bert and paul
Chair Bert Johnson welcomes members to National Members Day 2011
members talking nmd 2011
Members chatting over lunch.
harrow winner group
Harrow Rethink Support Group celebrate winning Group of Year.
all pringle winners 2011
Pringle and Marsh Winners 2011.
members smiling
members nmd 2011

National Members Day & AGM 2011

Nearly 200 Rethink Mental Illness members travelled to London from across the country to gather up for our yearly National Members Day on 12th November 2011. The event offered topical input on mental health, but of course also a chance to catch up and meet fellow members.

The Pringle Awards was the ever-uplifting part of the day, celebrating special efforts and hard work. This year the Art and Poetry winners were selected on the day as members were able to vote for best poem and artwork during breaks. 

Read on to find out who they chose and who won for Group, Service and Member of the Year...

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It was of particular value to meet up with my Rethink 'family' at a particular difficult in my life as a carer.

Member, Rethink Mental Illness

Starting the day with a stroll

walk nmd

Again this year members were invited to take part in a pre-event short walk through the beautiful squares of Bloomsbury. Organised by London Regional Committee Member Nick Oliver, more than 40 members got to the Hotel Russell bright and early to explore the surrounding area.

Living with Severe Mental Illness

vinnie spekaing nmd

Vinnie Rogers and Terry Hughes gave members their moving accounts of what life is like when experiencing severe mental illness or caring for someone who does.

Pringle Awards 2011

paul munden pringle winner

The Pringle Awards are all about celebrating achievements and always a very positive part of the day. This year's winners were:

  • Group of the Year: Rethink Harrow Support Group 
  • Member of the Year: Ian Springham
  • Service of the Year: Healthy Minds, Stoke-on-Trent 

Members voting for Art and Poetry winners

amy emerson

This year's Pringle Art and Poetry winners were chosen by members taking part in National Members Day. The results came in with three artists as joined winners and one winner in the poetry category.

The art winners were:

  • Amy Emerson,  'Dreamscape'
  • Paul Munden, 'Sunset over stag'
  • Phil Lancaster, 'Self Assemply'

The poetry winner was:

Marsh Award for Mental Health 2011

marsh winner 2011 roz safran

The Marsh Award for Mental Health went to Professor Roz Safran.

Her work on eating disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder has influenced the type of
treatment people with severe mental
illness receive.

“I am delighted and honoured to receive such an award. It means a great deal since the main purpose of my research has always been to try to improve the lives of people who suffer from mental health problems. To have some indication that this goal has been achieved is fantastic.”

Ian Springham, Member of the Year, said:

ian springham

"I really have done what I would ordinarily have done - using my skills and experience to help others, through RethinkTalk, to find a voice, information and means of expression."

Workshops

This year members had a choice of four workshops. Topics included:

 

Further information