Individual placement support (IPS) is an internationally recognised, evidence-based approach to supporting people with mental health problems to gain employment and stay employed. It is person centered and provides employment support alongside health treatment.

In Enfield our employment specialists work within our core community teams. They give one-on-one support to help people find fulfilling jobs. Read below to find out about how the service helped Mo. 

Mo was referred to Enfield IPS after being diagnosed with psychosis. She was following her treatment plan but required extra support to find work. During her first call with her employment specialist Mo explained that she was looking for an administrative job working 3-4 days a week in a fashion or a charity setting. She also reported that she was suffering from extreme anxiety and was spending much of her time taking care of her mother who was not well.  

Mo was given support by her employment specialist with finding and submitting job applications as well as preparing for interviews.

After a few months, Mo stopped actively engaging with the service and this raised concerns for her employment specialist. The specialist had maintained regular contact with Mo and worked together with her care coordinator to create a plan to help. Further conversations revealed that Mo’s anxiety had got worse, and that she did not feel comfortable leaving the family home other than to attend medical appointments for herself or for her mum.

Taking this into account, Mo was supported to find a flexible employer that was supportive of her needs. After a few setbacks due to health and family commitments Mo completed a trial and was offered part-time paid employment.

When we asked Mo about the service she said:

"Thank you so much for all the support you have given me, I can tell how much you care and that has made a huge difference to me. My employer is lovely and inspires me every time I go in. It has really helped me to get out of my home each week and to interact with other people. I am learning new skills which will help me in the future. Thank you for all your support, I feel like I am moving forwards again.”

North London Mental Health Partnership is now working much more closely with organisations like the Working Well Trust who provide this support. It is an example of more integrated working with the voluntary sector to provide holistic care for our service users.

To find out more information about this service please visit their website.

DIALOG+ is a holistic care planning tool, which helps a service user and healthcare professional work together to co-produce a bespoke, tailored care plan. It's very simple to use and asks you to rate your satisfaction and needs for care on the following 11 questions:

1. Your mental health
2. Your physical health
3. Your job situation
4. Your accommodation
5. Your leisure activities
6. Your partner/family
7. Your friendships
8. Your personal safety
9. Your medication
10. The practical help you receive
11. Consultations with mental health professionals

Watch the video below to find out how DIALOG+ is making a difference:

How DIALOG and DIALOG+ can help support recovery from a mental health illness - YouTube

How do I get a DIALOG+ assessment if I have not yet been offered one? 

If you are a service user and have not yet been offered a DIALOG+ assessment, please speak to your key worker or a member of staff from the service where you are receiving your care. 

Are you a service user or a carer? Have you attended our forums? Or do you have experience running forums and can offer some advice?

We’d like to hear from you!

Your suggestions and ideas are so important in helping us to shape the care we provide and one of the ways we do that is through our service user and carer forums. We want to make these even better and would really appreciate your feedback to help us to do so. 

Please click here to view the full poster for more details, then scan the QR code on your smartphone to let us know what you think. The survey should only take a few minutes.

If you don't have a smartphone, don't worry, as you can fill in the survey online here: https://forms.gle/ifYnq7EuT8W4moePA

Hand in Hand is a new volunteer peer travel buddying service that will help Islington residents who experience mental health difficulties get to other locations for appointments, courses, services, walks in green spaces, or events.

The buddies can:

● Remind you of an appointment

● Accompany you to appointments, events or activities (within Islington or Camden boroughs)

● Provide you with support and friendly and encouraging conversation on your way to the activity

● Give advice and information about accessing other support services

Volunteers are available Monday to Friday, 9:30-5:00 including travel time.

To make a referral please contact: HandinHand@islingtonmind.org.uk

Or visit the Islington Mind website: www.islingtonmind.org.uk/hand-in-hand-service/

Islington Mind’s out of hours crisis cafe offers support to Islington residents who are at risk of crisis, the cafe is open every evening and every weekend.

The Crisis Cafe offers services to help individuals experiencing a mental health crisis including:

• Crisis Intervention: Trained mental health support workers and volunteers are available to provide emotional and practical support. 

• Short term counselling: volunteer trainee therapists from psychosis therapy project.

• Signposting and Referrals: Islington Mind Crisis Cafe is well-connected with a wide range of mental health services and resources within the community. They provide information, guidance, and referrals to relevant support services.

Please note: Eligibility criteria are that service users must be Islington residents or have an Islington GP, and they must agree to a risk assessment during their introduction to the service.

All referrals are to be sent to crisiscafe@islingtonmind.org.uk

“When I walked in the door… it felt like it was somewhere I had been before. Strange, I felt like I belonged.” – Debbie, on her first visit to Hestia’s Camden Crisis Sanctuary.

The Hestia Camden Crisis Sanctuary is a safe place where you can come if you’re struggling to cope on your own.

It’s a free service for all Camden residents over the age of 18.

They  are open from 5-11pm, every  day of the year, including public holidays and you don’t need an appointment.

Find out more at www.hestia.org/camden-crisis-sanctuary, by calling 07825165464 or by visiting the sanctuary at 50-52 Hampstead Road, London, NW1 2PY

As part of our community transformation programme we are now working closely with the voluntary sector to provide more joined up and holistic care for our service users and carers.

We work closely with AGE UK who help people aged 16+ with any problems or issues with money, staying safe at home, getting out and about and other issues to do with day to day living.

This month we spoke to Michael O’Dwyer, who is head of services for Age UK Islington’s personalised care and support team.

1. What's your name and what do you do? 

My name is Michael O’Dwyer and I’m the Head of Services in Personalised Care and Support. I currently oversee a few services at Age UK,  including our social prescribing link worker service and our end of life planning service.

2. Who are your organisation and why are you working with us? 

I work for Age UK Islington and we currently employ five community mental health keyworkers with Islington Mind. These key workers now work in core Camden and Islington mental health teams

3. How does integrated working make a positive difference to service users and their outcomes? 

Working closely with members of the NHS mental health teams means that it is easier for service users and carers to access support e.g. talking therapies or psychological support. It also means we can work together to help people overcome the issues of day-to-day living that can impact on mental health. This can include financial advice about making ends meet, offering suggestions of social activities to avoid not being isolated, or making sure someone has the right support to live independently at home.

4. What value do you feel your organisation adds to community healthcare through collaborative working? 

The key workers are the bridge between the voluntary sector and the NHS mental health team, helping clients to untangle and tackle some of the things that are going on in their lives and to help them access the rich variety of support that is available in the community provided by voluntary sector organisations.

This work complements the invaluable work being achieved by the NHS element of the service and offers patients a much more holistic offer of support and can help to address some of the inequalities or underlying issues that very often contribute or exacerbate mental health issues.

If you are a volunteer or other partner who works with us and would like to do a spotlight in future newsletters please contact: communications@candi.nhs.uk

We are recruiting Band 6 Clinicians to the Crisis Hub based in Haringey. We welcome applications from Nurses, Occupational Therapists and Social Workers. The role will be supported by a robust clinical and managerial leadership structure which will encourage professional development for those seeking to expand their clinical experience.

Click here to find out more about the Crisis Single Point Of Access Clinician role and apply before 31 August

There are lots of activities in and around our five boroughs, led by local council partners and community groups, to help support positive wellbeing and good mental health. Here’s a selection of some regular activities, online sessions or extra support currently available:

1. Come and have your say at our Haringey Service User and Carer Forum!

Come along to our next forum in Haringey to find out more about the Voluntary Care Sector provider Hestia and how they can offer support to you. The session is being held on Monday 11 September from 2-3.30pm. Click here for more information. 

2. Channel your inner Sir Andy Murray or Emma Radacanu and play some tennis in Chestnuts Park! 

We have free tennis sessions for patients, carers, and staff every Tuesday 1.30 - 3.30 at Chestnuts Park in Haringey. Sport can be great for our mental health, our bodies release hormones when we're active that can also reduce anxiety and stress, and help us sleep better.

All abilities welcome. For more information, please email jane.oneill4@nhs.net. 

3. Are you over 55 and need help with technology? 

AGE UK Barnet are running sessions in New Barnet Leisure Centre every Saturday from 10.30am -12 noon to help you with technology. Click here to find out more.