It’s been a great month for the sibling network...

The new Rethink Siblings website and our BBC Radio 4 interview brought many newcomers to the network, we started our first sibling support group in London, and siblings have been sharing advice on the RethinkTalk forum.

This month join sibling and author Molly McCloskey for a live webchat about her experiences of having a brother affected by schizophrenia and her new book Circles around the Sun.

If you would like to help set up a support group in your area, you can sign up to one of our sibling support group training days, and younger siblings can get involved with our new Uthink programme.

We would also like to wish everyone the best for Raksha Bandhan, the Hindu festival of siblings, on the 13th August. 

We’re very excited to have author Molly McCloskey in for our next live webchat this Friday at 1pm.

In her beautifully-written memoir, Circles around the Sun, she describes her experiences of having a brother with schizophrenia, her own battle with anxiety and what it means to be a sibling affected by mental illness.

Please post your questions for Molly on RethinkTalk and join us live on Friday 12th August 

Following the success of our first sibling support group in London, we are holding training days in the north and south of England for anyone who wants to start a sibling support group in their local area. 

"It is something to hang on to and I know just having backup, somewhere to go to, has helped me..."
Quote from a sibling at the London group

Sign up for a sibling support group training day or join a group in your area

We'd like to wish everyone a happy Raksha Bandhan - the Hindu festival of siblings. During this festival, siblings give one another a Rakhi, a bracelet made of coloured threads - to show their appreciation for one another.

Time to Change have been distributing Rakhi's in Harrow with a special message about mental health to encourage people to speak out about mental illness in the South Asian community and show that being open with family and a close family member such as a sibling can help aid recovery and fight the stigma that surrounds mental health in the South Asian community.

Join Time to Change's Facebook page to keep updated on their campaigns and stories

Uthink (Rethink's young peoples service) are delivering tailor-made programmes for young people aged 14-25 who have a brother or sister with severe mental illness.

The programmes are interactive, group-based and include leadership skills and educational workshops to support young people in their role as sibling.

We will be offering programmes in London, Derby and Bournemouth.

We are also currently consulting with young siblings across England about the project and welcome all insights and contributions on the development of the young sibling programme.

If you would like more information on the programme or consultation or would like to join a programme yourself please contact: selena.grogan@rethink.org

Every year, the Pringle Awards are presented at Rethink’s National Members Day in November.  Please come forward and tell us who you think should win:

• Bill Pringle Awards for Art and Poetry
• Rethink Group of the Year
• Rethink Member of the Year
• Rethink Service of the Year

The deadline for entries to this year’s Pringle Awards is 15th August. Contact campaigns@rethink.org or telephone 020 7840 3147 for a nomination form or visit http://www.rethink.org/pringles.

Join us - sign up to become a Rethink member

Criminal Justice booklet

If you have experience of supporting someone through the criminal justice system (at arrest, appearing in court, going to prison or forensic mental health services), have experienced the system yourself or are a professional in the field, we need your help to review a new publication that Rethink are writing!  

We are producing a booklet aimed at anyone who has a loved one going through the system, such as carers, siblings, relatives, partners or close friends.

If you have experience of criminal justice and would like to be involved in reviewing this booklet, please contact Polly Knevitt  on feedback@rethink.org or telephone 020 7840 3188 / 0845 456 045.

All feedback needs to be received by Friday 19th August, so please contact her as soon as possible if you would like to review this booklet.