Ecotherapy With Andy McGeeney

Andy McGeeney is the Psychologist Specialising in Ecotherapy. He visited HUBB to explain his work and to look at promoting the Ecotherapy Projects throughout the NELFT region. Andy will be talking at the HUBB Monthly Meeting on February 4th at ROMFORD BAPTIST CHURCH (Main Road, Romford (Next to ASDA)).



He has a background in psychology, counselling, wildlife conservation, training and development.

His role in the Trust is to:

- Run ecotherapy programmes for service users;
- Conduct research and evaluation of the ecotherapy work;
- Support others who want to use ecotherapy in their work, through mentoring, training and development.
- Tell others about the work we are doing and encourage the wider use of ecotherapy.

An informative leafelt on Andy's work can be downloaded from the HUBB website.
NELFT has been very innovative in introducing Ecotherapy for its users; it fits very well with star wards activities and is empowering for users wishing to improve their quality of life.

The work is being externally evaluated by the University of Essex.

Ecotherapy Activities

The type of activities, by its innovative nature, will shift and change according to circumstances. If you have your own ideas come and talk to Andy. At the moment there are plans to offer:

• Well Being in Nature sessions and workshops

• Walking in Nature sessions 6 week programmes

• Fit n’ Green conservation sessions

• Allotment gardening sessions

• Staff workshops and training programmes

Further information can be obtained by contacting Andy at:

Andy McGeeney
T: 0844 600 1201 x5256
E: andy.mcgeeney@nelft.nhs.uk

North East London Foundation Trust
Therapy Block, Mascalls Park
Mascalls Lane, Warley
Brentwood CM14 5LJ

Katie Francis Paintings

Our office is now displaying these paintings by Katie Francis. Jenny and Lynn bought them at a gallery showing by Together last year.







They are all the right way up!

IMCA Success for HUBB

The Second Annual Report of the Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy Service was published on 23rd December 2009. HUBB logged a total of 71 referrals in Barking and Dagenham (28 out of 152 regions) and 60 in Havering (=33 out of 152). Combined this would move us to 6th in the table!

Thoughout England there was a 27% increase in the number of people recieving representation from an IMCA compared to the first year.

The Report states ‘The Department of Health is pleased that there has been an increase in referrals, to reflect the greater awareness of the IMCA service. At the same time, a greater rate of increase had been expected, and it is not thought that the IMCA service is reaching all the people it needs to as yet.’

The full report can be downloaded from the Department of Health website.

HUBB & Mental Health First Aid

An article on HUBB delivering the Mental Health First Aid programme appeared in the London South Bank University magazine 'Communiversity'.

Christmas Office Hours

HUBB OFFICE HOURS

Christmas and New Year 2009/2010

Thursday 24th Dec (Christmas Eve) - 9.00 am - 1.00 pm

Friday 25th Dec (Christmas Day) - CLOSED

Monday 28th Dec - CLOSED

Tuesday 29th Dec - 9.00 am - 4.00 pm

Wednesday 30th Dec - 9.00 am - 4.00 pm

Thursday 31st Dec (New Years Eve) - 9.00 am - 1.00 pm

Friday 1st Jan 2010 (New Years Day) - CLOSED

We return to our usual hours on Monday 4th January 2010!

Understanding the Mental Capacity Act

The Social Care Institute for Excellence is continuing to update its series of excellent videos on the website 'Social Care TV'. The series includes a couple of useful programmes on Mental Capacity, Safeguarding, and Personalisation. Of particular use to those looking to understand and interpret the MCA are the Key Points provided below each video clip.

There is also an excellent Mental Capacity Act Resource linked to the site. This provides a very clear synopsis of the Act itself.

Also in the news is 'New Horizons - A shared vision for Mental Health'. This brings together ideas for Mental Health provision for the future. Recovery, Wellbeing and Personalisation are featured heavily.

Early Intervention in Depression

The Governement officially launches it's Mental Health strategy through a number of publications. Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health has more information and the 'New Horizons' document can be downloaded in full.

HUBB has spent the past 12 months promoting the Mental Health First Aid and is pleased to see that Job Centres will be allocating specialised people to work with individuals dealing with mental ill health. The BBC has an interesting article on this subject.

Hopefully this news will galvanise an awareness of how important maintaining positive mental health is. Having a Mental Health First Aider in every workplace, as we have a physical First Aider, will go a long way to helping prevent mental ill health, especially depression and anxiety created by stress. Having a person, or persons, with some knowledge to help point people having difficulties in the direction of both self-help and professional help can make a big difference to preventing long term difficulties. This is not only of great value to the individuals concerned but also makes very sound business sense. Enabling people to maintain working will also reduce the pressure and stress of those having to do extra work when an individual is off.

Perhaps a good question to ask in any organisation is 'Do I want my son/daughter to come and work here?' If the answer is 'No!' then the next questions to be asked should be around working out why, and putting strategies in place to turn the answer to a resounding 'YES!'

Contact HUBB for more information on Mental Health First Aid.