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MHNE BULLETIN 16th April 2012Contents

Page 3 News

Page 7 Events

Page 10 Funding -17 funding opportunities!

Page 12 Procurement – 6 new opportunities

Page13 Policy Update

Page 13 Personalisation update

Page 14 Resources and Publications

Page 15 14 new jobs

Page 17 Training Opportunities

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Mind's Chief Executive resigns from WCA Review Panel

Following his resignation from the Government's review panel for the Work Capability Assessment, Paul Farmer blogs about the damage the process is doing to the lives of people with mental health problems. Read Paul's statement here

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MHNE News – Benefit Changes

MHNE needs your help to highlight the huge problems being faced by many mental health service users whose benefits have recently been changed as a result of national government policies on fitness to work and eligibility to claim employment support allowance and other related benefits. We have received many telephone and e mail enquiries from service users who are distressed and confused about these changes and what their options are.

As a result MHNE, with the support of Durham Welfare Rights, are working on a guide to support and help people through this process. However we would be very grateful if your organisation could complete this survey ( http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TPL9LRS ) explaining the impact of this change on your organisation and if you could encourage service users to complete the survey for individuals (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RPW2VCD)

We have attempted to keep both surveys short and hopefully easy and quick to complete. The surveys are completely anonymous.

The information we receive will be collated and a report produced indicating findings for distribution. Kevan Jones MP has also promised to raise this issue in Parliament on our behalf.

MHNE would like to thank those organisations and individuals who have already completed surveys containing some very interesting and useful information and would be very grateful for those of you who haven’t been able to complete the survey to date, please complete as soon as possible as the closing date is 12 noon 23rd April 2012.

Many Thanks

Lyn

NEWS

Benefits move for region's disabled (Northern Echo 13th March)

Prime Minister’s challenge on dementia

The Prime Minister has launched a programme of work which aims to deliver major improvements in dementia care and research by 2015. Read more → - Prime Minister’s challenge on dementia

Alcohol Strategy published

The Government’s Alcohol Strategy, which includes a package of health measures, has been published. Read more → - Alcohol Strategy published

Charity for homeless withdraws from Work Programme

The charity 'Single Homeless Project' has pulled out of its Work Programme contract because it says the scheme does not provide enough funding to run the service. Read more here

The fight for the NHS is not over

This article sets out the thinking from a number of prominent politicians and activists about how to respond to the passing of the Health and Social Care Bill, including simple actions individuals can take such as requesting referral to only public funded services

Tax relief cap for charitable donations

George Osborne's budget announcement about putting a £50,000 cap on tax relief for charitable donations has attracted a lot of attention in the national and north east press alike, not least because of the prime minister's criticism that some (nameless) charities

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don't actually do much charitable work. Parts of the sector are very worried, including, but large donations are less common in the northeast, and mental health tends not to be as popular as other causes, so it remains to be seen how much this would affect MHNE's members - even if it becomes legislation. Read more in The Journal, The Guardian, and ThirdSector

Please sign and share Pat's Petition

Pat's Petition calls for the government to "Stop and review the cuts to benefits and services which are falling disproportionately on disabled people, their carers and families". The link is here

News: The Health & Social Care Act 2012:

The Health & Social Care Act has now become law, and within the next 12 months new

national, regional and local organisations, (including Clinical Commissioning Groups and

Health & Wellbeing Boards) are to be established and will have the responsibility for

improving delivery of service within the NHS.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has written to the four key health and care

organisations, (Clinical Commissioning Groups, NHS Foundation Trusts, NHS Trusts and

Local Authorities) highlighting these reforms are underpinned by two simple principles:

1. Patients having more control over the care they receive; and

2. Those responsible for patient care – the doctors, nurses and others who work in the NHS

–having the freedom and power to lead an NHS that delivers continually improving care

for its patients

Depression Awareness Week 2012

This year's Depression Awareness Week is 22nd - 28th April

2012. and it is an ideal opportunity to raise awareness, and try to

end the stigma associated with depression. Dementia Alliance

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are one of the groups currently planning events for this year, to both raise money and

awareness of depression, and MHNE would like to hear from you about any events you

may be holding which we will post on our website

Focus on Diagnosis: Cameron’s challenge on dementia

David Cameron has introduced a programme of work with the aim of bringing about a

major set of improvement in dementia care and research by 2015. The Prime Minister’s

challenge on dementia builds on the achievements of the existing National Dementia

Strategy.

The main thrust of the programme will focus on improving four areas:

awarenessquality care

research

dealing with dementia

News: Why I'm resigning from the panel that scrutinises work capability assessments

The DWP won't act on growing concern about the effect of the reassessment process on

people with mental health problems for the last couple of years; welfare reform has

consistently been an important issue for people with mental health problems. And one

aspect in particular has dominated: the work capability assessment (WCA). It's worth

remembering that the WCA was initially conceived before the recession, when this

country was estimated to be within a year of achieving full employment. Even in those

early days, Mind urged caution as we had real concerns about how a new system would

be applied.

Darlington's Openart Studio secured with £65,000

BBC News reports an art therapy project for people with mental health problems has

been saved thanks to a grant of £65,000. The Openart Studio in Darlington gives patients

the chance to work with professional artists to help improve their mental wellbeing.

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Surviving or thriving? Impact of cuts on children and young people charities

The latest themed survey in VONNE’s Surviving or Thriving series has been launched,

focusing on the impact of cuts on North East charities and voluntary groups working with

children and young people.

The survey is being carried out in collaboration with the North East Child Poverty

Commission. If you work with such a client group, are based in the North East and are a

charity, voluntary group or social enterprise then please tell us how the cuts are

impacting on your work.

North East Shared Decision Making Community of Interest

The North East Shared Decision Making Community of Interest serves as a forum for

discussion, debate and sharing of experiences relating to shared decision making (SDM)

and self-management support. and was set up to build support for shared decision

making and to provide a stimulus for widening interest in, and implementation of, SDM

across North East England.

News: Sickness benefit: lost in the ESA appeal system - video

This video available to view on the BBC website details the story of Marcus who has spent

the last three years battling a tumour, migraines and depression, but for much of that

period has had no support from the benefit system. He has applied for employment and

support allowance, but is one of thousands appealing against a decision that he is fit for

work

Advocacy stories

A series of advocacy stories were developed in autumn 2011 as part of Gain’s Department of Health funded A Stronger Voice project. These stories aimed to capture advocacy case studies in relation to personalisation, and were used to inform the end of project report ‘The journey to self-directed support’.

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Lots of other themes emerged from these stories and this short report has been produced to draw out these themes and demonstrate independent advocacy in action. Themes include the preventative agenda, supporting people to challenge decisions, longer term advocacy cases, why professionals refer and advocacy supporting innovative approaches to care. Please note that names have been changed to protect confidentiality

EVENTS

Consortia working in Newcastle

Monday 14th May 10.30-2.30 Jury’s Inn, Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) in partnership with Volsag and Mental Health North East invite you to a workshop on consortia working in Newcastle. This event will cover key trends in the operating environment, SWOT analysis of the Newcastle sector, options for consortium scope and model, consortium development process, and the next steps.

The event will be facilitated by Neil Coulson, who is doing work around the country on consortia working and is supporting the Gateshead consortium. Neil can provide an overview on what works well elsewhere.

Attending the event won’t commit your organisation to being part of any future arrangements, but will give you the opportunity to consider the benefits and challenges. It should be attended by someone in your organisation who is able to make strategic decisions. This invitation is open to any voluntary organisation operating in Newcastle that is providing services to Newcastle residents.

The Jury’s Inn is an accessible venue and lunch will be 50% vegetarian. Please let us know as soon as possible if you need an interpreter or if you have any other requirements which would enable you to attend this event.

To book email: jaz.nagra@cvsnewcastle.org.uk or call Jaz on 0191 235 7011 by 4 May 2012.

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Welfare Reform Changes - How Can We Protect the Most Vulnerable? Friday 27th April 2012, 12.15pm - 4.00pm, Newcastle

The Policy and Representation Partnership's next forum provides an opportunity to hear about the Welfare Reform changes and how these will affect your beneficiaries. There will also be an opportunity to watch the documentary film produced by Shoot Your Mouth Off which explores the effects the Welfare Reform changes could have on young people and adults with disabilities. A discussion will be facilitated as to the next steps SYMO should take to highlight these issues to policy makers.

Voice and Support – where now for equality-focused third sector organisations in Tyne and Wear? 3 May 2012, 12.00noon to 2.30pm at Disability North, Newcastle

Pentagon Partnership, North East Equalities Coalition and Newcastle CVS are holding this free event which will map out the support available to equalities-focused third sector organisations in 2012 and beyond. Click here to find out more

The Hardest Hit: Our rights, our independence, our lives. A Conference on impact of the cuts on disabled people, Newcastle Civic Centre, 1st June 2012

This event is free to disabled people, their carers, and those from charities or Trade Unions. If you would like to attend as a visitor from a commercial or public sector organisation there is a charge to attend. Email Stephen Powers at northeast@hardesthit.org.uk to find out more about your organisation exhibiting or to be invoiced for a £25 Public/Commercial visitor place. To register, go here to to fill in the form online.

The VCS, GPs and commissioning: 30 May, 12.00 - 16.00 at Newcastle University Business School

What do GPs want from the voluntary and community sector (VCS)? What is the impact of NHS reform on the VCS? Does social prescribing offer opportunities? At this event Newcastle CVS and Community Action on Health will share the findings of their research, with a practical session on developing a framework directory so that GPs can find you. Newcastle VCS groups will be given priority for a place at this event. To book a place phone

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Judith Temple at NCVS on 0191 235 7012 or email judith.temple@cvsnewcastle.org.uk by 14 May

Tyneside Women's Health 'A Wellbeing Celebration'

Tyneside Women’s Health cordially invites you toCelebrate the work of Wellbeing Champions, Newcastle women promoting “5 A day for Health & Happiness” in the community. On Wednesday 25th April, 10 am - 1pm At the Centre for Life, Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4EP

Geordie Sinatra

This new production looking at dementia is written by Fiona Evans and Directed by Chris

Monks

That’s life, that’s what all the people say; You’re riding high in April, shot down in May…

Welcome, to the coolest party in town. Kick back, snap a Dunhill, help yourself to the liquor

cart and let Frank ‘The Voice’ Sinatra serenade you ‘till the wee small hours. Well that’s

what’s going on in ex-club singer Geordie’s head anyway. His dementia induced

hallucinations are causing daughter Nancy major headaches that make her wonder ‘what

would Ava Gardner do?’

Presented by Live Theatre Newcastle

Wed 18 April to Saturday 12 May TICKETS: £10 to £18 BOOK NOW In association with

New Writing North

Welfare Reform Changes - How Can We Protect the Most Vulnerable?

This event taking place on Friday 27th April 2012, 12.15pm - 4.00pm, Newcastle will

provide you with an opportunity to hear about the Welfare Reform changes and how these

changes will affect your beneficiaries. There will also be an opportunity to take a look at

the documentary film produced by Shoot Your Mouth Off which explores the effects the

Welfare Reform changes could have on young people and adults with disabilities. A

discussion will be facilitated as to the next steps SYMO should take to highlight these issues

to policy makers. Confirmed speakers are Citizens Advice Bureau and Shoot Your Mouth

Off.

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Crisis Skylight Awards

Annual member Achievement Awards, being held at The Castlegate Centre on Melbourne

Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, at 1:00pm to 3:00pm this Wednesday, April 4th 2012. Please

try your best to come along and help celebrate the success of our service users.

Age UK Newcastle Open Day

Age UK Newcastle is hosting an open afternoon at Sport Central on Thursday 26 April 1 –

4pm. Why not come along and find out what’s on offer – have a lifestyle MOT, a splash in

the pool, play a round of golf at St Andrews on the golf simulator, relax and unwind with

Tai Chi or brush up your badminton skills. There is something for everyone.

'Starfish' Event

CDX is hosting 'starfish' event in Durham on Thursday 21st June 2012, At the Ritson Hall,

Alington House Community Centre, 4 North Bailey Durham, County Durham DH1 3ET

From 12 noon to 4 pm (with refreshments and sandwich lunch)

Voice and Support – where now for equality-focused third sector organisations in Tyne and Wear?

Pentagon Partnership is pleased to announce, in partnership with the North East Equalities

Coalition and Newcastle CVS, an event which will map out the support available to

equalities-focused third sector organisations in 2012 and beyond, and the opportunities

that exist for these organisations to contribute to economic policy and strategy through

structures such as the North Eastern Local Enterprise Partnership.

'The fun 10-week MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition...Do it!) programme,

To be held at the Leisure Centre and One Point Hub in Chester-le-Street from 1st May, will

help families get healthy by teaching them top tips on how to eat more healthily and keep

active.

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At the after-school MEND programme, children aged 7-13 years and their parents learn

about healthy eating together. The kids then play fun active games while the parents learn

how to set healthy goals and rewards and swap ideas and tips with other parents.

FUNDING

£27,000 available for Durham charities through DUCK Grant Funding

Strategic Legal Fund for Refugee Children and Young People (England & Wales)

Support for the Implementation of Audio-Visual Pilot Projects (UK)

£4 Million for Innovative Solutions to Tackle Healthcare Problems (UK)

Wolfson Foundation – Special Needs Grants Programme (UK)

Swim Active Grant Scheme to Re-Open for Applications (England)

P&G Charitable Fund The Frank Buttle Trust - Child Support Scheme (UK)

New £60 Million Grant Scheme for Rural Areas (England)

Grants to Help New, Innovative Visual Arts Projects (UK)

Homelessness Transition Fund (England)

Help The Homeless (UK)

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Heritage Grants over £2 Million and under £5 Million (UK)

Inspired Facilities Fund to Re-Open for Applications (England)

Innovation in Giving Fund Announces New Funding Round (England)

Durham Community Oil

Stanley AAP's Small Grants Fund is now open for applications

The Preventing Repossessions Fund

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OUT AND ABOUT WITH MOBEX NORTH EAST

The Community Foundation currently has a funding stream open that may be of interest to groups wishing to get outdoors with us in the coming months.

The Out and About Fund seeks to support people, of all ages, who would not otherwise have the opportunity to experience outdoor activities or environmental education in the countryside. Generally grants are up to £1,000. The deadline for applications is 11 May.

Mobex can of course deliver a wide range of outdoor activties, from the high impact, such as waterfall jumping, canoeing, abseiling, to gentler actvities such as outdoor cooking, a 'Brew with a View' (a scenic walk with a stove for hot drinks), kite making and flying, outdoor arts and environmental awards (through the John Muir Scheme) and overnight camps.

We specialise in working with people that don't always know they'd like to go outdoors, and we specialise in tailoring outdoor experiences that meet the needs of all groups. We work with children, young adults, adults, those experiencing mental health distress or disability, students and older people, anybody really! Don't think we couldn't deliver something for you! We can provide qualified staff, insurance, transport and all the equipment and specialist clothing required.

To find out more and talk about what we could do together give us a call on 0191 230 830, or visit our website www.mobexnortheast.org.uk

The application should be made through the usual Community Foundation online form, there is a link on the attached info. If you're not used to completing applications for funding we can give you a hand.

We look forward to getting out and about with you!

Mobex North East 0191 2302830 www.mobexnortheast.org.uk

PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Young Persons Positive Intervention Support Service

Infrastructure Support Services

Provision of Independent Visitor Service

Autism Market Event

Mentoring Services

Homecare Services

POLICY UPDATE

No Health Without Mental Health

The Mental Health strategy, No Health Without Mental Health was launched in February 2011. As we approach the first anniversary of the strategy’s publication, five national organisations, NHS Confederation, Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, Turning Point, Centre for Mental Health are working with the Department of Health to develop a framework for implementation. You can access the draft framework via NSUN here

Publication of adult social care outcomes framework

The ASCOF framework document has been updated for 2012-13. Outcome measures have been agreed between the Department of Health, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and the Local Government Association. It describes the principles to be used, its

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relationship with local outcome measurement; the specific measures agreed for 2012-13; and outlines details of the next steps for the outcomes-based approach.

Welfare reform consultatio

The Department of Work Pensions (DWP) has published a formal consultation on the detailed benefit rules that will underpin Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The consultation asks for views on a number of aspects of the regulations including eligibility to the benefit and payment of the benefit for certain groups. It also contains more details on how we will reassess Disability Living Allowance (DLA) recipients and what the passporting arrangements will be under PIP. The consultation will run until 30 June

PERSONALISATION UPDATEwith Steve Nash – more here www.mhne.co.uk/personalisation

Massive variations in personal budget take-up across councils

While 29.2% of adult care users or carers receiving community services had a personal budget in 2010-11, up from 13% in 2009-10, rates ranged from 4% in Somerset to 71% in Manchester, according to statistics published by the NHS Information Centre. (You need to open the Disaggregated Social Care Indicators and look at the NI 130 tab. The overall figure for the northeast is 31% (but only 8.9% for mental health)

Update March 12: Personal personal health budgets information sheet

The latest edition of the Personal Health Budgets update includes various resources and is available here

The Journey to self directed support

This publication from GAIN (Gateshead) looks at the role of independent advocacy in the process of self directed support and recommends that there needs to be greater access to advocacy and a cultural shift in the social care workforce to support this

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People not processes: the future of personalisation and independent living SCIE Report 55

This is a report of two seminars which brought together service users, carers, social care practitioners and policy makers to discuss the future of personalisation at a time of limited resources

What is Choice?

An interesting article on the 'The not so big society' website

Making it Happen for Us

This is a statement resulting from an NSUN personsalisation event on 30th March, setting out some of the problems faced by black and other ethnic minority groups in accessing self directed support

RESOURCES, REPORTS and PUBLICATIONS

Promoting positive mental health at work – new Acas guide

Mental health costs UK employers £26 billion every year including £8.4 billion in sickness absence and £15.1 billion in reduced productivity. Talking about mental health in the workplace can be intimidating and managers often worry about getting it wrong. This new guide can help you understand mental health and the impact it has on you, your employees and the effectiveness of your organisation.

Report raises issues about Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards

The Care Quality Commission has published a report showing that the NHS needs better awareness of when and how to apply the Mental Capacity Act – Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (MCA-DOLS) for patients. The safeguards are needed in all hospitals, for patients who may require restrictions such as restraint that may amount to a deprivation of liberty.

Better Together

Pentagon Partnership has published a report sharing seven 'success criteria' for successful collaboration following the Better Together project. The report also outlines case studies, key learning and resources which they wish to share with the wider sector. Better Together project aimed to support voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE)

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collaborative service delivery on all aspects of the Children, Young People and Families (CYPF) agenda in the North East.

The Principles of Good Impact Reporting

This report by New Philanthropy Capital provides a framework for how charities and social enterprises should communicate their impact and what they should communicate.

The marketisation of charities in England and Wales

A new paper from the Third Sector Research Centre looks at the impact of marketisation on charities annual returns between 2002-2008. The results showed that charities are increasingly dependent on commercial revenue, and this is a substitute for grants and donations. This shows that charities in England and Wales are succumbing to market forces, albeit to a small extent.

Third sector leadership: the power of narrative

The third sector is experiencing a radical shift in its shape, its role and its relationship with the state. This Third Sector Research Centre paper calls for a more open and vigorous conversation about the future of the third sector, and the potential for developing a big narrative for the third sector and civil society.

Seeking Work? Check our website

JOBS

Chief Executive

Male Support Worker

Youth Workers x 2

Carer Support Worker

Volunteer Co-ordinator16

Academic Representation Co-ordinator

Business Development Manager

Field Worker

Operations Assistant

Administrator/Receptionist

Local Involvement Network (LINk) Community Development Officer

Policy & Campaigns Manager

Finance Manager

Credit Union Development Worker

TRAINING

Free accredited training available!!

Sports Clubs Training Opportunities

Contraception Awareness Training

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Strategies for supporting young people to explore readiness and

Gardening training courses - free at the cyrenians

Training Opportunities direct support to your Service Users and your Organisation

Next Step Workshops: April 2012

Supplier Workshops

Creative writing

Bridge Learning & Support Centre for Women: Course Guide April 2012

First aid courses

Introduction to Leadership for Mental Health Service Users,

What’s On In April ?

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