For further information contact us on: 020 8360 8822

SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS

Enfield Mental Health Carers offer free monthly Support Group Meetings to carers. In our monthly meetings carers:

• Meet with other carers and receive mutual support.

• Share ideas, management tips and techniques.

• Take control of their lives by dealing with a range of emotions that they experience.

• Learn about other local community services which exist to help them.

• Help raise the profile of mental health carers and increase understanding throughout the community.

“I make a conscious effort to attend the Support Group Meetings as it is one of the only times that I get to talk about my feelings to a group of people that I know will empathise and understand.” CARER

All Carers, friends and relatives are welcome.

The meetings are held in the evening at: Community House, 311 Fore Street, Edmonton N9 from 6.00pm - 8.00pm. To obtain a list of dates and guest speakers please call our office on 020 8360 8822.

ADVOCACY SERVICE

Our Carers Advocacy Worker is available to:

• Help you gain access to information.

• Make sure your rights as a carer are acknowledged and respected.

• Help you understand the prescribed medication and its side effects.

• Speak on your behalf at meetings or support you with speaking up for yourself at case conferences, CPA meetings etc.

• Write supporting letters on your behalf.

• Make telephone calls to assist you in your caring role.

• Ensure you know about other services in the Borough that can benefit yourself or the person you care for.

• Listen when you need someone to talk to.

A case example:
Susan* cares for her daughter, Jennifer, who suffers with mental health difficulties which are further compounded by her drug and alcohol misuse issues. Jennifer was arrested last year and given a custodial sentence. Susan became very stressed and worried at this point (she felt that Jennifer's mental health needs were being ignored) and she was signed off work due to stress related illness, which had a significant impact on her financial situation. Our advocate was able to liaise with her daughters social worker and the prison and managed to get Jennifer transferred to a forensic ward which was much more suitable for her mental health needs. Since her release our advocacy worker has engaged with various health and mental health professionals to request that Jennifer be offered supported housing. Furthermore, our advocate raised this case as a priority for respite and EMHC were able to offer this carer a weeks long respite break, which she would not have been able to afford otherwise, where she had the opportunity to totally unwind and rejuvenate.

For further information call our Advocacy line on: 020 8360 8683


TRAINING
Each year, Enfield Mental Health Carers run a comprehensive training programme for Carers in the Borough. The programme includes several topics which are essential for carers of mental health carers for example;

• Mental Health Awareness

• Carers' Rights & Mental Health Law

• Medication

• Therapies used in Mental Health

• Drugs and Alcohol – dual diagnosis

• Coping in a crisis

‘I found it useful to ask questions about mental illness and it helped to meet other carers.’ CARER

‘These sessions helped me to understand some of the terminology which is used by professionals, and encouraged me to read around the subject a bit more.’ CARER

‘The session allowed me to gain a better understanding of the person that I care for.’ CARER

Contact our office for details of the next course dates and further information.


RESPITE
Need a break from caring? Want a change of scene? We may be able to help. Enfield Mental Health Carers often receives funding from the London Borough of Enfield which allows us to organise a varied programme of free activities and events for Carers ranging from:

• Dining out

• Theatre trips

• Cinema vouchers

• Mini holiday breaks

• Beauty therapy vouchers

• Leisure centre stretch cards

• Complimentary therapy sessions

• Bowling vouchers

CASE EXAMPLE:
Philippa* cares for her son Mark* who has schizophrenia, and is linked to the East Enfield CMHT. Mark has been in and out of hospital several times in the past few years and has a history of repeated suicide attempts and associated depression episodes.

When Philippa was referred to EMHC by the community mental health team she was suffering very low self esteem and reoccurring severe migraines as a result of the severe stress she was experiencing as a carer.

EMHC have been able to offer Philippa respite in the following ways: free Indian Head Massage sessions, monthly support group meetings and general support and advice. In August this year, Philippa enjoyed a holiday to Newquay in Cornwall with a group of other carers. This was the first opportunity Philippa has had for several years to have time away from her family to focus on herself and strengthen herself emotionally and physically.

Philippa explains that the trip to Cornwall “reminded me of how life used to be and how crucial it is to get away from stress, experience being catered for (for a change!) and to wear a smile!! I forgot how!!”

Contact our office for details of what's available: 020 8360 8822


BEFRIENDING SERVICE

BEFRIENDING– WHAT IS IT?
As a carer for someone with a mental health difficulty, you have probably thought about how to help them develop wider social contacts and enjoy a fuller life.

BEFRIENDING is one way that you can achieve this. Our Befriending Project aims to address the social isolation that people with mental ill health often face.

The scheme provides service users with companionship and offers them the chance to get out and use local services and facilities. Of course users don’t need to go out to enjoy the befriending scheme– our Befrienders are happy to visit people at home and have a chat.


THE PROJECT’S AIMS

The Befriending Project aims to achieve the following outcomes:
-Develop wider social networks for the user
-Create new social links for the user
-Enable the user to explore local facilities
-Improve peoples self confidence and self esteem
-Provide respite for carers


WHO ARE THE BEFRIENDERS?
They can be paid workers or volunteers. All EMHC Befrienders are subject to checks by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and all have mental health awareness training and equal opportunities training.

The project aims to appropriately match users and befrienders and this is often based on age, gender and shared interest. We have a wide selection of Befrienders available.

A BEFRIENDER IS... -Someone to talk to
-Someone to listen to you
-Someone to share interest with
-Someone to help you do something you haven't done before
-Someone to empower you


For further information please contact our office on 020 8369 8822.


‘I feel that I am very fortunate in being included in the befriending project, it is a real bonus for my mother.’ CARER

‘My husband really enjoys the befrienders visit. On each visit they go out and on their return he is always very relaxed and cheerful. Having the befriender has enabled my husband to talk about some of his memories and to do some physical exercise which he has not been able to do for sometime. I too have been benefited from the sessions as I am able to use the time that he is with the befriender to do things for myself.’ CARER

‘We have welcomed the introduction of this scheme and it has enabled me and my sister one day when we know our mother will have companionship. Thank you we are very grateful for your help.’ CARER



OUTINGS

Enfield Mental Health Carers often organise trips and outings to various places throughout the year. Destinations range from seaside resorts, Royal Palaces, Great Houses or National Trust properties. There is usually no charge to Carers and you can travel alone, with a friend or with the person you care for. ‘It was an excellent opportunity to unwind and get away from it all. I felt refreshed after the holiday and more able to face up to life’s expectations.’ CARER ‘It was a good, good break. Friendly carers and friendly staff. My daughter enjoyed it to the last minute, thank you EMHC.’ CARER

Contact our office for details of what is available: 020 8360 8822



VOLUNTEERS

Enfield Mental Health Carers encourages individuals who are willing to use some of their free time to assist the work of our organisation and further our aims and objectives. The following areas of work are available:

Admin and IT
Outreach and Publicity
Support Group Meetings
Management Committee Members


Whatever time you can give - whether its one day a week or an afternoon sticking labels and stuffing envelopes - will be much appreciated.

Volunteers will need to complete an application form and give two references. Once the references are received, an informal meeting will then be arranged to discuss working times and duties.

Come and join our team and make a difference to Mental Health Carers in Enfield!