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Sevenoaks Area Mind has been working in Sevenoaks and District since the mid 1960’s. Sevenoaks Area Mind has been a transforming influence in mental health locally, having been at the forefront in innovative thinking and implementation of services throughout that time. Services such as provision of accommodation with support in the local area to enable local people to stay in their home area; to services offering peer support which are run by our service users using their own experiences to support and encourage others with similar difficulties. There are many aspects of people’s lives with which we are involved. We aim not only to provide services, but to negotiate for new and more responsive services which meet people’s needs, and to raise standards of service delivery. We do this by listening.
Sevenoaks Area Mind is a major contributor to the continued well-being of those living with mental ill health in the area of Sevenoaks. Working towards recovery underpins all of our work within the organisation. The concept of recovery for people with mental health problems is one where the key idea is one of hope that it is possible for meaningful life to be restored, despite serious mental illness. Recovery in this context is often referred to as a process, a vision, a guiding principle and a journey. Like life the recovery process happens in fits and starts and has many ups and downs. It requires a well organised system of support and requires services to embrace new and innovative ways of working.
It is this latter point which leads us into new and exciting challenges in our everyday work. Recovery emphasises that while people may not have full control over their symptoms, they can have full control over their lives and it looks beyond these limits to help people achieve their own goals and aspirations. Sevenoaks area mind continues to be there alongside people in this journey.
So how do we do this?
Our two housing projects offer permanent homes for 15 people offering some support to develop and maintain independent living working within the recovery model.
The Glen Dunlop Day Resource Centre offers individualised support to access day opportunities in the community as well as a safe and social place for people to meet. Support can range from one to one support to joining group ventures. Our welcome pack details all the opportunities available and additional suggestions are always welcome. We also offer a drop-in centre in Tonbridge as a resource which offers both a Mum’s Support Group and a women’s only day on Fridays. Some of our other services available which have been developed through discussions with local Service Users include our Sevenoaks Mum’s Support Group a weekly group for Mum’s run by Mum’s offering a safe crèche and a safe place to talk confidentially. Counselling is offered through the counselling service which is served by trainee counsellors at the latter stage of their training. The service is carefully monitored with appropriate supervision and training in place.
Sevenoaks Mental Health Awareness Group (SAMHAG) has been in existence for over twelve years and aims to reduce the stigma and discrimination surrounding people with mental health problems. Our group does this by providing workshops in Mental Health Awareness which emphasise the importance of good mental health for all. Consultation is central to the values of Sevenoaks Area Mind. We passionately believe in encouraging, supporting and enabling our Service Users to be fully involved in the planning, delivery and monitoring of local services. Service Users are enabled to contribute in a variety of ways which suit the way they want to be involved best. This can range from discussion groups within the local centre or within local groups, to being fully involved as representatives of those groups at more formal meetings throughout the area. Sevenoaks Area Mind provide the administration and support for the local planning and monitoring groups and Service User and Carer Briefing Meetings which seek to inform, share information, and involve Service Users and Carers across Kent at all levels.
Part of this work and because we have built up a range of good contacts over the years is to undertake specific pieces of consultation work to contribute to the development of new services or which may change the way services are delivered in the future. We are delighted to offer the opportunity to Service Users directly to train to be involved in carrying out this work.
Using new technology reflects the fact that Sevenoaks Area Mind is still in the forefront of providing innovative services and recently we have developed a social networking site specifically for people with mental health problems who can link to this through their organisation and as individuals to provide support and simply to chat to each other online; to discuss and share information about their specific issues or to find out information to be better informed. There are also many other opportunities that the ‘It’s Right’ site offers including links to other websites. Links between local organisations and the opportunity to read documents such as minutes and other documents of relevance in connection with the consultation process locally. This innovative and award winning site is constantly under review and development and Sevenoaks Area Mind has acquired some computers to give away to Service Users to get them started with the internet and the benefits can be from learning to use computers to learning the internet and becoming more technically proficient. www.itsright.co.uk |
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Sevenoaks Area Mind |
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SEVENOAKS AREA MIND |
