Revised and approved LPMG minutes published

Approved minutes of the November 2011 Dover/Deal LPMG meeting have been published. The minutes now include a contribution from a service user concerning care coordinators - mistakenly omitted from the draft minutes for which we apologise.

The Power of Telling my Story

Help others learn from your experiences

Help services learn how to improve

A two day workshop for those who have a lived experience of mental health challenges. Those of us who have mental health challenges are strong, worthwhile people who have a story to tell which can encourage us, and those who hear it.

This two day practical workshop, led by trainers from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, will cover:

• Recovery in mental health
• The recovery journey that we are all making
• The vital role and positive impact of ‘telling our story’
• The skills of story telling
• Opportunities for sharing our story to help further improve services

Building on your strengths and increasing confidence the course will equip you to tell your own recovery story; helping you to see the hero that you are.

Dates: 24th & 25th Nov, 2011  
Venue: Westgate Hall, Westgate Hall Road Canterbury. CT1 2BT 
Time: 9.30 - 4.45 each day

Travel expenses will be reimbursed and lunch and refreshments provided. For further information, or to apply to join this training please call or email Nick on 01227 81202

Carer Support Groups

Rethink Mental Illness have a Carer Support Group every 1st Tuesday of the month at the


Landmark Centre, Deal
1pm - 2:30pm

All carers are welcome. The aim of the Support meetings is to facilitate networking of Carers in the area to encourage mutual support. Carers meet up in an informal environment and the group gives them the chance to discuss their roles and experiences within their Carer role. The Carer Groups are an effective tool in preventing isolation and promoting social inclusion.

Carer Groups provide support via publications, personal experiences and, on occasions, speakers are invited to attend to discuss a variety of areas that you may find useful within your caring role. The Carer Groups have proved to be highly effective and feedback has been very positive.

Dover Resource House - new name and new venue

With effect from Friday 26th August 2011 the Dover Resource House will be renamed:-

mcch Pathway to Wellbeing

and will be moving to new premises at:-

The Old Sorting Office
Charlton Green
Dover Kent
CT16 1AA

The new telephone number will be 01304 242558

Deal Users Forum Relaunch

Speakup CIC announce the re-launch of the Deal Users Forum on Friday 8 July. Come along to find out more about the Forum and about how to get involved. From 10:00-12:30 at:

Deal Resource House
10 London Road
Deal CT14 9TB

For more information speak to Maggie or Amanda on 01843 609 359.

See the flyer here.

Dover Users Forum Relaunch

Speakup CIC announce the re-launch of the Dover Users Forum on Wednesday 13 July. Come along to find out more about the Forum and about how to get involved. From 10:00-12:30 at:

Ashentree House
Ashentree Lane
Dover CT16 1QL

For more information speak to Maggie or Amanda on 01843 609 359.

See the flyer here.

Launch of the new Coleman House Users Forum

Speakup CIC announce the launch of the new Coleman House Users Forum, on Wednesday 13 July from 13:30-16:00. Come along to find out more about the Forum and about how to get involved. At:

Coleman House
Brookfield Avenue
Dover CT16 2AH

For more information speak to Maggie or Amanda on 01843 609 359.

See the flyer here.

Changes in the NHS – What will it mean for YOU and your doctor?

Kent LINk announce a forthcoming event in Dover on Wednesday, 22 June 2011 at

The Ark,
Noah’s Ark Road
Dover, CT17 0DD
The event will start at 5.00pm with registration and a light buffet and will close at 8.30pm.  The focus of the meeting will be: ‘Changes in the NHS – What will it mean for YOU and your doctor?’

Further details for this meeting will follow, along with the meeting papers. See the flyer here.

If you would to like to book a place at this Event, please contact us using the details below, advising any special or dietary requirements that you will have on the day.  If you require a hearing loop, interpreters, or accessible formats please let us know at the time of booking.  If you are attending this meeting by car and can offer the opportunity for another person to travel with you please also let us know.

Please contact Anna:
Telephone:  01303 297050
Email:  info@kmn-ltd.co.uk
Post:  Kent LINk, KMN, Freepost NAT 17761, Folkestone, CT19 4BR

Peer Support - the way forward

KMPT are holding an event aimed at both service users and staff considering how peer support is transforming mental health services in the UK, and how it can be put into action across Kent and Medway.

Thursday 7th July 10.00am - 4.00pm at

Lenham Community Centre, Groom Way,
Lenham, Near Maidstone ME17 2QT

For further information and an application form, see this flyer.

Picnic on the Green - Carer's Picnic and Family Day

Carers’ Support organisations across Kent join together to bring you a day of fun and entertainment to celebrate Carers’ Week on Saturday 18th June from 11.30am to 3pm at:

Walmer Green
The Strand, Walmer
Deal CT14 7DX

Attractions include a tea tent, therapy tent, KMFM and live music, local entertainment. Bring your own picnic (no BBQs, guide dogs only)

For more information please call 01304 364 637

Changes to your Wellbeing Blog settings

Some improvements have been made to your local wellbeing blog.

Firstly, anyone can now comment on any of the posts. You do not have to be a registered user. So if you have something to say about anything you read here, let the rest of us know! 

Secondly, there are now two new ways to stay up-to-date with your local wellbeing blog, using two new options on the right hand menus, "Subscribe to" and "Follow by Email".

"Subscribe to" allows you to pick up a news feed with, amongst others Google Reader, My Yahoo and Atom RSS.

If that sounds complicated, the really easy option is "Follow by Email". Enter your email address, follow the simple verification instructions, and henceforth you'll get an email every time there is a new post!

Rethink East Kent Advocacy Service

A reminder that the Rethink East Kent Advocacy Service will be running a drop in for anyone wishing to access the advocacy service on the following dates and times in March and April:

Herne Bay Umbrella Centre - 31 March 2 - 4pm, and 28 April 2 - 4pm
Canterbury Umbrella Centre - 24 March 1 - 3pm, and 21 April 1 - 3pm
Whitstable Umbrella Centre - 5 April 12 - 2pm
Faversham Umbrella Centre - 14 April  12 - 2pm

For more information about Rethink and the services provided click here.

Changes in the NHS - What will it mean for YOU and your doctor?

This Kent LINk Community Engagement Event is your chance to find out what is happening to your health and social care services.


The formal meeting will start at 10.45am although refreshments will be available from 10.00am to give people an opportunity to socialise and network. See full information and book your free place here.

Wednesday, 23 March 2011, 10am - 3pm

The Camden Centre,
Royal Victoria Place
Market Square
Tunbridge Wells
TN1 2SW

Art Uniting People - Spring Exhibition

Art Uniting People is a non-profit organisation who have run two successful annual exhibitions in 2009 and 2010 to promote the talents of artists around Kent, including professionals, amateurs and those with mental health and physical disabilities. This year, for the first time, there is also a Spring Exhibition at


County Hall
Maidstone
ME14 1XQ



from 14th -28th March, 10:30am-4:30pm, Monday to Friday.


Entry is FREE

Learning from Experience 2 - How are we doing?

This event is for service users and carers and is a follow up to the actions that the Kent & Medway Partnership Trust have put into place since the National Patient Survey of last year.

Tuesday 15 March, 10:30am - 3:30pm

Upstairs lounge, The Salvation Army
74-80 Union Street
Maidstone ME14 1ED

Lunch is provided. Registration is required, so for more information see the flyer here or call Maria Duran on 01227 812034.

Wanted - service user representatives in Dover and Deal

Speakup CIC (formerly the East Kent User Forum) have places for service users who would like to to learn to speak up about issues close to their hearts in the mental health system, and represent service users at key meetings such as the Locality Planning and Monitoring Groups and the Joint Commissioning Board.

You will be introduced to the role gradually and will have the opportunity to shadow a worker before you take on the role to see if you like it first. Your travel and lunch expenses will be met and you will gain skills in speaking up in groups and other relevant meetings.

If you are interested in this role there are a number of openings in Dover, Deal and Ashford. Maggie Gallant or Amanda Godley at Speakup CIC would like to hear from you on 01843 230 726.

Personal Development Fund - up to £500 for service users & carers!

A reminder about the Personal Development Fund, which is intended to promote the personal development of individuals living right across Kent whose lives have been directly or indirectly affected by severe or persistent mental ill health.

The fund has been able to pay for things like conferences and training courses, travel and accommodation for such events, art materials, Reiki training, laptops, printers and so on.

A panel of service users, carers and voluntary organisations meet every three months to decide on awards. For more information, see this flyer. To apply, download an application form in either Word or PDF format.

The scheme is funded by Kent County Council and administered by Sevenoaks Area Mind.

Your feedback on community mental health in Kent and Medway

Medway PCT, who lead the development of mental health services across Kent and Medway, are asking for your help in looking at how these services can be improved. They would like to ask service users and carers six simple questions about the services they are using - including what works, what doesn't work, and what are the key factors that make a good service.

This is a great opportunity to have your voice heard!

The survey can be completed very simply online here, or alternatively you can download the survey in Word or PDF format to complete and return by post or email.

Please make sure your voice is heard by Friday 18 March!

No Health without Mental Health

The government have published "No health without mental health - A cross-government mental health outcomes strategy for people of all ages." A news item on the Live It Well website gives details of where you can read this, and a sample of responses from relevant organisations.

Informal mental health drop in centre, one of Dovers hidden gems!

If you are lonely, isolated, and in need of a friendly face and listening ear, this is your local community mental health and wellbeing resource offering informal social support and signposting to other relevant agencies. Relax in the comfort of a home from home where there is always a listening ear and a variety of things going on. Folk meet here to buddy up and join swimming, watersports, walking groups and general day to day task support, or just to have a nice cuppa and a natter. You can be referred by anyone helping you, or you can just turn up and refer yourself!

Dover Resource House (Ashen Tree House)
Ashen Tree Lane
Dover CT16 1QL

Opening hours:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10.00am-2.00pm
Monday and Thursday evenings 6.30-9.30pm
Saturday 1.00-7.00pm

A taster of some of the things that you can access here..

Acorns (Re-Think) Service User coffee morning.
Mondays at 10.30am

Shaw Trust Job Club
Wednesdays 10.00am-1.00pm with Keith Jones.
Pop in for advice or to make an appointment for any issue regarding remaining in work, returning to work or support and advice for getting in to work.

Womens Group  Fridays 2.00-3.30pm
The local community equivalent of 'Loose Women'...time to relax, chat, make friends and share your worries. It's just the best end to the week!

Drab & Dress Transgender Peer Support Group.
A social meet on the 1st Wednesday and 3rd Tuesday of every month 7.00-11.00pm. Come in drab (guy mode) or come dressed, or dress on site. This is a friendly and welcoming peer group that welcomes any trans person-crossdressers, Tv, MtF, FtM,TS pre/post op- and their partners. It is run by trans people for trans people, and has active links with the NHS Trust in terms of providing services for trans folk via the new emerging Kent Trans Forum. Contact via email or call 07518 419392

For any questions, more information, or to book a room, contact the centre manager Heather Gooch via email or on 01304 225037

World Mental Health Day in Folkestone

The Deal Mens Group have posted on YouTube a short video documenting Folkstone's contribution to World Mental Health Day on 7 October 2010.

Fit for Work Service

Fit for Work is a free service running across East Kent. The aim is to help individuals, who are employed but currently off work sick, to return to work. A team of occupational therapists, employment
specialists, psychologists and physiotherapists is available depending on the employees support needs.

More information in this flyer, or on the Eastern and Coastal Kent NHS website.