IRU - Friday 13th August 2021
Hello and welcome to this weeks Stockport Information Round-up!
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If you ever want to promote your work, event or you would like any information circulated please contact Liam at comms@healthwatchstockport.co.uk
Have a lovely weekend!
Counselling training Course
Message from Amy Geldard (Beechwood Cancer Care)
In September, Beechwood Cancer Care will be offering a Level 2 counselling training course for people in positions that support others, including nurses, social workers, and teachers.
This course focuses on developing skills in the professional context of counselling, communication and personal development, and will help you gain a clear understanding of the core conditions of a counselling relationship and the different therapeutic models of counselling.
Delivered online, the course will start on Tuesday 28th September, 5pm - 8pm.
If you are interested in enrolling, or would like further information, please contact counselling@beechwoodcancercare.co.uk
Disability Stockport pledges its commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community
Message from Barbara Bowden (Disability Stockport)
Witnessed by Major Anthony Turner, from Army Headquarters North West, the CEO of Disability Stockport, Kieran McMahon, signs the Armed Forces Covenant, pledging the charities commitment to support the Armed Forces community within Stockport and Greater Manchester.
Disability Stockport has provided high quality support for over 40 years to adults within Stockport and Greater Manchester, with sensory impairments, physical disabilities, mental health and learning difficulties, delivering several specialised services from their Centre of Independent Living in High Street.
The CEO, Kieran McMahon said, “we have identified several gaps in service provisions for those who have served in the Armed Forces that have some kind of disability or daily living difficulties, not always directly associated to their military service, but in-directly associated to their military life, that we feel our specialism in this area could be of great benefit to them, reducing isolation and social exclusion, helping them to feel more valued and reintegrated within society, and improving their independent way of living. As well as there still being that void in lack of understanding by statutory such as social services when it comes to the support and accessing services by those who have served in the Armed Forces”.
Kieran went on to say, “we have recently been lucky to bring on board, Gavin Jones, a Gulf War veteran who suffered a life changing injury whilst on leave which left him wheelchair dependent, to lead on our Armed Forces service delivery. Gavin has over 12 years’ experience and a wealth of knowledge in welfare advice delivery and trauma informed support to men and women of all ages and backgrounds who have served in the Armed Forces, that have any kind of disability and complex needs, developing many programmes and services that have attracted both local authority and NHS commissioned contracts”.
Disability Stockport currently provides an array of valuable services to the community, including crisis support, families support, autism support, an adapted allotment and independent living skills kitchen, as well as working closely in partnership with Beacon Counselling. Disability Stockport is also in the process of creating a unique and dedicated sensory room.
Gavin Jones said, “I feel very lucky to be asked by Kieran to join his amazing team and help develop a unique and much needed service to support the Armed Forces community. Having worked within this arena for many years, previously developing and establishing two Armed Forces support hubs, developed the first ever 3rd sector non-clinical wrap around support model to be imbedded within a dedicated NHS Trust veterans mental health service and commissioned in 2016, and be commissioned by local authorities to provide community outreach drop-in’s, I have seen many gaps in service provisions improved or addressed, but have identified gaps still there in other areas, which I hope Disability Stockport together with our strategic partners will help address and fill both locally and region wide”.
Gavin also said, “there is a lot of service duplication within areas, because organisations seem to be scraping to get funding, and to many wheels are continuingly being re-invented, as well as the focus always being on those who have suffered an injury or psychological difficulties from operational deployment. Don’t get me wrong these men and women coming back from operational tours injured or psychologically affected are true heroes and I have many good friends who have, but there are even more ex forces men and women (and their families) who are having similar severe difficulties not from service but due life events such as, a car accident, being assaulted, becoming disabled, having a sensory impairment, or seeing a close friend die, that are struggling just as much and suicide rates are just as high. Their struggles are not always due to what happened, but more a knock on effect as to what they have lost as they default back to that military point, which is just as debilitating, affecting daily living functions, with losing that feeling of worth and pride in the uniform they wore, the tight knit comradeship where you could truly trust that person next to you with your life, not being able to do what you used to, and the way of life as a whole in the military which is so very different to civvy street. These problems can be just as devastating in a person’s life and prevent independent living, and although they don’t fall under the direct criteria of the Armed Forces Covenant to access prioritised health care, they need to be addressed in the same way by dedicated support services locally that truly understand former service men and women, their difficulties, and the Veteran profile, why they are the way they are. This is where I see Disability Stockport playing a vital role in helping address this”.
A spokesperson for Army Headquarters North West said, we are delighted that Disability Stockport are signing the Armed Forces Covenant to reaffirm their commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community. We look forward to working with their team and exploring opportunities to further develop our relationship.
For further details about Disability Stockport and to keep up to date with the development of their new Armed Forces support programme, please visit www.disabilitystockport.co.uk
Live Well - Spend Well Activities
Message from Mark Emery (The Prevention Alliance)
Great link for Live Well , Spend Well in Stockport
https://www.facebook.com/groups/901681396890385/permalink/1544915605900291/?sfnsn=scwspmo&ref=share
Useful Covid-19 Resources
Message from Matt Singleton (Stockport Council)
Please find below a couple of updates that may be useful for yourself and your colleagues:
COVID-19 vaccination: resources for children and young people - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
REACT study shows fully vaccinated are three times less likely to be infected - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The Sharon Fallows Corner
Message from Sharon Fallows (Viaduct Care)
Updates from Stockport Council
Message from Sarah Burke (Stockport Council)
Statement from Stockport Director of Public Health
We are still seeing a decline in numbers of people testing positive for coronavirus in Stockport, but this fall may be slowing, and rates are still very high. We all need to continue to be cautious if we want to see rates fall further. This means getting the vaccine, limiting the time we spend in crowded indoor spaces, wearing face coverings and maintaining a social distance where appropriate, and getting tested and self-isolating when we need to.
We urgently need to reach those people who have not yet had their first dose or are now overdue (over 8 weeks) their second. To take up the vaccination offer, attend a pop-up clinic visiting various locations across Stockport in the next few weeks - see the full timetable. You can also book your vaccine online or call 119 to arrange an appointment. Read the full statement on the council’s website.
Stockport Community Champions Recruiting Now
Become a Stockport Community Champion and use your connections and interest in people to help your community recover from the impact of COVID-19 and improve people’s health and wellbeing. Share the latest Public Health information and help local people find out about support available in Stockport. Find out what people and communities need to help them recover and feed it back to help shape services in Stockport for the future.
How to get involved: Check if the organisation you work/volunteer for is a Champion Organisation (e.g. Age UK, SREP, Pure Innovations) as you will be able to join through them. If not, you can find more information and sign up at the Stockport Volunteer Hub.
Wellbeing support for young people over the summer
This week, both GCSE and A-Level students will be receiving their results. This is the second year where grades have been decided differently due to the pandemic, which may be causing uncertainty and anxiety. All residents in Stockport can talk to someone if the nerves, stress or worries become too overwhelming:
Support for over 18s
Open Door have a 24/7 support line for anyone who needs to talk. Call 0800 138 7276. Information about visiting their safe haven can also be downloaded.
SHOUT provides support confidentially over text. Just text 85258.
togetherall.com is an online community where you can talk to others and get advice.
Support for young people
The Emotional Wellbeing Hub is available for everyone aged 0-25 on 0161 217 6028 (open 8:30am – 5pm Monday-Friday, with an earlier close of 4pm on Fridays)
Text SHOUT, the confidential support service, on 85258.
kooth.com (11-18) and togetherall.com (16+) offer free online support for young people feeling stressed, anxious or low.
Please share this information with anyone who may find it helpful. More information and support services can also be found on the council website or download the Wellbeing support over the summer leaflet.
GM Personal Assistants in Care online Job Fayre
This is an event for people who are interested in finding out more about the role of a Personal Assistant (PA) in Care. A PA is employed by a disabled person, or their family, to help them lead a good life
Wednesday 29th September 1 - 2.45pm. Register on Eventbrite
Free Trauma awareness training
Expressions of interest are invited to secure places on free trauma responsive training. This is being offered through the GM Trauma Responsive programme from end of Sept 2021 to end March 2022. The aim is to work towards becoming a Trauma Responsive City Region. The deadline for expressions of interest is 20th August.
Download the full programme details and application form below. Please contact Jennifer.bagchi@nhs.net if you have any further questions.
Useful information for people who care for/about loved ones of working age
Message from Irene Harris (Mental Health Carers Group)
1) The link below is from the Equality and Human Rights Commission about their inquiry into challenging decisions about adult social care.
There is a survey which you take part in which is open until 15th September. Hope you find it helpful:
2) I have attached information from SCAAS (Stockport Carers for Adults on the Autism Spectrum).
The first is about the Autism Social Group on the 1st Thursday of Every Month 11.30 am to 1.30 pm at The Space, 26 St Petersgate.
The second attachment is the customer feedback form about accessing social housing with a view to looking at reasonable adjustments to help people with Autism.
We have also received information about the Stockport Homes drop-in at Disability Stockport on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 1pm to 3.30pm when a member of staff will be available for help.
Group and Activities updates-August
Message from Steven Delahunt (The Prevention Alliance)
Please find attached group/activity information updates.
Smile is now back on every Tuesdays 1-2pm at The Heaton’s centre. See Info attached.
The comedy walking group will be heading to Edale 26th August if you have any people that’s up for a challenging walk drop me a message. Travel fare inc.
We are also on the look out for a venue to relaunch our Rock n Goals group. We ran from Debenhams café post covid. It was a great place for people to chat about music , football whilst having tea and toast.
National Careers Service Webinars August-September
Message from Chris Hughes (Stockport Homes)
Hello everyone,
National Careers Service have a range of webinars coming up to support people looking for work – see attached flyers for details.
Free Stockport Council Suicide Awareness for Professionals training
We are offering new dates for the popular Stockport Council Suicide Awareness for Professionals training, which is free of charge for anyone working or volunteering in Stockport. All courses take place using Zoom.
Course Details:
Delivery Time: 2 hours
- Develops understanding and compassion
- Tackles myths, stigma and barriers
- Introduces concept that suicide is not inevitable – people can be helped, and module includes the latest research and evidence
- Helps delegates understand how distress develops and how people can be best supported
- Develops common language between community, services and those in distress
- Gives delegates the confidence and the skills practice of talking to someone in distress
- Develops a compassionate approach for demanding and time-pressured environments
- Equips the delegate with the knowledge of how to use www.StayingSafe.net to make their own Safety Plan
No prior experience required
The next sessions available are scheduled for:
August 2021
Wednesday 18th 13.30-15.30
Thursday 26th 9.30-11.30
September 2021
Wednesday 1st 9.30 - 11.30
Thursday 9th 13.30-15.30
Wednesday 22nd 13.30-15.30
Thursday 30th 9.30-11.30
October 2021
Thursday 7th 13.30-15.30
Wednesday 13th 09.30-11.30
Thursday 21st 13.30-15.30
Wednesday 27th 09.30-11.30
To book a place for any of the sessions, please CTRL & click on the following link:
Making Space Recruitment
Message from Nadia Hanley (Making Space)
Please see the links below for the roles I’m currently recruiting for.
Recovery Worker – Job profile (makingspace.co.uk)
Team Leader – Job profile (makingspace.co.uk)
National Kidney Federation
August In Touch newsletter out now!
Stockport Council
My journey into Service Design in Local Government – Part 2: New Opportunities
Stockport Review EXTRA - COVID-19 - 6th August
Sector3
Your fortnightly VCFSE news bulletin - 11th August 2021
Ambition for Ageing - GMCVO
Updates, news and resources from Ambition for Ageing (eBulletin August 2021)
S-REP
S-REP E-Newsletter August 2021
GMCVO
Information and Signposting
For up to date health and social care information, signposting and guidance call Healthwatch Stockport on
0161 974 0753 10am - 2pm or email info@healthwatchstockport.co.uk.
Or do you have a health or social care experience you want to share – how did your last appointment with your GP or dentist go? Are you frustrated or thrilled with the service you received – let us know so we can work with local services to influence better commissioners and better outcomes for you and your family. Contact the Healthwatch Stockport office above or submit feedback here at www.healthwatchstockport.co.uk/share-your-views
If you have any information you would like to share on the Stockport Information Round up please send any details to comms@healthwatchstockport.co.uk
