Stepping Stones Newsletter Issue 25 March 2016
Hello and welcome to the March issue of Insight, the Stepping Stones newsletter. What you will find
in this newsletter is helpful tips and information about mental health support and all together wellbeing. We welcome any comments or suggestions you have about our newsletter and the services
which Stepping Stones provides so please contact us at the office with your feedback. You have
already started on your way to recovery by picking up this newsletter so enjoy.
Email: [email protected]: @StepStones1995
Search Stepping Stones on Facebook.com
T.L.C. GROUP
This is a therapy group using
crystal healing, massage, oils,
music, books and more. New
members welcome! Please
come along Wednesday 1-3pm
at Centre 81, Braes Avenue, Whitecrook. Contact
Deborah on 07557654538 for more information.
JOIN THE BOARD!
Hi everyone. Once again I am
asking members to consider
becoming a volunteer on the
Board of Directors at Stepping
Stones. It has been a few years now since I joined
the Board. When I was asked I wasn’t sure if I had
the skills to help, however I soon realised that
everyone on the Board brings their own skills. So
please if you want to give something back and say
thank you for all Stepping Stones has done for you,
please consider becoming a Board member. Talk to
your Support Worker or call the office, we can
arrange an informal meet. Thanks, Jackie Shanks.
Aspire, Centre 81; Tuesdays, 11.30am-1.30pm;
March 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29; April 19 & 26; May 3, 10,
17, 24 & 31
Reflect & Connect, Alexandria Library;
Wednesdays 12.30-2.30pm;
March 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30; April 20 & 27; May 4,
11 ,18 & 25
Connections, St Augustine's; Thursdays 2-4pm;
March 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31; April 21 & 28; May 5, 12,
19 & 26
T’ai Chi, Dalmuir CE Centre; Wednesdays, 6-7pm;
March 2, 9 & 16; April 20 & 27; May 4, 11, 18 & 25
Relaxation (Clydebank) Onslow Rd;
Mondays 11am-12pm; March 7, 14 & 21; April 11,
18 & 25; May 9, 16 & 23
Relaxation (Dumbarton), Concord Centre;
Mondays 1-2pm; March 7 & 14; April 11, 18 & 25;
May 9, 16 & 23
The office will be closed on:
Friday 25th March
Monday 2nd May
Monday 28th March
Monday 30th May
Acknowledgment: We are grateful for the funding and support we receive from West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership.
INSIGHT
ISSUE 25, MARCH 2016
STAFF UPDATE
We are very sorry to say goodbye to our Senior Support
Worker Kathleen Steven who finished working with us in
December. We are also very sad that Robbie McGill has
finished working with us. Robbie, who has been our
cleaner for the past 10 months, came to us on the
Transitional Employment Programme (TEP) with
Flourish House. We will miss Kathleen and Robbie and
wish them all the very best for the future. Paul White
has taken over duties as our cleaner, Paul has also
come to us through the TEP with Flourish House.
You will also get to see a bit more of some familiar
faces as Coliosa Boyle has started working as our
new full time Support Worker and Dionne Logan, who
is our Group Support Worker, is taking on additional
hours to complete members’ Personal Support Plan
Reviews. If you see Paul, Coliosa or Dionne about
the office, don’t be afraid to say hello.
Kathleen
Steven
Coliosa
Boyle
Dionne
Logan
NATIONAL LIVING
WAGE EMPLOYER
Stepping Stones has
been awarded official
Living Wage accreditation
by the Living Wage
Foundation. The Living
Wage commitment will see everyone working at
Stepping Stones, regardless of whether they are
permanent employees or third-party contractors and
suppliers; receive a minimum hourly wage of £8.25.
The Living Wage is an hourly rate set independently
and updated annually, and is calculated according to
the basic cost of living using the ‘Minimum Income
Standard’ for the UK. Decisions about what to include
in this standard are set by the public; it is a social
consensus about what people need to make ends
meet. Services Manager, John White, commented,
“This is a really proud moment for the charity as we
celebrate providing services in West Dunbartonshire
for 25 years this year. We believe that charities should
lead the way in this initiative despite the impact it has
on our tightening budgets. It is the right thing to do.”
The Living Wage enjoys cross party support, with
public backing from the Scottish Government and the
Houses of Parliament.
NEW WEBSITE UPDATE
Our new website is up and running.
Have a look at www.stepstones.org.uk.
You will find information on our
services, groups, courses, news, helpful information
and how you can donate to the organisation. Tell us
what you think about the new look.
Acknowledgment: We are grateful for the funding and support we receive from West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership.
INSIGHT
ISSUE 25, MARCH 2016
KEEPING NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS
2016 is well underway, and you may have given up on those resolutions you
made at the New Year. Why not use this 7 Step Plan from Living Life To The
Full to help you get back on track with making helpful changes in your life...
1. Pick one clear goal - don't overwhelm yourself with too much at once.
2. Think up as many ways to achieve your goal as possible - be creative and
include whacky ideas as well as more sensible ones.
3. Look at the pros and cons of each idea - to identify which idea suits you
best.
4. Choose one of the ideas - one which you reckon will help you succeed.
5. Make a plan of what steps you will need - break the task into small easy to
manage chunks which you can tackle one at a time.
6. Carry out your plan.
7. Review the outcome - look at what you achieved, what has helped/not
helped and what you can learn to help you with other goals in the future.
Remember these few tips to help you along the way –
Make your goal realistic, practical and achievable.
Set a realistic time frame - don't try to run a marathon overnight!
Ask for help from family and friends - they can help encourage and
motivate you along the way.
Know what may trip you up and plan how to overcome obstacles.
Find ways to keep yourself motivated - give yourself rewards and remind yourself how far you've come.
Have a regular review day to take stock, see how far you've come, consider whether you need to change
your goals/timeframe.
Remember change takes time - don’t get discouraged if it takes longer
than you initially thought, remind yourself of what you have
achieved so far and the reasons why you are making this change.
Good luck and let us know how you get on with your goals!
VOLUNTEERING
I am a volunteer with Cornerstone Charity doing admin work which gives me
company and banter during the day. Being a volunteer helps to restore
confidence, self-esteem and self-respect in our society. I have gained new
skills and work experience over the last 5 ½ years at Cornerstone Charity. I
find being a volunteer very flexible with my needs and no pressure to meet
deadlines or time limits. A volunteer has an enjoyable and happy life in this
society. It focuses your mind and helps you build skills. I started volunteering
by meeting an advisor at West Dunbartonshire CVS. If you want to start
volunteering you can contact WDCVS on 0141 941 0886.
Stuart McEwen
DISCLAIMER
This newsletter has been produced by staff and members of Stepping Stones. Please not that articles and individual contributions do not necessarily
represent the views of policies of the organisation. Stepping Stones is a registered charity (SC 019270).
INSIGHT
ISSUE 25, MARCH 2016
THE ALLIANCE
The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) is the national third
sector intermediary for a wealth of health and social care organisations. The
ALLIANCE’s vision is for a Scotland where people of all ages who are disabled or
living with long term conditions, and unpaid carers, have a strong voice and enjoy
the right to live well, as equal and active citizens, free from discrimination, with
access to support and services that put them at the centre. The ALLIANCE is keen
to hear about everyone’s views on how we can create a healthier Scotland. You can
find more information on their website www.alliance-scotland.org.uk or phone 0141
404 0231 to join in the discussion and get your views heard.
SCOTLAND’S YEAR OF LISTENING
GET INVOLVED
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD
Come along and share your views and experience of
mental health.
Contribute to discussions regards current issues,
future planning & implementation and fundraising. If
you feel passionate about the service you have
received and would like to get that bit more involved
then this is for you.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO NOTE YOUR
INTEREST CONTACT ELAINE ON 0141 941 2929
OR SPEAK TO YOUR SUPPORT WORKER WHO
CAN PASS ON YOUR INTEREST
2016 is Scotland's Year of Listening! The year will
see campaigns and events to raise awareness that
listening, and being listened to, is good for your
mental health. It is an opportunity for us all to
demonstrate our commitment to be better listeners.
We would love to hear your thoughts on what makes
a good listener, poems about listening or stories of
times you’ve been listened to which made a
difference. Email us at [email protected]
or speak to Denise at the office.
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Mental Health Services
Breathing Space
0800 838587
CARA
01389 738595
(Challenging & Responding to Abuse)
Goldenhill Resource Centre
0141 941 4400
Primary Care Mental Health Team 01389 828203
Riverview Resource Centre
01389 812070
Samaritans
08457 909090
Vale Centre for Health Care
01389 828200
Citizens Advice Bureau
Alexandria
Clydebank
Dumbarton
01389 752727
0141 435 7590
01389 744690
Police
Non Emergency
101
West Dunbartonshire Council
Emergency Homelessness
Main Number
0800 197 1004
01389 737000
Other Useful Numbers
Independent Resource Centre
Lomond & Argyll Advocacy
West Dun Advice Service
NHS 24
West Dunbartonshire CVS
0141 951 4040
01389 726543
01389 776929
111
0141 941 0886
Stepping Stones Organisation ( M ental Health ) , Whitecrook Business Centre, 78 Whitecrook Street, Clydebank. G81 1QF
Telephone:01419412929
e: [email protected]
visit our website: www.stepstones.org.uk