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Hello and happy new year!
I hope you all had a good break over Christmas, and are keeping well.
Please find the latest updates below - if you have anything you'd like to share in a future newsletter, or if you want to be added to be added to the distribution list please do get in touch.
Take care, Nicky
NEW Gloucestershire Support After Suicide Service
Following a competitive tender process, Rethink Mental Illness has been awarded a contract for the provision of a new Suicide Bereavement Support service for a 3 year period, which has been funded by NHS England and Improvement’s Suicide Bereavement Transformation Programme to provide this service in Gloucestershire.
The new service will provide liaison support (including practical and emotional), information and signposting, and peer support. Rethink and Commissioners are currently working together to mobilise the service, which will include engagement with organisations who currently operate within the suicide bereavement process to discuss and agree the client pathway going forwards. Further information (including when the service can receive referrals) will be shared in due course.
If you have any questions about the new service, please contact:
Suzie Lane - Senior Commissioning Manager (Public Mental Health and Voluntary & Community Partnerships), Gloucestershire County Council -
suzie.lane@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Janice Laverick – Service Manager, Rethink Mental Illness - janice.laverick@rethink.org or 07483 375 516
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FREE online suicide awareness/prevention training
We have arranged more courses of the Let's Talk Suicide training (delivered by the Harmless training team). This 2 half-day training will improve your knowledge and understanding of suicide exploring the myths and stigma surrounding it, how to recognise risk factors and warning signs for suicide, and build your skills and confidence in responding to and supporting someone in suicidal crisis.
The course dates are as follows (you will need to attend both sessions to complete the course):
• 2nd & 3rd February 13:00 -16:00pm SPACES STILL AVAILABLE
• 7th & 8th February 13:00 - 16:00pm FULLY BOOKED*
• 8th & 9th March 13:00 - 16:00 pm SPACES STILL AVAILABLE
• 17th & 18th March 13:00 - 16:00pm SPACES STILL AVAILABLE
• 21st & 22nd March 13:00 -16:00pm SPACES STILL AVAILABLE
Places can be booked on the LearnPro training portal - please email proudtolearn@gloucestershire.gov.uk to request a registration guide.
* You can be added to the waiting list of there are last minute cancellations
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GP Lead for Suicide Prevention
The Gloucestershire Suicide Prevention Partnership (GSPP), led by Gloucestershire County Council Public Health, is recruiting a part time GP Lead for Suicide Prevention to support the vital work of preventing suicide across Gloucestershire. We are seeking one qualified GP to work one session per week (i.e. half-day per week) who is passionate about suicide prevention, mental health, and keen to nurture a community of practice to support fellow GPs in this area. Deadlines for applications is 5pm on 21st February 2022, with a proposed start date of 1st April 2022.
For more information on the role, the person specification and how to apply please click here.
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NEW ZSA suicide awareness training for university students
We’re delighted to have launched the university student edition of our Suicide Awareness Training. Student mental health is a huge priority for UK universities and particularly support students who may be at risk of suicide. Our training aims to support the UK’s 2.4 million students to have potentially life-saving conversations.
The training aims to support students, their families and friends, to recognise someone who may be struggling, approach a difficult conversation and signpost to for support. To find out more and access the training, please click here...
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All about AtaLoss
AtaLoss was founded in 2016 to ensure that every bereaved person in the UK can find the support that they need. The AtaLoss website has information and support to find bereavement support, practical information, helpful resources and free counselling via their livechat service, GriefChat. Access to the website is provided in over 100 languages. Find out more here...
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Domestic Abuse & Complex Needs
Here at GDASS we support clients from all walks of life. To do this effectively we have set up several specialist task groups; one of which is the Complex Needs Group. Find out more here...
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NSPA news
To read the latest newsletters (Dec 2021 and Jan 2022) from the National Suicide Prevention Alliance, click here. Updates include:
- New research from Samaritans on the impact of economic disruption for young adults
- NICE draft guidance on self-harm: assessment, management and preventing recurrence, and more!
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Latest blogs/reports from the Churchill Fellowship
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Gloucestershire Self Harm Helpline updates
Launch of new Facebook page
Please click on this link to access the new Facebook page for Gloucestershire Self Harm Helpline. The page is regularly updated with links to encourage people to access the service and general posts that people may find useful.
Our next free Professionals Webinar
You are invited to attend a free, online professionals webinar, hosted by Gloucestershire Self Harm Helpline on 3rd February 2022 @ 10am. The webinars last no longer than one hour. People who have attended previous webinars, have found the mix of information about the service and how they support people, to be really helpful. For more information click here and to book your place, please email: glosselfharm@rethink.org
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Launch of The Wellbeing Line
The Wellbeing Line is a new service for everyone working in health and social care in Gloucestershire.
The Wellbeing Line is confidential and free of charge, and provides rapid mental health and psychological wellbeing assessments as well as signposting to appropriate services where required. You can contact The Wellbeing Line directly if you are struggling with your own mental health or wellbeing, or if you are worried about a colleague. There is no need for a referral. If you are a team manager then you can contact The Wellbeing Line if you would like support managing the wellbeing of your team or an individual team member. The Wellbeing Line is in addition to, and not instead of, your organisation's occupational health service. Contact by phone: 0300 421 7500 or email hello@thewellbeingline.co.uk. Visit thewellbeingline.co.uk/ for more information.
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Update from Gloucestershire Carers Hub
Click on the links below to find out what's on at the Carers Hub:
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Stroud District Council Community Wellbeing Grant 2022-2025
Stroud District Council’s Community Wellbeing Grant is open for applications and aims to support our communities to recover in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year the fund is intended for applications between £1,000 and £20,000 per year and has been extended to a three year grant term. We hope the longer term will give voluntary and community organisations more security. The grant will support groups who work with their communities to reduce inequality and promote aspects of wellbeing such as physical, mental and financial health, social connection, arts, culture, heritage and the environment.
The deadline for Community Wellbeing Grant applications is 31st January 2022 and the application form can be download here.
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There's always time for a cuppa and a chat
As Samaritans hosted its annual Brew Monday campaign earlier this month, Gloucester & District Samaritans encourage you to have a cuppa and catch up with those whom you care about. Read more here...
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Suicide Bereavement UK updates
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New study - Ethnic Minority Groups’ Experiences of Suicide Bereavement - the first academic article associated with the national suicide bereavement study (From Grief to Hope) focuses on the experiences of 227 people from ethnic minority groups bereaved by suicide in the UK. To read the article, click here.
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Dr Sharon McDonnell talking on Facebook Live - my colleague (Scott Kane, who is a recently retired mental health professional) and I, will be talking on Facebook Live on Thursday 27th January, 1pm-1.30pm (GMT). Our first ‘Facebook Live’ will be an informal chat about:
- Why Scott and I work in this field
- Why it is important to capture the voice of those bereaved or affected by suicide
- How finding our voice will help influence policy and practice
Please click on this link to register.
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Study Participation Opportunity: International Delphi Project
The Academic Advisory Group of the Scottish Government’s National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group, in partnership with the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), is currently developing a Delphi study which aims to produce an expert consensus statement and international guidelines on intervention measures to prevent suicide by hanging and self-poisoning (the two most common methods of suicide in most high-income European countries). The findings of the study will be published as guidelines to the public, in an academic journal, and circulated among our suicide prevention community. These guidelines are intended to inform clinical practice, community action and national policies/strategies on the prevention of suicide by these methods. To read more about the study, and how to participate, please click here...
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FGR's Talk Club - improve your MENtal & physical fitness at our Football-Talk Club sessions
To find out more about the sessions, which take place every Thursday at Nailsworth Primary School between 7pm - 8pm, click here...
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Alexandra Wellbeing House - Vacancies
Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind are currently recruiting management and leadership positions to join their Alexandra Wellbeing House service run in partnership with Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust. Read more here...
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Tackling Loneliness with Transport fund
The Department for Transport (DfT) has launched a new scheme to fund projects that aim to tackle loneliness with transport.
The scheme will offer grant funding to the public and charity sectors to run pilot transport schemes that aim to reduce loneliness. The project aim is to develop the evidence base for how transport can help to alleviate loneliness. The pilots will be measured and evaluated rigorously, enabling DfT to:
- understand more about how transport can be used to help reduce loneliness
- share findings with organisations within and outside government
To find out more about the fund here and the deadline for applications is 11:59pm on 28 January 2022. Completed applications should be sent to tacklingloneliness@dft.gov.uk.
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Independence Trust updates
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A to Z: 17 January to 8 April 2022 - for the latest A to Z of activities available from the Independence Trust, click here. If you wish to consider facilitating a group or have a suggestion for an activity which you would like to see in the A-Z, please speak to one of the Peer Team (details can be found in the A to Z).
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Headlinez - to read the latest issue of the Headlinez magazine, click here.
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Proud to Learn training news
To find out the latest training available (update sent on 21st Jan) click here.
Please note you do not have to be a Gloucestershire County Council employee to attend some of these courses.
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A NEW report following Inclusion Gloucestershire's Survey: Chapter 2 Choice, Control and Other Important Areas
We are really pleased to share with you the Choice, Control and Other Important Areas Chapter based on our survey into key concerns and priorities for disabled people in Gloucestershire. If you were one of the people who filled in the survey, thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us. To read the report, please click here...
For an easy read version of this, please click here...
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Gloucestershire Healthy Workplaces updates
Healthy Workplace Awards - following our successful Award Celebration in December, where 17 Gloucestershire employers received their Healthy Workplace Awards we are now looking to spread the word to more businesses across the county and share some key resources that can help employers look after the mental wellbeing of their employees:
Covid-19 may be on it’s way out (hopefully) but the impact it has had on mental wellbeing and the mental health of many will be long lasting and there are so many resources and tools out there that employers can use to support their people.
The award and all the tailored support we offer is completely free - if you want to find out more please contact us by email workplaces@hlsglos.org or register on our website www.hwglos.org.
January newsletter - to read the latest news, please click here.
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New Peer Support Group
Our next Peer Support Group started in January and will run monthly. This group will focus on trauma around the childbearing year. This includes birth trauma, NICU/ SCBU stay, premature baby, antenatal trauma, breastfeeding grief/ trauma or other feeding difficulties, PND, postnatal trauma (this list is not exclusive). The space is held by two of our experienced Counsellors who bring a theme to each group to facilitate participants to explore and share their experiences. The group is running in Gloucester and is open to all. For more information please contact hayley@footstepscandc.org.uk
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GHLL latest PHSE bulletin
The latest PHSE bulletin is now available, which includes information on the Designated Mental Health Lead training, Mental Health Week, Wellbeing Ideas and more. Read more here...
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Positive Parenting Programme for Parents of Teenagers
The Door has a few spaces remaining on the following course starting 3rd Feb.
Open to parents of young people aged 11+ in Gloucestershire, this 7 Week course covering parenting techniques, providing tailored tools to support parents of teenagers; empowering both parents and their young people to make positive decisions and equipping them to build stronger relationships going forwards.
Group sessions are delivered online via zoom and 1:1 support is provided over the phone throughout the course with potential for additional support from The Door upon completing the course.
Please email Anne at anne@thedoor.org.uk for further information / find the referral form here.
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Pupil Wellbeing Survey (PWS) Report 2020 now available
The summary PWS County Report for 2020 has now been published, following a delay due to Covid-19. Over 20,000 pupils contributed to the survey findings in 2020 making it a robust dataset for Gloucestershire. The report covers all manner of topics relating to the lives of children and young people including emotional wellbeing and relationships, mental health, bullying and for the first time ACEs (plus many more). You can access the report on the Inform Gloucestershire website here.
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Connecting Communities: What makes a healthy, happy Tewkesbury?
The Connecting Communities Tewkesbury project is a collaboration between communities, local organisations and Tewkesbury Borough Council to improve the physical, mental and social health of residents in and around Tewkesbury Town and Mitton. From January 2022 – April 2022 we will be working with a number of voluntary and community groups to have conversations with local residents – we want to speak to people of all ages, all backgrounds and all abilities! Read more here...
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Suicide Crisis moves to bigger premises to support more clients in crisis
Suicide Crisis is moving to bigger premises in Cheltenham town centre at the end of January. The three-storey building will provide a more spacious Suicide Crisis Centre which will allow the team to see more clients. The charity has opportunities for additional volunteers in various roles, including roles relating to the charity’s national work. There will also be some vacancies for additional team members to work with clients in crisis at their Suicide Crisis Centre. For more information please email the charity at contact@suicidecrisis.co.uk.
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