11am - 2pm on Friday 16th December 2011
cabaret by the fabulous WalNuts...
Arthur Findlay Centre, Stafford, ST16 2RS
All service users, carers, volunteers, staff & members most welcome...
but it would be rude not to let us know you were coming!
28 November 2011
27 November 2011
Mid Staffs Mind relaunch website
You really should have a look at the organisation's website... the bugs have been ironed out of the system, the general information reflects current activity, & the development news is up-to-date & interesting... looks kinda nice too!
We are entering a period of practical service development, whereby new activities & opportunities will be coming on line quite frequently - the Mid Staffs Mind website is a great way of keeping in touch with all of that.
We would be very grateful for any comments or ideas you may have regarding the website or other promotional material / events.
Thanks
We are entering a period of practical service development, whereby new activities & opportunities will be coming on line quite frequently - the Mid Staffs Mind website is a great way of keeping in touch with all of that.
We would be very grateful for any comments or ideas you may have regarding the website or other promotional material / events.
Thanks
04 November 2011
Peer Support at Mid Staffs Mind
What is Peer Support?
“Peer support is not like clinical support. In peer support we understand each other because we've been there, shared similar experiences.”
Peer Support allows people to give & receive care & help based on mutual respect, commonality, shared responsibility, & agreement as to what really helps; it does not rest on diagnosis or the medical model. It is about true empathy with another human, & the shared experience of mental & emotional pain.
The ‘Peer’ is someone with current or previous experience of mental health problems – in other contexts, it might be a person who has been through the redundancy ‘grinder’, or someone with a specific physical illness such as diabetes or epilepsy. ‘Peer Support Volunteers’ support folk with similar experience, socially, emotionally, & practically e.g. listening non-judgmentally, empathising, &/or providing information, running groups / activities etc.
“Peers don't see each other as patients... as peers we can remind ourselves we are people first. Because we have all been there we can help each other change our patterns and get out of ruts that we may be stuck in.”
Don't we already 'do' Peer Support?
We most certainly do! Informal Peer Support has always been a central element of Mid Staffs Mind activities, with friends being a 'listening ear’, giving feedback, suggestions etc. Sometimes just a cup of tea & 10 minutes does it! More formal Peer Support has been evident for a long time with service user volunteers organising groups like Music & Badminton.
“It is reassuring to meet others who are experiencing just the same kinds of feelings; to know you are not the only one.”
What is different about this 'new' Peer Support?
Many folk who use Mid Staffs Mind want to get involved in the planning, running, & development of activities & services. We want to ensure Peer Support Volunteers are fully trained, properly supported, & recognised for their crucial role. We aspire to offer something unique to those who knock on our door - open acceptance, honest concern, & real care... we believe this is worth fighting to keep, & with funding tight all over, the Peer Support Volunteer is one new way to do this.
“It is encouraging to hear about self-help tips that have worked for other people and to have the support of the group to try them out for yourself.”
What does it mean for Mid Staffs Mind Service Users?
All who use Mid Staffs Mind will be encouraged to contribute as much as they can to activities & services. During Peer Support sessions folk are expected to take responsibility for themselves as ‘peers’, ie. equals, using &/or contributing to the service, rather than being treated as ‘patients’ to be looked after. Such mutual support will enable us to keep our open access drop-ins available.
“When everyone is in the same boat it is easier to feel trusting, accepted and understood; the support is relaxed and mutual.”
What does it mean for Mid Staffs Mind Staff?
This enables our small band of paid support staff to interact with folk in a more individual & focused way, including more ‘person-centred planning’ helping individuals to identify & work towards personal goals. It allows staff to get out-&-about, building new partnerships & bridges to training, education, employment, & community groups, as well as generating new funding & projects 'within' the organisation.
“It can be easier to socialise in a supportive environment and being part of the peer network means there can be people within reach you can easily contact.”
What makes a Peer Support Volunteer?
Peer Support Volunteers will have ongoing or previous personal experience of mental health problems. Those without such experience are still very much encouraged to apply to be a Mid Staffs Mind volunteer – it certainly does take all sorts! The Peer Supporter running open access drop-ins will enjoy working with people, be approachable, a good listener, & thoughtful, capable of firmness when needed – a sense of humour would be a great asset. We like to hear from folk who would like to contribute to Peer Support sessions in other ways - we want to involve everyone, as much as possible, & support everyone in reaching their full potential.
“It means sharing our vulnerabilities and our strengths and finding value in each others help.”
Why be a Mid Staffs Mind Peer Support Volunteer?
Peer Support Volunteers get involved for all kinds of reasons: the work is challenging & rewarding: supporting folk under stress, passing on practical coping strategies, helping with difficult behaviour, motivating people to overcome anxiety or social inhibition. Support is mutual as it helps everyone involved think through what are often shared difficulties, with others in a similar situation. Peer-led activities are often popular as they are provided by & for people with experience of using services. It provides a chance for those who use Mid Staffs Mind to set up activities of particular interest to them.
Ongoing support, training, supervision, & recognition is provided for Peer Support Volunteers to enable folk get the most from the experience - whether on the road to employment, with CV, references etc., or as an end in itself e.g. in building personal confidence & esteem, &/or help better manage one's own mental health concerns.
“There is the opportunity to give as well as receive support which can help you to feel better about yourself.”
To find our more contact:
Leanne, Operational Lead, Mid Staffs Mind
tel: (01543) 462907 email: leanne.midstaffsmind@gmail.com
“Peer support is not like clinical support. In peer support we understand each other because we've been there, shared similar experiences.”
Peer Support allows people to give & receive care & help based on mutual respect, commonality, shared responsibility, & agreement as to what really helps; it does not rest on diagnosis or the medical model. It is about true empathy with another human, & the shared experience of mental & emotional pain.
The ‘Peer’ is someone with current or previous experience of mental health problems – in other contexts, it might be a person who has been through the redundancy ‘grinder’, or someone with a specific physical illness such as diabetes or epilepsy. ‘Peer Support Volunteers’ support folk with similar experience, socially, emotionally, & practically e.g. listening non-judgmentally, empathising, &/or providing information, running groups / activities etc.
“Peers don't see each other as patients... as peers we can remind ourselves we are people first. Because we have all been there we can help each other change our patterns and get out of ruts that we may be stuck in.”
Don't we already 'do' Peer Support?
We most certainly do! Informal Peer Support has always been a central element of Mid Staffs Mind activities, with friends being a 'listening ear’, giving feedback, suggestions etc. Sometimes just a cup of tea & 10 minutes does it! More formal Peer Support has been evident for a long time with service user volunteers organising groups like Music & Badminton.
“It is reassuring to meet others who are experiencing just the same kinds of feelings; to know you are not the only one.”
What is different about this 'new' Peer Support?
Many folk who use Mid Staffs Mind want to get involved in the planning, running, & development of activities & services. We want to ensure Peer Support Volunteers are fully trained, properly supported, & recognised for their crucial role. We aspire to offer something unique to those who knock on our door - open acceptance, honest concern, & real care... we believe this is worth fighting to keep, & with funding tight all over, the Peer Support Volunteer is one new way to do this.
“It is encouraging to hear about self-help tips that have worked for other people and to have the support of the group to try them out for yourself.”
What does it mean for Mid Staffs Mind Service Users?
All who use Mid Staffs Mind will be encouraged to contribute as much as they can to activities & services. During Peer Support sessions folk are expected to take responsibility for themselves as ‘peers’, ie. equals, using &/or contributing to the service, rather than being treated as ‘patients’ to be looked after. Such mutual support will enable us to keep our open access drop-ins available.
“When everyone is in the same boat it is easier to feel trusting, accepted and understood; the support is relaxed and mutual.”
What does it mean for Mid Staffs Mind Staff?
This enables our small band of paid support staff to interact with folk in a more individual & focused way, including more ‘person-centred planning’ helping individuals to identify & work towards personal goals. It allows staff to get out-&-about, building new partnerships & bridges to training, education, employment, & community groups, as well as generating new funding & projects 'within' the organisation.
“It can be easier to socialise in a supportive environment and being part of the peer network means there can be people within reach you can easily contact.”
What makes a Peer Support Volunteer?
Peer Support Volunteers will have ongoing or previous personal experience of mental health problems. Those without such experience are still very much encouraged to apply to be a Mid Staffs Mind volunteer – it certainly does take all sorts! The Peer Supporter running open access drop-ins will enjoy working with people, be approachable, a good listener, & thoughtful, capable of firmness when needed – a sense of humour would be a great asset. We like to hear from folk who would like to contribute to Peer Support sessions in other ways - we want to involve everyone, as much as possible, & support everyone in reaching their full potential.
“It means sharing our vulnerabilities and our strengths and finding value in each others help.”
Why be a Mid Staffs Mind Peer Support Volunteer?
Peer Support Volunteers get involved for all kinds of reasons: the work is challenging & rewarding: supporting folk under stress, passing on practical coping strategies, helping with difficult behaviour, motivating people to overcome anxiety or social inhibition. Support is mutual as it helps everyone involved think through what are often shared difficulties, with others in a similar situation. Peer-led activities are often popular as they are provided by & for people with experience of using services. It provides a chance for those who use Mid Staffs Mind to set up activities of particular interest to them.
Ongoing support, training, supervision, & recognition is provided for Peer Support Volunteers to enable folk get the most from the experience - whether on the road to employment, with CV, references etc., or as an end in itself e.g. in building personal confidence & esteem, &/or help better manage one's own mental health concerns.
“There is the opportunity to give as well as receive support which can help you to feel better about yourself.”
To find our more contact:
Leanne, Operational Lead, Mid Staffs Mind
tel: (01543) 462907 email: leanne.midstaffsmind@gmail.com
A bee in my bonnet
The Ritz of wildlife hotels
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)