Washington Mind
Newsletter
Issue 2 2014
Dry January Boxing Day Dip 2013
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‘Your Experience in Mind’ Survey 2014
In April, Sharon (one of our volunteers) and Wendy C (our Community Engagement
Worker) went to Leeds Mind on a training course to become National Mind Survey
Champions.
The purpose of this survey is for National Mind to gain feedback about how you feel
about local Minds in your area. Washington Mind is the only local Mind in the North
East taking part in this survey.
There are few different ways in which you can complete a survey:
•
Pick up a survey from the reception area of the Life House
•
Visit: www.mcpin.org/mindsurvey to complete the survey electronically
•
Pop along for a chat a cuppa & a survey at our Coffee Morning at the Life
House:
Wed 14th May 2014
10am – 12pm
"Lets get those survey's filled in & show them how Washington Mind do it up
here in the North East!".
Dry January Boxing Day Dip 2013
Sunderland Wellbeing Network ‘Be Active’ Meeting
This months Wellbeing Network’s
theme was ‘Be Active’, and we
certainly were! Over 30 people turned
up to take part in the relaxing costal
walk along the Seaburn sea front.
Before embarking on the walk we had a
talk from the exercise referral
programme, detailing that exercise
doesn’t have to be strenuous! With free 2
fruit, nuts, chocolate and water to boost
our mood, the day was enjoyed by all.
Happy Monday and The Service User and Carer Conference
Visualise provided a cake and a
cuppa for £1, and kindly donated
the proceeds to us. We then
headed into the community hall
for the conference. Speakers
from the Samaritans, the initial
response team, Gentoo, the
Carers Centre and others all
came together to discuss their
services and supporting
ourselves and the ones we love.
On the 10th March, Washington
Mind held the A LIFE Worth
Living Service User and Carer
Conference. It was a great
event, our community hall was
packed out! The day started off
with a ‘Happy Monday’ coffee
morning, an event organised by
National Mind in order to raise
awareness and money for the
charity
A buffet lunch was provided by
Visualise, and was a delicious way
to break up the day. The event was
rounded off by an amazing
performance from the band
Crazytrain, who performed a great
mix of cover songs and some of
their own work.
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Comic Relief 2014
We had another successful event for
Comic Relief this year, raising £27.30
for the cause.
As well as Red Nose Day treats, we
held a stall chock full of crafts, all
made by Washington Mind’s creative
mind’s groups.
Through the sale of these items, we
raised over £40 for Washington
Mind! A successful day all round.
National No Smoking Day 2014
Washington Mind hosted a stop
smoking information session on the
12th March at Woodridge Gardens.
Information was available for those
who wished to access it on the
benefits of being smoke free.
Becky dressed as a giant cigarette to
support the day, and the NHS Health
Trainers paid us a visit, bringing
carbon monoxide monitors and plenty
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of info on quitting.
Walking for Wellbeing
We would like to say a big thank you
to Phil Johnson, who raised over
£165 for Washington Mind. Phill did
a sponsored walk in Langdale in the
Lake District on 22nd March.
With snow on the mountain tops
and a bit of blue sky, it looks like
it was a lovely day for Phil and
his dog Betsy.
Thanks to both of you!
Men's Health Network
The March Men’s Health event
was great fun last month! The
theme was ‘lets talk about living
well’ and after some great talks
on the subject at the Sunderland
North Family Zone
We took to the riverside on our
bikes – great fun was had by all,
and some even tried it for the first
time!
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If you would like to add your
organisation to the directory
of local services, follow the ‘Add
your organisation’ button
which is situated on the right
hand side of the main website.
We would love to have you
on board!
Exciting times are ahead for wellbeinginfo!
As you read this article the clever guys at Imagine,
Creative Solutions are developing a brand new events
calendar for the site. This new addition will keep you
informed of local community events, health and wellbeing
campaigns and other things which may be of interest.
So……….watch this space for further information!
Young People’s Project
Washington Mind’s Young People’s Project have now lowered the age group for
counselling, social support and peer support groups. Our new age group is 13 – 25
and we are now taking referrals. Don’t forget that if you are a young person and feel
you would like some support, you can self-refer by calling us on 0191 417 8043!
Our young people’s steering group meets once a month on a Tuesday evening at
4.30pm – if you are aged 13-25 and would like to come along to share your ideas and
help us to improve our young people’s project, please email us at
[email protected]
Our young people’s project worker Helen Johnson will be starting her maternity leave
on Friday 2nd May and will be replaced by Helen Urwin. Helen is already in post and
you can contact her at [email protected]
Please Like our Young People’s Facebook page!
www.facebook.com/pages/Washington-Mind-Young-Peoples-Project
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Wellbeing Networks Update
7
In each newsletter,
Washington Mind will promote one
organisation which has been added
to www.wellbeinginfo.org – this
month,
Bipolar UK is the national charity dedicated to
we have chosen Bipolar UK
supporting individuals and their families affected by the
much misunderstood and sometimes devastating
condition Bipolar.
We provide a range of services to enable people
affected by bipolar and associated illnesses to
understand and manage their illness and take control
of their lives. Each year we support and work with
more than 65,000 individuals through our services and
information/advice publications.These include support
groups, online eCommunity, link mentoring, London
youth, information & advice, events and campaigns.
Bipolar UK support groups cover the length and
breadth of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Groups are free to attend and are open to all
individuals affected by bipolar including those with a
diagnosis, those pre-diagnosis, their family members,
friends and carers. You don't need a referral and you
don't have to let anyone know you're coming - just turn
up!
Bipolar UK support groups offer: Regular meetings
(usually monthly), a friendly, confidential and
accepting environment, peer support through group
discussion, useful information , education and social
activities. We have recently started a new Bipolar UK
support group in Sunderland which meets on the 2nd
Monday of every month 7.00pm - 9.00pm at Trinity
Church Sunderland, Stockton Road, Sunderland SR2
7AQ
If you want more information about Bipolar UK
services or would like to know more about our
Sunderland support group please call the
Development Team on (01270)230260, email
[email protected] or visit our
website www.bipolaruk.org.uk
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Caption Competition!
Welcome to Washington Mind’s fourth
caption competition!
Let us know what you think Becky is up to
in this picture!
Let us know what caption you think should
go along with this picture and we’ll include
the best one in the next issue!
Please email caption suggestions to:
[email protected]
Washington Mind Quiz (given to us by Len!)
The names of the below ‘Knights’ begin with either:
sir, ser, sur or cir
(For example: ‘This knight is a cool operator’ = ‘surgeon’)
This knight is very careful, guarded, reckless (antonym)
This knight is the dog star
This knight is a mythical sea nymph
This knight is a prime cut of beef
This knight is an oppressive, hot wind
This knight aids others
This knight is a fortunate occurrence
This knight is a superficial layer
This knight is a medieval slave
This knight acts like a serf
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Answers: 1. circumspect 2. sirius 3. sirens 4. sirloin
5. Sirocco 6. servant 7. serendipity 8. surface 9. serf 10. servile
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Have your Say!
Please contact Washington Mind on 0191 4178043 or email
[email protected] if there is anything you would like to see included in
future editions of the Washington Mind newsletter. We welcome any suggestions or
feedback. Whether you have a delicious recipe you’d like to share, a photograph,
quote or uplifting story, we’d love to hear from you!
Mind is the Tree
Song by Ruth
Mind is the tree
We are the branches we are supported by you
With your support we will grow
In our lives it will show
You get us back into ‘life’s’ flow
As we get stronger with you…
‘Mind’ is the tree
We are the branches
We will grow stronger with you
A big thank you to Ruth for writing the song and to everyone from Creative
Minds for designing the Mind tree!
New Boot Camp at The Life House!
We are now running a friendly, welcoming boot camp at the
Life House:
Every Wednesday from 5.10pm until 6pm!
£4 per session
If you would like to come along, please call Washington
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Mind on 0191 4178043
Activity Schedule
May 2014
Session
Venue
Time
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Creative Minds
The Life House, Grasmere Terrace, Columbia,
Washington
1:00 - 3:00
Open Mind
Woodridge Gardens, Washington
4:00 - 6:00
Individual appointments
Various locations
As arranged
Pet Therapy
Brysons Animal Shelter
Pick-up at Washington Mind, Life House,
Grasmere Terrace, Columbia, Washington
11:00-1:00
Young People's Project 'Building SelfEsteem' (ages 13-25 only)
The Hetton Centre, Welfare Road, Hetton-leHole, DH5 9NE
Young People's Project 'Get Fit' Class
(ages 13-25 only)
The Life House, Grasmere Terrace, Columbia,
Washington
TBC
Young People's Project 'Arts & Crafts'
(ages 13-25 only)
The Life House, Grasmere Terrace, Columbia,
Washington
4:30-6:30
Individual appointments
Various locations
Reel Therapy (Fortnightly)
The Life House, Grasmere Terrace, Columbia,
Washington
1:00-4:00
Open Mind
Woodridge Gardens, Washington
12:00-2:00
Book Club (first Wed of the month)
The Life House, Grasmere Terrace, Columbia,
Washington
2:00-3:00
Anxiety Management
(Peer Lead)
The Life House, Grasmere Terrace, Columbia,
Washington
2:00-4:00
1:00-3:00
As arranged
Sunderland Wellbeing Network (bi-monthly Please contact us on 0191 417 8043 for details
meetings)
Reiki
The Life House, Grasmere Terrace, Columbia,
Washington
PM
Fortnightly
Aromatherapy/Indian Head Massage
The Life House, Grasmere Terrace, Columbia,
Washington
AM
As arranged
Individual appointments
Various locations
As arranged
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Session
Thursday
Friday
Venue
Time
Lunch Club
Hetton Centre, Hetton-le-Hole
12:00-1:00
Creative Session
Hetton Centre, Hetton-le-Hole
1:00-4:00
Individual appointments
Various locations
As arranged
Walking Group
Biddick Art Centre
10:00-11:00
Young People's Project 'Building Herrington Burn Rock Skool, Grieves
Self-Esteem Through Music'
Building, New Herrington, Houghton(ages 13-25 only)
le-Spring, DH4 7AU
4:30-6:30
Open Mind
Woodridge Gardens, Washington
12:00-2:00
Individual appointments
Various locations
As arranged
Before you can access any of the above services please contact
Washington Mind on 0191 4178043
The views of all of the people who use our services are important to us and there are
various ways you can be involved, get in touch if you are interested.
New groups and services are developed regularly with the involvement of service users, and
new groups depend on the issues people need support with e.g. eating issues, coping with
anxiety and self harm support.
Washington Mind hosts the Sunderland Wellbeing Network, which is an initiative of
multi-agencies, and aims to provide a forum for sharing and developing ideas in order to
contribute to the improvement of mental health, happiness and wellbeing in Sunderland.
You can find out more about the Happiness and Wellbeing Network at
www.happiness-wellbeing.org
Individual appointments are available including counselling, psychotherapy, complementary
therapy, and telephone support.
Call: 0191 4178043, Washington Mind, The Life House, Grasmere Terrace, Columbia,
Washington, NE38 7LP.
Email: [email protected], web: www.washingtonmind.org.uk
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The Life House Activity Schedule
May 2014
Session
How to book a place
Time
Call Washington Mind on: 0191 4178043
9:30-11:30
Call Washington History Society on:
07837629556
2:00 - 4:00
Monday
Brush Up Your Maths Skills
Improve your number, measuring
& data handling skills
Washington History Society
collect and preserve photographs,
documents and memorabilia;
awareness raising
1st Monday of
month
Tuesday
Washington Station WI
call Marjorie on: 0191 4160180
6:45-9:00
Provides women with educational
opportunities, the chance to gain There is a meeting every 3rd Tuesday of
new skills, take part in activities
the month.
and campaign
Fat Quarters
call Marjorie on: 0191 4193570
A patchwork and quilting group
who share experience and
techniques.
Attendees must have their own
equipment and a level of experience
Lifeline Group Acupuncture
call Lifeline on: 0191 565 8070
7:00-9:00
As arranged
Call: 0191 4178043, Washington Mind, The Life House, Grasmere Terrace, Columbia, Washington, NE38
7LP.
Email: [email protected], web: www.washingtonmind.org.uk
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The Life House Activity Schedule
May 2014
Wednesday Podiatry / Chiropody
Treatments
Call Jasmine on: 07825648661
As arranged
Nail cutting; corn/callus removal;
footwear advice; biomechanical
assessments
Creative Pens
3:00-4:00
Creative writing group run by
1st Wednesday
Call Washington Mind on: 0191 4178043
Sunderland City Council Libraries
of month
Laugh and Sing
10:00-11:00
A peer lead, relaxed and
welcoming singing group where no Call Washington Mind on: 0191 4178043
talent or experience is necessary!
Thursday
HOPS Tai Chi Class
Involves gentle exercise that is
suitable for all ages and beginners!
Intro to 'Indian Head Massage'
Call HOPS on: 0191 5483722
Email: [email protected]
10:00-11:00
call Washington Mind on: 0191 4178043
1:00-3:00
Introduction to the techniques and
benefits of this treatment
Friday
Starting
June 2014
HOPS Shiatsu Treatment
Call HOPS on: 0191 5483722
Acupressure is used on various
Email: [email protected]
points of the body to reduce stress
and tension
As arranged
Divine Beauty Treatments
Including manicures, pedicures;
facials, nails and much more!
As arranged
call Washington Mind on: 0191 4178043
Email: [email protected]
Please note that some of our wellbeing activities do incur a cost.
We would be happy to hear from you if you would like more information about the
activities we offer or if you have any suggestions for future activities.
All of the above activities and courses will take place at:
Washington Mind, The Life House, Columbia, Washington, NE38 7LP.
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If you have any queries, please contact us on: 0191 4178043 or email
[email protected]