Welcome back to another one of my blog posts. This time my post is going to be on another event I attended some time ago. I had actually meant to write up about my experience at this event much sooner, but unfortunately I fell unwell due to a nasty cold. However never mind about that, I feel much better now and to be honest one of the reasons I felt a lot better was my experience at the El Camino performance provide by the Alchemy Project.
Category Archives: Event reviews
My visit to the Lewisham Peoples Day 2015
Every summer the London Borough of Lewisham holds its Lewisham Peoples day. The festival takes place over at Mountsfield Park and lasts most of the day.
So for Lewisham Peoples day 2015, I wanted to try and blog about the festival, although mainly about the Mental Health and Well-Being angle, which is what I was interested in.
As a member of the Lewisham Mental Health Connection, I spent some time at their stall talking to staff and volunteers. The weather was lovely, I did not notice any trouble and people were friendly. It was a great day out, but I coming from a mental health and well-being background, it was not long before I checked out the other stalls at the festival.
The Arts and Addiction debate : Twelve
Welcome to another of my mental health blog posts. Every now and then I attend events regarding mental health, carer awareness, psychology or psychiatry field or just general health events. However although I enjoy attending such lovely events, I really enjoy events, presentations or debates on Art.
I admit that I am not an artist myself although I am creative, I am certainly not an Art critique either, but then when attending art events, I feel my lack of knowledge can be a good thing, because I have so much to gain and much to learn and enjoy.
Croydons Hear Us Open Forum July 2015
Thanks for checking out my blog post on mental health updates, reviews and summaries. Even though I am a carer from Lewisham, I am involved in the Mental Health Trust that provides services in South / South East London, although I do admit I sometimes wander away from South London and sometimes head to other boroughs.
As usual I tend to visit the borough of Croydon to get updates and also raise questions concerning mental health services in that area. I took the time to review Hear Us (Mental Health Service User Project) open forum.
Some journeys are fun in the dark
Welcome to another blog post by Matthew Mckenzie a Carer from the London borough of Lewisham. For this blog post, I want to write about a fun event I attended. This event was a walk, which took place on the 20th of June starting late at night till the 21st on sunday morning. The event was a fun filled, healthy and educational.
This walk I took part in was called the Largactyl Midnight Summer Solastice walk, which usually lasts around 5 hours. This walk was held by Cooltan Arts. Cooltan Arts is an Arts and Mental Health Charity based in London and they have been doing walks around the city for around 6 or 7 years. The walks are free to join, but donations are welcome.
Fragmentary – Artist Talks event Summary and review
Welcome to another of my blog posts on mental health. It has been a while since I have attended any art events. So I thought that I should pop over to North London to visit the Camden Health Centre in order to attend an event called Fragmentary. This event was promoted by the Free Space Gallery.
If you prefer, you can watch the video version of the blog.
The Free Space Gallery promotes health and well – being through the arts using their prominent position within the Kentish Town Health Centre and Queens Crescent Practice. Please check out their site at http://freespacegallery.org/.
So going back to the 5th of June 2015, what exciting art presentations was I expecting to hear and view? Well before I continue, this event was called “Artist talks” and was presented by Fragmentary, which I ll also explain its website called fragmentary.org. Now this site helps to showcase artists work through the view of mental health, especially using photography as the form of creativity. The website is at fragmentary.org
Mental Health Awareness Week 2015 – Mindfulness #mahw15
It is mental health awareness week as of the writing of this blog post. Mental Health Awareness week, which runs from 11th to the 17th May is run by the Mental Health Foundation. The Mental Health Foundation is a Charity that helps to improve the lives of those with mental health problems or learning disabilities. The Mental Health Foundation is involved in research, service development and providing information on mental health.
If you wish to see the video. Below is the video version of this blog post
I feel Mental Health Awareness week is important for quite a few reasons, the first reason is obviously raising the awareness of mental health and it does not have to be on mental ill health. I once had a discussion with mental health campaigner Fiona Art who specified that mental health does not have to centre itself around those who are unfortunately mentally unwell or those with live experience.
Healthwatch Southwark public forum – “You said, we did!”
Welcome back to another blog by Matthew Mckenzie, carer, carer rep and Governor for South London and Maudsley. I am also a member of the Lewisham Mental Health Connection and carer rep for Experts by Experience. I am a member of some other organisations and NHS Trusts, but one organisation that helps raise awareness and involvement for Health in the community is Healthwatch.
So on the 19th of March, I headed over to the London Borough of Southwark to attend the Healthwatch Southwark Event. This event took place at Walworth Methodist Church and started around 4:00 pm. Before I continue, what is Healthwatch all about?
Time To Talk day 2015
As of this blog post. It is Time to Talk day over in the UK, which falls on the 5th of February. It has been a while since my last blog post and to be honest, I have been fairly busy with work and mental health involvement, but going back to the subject at hand. What is “Time To Talk” day all about?
Time To Talk day focuses on the point that we should at least try to spend 5 minutes of that day talking to someone about our health, especially mental health. In fact I would go so far to state we should try to open up a bit more about ourselves, especially with a close friend or someone you trust.
Time To Talk day is support by Time To Change, who are Led by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness which is England’s biggest programme to challenge mental health stigma and discrimination.
You see the problem is mental health discrimination and stigma are still prevalent in today’s society. There are so many cases of people falling into mental ill health, because they do not get the support. Some who develop mental health problems might have stigma or shame about their symptoms and may often refuse to talk about it or refuse to seek help. For those who do not open up about what is bothering them, this situation can be risky because if they do not talk about their health or seek help, then its highly likely their mental health situation may get worse.
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There can be a large number of mental health cases that could be reduced if we all took the step to at least phone a friend. The emphasis need not be on the sufferer, but we as friends, helpers or carers can phone others who we are worried about.
Unfortunately so many of us know deep down that someone is developing a mental health issue or are struggling. It could be stress, depression, compulsive disorder or many others mental health problems.
The sad thing is that people often sit back and feel it is not their problem to check up on someone. Perhaps the person feels that they are being nosey or are imposing themselves on others. Maybe a lot of us do not have time to check up on others, but the situation is that if we do not check up on those who might be suffering in silence, then its quite likely someone may deteriorate in their mental health.
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It is so important to talk to others on what is worrying or brother in us, but also on the other hand it can be important to check up with our friends on how they are feeling. Its not like we have to say much, but at least listen to them.
Embed from Getty ImagesBeing a carer myself of someone using the services, I know only too well what other carers may go through. Over the 12 years of caring, I have spoken and listened to so many carers in carers groups, networks, forums and events. I hear time and time again how carers have been isolated and brought to their wits end, because they had no one to turn to or no one acknowledge their situation. We carers need to step up and support not only ourselves, but each other.
The thing is mental ill health does not discriminate, if you are a carer or support of someone who unfortunately has developed mental ill health, I am sure at times that you have been upset, depressed, anxious, worried and guilty. Taking these feelings to the next level, there is always a risk that carers themselves can develop mental health problems if not supported or listened to.
To counter act such problems, its important carers talk to those who we trust about how we are coping. A carer does not always need someone to wave a magic wand to solve our problems. A carer can just have someone acknowledge what carers have or still are going through.
So I hope that I have pointed out some of the reasons I think “Time To Talk” day is important. We need to push back on a society that feels that its good to be busy. As a society its good to take time out and spend it with a friend. It is good as a society we open up about mental health issues and combat the stigma and discrimination. As a society we need to change and there is no better time than to do this now.
Its Time to change!! Its Time to Talk.
Happy Time to Talk Day.
A look back on 2014 from my Mental Health blogsite
Well as of this blog, it is new year’s eve and soon it will be 2015. I cannot believe how fast 2014 has gone, but then again time moves so fast if you have been so busy, and yes I have been so busy during 2014. What did I get up to? What were the highlights?
LMHC Xmas Party 2014
On the 18th Of December 2014. I enjoyed the Lewisham Mental Health Connection Xmas party. There were lots of activities, having fun and being part of the community. I met many old and new friends and hope to contribute and help the LMHC in 2015.
Health Watch Lewisham Annual Event
On the 15th Dec 2014 at Lewisham civic suite. I attended the Healthwatch Lewisham Annual event where we got updates on what Lewisham Healthwatch has been up to, plus the 2014 Care Act was explained and we got a chance to influence Lewisham Healthwatch priorities for the coming 2015.
PerPlexUs: MA Applied Imagination Degree Show 2014
On 12th of December 2014. I headed over to PerPlexUs, MA Applied Imagination’s 2014 degree show. This took place over at one of the University of the Arts London sites. I met my friend Adele Orcajada who explained her Yarn work and project, plus I got the chance to visit many more of the other students art projects and participated in their group sessions.
Hidden Gems Exhibition at the SMART Gallery
On the 10th of December 2014, I attended the SHARP gallary which stands for Social Inclusion, Hope and Recovery Project. This is where I got to visited and view many of the mental health trust staff art work. There were lots of hidden gems to find and I enjoyed capturing all the creativity that was held at the gallery including the event itself.
Southwark Healthwatch One Year on Event
On the 22nd of November 2014, I took a trip over to Pembroke House over in Southwark to attended and capture the Southwark Healthwatch On Year on Event where we got to hear updates from the past year where Healthwatch Southwark have been very busy collecting stories of those who use the health services. Healthwatch Southwark heavily engages with the public and those who champion health services.
Lewisham Mental Health and Wellbeing Day 2014
On the 20th of November over at the Lewisham Civic Suite, I attended the Lewisham Mental Health Wellbeing day which was presented by the NHS Lewisham CCG, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and Lewisham Council. The MH and Wellbeing stakehold event wanted to concentrate on the service user/survivor aspect.
CarersUK National Summit
On the 13th of November 2014 I attended the CarersUK National. My friend and Carer representative Bridget Jones also attended along with another governor. We heard many updates and issues from CarersUK, plus I was lucky enough to have my blog included in CarersUK newsletter.
The anatomy of melancholy
On the 23rd of October 2014 I was lucky enough to watch an Opera performance describing the form of depression and the anatomy of melancholy. The Opera was a fascinating experience and a joy to watch, every actor kept my attention and there was so much to learn from the performance.
World Mental Health Day 2014
On the 10th of October was an awareness day, this being World Mental Health day, which falls on the 10th of October each year. I managed to visit 5 events from the Lambeth & Southwark Mind stall, to the South East London Arts Network workshop at Horniman Museum. I even attened a series of talks at the GV Art gallery.
Carers Lewisham Annual General Event
Carers Lewisham held its AGM in 2014, this is one the most carers centers I use in order to get support for my caring duties. I have used Carers Lewisham for probably 8 years or so. At the AGM we heard what Carers Lewisham have been up to since their last AGM and we got to hear carers stories, including my own carer experience.
Lambeth Carers Hub Forums 2014
Lambeth runs around about 4 carers forums each year. I managed to attend and capture 2 of the forums. The forums are very large and although not all carers are mental health carers you can at least capture the general field of what carers go through and what issues are raised.
Family and Carers Listening event 2014
The South London & Maudlsey Foundation Trust run family and carer’s conferences each year. I was lucky enough to help plan and participate in the conference where families and carers get the chance to be informed of the work and updates the trust is doing to help families and carers of those using the services. There were lots of speakers, stalls and activities at the conference, I hope to blog about this soon.
Lewisham Mental Health Connection Conference 2014
The Lewisham Mental Health Connection ran another of their yearly conferences and this one took place at the Lewisham Civic Suite on Thursday 11th September. We got to hear from many speakers in the field of mental health and volunteering, there were many workshops and stalls and I got to hear from friends who influence the field of mental health.
Healthwatch Lewisham Best community care
Healthwatch Lewisham run many engagement events and one of them focused on community care. This event was held over at the Lewisham & Greenwich University hospital on the 28th of June. There was many great ideas from the event coming from those passionate about the community and passionate about healthcare. The event was run in partnership with the Save Lewisham Hospital campaign.
Disability MH and wellbeing event
Those who have learning disabilities can unfortunately develop mental ill health, but what things are being done to help those who have those challenges? I was asked to cover the Wellbeing event over at the Maudsley Learning Center situated over at Denmark Hill. This event was huge and practically used most of the building. There were many stalls ranging from health eating, mental health projects, healthy and active lifestyles and also workshops. I was most impressed with the involvement from those who use the services at the event.
Croydon HearUs Celebration 2014
Hear Us is the Mental Health Service User Group which acts as a coordinating body to facilitate, and ensure service users involvement in the planning, delivery and monitoring of mental health services in Croydon. They have gone from strength to strength ever since the group started and this event was to celebrate their archievements. I was impressed with the presentations and stories from those with lived experiences.
Sydenham Garden Autumn Fair 2014
On saturday the 27th of September, I was lucky enough to attend the sydenham Garden Autumn fair and lucky enough the weather was just right for it. Sydenham Gardens is award-winning charity providing gardening, nature conservation & creative opportunities for the well-being residents of Lewisham. At the fair was music, children’s activities, apple juicing and a chance to visit many of their gardens. Sydenham Gardens are also a member of the Lewisham Mental Health Connection.
Southwark HealthWatch Social Care
I visit quite a few healthwatch events and other healthwatches are happy enough for me to promote and blog their events. Southwark healthwatch held the Social care event in 2014 where we got to hear what they are doing for Access to GP services, Access to Mental Health services, Sexual Health Services, specifically HIV and of course Social Care. We also had the oppertunity to influence what needs to improve social care in the borough.
Bethlem Summer Farye 2014
On Saturday 5 July 12-5pm I decided to visit Bethlem Hospital grounds to attend the Bethlem Sunfayre 2014. Each year they hold the Bethlem Sunfayre where there are some of the stalls selling various wares, plus five zones. There were BBQ and music and entertainment stage, Art workshops, ceramic workshops and the Bethlem Gallery plus bethlem Archives and Museum. There was also a Community Centre, Complimentary therapies and cafe. I spoke to Victoria Northwood on the developments of the new Bethlem Museum.
Asylum movie event – London Anxiety 2014 Festival
The Anxiety 2014 is a London-wide arts festival taking place at multiple venues throughout June 2014 and I attened around 5 of the events and blogged, video blogged and captured a few events as well as networked with many of the attendees. One of the events was a documentary on film maker RD Laing’s controversial Archway Community, testing Laing’s conviction that mentally ill people can only heal their shattered “self” in a space where they are free.
Cooltan Arts Summer Solstice midnight walk 2014
Cooltan Arts held their midnight walk, where about 130 walkers gathered for their Summer Solstice Midnight Walk on the 21st June CoolTan Arts is a a mental health and arts charity that believes mental well-being is enhanced by the power of creativity. I had an amazing journey on their 5 to 6 hour walk. We explored the area of Southwark and heard many stories and got to do some activities, however most importantly we learnt more about mental health and made new friends.
Hear Us Wellbeing event
Back over in the London borough of Croydon on Tuesday 1st of July I attended the Hear Us wellbeing event where nearly 200 people, including those experiencing mental health problems, carers, staff and members of the public attended. I took part in some football, visiting some stalls, had some massage therapy and viewed some creative writing.
Refocus on Recovery 2014
On the on 2nd and 3rd of June 2014 the Refocus on Recovery 2014 international conference took place over at New Hunt’s House at Guy’s Hospital. The conference had four themes being, System transformation, Relationships that support recovery, Recovery in crisis and Keeping well in daily life.
