Mindflash 40 - Redcar & Cleveland Mind

Nov ¦ Dec ¦ Jan ¦ 2005-6Nov 05 - Jan 06Forty (And Still Looking Good)As this is the 40 th edition of Mindflash, I’ve been asked towrite about the changes we have seen in Redcar & ClevelandMind in recent years. As I have now worked here for over 6years, I thought I would talk about the changes that havehappened in that time.When I firststarted working forR&C Mind it was inRedcar Day Serviceas a Day ServiceOrganiser. The dayservice at the time,was open five days aweek, Wednesday toSunday. Our tenderwas successful withRedcar & ClevelandSocial ServicesSue, Ron, Nick and Shirley having a break from one oftheir regular newsletter editorial meetingsDepartment and wewere looking for accessible premises, so we could open 7 days a week. Wealso had the Information Service, and the 2 other projects we had wereat Saltburn Outreach — a day service 3 days a week and an art/mentalhealth promotion project 2 days a week at Village Arts in Loftus.40www.randcmind.orgBehind the scenes though, Jane Reast (our previous Director) and Samwere busy working and negotiating with agencies such as Social Services,to get other projects off the ground and to continue to build ourreputation as a quality organisation. Continued on page 3Redcar & Cleveland Mindflash is published by Redcar & Cleveland Mind,Dove House, 5 Turner Street, Redcar, TS10 1AY.Tel 01642 296052 or Fax 01642 296053Email address: main@randcmind.org website address: www.randcmind.orgRegistered Charity no. 1002308Mindflash 40 ¦ 1

Nov ¦ Dec ¦ Jan ¦ 2005-6Edition 40Crystal FairINDEXPAGE40 & Still Looking Good 1Crystal Fair 240 & Still Looking Good Cont’d 3Ken Barkers Life & Times 4Tales From The Titanic 4True Tall Stories 5Olympic Silver 5Wordsearch 6Cyber Quiz 6World Mental Health Day 7Caption Competition 8New Executive Committee 9My Girlfriend 10Mental Hell 10About Us 11Art Competitions 12Candy’s Difficult Life 12Whitby Trip 13Development Day 13Pool Competition 13York Visit 14First Flight 15Nick Wins Award 16Quality Award 16EDITORIAL TEAM:Ken Barker, George Cowen,Sue Cowling, Ron Gibson,Shirley Hart, Steve Mason,Nick Murray & Nicole SpenceleyThe Crystal Fair is held twice a yearin April and October and we went inApril 2005. It’s held in a big theatrein Ilkley. Ten of us went by bus andit took two and quarter hours to getthere. We went through a lot offloods. I was very upset as I arrivedat the pick up point late for the bus.There were lots of crystals therethis year and a lot of really beautifuljewellery, all made with crystals. Ibought a very beautiful dousingcrystal and a sun stone elephant forfriends. Also I bought a crystal angelnecklace for myself. However, I wasvery disappointed the man with theTibetan bows was not there becauseI wanted to buy one.Unfortunately, I missed theworkshop on angels that I wanted togo to, as it was full up. I then wentinto another workshop, but I did notlike it. It made me feel ill.It was very well attended. We haddinner while we sat in one of thetheatre boxes. Steven, who was withus on the trip, took some photos.Everyone enjoyed the day out.Shirley Hart2 ¦ Mindflash 40

Nov ¦ Dec ¦ Jan ¦ 2005-640th EditionContinued from page 1.We succeeded again with a successfultender for the East Cleveland DayService in 2001, which was also toopen 7 days spread over 4 venues togive people better access to theservices.Having the new services meantchanges to staffing structures aseveryone agreed that Day ServiceManagers were needed to co-ordinatethe running of the services as well asbeing more active in meetings andreviews.Around the time this was allhappening, we achieved Investor inPeople status, which meant that ourorganisation was being recognised asa quality organisation, that looksafter its people. The Informationservice was awarded Community LegalServices Quality Mark and given fullCLS Information Point status in 2002This along with our Mind QualityStandards award helps us toconstantly review our practices andintroduce change because of that.As I have moved on in theorganisation I have seen furtherchanges as we have grown in responseto what people need. We have workedin partnership with Redcar &Cleveland CAB to set up an Advice,Information and Training for BetterHealth pilot project in Redcar, whichhas just recently received fundingfor a further 3 years. This meansthat the project can move into EastCleveland to provide better accessfor people living in rural areas. Wehave also worked with the LocalImplementation Team to employ aMental Health PromotionDevelopment Worker.The biggest change of course wasJane Reast (our former Director)retiring. Jane was and still is verymuch respected both within andoutside our organisation and we wereall sad to see her go. However, I dobelieve that the biggest tribute wecan pay to all of her hard work is tocontinue to work hard to see Redcar& Cleveland Mind change and grow.New policies from the Governmentand local authorities mean that we dohave to change in order to grow andcontinue to provide quality services.Day Services will be modernised inlight of the Social Exclusion Reportand new projects are already in thepipeline. The organisation’s newBusiness Plan is about to be launched,setting out our priorities for thenext 3 years.One thing that will not change is ourculture and ethos. We will continue toconsult with and include everyoneinvolved in our organisation. As longas we do this then the changes in ourorganisation can only benefit all of usas well as the wider local community.As long as we continue to work as ateam then there is no reason why wecannot deal with these changes in apositive way and become an evenbetter organisation for everybody.Sharon StreetMindflash 40 ¦ 3

Nov ¦ Dec ¦ Jan ¦ 2005-6Ken Barker’sLife And TimesTales FromThe TitanicHello my name is Ken, ever since Ihad problems with my parents notloving me as a child it made my lifevery hard to cope with. Having mentalhealth problems made me think lifewas over for me, so I decided to walkout on my family in Easington and toldthem I was leaving the next morning.I left and went to the Skeltonhousing office and said to them I amhomeless and have no where to live,they gave me a bed and breakfastplace in Saltburn in Pearl Street in1996. The hardest thing was living onmy own in a strange place, but I likedit and made such good friends there.In 1998 I moved to Garnet Streetthis was my first flat and it wasrubbish, but that did not matter,because this was my first home and Imade it look nice to live in. But thesad news was, the landlord had to sellthe flat and that was very upsettingfor me. I got my first dog calledSpike he was 1 year old and he was amess like me, but I love him verymuch. I fall asleep with Spike — ourlives started together. I lived inGarnet Street for six years and thenmoved to Amber Street. The flat Ihave now is very nice and so posh and‘bling’. I have done so well in my life Iam proud of what I am and what Ihave done.Ken BarkerCharles Lightoller was the only seniorofficer to survive the Titanicdisaster, when the Titanic hit aniceberg they knew they were introuble and were going to sink.They saw another ship with it’s lightsflashing out to sea but it didn’t seethem. He only had so many lifeboats,for so many people, but he made sureas many people as possible got away,he made sure the children and thewomen got away first.When all the lifeboats had gone hejumped into the water and then hesaw the funnel tipping over, it didn’tland on him but he got sucked underthe water. Then there was anexplosion and that threw him back upto the top. He was picked up by alifeboat and was rescued.Ken Carlton4 ¦ Mindflash 40

Nov ¦ Dec ¦ Jan ¦ 2005-6True Tall StoriesI come from avery tall family.My dad, Williamwas 7 foot twoinches tall. Hewas a miner andwas 84 when hedied and he couldstill pick peopleup like they werea rag doll. Mygreat uncles Bill, George and Joshuawere also very tall – between 6 foot 9inches and 7 feet. My great uncleWilliam also had the longest arms inGreat Britain. He was 7 foot and hisarms nearly reached the floor. Hishands were like shovels and when hewas down the pit he just scooped upthe coal onto the conveyor belt withhis bare hands. George and Joshuawere the two strongest men in thenorth in their day.My great uncle Joshua built the firstbike that ever rode through thestreets of Keswick. The same bikestands outside one of the shops inKeswick High Street today for peopleto see. He also caught the biggestpike ever in Keswick – about 6 feet inlength – and that is in the shop aswell.My grandfather was a Brigadier inthe 1 st World War. It was so boggy atthe front that the horses couldn’tpull the gun carriages and the menhad to push them along through themud.My mother’s brother, Uncle GeorgeGreener, was captured by theJapanese in the Second World War.He survived by eating worms andgrass and when he returned home heweighed only 5 stone and he couldonly be fed very small amounts at atime.My mother worked on the farm allher life, turnip snagging, feeding pigsetc. She had a pet lamb that followedher all over even when it was a bigsheep! Before she cooked the mealsshe had to feed and groom thehorses that she used to plough thefields. She had a hard life but shewas a very nice woman.My surname Jewitt dates back tobefore the Norman Conquest. It isone of the oldest names in Britain.Bill JewittOlympic SilverOn Friday 1 stJuly I went tothe SpecialOlympic Games2005 in Glasgow.I had a goodtime on myholiday there and won a silver medalin the long jump. I was excited toget it. Returning on the bus home Iwas longing to show my family andfriends my medal.Douggie WilsonMindflash 40 ¦ 5

Nov ¦ Dec ¦ Jan ¦ 2005-6WordsearchW L O H E L E P H A N T S U IP C A T F A L I O N C P Y T RG O S A T U G K O B M T K O RD N S U D O H O R S E M A L FO U C O W A H E Y I E O N D OG P G S U S T A U P R N G L XL C A P J T I G E R A K A E VP A X U U E R Y T D B E R O FO L L P K I T T E N B Y O P CO F D P A W E U I V I O O A MP U A Y K I P O D B T O D R RM O U S E V I U A E W Y P D MN C T I P L G S I A A N B W OL H A M S T E R B R C I D F JP U D M S A O P C A M E L V ACat kitten dog puppyHorse cow calf rabbitTiger lion pig leopardElephant monkey mouse kangarooHamster bear camel fox Sue CowlingTess TheLucky MascotThe East Cleveland DayService collected the trophyat the most recent CyberQuiz held on 25th August2005. The next quiz will beheld on Thursday 1st Dec.at 1:00 pm. and will featurea team from RedcarOpportunities Centre (ROC).The members of the East Cleveland Day Service winning team. From left toright Graham Aitken, Caroline Grainger (with Tess the team mascot & the dayservices first ever PAT dog), Michael Roe, Paul Marshall & Marc Weston. Theyagain beat the Redcar Day Service, this time by a margin of six points.6 ¦ Mindflash 40

Nov ¦ Dec ¦ Jan ¦ 2005-6World Mental Health Day in RedcarOctober 8 th was the date chosen bythe Redcar & Cleveland MentalHealth Promotion Partnership tohighlight the issue of stigma.Despite the weather, the day was agreat success.African drummers entertained thevisitors to the marquee which wassituated as usual near the RedcarTown Clock. Cathy Sprague’s circusskills workshop and a variety ofexhibitors, such as The Junction,Mental Health Matters, R&C MindInfo Service and Stamp Revisited,helped make the day a memorableevent. A lot of photos were taken andsome video clips. These will be shownon DVD to people who use the dropins.Pauline Pendry did a first classjob of organising the event (her firstfor WMH Day). Pictured are somehighlights of the day.People ‘broke down’ the Stigma Wall— replacing negative stigma anddiscriminating words with positiveimages.Mindflash 40 ¦ 7

Nov ¦ Dec ¦ Jan ¦ 2005-6New Caption CompetitionIn the last edition we publishedthis picture. Graham Aitken cameup with the caption “I’m not goingto the Saltburn lunch clubanymore for my dinner!!”Now, come up with an amusingcaption for the picture below andyou could win a prize. Give yourentry, with your name to anymember of staff.Closing date 20th November2005.Members of the editorial team andstaff are not permitted to enter .8 ¦ Mindflash 40

Nov ¦ Dec ¦ Jan ¦ 2005-6Redcar & Cleveland MindExecutive Committee 2005/2006Chair: Pat RobsonVice Chair: Keith MaenamiSecretary: Ted FosterTreasurer: Shirley HartMembership Secretary: Ann WeatherleyService User Rep – Redcar: Maureen GibsonSome of the people elected, withSharon Street — Director of R&CMind, Ann, Shirley, Joely, Jeanette,Pat, Keith and Stuart.Service User Rep – Redcar: Dennis KiffService User Rep – Redcar: Joely SayerService User Rep – Redcar: Peter WardService User Rep – East Cleveland: Stuart HarrisService User Rep – East Cleveland: Janette ReadmanService User Rep – East Cleveland: Pearl ToseUnpaid Worker (Vol) Rep – Redcar: Diane BroderickUnpaid Worker (Vol) Rep – Redcar: Trina CrollUnpaid Worker (Vol) Rep – East Cleveland: Jo BurnelR&C Borough Council: – Elected Member: Councillor Peter ToddR&C Citizen’s Advice Bureau:Sonia GlenAdvisors to the Executive Committee:David Askew(Legal)Dr Marion Michie(Mental Health)Dr Bill O’flanagan(Primary Care)Mindflash 40 ¦ 9

Nov ¦ Dec ¦ Jan ¦ 2005-6My GirlfriendMental HellI had a girlfriend for 36 years hername was Joyce and she shared a nicebungalow with some people. OnFridays she came to visit me at St.Mary’s nursing home and on Sundays Ivisited her and took her cuddly toysand ornaments and a nice bunch offlowers. On Wednesday we went to aclub called Lothian Road and I boughther coffee and she used to like that.When she came to our place on aFriday night, I used play a silly game.She said to me darling I had a jumperon when I came in and I used to lookin the bin and I said ay what’s this?The little antics she got up to onFriday nights!About a year ago she had a stroke,when I went up to see her. One ofthe staff said my girlfriend didn’tlook too good and I said, what do youwant me to do darling and I held herhand, she went very quickly. I stillhaven’t got over the shock yet, it hashelped going out with my friendDavid. We go all over on the buses.She was a special girl to me, my onlygirlfriend.Peter PickeringI sat in the window of St. Luke’s, I’mthinking God I could write books,everyone there had a story to tell,mental illness mental hell. There’snothing wrong with me I said and toldthe voices in my head, but I met somelovely people there why were they illit didn’t seem fair. Most of themwould talk and say things were badfor me yesterday, life was cruelthings went wrong, I tried myhardest to be strong, pills andkindness may I say have helped meget where I am today and I’m stillnumb and scared inside keeping in thefeelings that I hide, I still remembernames and faces different times anddifferent places. Lots of people keepin touch and care for each other verymuch; the lovely people the Pat’s andJane’s who help to slacken off ourchains, I know that I have got someway to go and talk things over, feelrelief don’t bottle it but share yourgrief. St. Luke’s to me was just aname and shock and loss is what Iblame. I’m a friendly person, take myhand. I’ve been there, I understand.Alma CarterRAISE A SMILE >>>>>Why did the tomato blush?Because it saw the salad dressing!Two flies in a saucer playingfootball one says ‘don’t get injuredwe’re playing in the cup tomorrow’.10 ¦ Mindflash 40

Nov ¦ Dec ¦ Jan ¦ 2005-6About UsRedcar & ClevelandMind —We are a community based mentalhealth organisation offering a widerange of services & activities.We have two open access day servicesopen 7 days a week offering support &company in a friendly & informalatmosphere.We also have a lively mix of groupsincluding tai chi, newsletter, literacy &numeracy, computers, drama, music.Redcar Day ServiceDove House, 5 Turner Street, RedcarTel: 01642 296055E-mail: day@randcmind.orgMon-Weds: 10-4Thurs: 10-6Fri: 10-4Sat: 9-2Sun: 12-5East Cleveland Day ServiceTel: 07855 770568E-mail: ecday@randcmind.orgMon & Tues: 10-4 @ Skelton CivicHall, Coniston RoadWeds: 11-5 & Thurs 12-6 @ SaltburnOutreach, 23a Diamond StreetFri: 10-4 @ Loftus Town Hall, HighStreetSat & Sun: 10.30-4.30 @ Ashwood,Guisborough General Hospitalwww.randcmind.orgAll our venues are fully wheelchairaccessible with access to portableinduction loops & we can be contactedby Typetalk users.Information ServiceDove House, 5 Turner Street, RedcarTel: 01642 296054Fax: 01642 296052E-mail: info@randcmind.orgMon-Thurs: 9-4 for telephone,fax & e-mail enquiriesMon-Thurs: 10-4 for personal callersto our information resourceA confidential enquiry service to helpyou get the information you need.We hold information about a widerange of local health & social care services& support which is also availableon-line at: www.goodmindguide.orgR&C Mind AGMWe had a good turn out for our AGMat Redcar Cricket club on Thursday15 th of September. Before themeeting started we observed aminutes silence in memory of ourgood friend Mo Mowlam, after this apoem by Ron Gibson was read out.Our guest speaker Tom Mc Alpinespoke positively on the theme of“Recovery” then answered questionsfrom the audience. We elected a newExecutive Committee for 2005/6(well done everyone), the food(thanks to the TNEY NHS trust) andit was an opportunity to meet friendsfrom other organisations all in all agood night.Pat RobsonA Few Things I Forgot, thefollow up book to A Word InYour Ear by Lisa Martin is nowavailable at all good drop-ins.Mindflash 40 ¦ 11

Nov ¦ Dec ¦ Jan ¦ 2005-6Art CompetitionsCandy’s difficultLifeMary and John werea young couple justmarried with twoyoung children andtheir pet dog Candy.At ten weeks old shewas loved andcherished like anyother puppy dog, asthe months went bythe novelty wore off, and then shewas left to roam the streets ofLoftus and surrounding areas.Caroline (pictured above) withher painting and awardWe have had the opportunity toenter two art competitions recently,1) One Wish: Where we had toproduce a piece of art work on ourwish for ourselves, and our centres,or for better mental health.2) Teesside industry and my life:People produced positive pictures ofindustry in our area. We’ve had someexcellent entries, looking forward tosee who’s won.Fortunately we know the winner ofthe ‘One Wish’ competition organisedby the Tees and North EastYorkshire NHS Trust. It is our veryown Caroline Grainger, a volunteer atSkelton. Well done Caroline!Candy was unfortunately run down onthe High Street, the injuries weren’tlife threatening, but one of her legswas being dragged along. This wenton for 2 or 3 days after the accidentuntil she got picked up by the dogwardens. The vet looked at her andmade her well again.After two months in the pet sheltermy brother Eric visited the shelter,and knew straightaway that Candywas for him. Now Candy’s life meanssomething, thusmaking “a dog’slife” a happy one.A true story of adog from thestreets, having anew beginning.Kevin Pearson12 ¦ Mindflash 40

Nov ¦ Dec ¦ Jan ¦ 2005-6Whitby TripDevelopment DayOn Monday 22 nd August Redcar &Cleveland Mind’s Redcar Day Service,went on there annual trip out. Wewent to Whitby, as we all got on thecoach it was pouring down with rain,the coach ride took 45 minutes to getthere.Once we were there everyone split upinto groups and made their way to theshops, pubs, cafes etc to enjoythemselves. We had a good lookaround all the shops to keep out ofthe rain then we went for our dinner.Later on in the afternoon the rainstopped. The coach arrived back topick us up at 3-45 pm to go backhome. Although the weather was abit gloomy I think everyone enjoyedtheir day out.Sue CowlingBoth paid and un-paid workers gottogether on 4th August in Redcar todiscuss and develop the organisation’snew business plan.It proved a successful day, with themission statement being re-writtenand people coming up with many goodideas to incorporate into the newplan.Pool CompetitionOur first year in the pool competitionwas really enjoyable. It was greattravelling to other centres andmaking new friends. The team wasawarded a trophy and we finishedabout mid-table, which was quite goodfor our first attempt. Redcar &Cleveland Mind team would also liketo thank the other pool teams formaking us feel very welcome.Mindflash 40 ¦ 13

Nov ¦ Dec ¦ Jan ¦ 2005-6East Cleveland’s Visit To YorkThe East Cleveland Day Service’s annual trip took place on 11thAugust and 48 people really enjoyed their time in York. See howmany people you can spot in the photos.14 ¦ Mindflash 40

Nov ¦ Dec ¦ Jan ¦ 2005-6First FlightsOn 16 June 2005 I went for my firstflight in an aeroplane. My friend BobMullen arranged it and he came alongon the flight with me and the pilotSteve. We took off from DurhamTees Valley Airport.The aeroplane was a small 4 seaterpropeller plane, and I got to sit in thefront facing all the fascinatinginstruments, including air speed andaltitude.At 12 noon we set off taxiing towardsthe runway, seeing a large passengerjet take off. Then we set off, it’slike going in a small car except with awhirring propeller in front. At about80 mph we took off, you don’t feelanything but the ground falls awayquickly. The flight was short due tohaze, but I could see square fieldsand a rectangular wood below and theairport. After going a couple of milesand 1,000 feet high we returned toland.I’ve always wanted to go on anaeroplane, for years it’s been anambition of mine, so it was reallywonderful. I had been on 2helicopter rides a few years ago, so Ihad experienced flying before.My second flight was much longer,but in the same 4 seater plane. Thistime with a pilot called William. Weflew west this time at 2,100 feet andat 120 mph. It’s a fantastic way totravel, seeing all the green and yellowfields of the Tees Plain go past andthe Pennine Hills rising up and up. Weflew under the clouds to Richmondwhere my brother Adrian lives, Icould see his house, the castle andother buildings there. We wentabout 2 miles down Swale Dale, thenturned east. The flat plain of theTees looks so vast. There’s littlesquares of woods, roads, railwayseven a stately home visible far below,many trees too and traffic on theA19 road. Now the North YorksMoors loomed ahead, towns such asStokesley appeared. We went rightover Roseberry Topping, a greatcraggy peak from above, the Moorsare a hugh smooth brown area fromthe air.I took many photos with two cameras,there was so much to see. ThenGusiborough appeared and the ruinedmines near Skelton. I saw Skelton,then Brotton my home, I saw myhouse and my parents house, Dad hadput a white sheet on the lawn. Wewent right over Hunt Cliff with thesea far below us. Going back, I sawSaltburn and the coast to the Teesand beyond to Durham. We landedback at the Airport. It’s anincredible experience flying, you cansee so much above all the hedges andeverything, one of the greatestMindflash 40 ¦ 15

Nov ¦ Dec ¦ Jan ¦ 2005-6Nick Wins AwardNick Murray, a DayService Organiser at theEast Cleveland DayService has won theannual, Andrew PiperMemorial Award, for hiswork creating the serviceuser website. He wasnominated by Pearl Tose,a service user from EastCleveland. She gained 21signatures of supportfrom service users (arecord for this award). Pearl said Andrew Piper was STAMP’s first advocateand he personally helped her, so she was pleased to accept the award on Nick’sbehalf at STAMP Revisited AGM, as Nick was away on holiday. Wally Southall(Project Manager of STAMP) later presented Nick officially with the award atthe Saltburn Outreach. Nick said, “It was a great privilege to accept theaward and I would like to thank all the people who supported my nomination andparticularly Pearl who initiated it.” He went on to say, “The service userwebsite is a credit to the creative talents of the people who use our drop-ins,they have made it what it is — a showcase for their talents and abilities.”A small celebration get together is planned for Nick very shortly in Saltburn.Quality AwardAfter much hard work and effort Redcar & Cleveland Mind have now achieved aLevel A award in Quality Management from National Mind. The assessmentrepresents a commitment to continuously improve the organisation and its services.The Chair of the panel thanked R&C Mind “for a very thorough response,which certainly demonstrates that the association is in good health”.The organisation will receive both a certificate and a wall plaque to mark thismilestone. Special thanks to Writeaway, we couldn’t have done it without you!Affiliated Local Association16 ¦ Mindflash 40