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Bright Lives Wellbeing Alliance Newsletter

We know that life is not always easy, and that people often need a helping hand to live healthy, happy, fulfilling lives.  But it can be challenging to request and receive support when you need it the most. So, working together in partnership makes us stronger and more effective so we can provide the right support, at the right time for residents facing challenges in their lives.  

We have successfully built a strong platform for this through the Bright Lives Wellbeing Alliance bringing together voluntary sector organisations, health and Council services, working side by side to improve how we design and deliver early intervention and prevention services so that everyone can benefit from the full power of all that Islington offers. 

Our ambition is for well-integrated localised offers of health, wellbeing and care services working together in partnership beyond organisational boundaries; putting residents and relationships at the heart of everything we do.

If you want to find out more contact Sophie Neal Bright Lives Alliance Programme Lead Sophie.Neal@islington.gov.uk

Bright Lives service updates

Bright Lives Coaching Service New Webpage

Bright Lives Coaching Service is now online! Visit our brand-new webpage and watch our video www.islington.gov.uk/brightlivescoaching to discover how our wellbeing coaches support local people. Islington residents can now self-refer or ask a professional to refer using the online form at the bottom of the webpage.

For more information you can contact the coaching team at brightlivescoaching@islington.gov.uk

Bright Lives Practitioner Network

The Bright Lives Practitioner Network is a space for anyone working with residents in Islington to come together, meet colleagues from other organisations, learn about a wide range of service offers, and get involved in conversations about how we can work together to improve early intervention and prevention support for residents.  Our monthly network sessions take place at Brickworks Community Centre, Crouch Hill, N4. 

Please drop in - there is no need to confirm attendance!

Exciting news! Our new Bright Lives Practitioner Network steering group is ready to take us to the next level. They'll be using your survey feedback to plan engaging network sessions that meet your needs over the coming months.

We need your feedback!

We have delivered fantastic network sessions in 2024 so far, covering topics such as Hoarding, Suicide prevention and Supporting LGBTQI+ residents and we are now planning our sessions for the next 6 months.  To do this, we would like to hear your thoughts and help us make Bright Lives even better.

Take a couple of minutes to complete our survey today, and let us know what is important to you!

Upcoming network sessions

Our next network session is on Wednesday 25^th September 11.30am to 1.30pm @ Brickworks Community Centre.  Here, we will celebrate what we’ve achieved together over the last year and decide how we want to continue to grow as a network over the coming year.

Locality Leadership Teams

Locality Leadership Teams bring together leaders from Council, Health and The Voluntary Community Sector across Islington's three localities (North, Central and South). 

We are taking a fresh approach and have updated our focus to align with borough-wide priorities and address the most pressing health and wellbeing needs in each locality. Local leaders are currently exploring how we can support exciting initiatives like enhancing the Access Islington Hub offer and improving access to mental health support for residents.

Our next meetings are:

North Locality - Wednesday 16th October 2pm to 3.15pm

Central Locality - TBA

South Locality - Thursday 17th October 10am to 11.30am

If you’d like to find out more about Locality Leadership Teams or feel you would be a good representative in one of the localities please contact:

zack.ahmed@islington.gov.uk

Partner updates

Single Homeless Project - reflecting on partnership working

Finlay Campbell – Head of Services for Islington’s Multidisciplinary Floating Support Service, shares his reflections on working in partnership with the Central Access Islington Hub.

Through relationships built at the Bright Lives Alliance, Single Homeless Project (SHP) have been given great opportunities to work closer with our partner agencies, including co-locating at the Central Access Hub every Wednesday. 

Residents can arrive at the Access Hub feeling overwhelmed and distressed, particularly when seeking support around housing and finances.  Through co-locating at the Hub, SHP have been able to offer immediate, essential advice and support on housing and benefits. "Our team provide a warm welcome and ensure people are connected with the right resources to address their needs."

For more information on SHP please visit Single Homeless Project (shp.org.uk)

If you would like to share your experiences of partnership working, please get in touch – Zack.ahmed@islington.gov.uk

SHINE Fuel Vouchers Scheme Closing Soon!

SHINE’s Fuel Vouchers scheme is shutting in October

If you know an Islington Tenant who meets the following criteria, please refer them to SHINE as soon as possible:

• Living in council housing
• Using pre-payment meters
• Not with British Gas for both pre-payment meters
• In energy debt or at risk of disconnection

Islington’s Debt Relief Fund also offers up to £300 to write off energy debt of more than £150. Must have received debt support from a certified debt advice organisation.

Longer lives - North Central London’s approach to improve care for people with severe mental illness

Men in North Central London (NCL) with severe mental illness (SMI) are dying 18 years younger than their peers, women 14 years younger. This alarming statistic highlights a pressing need for change. The Longer Lives Programme is NCL’s response, aiming to transform care for this vulnerable population.

Upcoming events and activities

International Overdose Awareness Day and Recovery Month

This time of year represents a period of global remembrance and action for those who are affected by drugs and alcohol. 31st August marked International Overdose Awareness Day which leads into Recovery Month.

Throughout September 2024 there are lots of opportunities to learn about drug and alcohol treatment and recovery, and how you can help prevent drug-related harm in Islington including lunchtime webinars on a range of topics from overdose risk, recovery communities, Naloxone training and what you can do to challenge stigma that often surrounds drug and alcohol needs.

The events are open to all.

For more information, please contact charlotte.jackson@islington.gov.uk

International Day of Older People is taking place on Tuesday 1st October 2024

Each year on 1st October, people across the world mark United Nations International Day of Older People to raise awareness of opportunities and challenges faced by ageing populations, and to celebrate our communities of older people. Age UK Islington are holding 2 events over October 2024 to mark the day:

Connaught Opera are back with a new concert on Tuesday October 8th 1pm-2.30pm at Jean Stokes Community Centre. Music from the Fabulous Fifties. Songs and medleys you can sing along with from some of your favourite West End and Broadway showstoppers. Booking essential: activities@ageukislington.org.uk

Join us for this special Park Cuppa session with the British Museum on Wednesday October 30th, 11am-12noon at Cally Clock Tower Centre. Explore different games spanning centuries and cultures, share your own favourite pastimes and have a go at playing a special version of Bingo! Booking essential: activities@ageukislington.org.uk

October 25th Cost of Living support for residents The next cost-of-living support event will be at the Peel Institute, Northampton Road, EC1R 0HU on Friday 25th October 1.00pm to 3.30pm. They will have 20-25 specialist partner organisations to support people directly and there will be a small foodbank on the day. These events are delivered in partnership with Help on Your Doorstep, Octopus Network and Age UK Islington.

10^th September was World Suicide Prevention Day 2024

This year's theme "Changing the Narrative on Suicide," urges us to start the conversation. By talking openly about suicide, we can reduce stigma, encourage support, and prevent tragedies. Every conversation, no matter how small, can make a difference. Let's break down barriers, raise awareness, and create a society where everyone feels safe and supported.

Training and development

Zero Suicide Alliance have provided training for over 400,000 Londoners to have life-saving conversations about suicide.

Join them and learn how to support someone in crisis by taking the online training yourself

Rainbow Suicide Prevention London

Rainbow Suicide Prevention London is a new project delivered through Islington Mind’s Outcome service. They are offering a free one to one psychotherapy clinic for:

• LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum and refugees
• all trans people and non-binary people
• all young LGBTQI+ people aged 18-25

The project will also be offering suicide prevention training for organisations from autumn 2024. Please contact the Outcome team for more information  outcome@islingtonmind.org.uk

Reflective practice workshops for Voluntary and Community Sector practitioners

Our reflective practice workshops were a resounding success! Participants from a variety of Voluntary and Community organisations learned valuable skills, including how to use reflective tools and prioritise their own wellbeing. The workshops were so well-received that we are developing a 12-month programme of workshops open to all third sector practitioners.  We will share information on how to get involved in the coming months.