[ebonycat]

Why arent there any useful rethink groups in the North West

I read about activities rethink run but they all appear to be in London or in the South of England

There is a chronic lack of services for the mentally ill in my area things like conservation groups and writing and reading groups , coffee mornings respite,alternitive therapies etc dont exsist here . I cant travel to London Birimingham or cambridge for services

I'm not good at travelling anyway I get lost and need my carer to support me.

[ramboghettouk]

I'm not much good at travelling, by the time i've been anywhere by bus or train, which in london theres always drunks etc on, any relaxation i can get is used handleing the journey

As for services what services, the same tired ideas that no one can claim are a service and now as so many people have complained about them, they're closing them

I try to use community services like librarys leisure centres but those are been cut as well

[Chris - Rethink]

Hi ebonycat, I agree - it does look like there's not much in the North West. We can support people who want to start their own groups, though. Do you think you might want to do that? Or do you know of anyone locally who might help?

I'm just finding out from someone in Rethink just how much support we can give in helping someone start a group. It's all very well saying 'start your own group' but on your behalf I'd like to know how that might happen, in practical terms!

...Also I've just found this Mental Health News for the North West. That might help find out what's going on in your area: http://www.northwest...http://www.northwest.nhs.uk/mentalhealth.asp

If you want some help looking for things nearby, you can send me your postcode confidentially via talk@rethink.org and I'd be happy to do some Googling for you and see what's available locally.

[ebonycat]

Chris - Rethink, on 16 August 2010 - 04:37 PM, said:

Hi ebonycat, I agree - it does look like there's not much in the North West. We can support people who want to start their own groups, though. Do you think you might want to do that? Or do you know of anyone locally who might help?

I'm just finding out from someone in Rethink just how much support we can give in helping someone start a group. It's all very well saying 'start your own group' but on your behalf I'd like to know how that might happen, in practical terms!

...Also I've just found this Mental Health News for the North West. That might help find out what's going on in your area: http://www.northwest...http://www.northwest.nhs.uk/mentalhealth.asp

If you want some help looking for things nearby, you can send me your postcode confidentially via talk@rethink.org and I'd be happy to do some Googling for you and see what's available locally.

Hi chris cant get my email to work at talk pop3 not working too technical for me

I'm in Wa10 theres not much here we have a ,mind, but its useless its an info service with no info
there are womens groups for battered women who do counselling and bereavement . mind have a craft group a mens group and an allotment but no info on them and what they do they mostly sit about drinking coffee and weaving baskets not my cup of tea.Alternitive therapy to relieve stress is for carers not service users. There are no support groups but a forum that invites members of the local trust to speak to service users on their chosen topic solong as they dont question the policy they are being fed for what do they call it service user involvement.

I would like to hear about settinmg up a group but couldnt make long term commitments as I get apathy and have periods when I do nothing but sleep.

I am interested in perceptions forum North west though, London is too far to travel to get involved.

[Chris - Rethink]

ebonycat, on 16 August 2010 - 07:26 PM, said:

I would like to hear about settinmg up a group but couldnt make long term commitments as I get apathy and have periods when I do nothing but sleep.

Hi ebonycat - if you want to talk to someone about setting up a group, please call Stephanie Miller on 01823 365 327. She's happy to talk to you about what you could do, and how we could help.

Thanks,

Chris

[ANotherusername]

Hi Chris and Ebony Cat

Any progress on setting something up in the north west? I am interested too but don't know how to find out about what's out there. I would be interested in helping set something up but it all sounds a bit like a massive commitment and I have no expertise in how to help people - plus am a bit of a mess myself at the moment. lol Any advice?

[ebonycat]

I've not been well myself and am struggling at the moment but am still interested, where in North West are you?

[ANotherusername]

Hi ebony cat. Sorry you are struggling at the moment. Me too really. It would be good to get involved in something already out there but I can't seem to find anything. Then there would be support and when I was feeling ok I could take on more of a commitment. I'm in Lancashire about an hour from Manchester.

[ethansmum]

I live in North Manchester and we do need a group.

I was talking to Rethink officer and she listened my thoughts on a starting a recovery group.

My condition gives me a lot of limitations but if I had plenty of support I'd like to get involved.

Dawn

[ANotherusername]

Hi Dawn. I will have a look at your group on facebook. How are you getting on with starting a group? I'm sorry I've not replied before.

[butterflylion]

I currently live in Manchester too but I'm moving to Lancaster soon ... But it would be good to have a rethink group available x

[cass]

I also live North Manchester. Find it hard to commit to evening meetings, especially in winter but would be interested in a day time group if the travel was ok. I did go to the conference at Blackpool but didn't meet any Manchester people (only Blackburn).

Cass

[direwolf]

Hi all

Im also quite surprised at lack of provision in the north west, especially in Liverpool.

Id like to add that Sefton have a variety of groups going right now, including zumba, african drumming, singing, cycling and walking groups. They also have a service user led charity called Active Sefton, which arrange these groups, which I think is really cool.
They are also looking at starting a general drop in group...I will keep you updated.

N x