Latest News

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Foundation Trust are looking for service user and carer representatives to join their Patient Experience Committee. Details attached.
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Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Foundation Trust (CPFT) are in the process of implementing new Peer Support Worker posts. The training for these posts is going to be delivered by Recovery Innovations, Arizona who are the world leaders in Peer Support Worker training and development. The training will be delivered from May 2010 onwards. It is a months full time training and it will be offered in May, June, July and August to start with. Eligibility for the training is to have a lived experience of mental illness (accessing secondary services rather than primary care) and a good standard of education, as well as having a wellness recovery action plan (or similar) in place. The training is also only for people who want to work as a Peer Support Worker, as the Trust is currently creating vacancies.

The training is very comprehensive as well as inspirational. The Peer Support Worker roles are about sharing recovery stories and supporting people with their recovery journey.

Please see attachments for further information and watch this space for updates and more detailed information on the training.

Much thanks, Amanda Price, Lifecraft Campaigns Officer

Contact person for information about Peer Support Workers:
Sharon Gilfoyle, Peer Support Worker Project Manager
Tel: 01733 748382
Email: sharon.gilfoyle@cpft.nhs.uk
http://www.cpft.nhs.uk/
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Are you a mental health service user or do you support a mental health service user who is going/has been through the application process for Employment Support Allowance?

If YES, the Public Interest Research Unit (PIRU) are working with Rethink to explore the experiences of mental health service users (and those who support them) negotiating their way through applying for Employment Support Allowance (ESA) by conducting a six month independent enquiry and they would be very grateful if people could complete their short survey.

If you are a mental health service user with experience of applying for Employment Support Allowance, please complete the following survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=kUGUIXuJpSWARmIFGovrQA_3d_3d

If you have experience of supporting a claimant (or more than one claimant) please complete the following survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=sp30ybMAg3_2bHODemT2DnaQ_3d_3d

All information provided will be treated confidentially.

If you would like more information about the enquiry please contact Rupert Harwood, Chairperson PIRU (info@piru.org.uk, 01559 370 395)

Much thanks,

Amanda Price
Lifecraft Campaigns Officer and SCUF Facilitator

SCUF is currently recruiting for a Chair.

£10 per hour, 2 hours per week.

The role involves chairing and helping to plan quarterly SCUF meetings, as well as encouraging service user involvement and attendance.

We are looking for someone who is an ex/current mental health service user to take this postition.

Job description and recruitment poster attached.

Please get in touch for an application pack.

Deadline for applications: 5pm Monday November 2nd 2009

Much thanks
Amanda Price, SCUF Facilitator
email: amanda@lifecraft.org.uk
Tel: 01223 566957
SCUF%20Chair%20Job%20Description%2C%20October%202009.pdf
SCUF%20Chair%20recruitment%20poster.pdf

Dear SCUF Members,

Have you come across information about Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust's forthcoming conference on Recovery on Thursday June 25th at Chilford Hall? A flyer and booking form is attached for your information.

The Trust is hoping for as many serice users as possible to attend and are also looking for a couple of people to tell their story - a five minute personal story about their own experience of recovery. If you are interested please contact Diana Jakubowska, Head of Communications: mailto:EDiana.Jakubowska@cpft.nhs.uk Desk: 01223 726760 Office: 01223 726767 Mobile: 0794 900 4378

Thanks and best wishes,

Amanda Price
Campaigns Officer and SCUF Facilitator
Lifecraft
The Bath House
Gwydir Street
Cambridge
CB1 2LW
Tel: 01223 566957
Recovery%20Conference%202009.pdf
Booking%20%20Form.doc

The Cambridgeshire User Led Organisation (ULO) - "Enabling people to shape and direct the services they need to live the life they choose"

Who are we?
We are a new organisation set up and run by local people who have support needs, including:
- Older people
- People with a disability or impairment, including people with mental health needs
- People on direct payments or personal budgets and those who fund their own care and support - Informal or family carers, including same sex partners

What do we want?
We want people to have more and better choices about the services and support available to them. We think we can do this by bringing more people together to talk about what is needed, support each other and take action together to make change happen.

Why now?
There are big changes happening in how services are delivered with the move to personal budgets. Our research shows that people would like more information about these changes and what they mean for their lives.

How can you get involved?
You can let us know if you are interested in supporting our work or finding out more by completing the form attached.
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Dear members of the mental health community,

Are you a mental health service user, carer or representative in the Cambridge area who is confused about the new Employment Support Allowance (ESA) that replaced Incapacity Benefit (IB) for new claimants in October 2008? Are you worried how it is going to affect you or someone you support or care for?

South Cambs Users Forum (SCUF), Jobcentre Plus and the Papworth Trust have teamed together to deliver an ESA focused forum for local service users, carers and their representatives. Professionals will be talking about ESA and the Pathways to Work (PtW) scheme (which is an essential component of ESA). There will also be a questions and answers session.

This meeting will be held on: Thursday 30th April, 6pm to 8pm in the 'Lounge' at St Barnabas Church, Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 2BD. Buffet food and drinks provided. PLEASE SEE POSTER ATTACHED.

If you plan to attend please let me know by phone or email.

SCUF carries out campaign and awareness work with/on behalf of its members and members raise issues at meetings, via phone or email. Membership is free and open to anyone who has accessed mental health services. If you would like to become a member of SCUF please contact me directly or apply on this website.

Thanks and best wishes,

Amanda Price
Lifecraft Campaigns Officer and SCUF Facilitator
The Bath House
Gwydir Street
Cambridge
CB1 2LW
Tel: 01223 566957
ESA%20Forum%2C%20April%2030th%202009.pdf