‘Carer’s Coffee Meeting’ by the Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team (CRHT) Hastings area and Woodlands centre for acute care – Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT)
“A space to talk about issues you may be facing as a family member or friend and how you yourself can be supported in your role with various community supports. We are open to any questions you may have and hope to offer you some guidance and support. We aim to have a guest speaker at each event.” For any unpaid carers. Held at Tesco Extra Community Space, Churchwood Drive, Hollington TN38 9RB. Free tea/coffee and cake. Contact number: 0300 304 0253. Upcoming meetings:
Free online course for carers by the Complex Emotional Needs (CEN) team – Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT)
“6-week psychoeducational course which aims to provide carers with information that builds their understanding around CEN. CEN might mean that the person you support has a formal diagnosis of ‘personality disorder’, or they might have similar experiences, for example, emotional intensity, unstable self-image, risky and impulsive behaviours. We understand the importance of providing space for carers to learn more about the difficulties your loved one experiences, as well as connecting with other carers to share experiences and improve your own wellbeing.” To request a place or find out more, email CERN@spft.nhs.uk. All courses are online via Zoom with a pre-course introduction session. Carers are encouraged to attend all six sessions. Upcoming courses:
‘Are Young People Staking Their Mental Health On Gambling?’ webinar – English Gambling Education Hub
Free. Tuesday 23rd April 2024, 10am-12noon. Book via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/are-young-people-staking-their-mental-health-on-gambling-tickets-863710741077?aff=oddtdtcreator. Or email aimee@breakeven.org.uk.
MindEd for Families – NHS England
Mental health advice for older people and their carers. Topics include memory, sleep, loneliness, mental health and substance misuse. Website: https://www.mindedforfamilies.org.uk/older-people/
‘Don’t brush it under the carpet’ – Grassroots Suicide Prevention
Suicide prevention hub for older adults who need support, and the friends, relatives and professionals in contact with them: https://prevent-suicide.org.uk/older-adult-suicide-prevention-hub/
Health and Wellbeing Service (AKA ‘Screen and Intervene’) – Southdown
“A specialist social prescribing service, working in partnership with GP practices and Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust across Sussex. We support people with a serious mental illness (SMI) diagnosis including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and psychosis. We can also support people with a diagnosis of emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD) as long as they are on the GP SMI register.” “People with SMIs are eligible to attend a free annual NHS Physical Health Check (PHC). These checks are carried out by GPs and/or healthcare practitioners at a GP surgery and are designed to look at different aspects of a person’s health (including blood pressure, mental health, diabetes, sexual health, oral health and much more).” “Our service aims to increase people’s engagement with their PHC and improve people’s health and wellbeing following their PHC appointment.” Website: https://www.southdown.org/services/health-and-wellbeing-service/
Caburn Ward Welcome Pack, Mill View Hospital – Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT)
Although this pack is aimed at patients being admitted to Mill View, it might also be useful to unpaid carers. It is divided into 3 parts: what to expect, legal rights & advocacy, and health & safety. Includes descriptions of staff roles in the multidisciplinary team (MDT). https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/application/files/7816/8788/2770/Caburn_Ward__Welcomepack_FINAL_v2.pdf
Advice for parents: Eating disorders – NHS England
“If your child has been diagnosed with an eating disorder, here’s what you can do to help.” https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/behaviours/eating-disorders/advice-for-parents/
Friends & Family page on PTSD UK website
Includes information about what to do if you think your loved one has Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), how to help someone with PTSD, looking after yourself as a carer, and information for employers. https://www.ptsduk.org/friends-family/
How to cope with a crisis – Bipolar UK
https://www.bipolaruk.org/crisis-support
Community mental health transformation monthly webinar – Sussex Health and Care
Monthly webinar with updates on the community mental health transformation programme. “The webinars are open for anyone to attend, including staff, service users, experts by experience (EbE’s) and carers, and attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions in the Q&A.” Held on the third Wednesday of each month, 12-12:45pm. Register to attend: https://spft-nhs-uk.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAvf-ugpzsuGdX8afq5v8YPR17SOTv0x0WQ#/registration. Sign up for the community mental health transformation newsletter: https://signup.es-mail.co.uk/Signup/39d377684c06e27da7da1b8feb8b7613
Herbert Protocol – Sussex Police
“The Herbert Protocol is a form that carers, family or friends of a vulnerable person, or the person themselves can fill in. It contains a list of information to help the police if the person goes missing.” For more information and a downloadable Herbert Protocol form visit https://www.sussex.police.uk/notices/af/herbert-protocol/.
Ma’s Movement – Hastings
Free dance group every Wednesday*, 11am-12noon, at Hastings Museum & Art Gallery, John’s Place, Bohemia Road, Hastings TN34 1ET. “Dance an hour away in this weekly get together. Brought to you by mums in the arts and in the world of therapy; we use dance to help deal with anxiety, loneliness, isolation, PTSD, depression, and grief. Weekly themes include: ’90s Dance School Run, World Folk Morning, Blame It On The Bass, Reggae Reggae, R&B Classics, Hip-Hop Don’t Stop, and Sea Shanties. Freestyle dance (no routines / choreography). All ages welcome.” Cost: Child £1, over 18s £2, families £5. Or pay what you can. Drop in sessions (no need to book). Website: https://www.hmag.org.uk/event/mas-movement/
*Except 01/05/24, 28/08/24, 09/10/24 or 25/12/24
‘Research study looking at autistic adults’ experience in mental health services’ (Janina Brede et al. 11/05/22) – Autistica
https://www.autistica.org.uk/news/mental-health-services-research-study
How to support neurodivergent children and young people at risk of suicide or self harm – National Suicide Prevention Alliance
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT) are developing their organisational strategy for 2025-2030
“During 2024 we will be working in partnership with people who use our services, our staff and our partner organisations to develop our new organisational strategy.” https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/about-us/vision-strategy-and-values/developing-our-organisational-strategy-2025-2030
Plot 22 – Hove
Charity that “creates opportunities for people from all walks of life to grow, cook and eat together outdoors.” Website: https://www.plot22.org/. Services include:
BHT Sussex expands mental health support in Mid Sussex (02/04/24)
Additional accommodation and personalised mental health support in Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath, and East Grinstead. https://www.bht.org.uk/news/bht-sussex-expands-mental-health-support-in-mid-sussex/
Other information
Free Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) course for carers – Coastal Wellbeing
Wednesdays from 1st May to 5th June 2024, 10am-1pm, at Uckfield Carers Centre, C/O Sussex Support Service, Victoria Pavilion, Victoria Pleasure Ground, Old Timbers Lane, New Town, Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 5DJ. “Join other carers to focus on your wellbeing in a supportive group.” “If required, there is an opportunity for your cared for person to be in the same building whilst you attend this course.” Booking required. Contact Molly on 07507 734370 or molly@coastalwellbeing.co.uk. Website: www.coastalwellbeing.co.uk/wrap-for-carers/
Free cooking course for carers– Community Chef
5-week mindful baking course in Lewes on Thursdays, 10:30am-1:30pm, from 25th April until 23rd May 2024. “Learn essential mindfulness techniques while baking bread, cakes, pastry and more.” At Unit 2A, Phoenix Works, North Street, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 2PE. For unpaid carers in East Sussex. Booking required via Eventbrite: https://communitychef.org.uk/eventbrite-event/cooking-for-carers-mindful-baking/. There is a £5 booking fee that is refunded on attendance.
Free creative courses for carers in Uckfield by Adult College for Rural East Sussex (ACRES) in collaboration with Care for the Carers
The following courses will be held at Uckfield Carers Centre, Victoria Pavilion, Victoria Pleasure Ground, Old Timbers Lane, New Town, Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 5DJ:
Places are limited. For more information and/or to request a place, please email Mark Townsend at info@cftc.org.uk or call 01323 738390.
Peer support grants available
If you are running a peer support group, or looking to start one, you could apply to Care for the Carers for a grant of up to £500 to support with these costs. Details on our website: https://www.cftc.org.uk/make-a-difference/volunteer/start-a-group/.
Can you help shape future Autism services? survey – East Sussex County Council (ESCC)
ESCC are keen to hear from people of all ages who self-identify as autistic, have a diagnosis of autism, or are on the waiting list for an assessment for autism. Their parents, carers and professionals who work with them are also welcome to complete the survey. More information and link to survey: https://consultation.eastsussex.gov.uk/adult-social-care/2024-autism-action-plan/. Alternatively you can email feedback to apb@eastsussex.gov.uk, call 07745 106 727, or write to: Bernadette van Gaalen, Autism Project and Engagement Manager, East Sussex County Council, County Hall, St Anne’s Crescent, Lewes, BN7 1UE. The survey closes on 10th June.
