this site, funded by the Kent and Medway NHS Social Care and Partnership Trust.

Read the bulletin online here.

Live It Well final strategy published

October 10th, World Mental Health Day, saw the publication of the final Live It Well strategy for improving the mental health and wellbeing of people in Kent and Medway. The draft strategy was circulated earlier this year, and changes were made as a result of feedback received.

Read the final Live It Well strategy

Read about the consultation exercise

Richmond Fellowship program

The Richmond Fellowship have published their day service program of events in Thanet for October.