“Speaking Out & Creating Community” event – 15th September 2015

For the third year, Equinox Lewisham and Quo Vadis Trust are co-sponsoring the Lewisham Mental Health Conference, with support this year from Lewisham Council. This event takes place on Tuesday 15th September at the Civic Suite. Tickets need to be booked via Eventbrite.

In his role as Lewisham Mental Health Champion, Cllr Jonathan Slater, has been vital to this year’s event. Members of the Lewisham Mental Health Connection network have been generous and creative in providing conference content.

This year’s theme is Speaking out & Creating Community. The theme and all conference content have been developed in public planning meetings involving service users, providers, commissioners, carers and local people. Thank you to all who helped us to shape the 2015 event.

Lark in the Park: Sat 18 July, 12pm to 4pm

This looks rather fun – thanks to Sarah Wilkins at Hexagon for tipping us off.

It’s called Lark in the Park and it’s on Saturday 18th July, 12pm to 4pm in Mayow Park. More details on Lewisham Council’s website – but it’s free and it’s outdoors with lots of fun activities, fab for enjoying the great British summer! 

Shared reading groups – Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays

Our friends over at The Reader Organisation are doing some wonderful things in the community – their shared reading groups are available at Catford Library (Tuesdays, 2pm-4pm), Sydenham Garden (Wednesdays, 3.30pm-4.30pm), Manor House Library (Thursdays, 3.30pm-5pm) and Deptford Lounge (Fridays, 3.30pm-5pm).

Get in touch with Lois to find out more or to visit a group: loiswalters@thereader.org.uk / 07730 503 144.

Lewisham Mental Health Conference 2015 – vote for the main conference image

A big thanks to all those who submitted artwork, in our search to find the main image for the Lewisham Mental Health Conference 2015.

Equinox Lewisham and Quo Vadis Trust were joined by 25 of our Lewisham Mental Health Connection friends and colleagues last night at the Civic Suite in Catford. Together we picked out our shortlist of 7 images

We’d now like to invite your votes.

Which image do you think should be the main image for this year’s Lewisham Mental Health Conference? The conference theme is ‘speaking out & creating community’ and the event is co-produced with people who use mental health services in Lewisham.

Email the title of your preferred image to charlotte.tarrant@equinoxcare.org.uk by Tuesday 30th June or you can text the title to 07761 235 485.

The winner will be contacted ahead of the conference launch in July and awarded a £20 voucher of their choice.

1) House in colourful landscape

 

2) Girl with balloon

 

3) Tree of life

 

4) Hands and butterfly

 

5) Abstract 1

 

6) Painted eggs

7) Abstract 2

 

Voluntary Services Lewisham: Mental health drop-ins in Lewisham

Details below of 3 Voluntary Services Lewisham Drop-ins currently operating in London Borough of Lewisham, for people with severe and enduring mental health issues. Spread the word!

 

Lee Centre Drop-in:
Monday and Friday, 10am to 1pm
1 Aislibie Road, Lee, SE12 8QH

Compass Centre Drop-in:
Tuesday and Thursday, 1pm to 4pm
Saturday, 10am to 1pm
Sunday, 1pm to 4pm
32-34 Watson St, Deptford SE8 4AU

Grove Centre Drop-in:
Thursdays, 7pm to 9pm
4 Jews Walk, Sydenham, SE26 6PL

 

For more information, call the VSL Drop-ins Coordinator on 020 8291 1747 or 07532 060 795 or email dropins@vslonline.org.uk 

Solidarity in a Crisis: out of hours peer support

Solidarity in a Crisis is an out of hours peer support service, for people who are in crisis. It is now operating in the boroughs of Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark.

The service has been a complementary service to the traditional crisis services. It has received very positive feedback from people who have used it.

The service is available out of hours, with peer supporters on call:

• Monday to Friday: 6pm to midnight
• Saturday and Sunday: midday to midnight

FREEPHONE: 0300 123 1922
TEXT: 07889 756 087 or 07889 756 083

Please spread the word!

Book Break Shared Reading – with the Reader Organisation

Some very exciting news from The Reader Organisation – check out their Book Break Shared Reading activity, every Friday (3.30pm to 5pm) at Deptford Lounge.

You can drop in, sit down and enjoy listening to a good story or poem – but there’s no pressure to talk, read or even to drink tea! Download the poster here and share, share, share!

For more information on this excellent activity, contact Val Nobbs: 020 8314 7288 or email valnobbs@thereader.org.uk . To join the Lewisham Mental Health Connection network, visit the LMHC Meetup site here.

 

‘So U Think I’m Crazy?’ reviewed by Matthew McKenzie

On Friday 20th March, there was a sell-out performance of ‘So U Think I’m Crazy?’ at the Albany Theatre in Deptford, a play which tells the story of a young black man’s experience of the mental health system in Britain.

This performance was supported and co-funded by Quo Vadis Trust and Equinox Lewisham (2 of the founder members of the Lewisham Mental Health Connection).

Matthew McKenzie, who is a carer and SLaM Governer, as well as a Lewisham Mental Health Connection member, was one of the speakers on the Q&A panel after the performance. The panel contributors also included Marcia Rigg, whose brother Sean Rigg died in police custody.

Matthew writes a blog called ‘A Caring Mind’ and he has reviewed ‘So U Think I’m Crazy?’ here.

Join the Lewisham Mental Health Connection here to find out about all our events and activities, which aim to improve mental health in Lewisham.

1 place left on exciting Arts Network animation project – referral details here…

So, who fancies being an animator?!

On Wednesday 25th March, for 8 successive weeks, members of Arts Network will be making animations. Working with award winning film makers from Formed Films, in partnership with The Horniman Museum, Arts Network members will produce short animated projects, exploring the Horniman Museum and using objects from the collection to create short pieces.

There’s one place left! If you are interested, visit the Arts Network webite, and fill in their referral form. Watch below the last animation Arts Network participants made with Drake Music and The Horniman Museum.

Get involved with ‘Growing Lives’: a new Sydenham Garden programme

Growing Lives is an exciting new programme at Sydenham Garden for people recovering from or living with mental ill health, using a therapeutic market garden format. Co-workers (people referred) will have the opportunity to be involved with all aspects of running the market garden from growing, marketing and selling crops, helping out with community days, as well as working toward qualifications accredited by Open College Network. The programme aims to improve confidence, self-esteem and prospects, reduce social isolation and promote healthy eating.

Please speak to your GP or key worker to be referred or contact the Sydenham Garden office for more information: 0208 291 1650/ e-mail katie@sydenhamgarden.org.uk