NEW SOUTH EAST STAFFORDSHIRE SEEING BENEFICIAL CHANGES FOR THOSE IN MENTAL DISTRESS

People receiving mental health support in South East Staffordshire are seeing new services since September 1.
Staffordshire County Council has put in place a range of new daytime support services which will provide more choice, better opportunities and services that really benefit people receiving care.

Changes, a mental health organisation operating from Uttoxeter and Burton since April this year won their recent award for Lichfield, Tamworth and Burntwoood, offer a comprehensive range of services.

These include friendly mutual support groups, social activities, wellness workshops where users improve their ‘mental fitness,’ and offer opportunities for accredited training.

Changes are an organisation that was formed by people who have experience of using mental health services, and they will give local people opportunities via their accredited National Open College Network course to be involved in how their service is run.

County Councillor Matthew Ellis, Cabinet Member for Adult’s Wellbeing said: “It’s important that we as a County Council commission a range of services that suit people’s needs. We expect and demand the highest standards from the services we commission, and continually monitor these to improve quality for people using them.
“It’s about raising aspirations and improving services, giving people more choice in the services they receive and promoting health and independence. More personalised support and services, greater independence and better opportunities are our priorities for Staffordshire people, giving them the tools that help them lead healthier, more independent lives.”

Changes have recently recruited volunteers from the communities of South East Staffordshire to help people to access mainstream services. A series of social events will support users to practice their social skills, regain confidence and ease themselves back into their local community.

The new services in South East Staffordshire are part of a countywide reorganisation of mental health services.
Changes received the following testimony from one of their new service users:

“ My Auntie encouraged me to go to Changes in Tamworth, I was not intending to when Albert House shut down. I was very scared as I am a very nervous person and I have only just learnt to talk again at college as I have been mute for many years so meeting new people is very difficult for me as I will not talk to new faces. After only a week I had started to talk to Michelle and Yvonne as they are very warm and friendly people and as time has gone on I have managed to discuss my past and present problems. I have been attending the mutual support groups and have recently managed to speak a few words in front of a group that is a massive achievement for me. I have made friends inside and outside Changes, I have made a social life for myself, and have now enough confidence to go back to college. I have found confidence to talk to people at college and I am so much happier in my self my whole life has changed.”

Want to know more about Changes multi award winning work? Visit their web site: www.changes.org.uk for details of their open access South East Staffs. meetings, no referral required or telephone Michelle, Tamworth Wellbeing Centre on 01827 311006, Ann, Lichfield Wellbeing Centre on 01543 309770 and Samantha,