Christmas at Peer Support

Last week we had 28 people turn up for the Peer Support Christmas meal at Toby Carvery, it was a great night.

Lancaster Peer Support will be having their Christmas buffet on Friday 20th December at 1.30. Morecambe's Christmas buffet will be on Monday 23rd December at 1.30.

Lancaster Peer Support will be closed over Christmas from Monday 23rd December, opening again on Friday 3rd January.

Morecambe Peer Support will be closed on Thursday 26th December, open all other days as usual.

mad hatter's tea party

Last week we had our mad hatter's tea party, which involved dressing up with some fantastic hats on show, and a bake sale with plenty of delicious cakes on offer. It was a good day, a good laugh and fun was had by all!

Our next trip is going to be on Saturday the 7th December. This is billed as a Christmas shopping trip.

On the 10th of December we are going for our 4th annual Christmas meal at the Toby carvery. If you wish to go please contact your Project worker asap.

On the 20th December in Lancaster and the 23rd of December in Morecambe we will be running our Christmas Buffets which is totally free of charge but donations of food stuff will be welcome. We might even have a game of Christmas Bingo.

We wish all our members seasons greetings and I will post our opening times nearer the time. Dusty

Next Trip

Our next trip is going to be on Tuesday 30th July to Southport. It will be leaving Morecambe at 1000 and Lancaster at 1020. The cost to members is £5.00.  Please put your names down on the list at either venue and pay your deposits as the places will be on a first come, first served basis. Only 15 places available.

We would like to welcome Lorna Stevens as our newProject worker at our Lancaster base.

Notice: We are closed on Bank Holiday Monday (6th May)

We will be back open as normal on Wednesday - don't forget to come along to the afternoon crafts session!

Update: At all times, we are open to anyone who do not want to take part in the activities (except for relaxation 3-4pm Friday). One area of our room will be used for the activity and the rest of the room will still be available for people to do their own thing. Refreshments are still available as normal.


New Activities Timetable - Lancaster!

All our sessions are free of charge and open to anyone with mental health problems. Just come along!

MONDAY

Creative Writing

11 - 1am

Starts 13th May

Do you want to try a new way to express yourself or have a go at writing poetry? Our very popular creative writing sessions are re-starting on Monday from 13th May. Come along on Monday morning to see our creative writing tutor, Elizabeth, who will help you to bring out your inner Shakespeare. This session is suitable for complete beginners.

Music Jam

1.30 - 3pm

Starts 13th May

Bring along your instrument on Monday afternoons and make some music. One of our members, Peter, is a talented musician and he's started writing some songs to perform at the Concert for World Mental Health Week in October. He needs a band! All levels of musicians welcome and we also need singers.

Walking and Photography

1.30 - 3pm

20th May to 15th July for 9 weeks

 Join us on Monday afternoons for a walk and the opportunity to learn to take photos with our new photography tutor, Sally. We will explore the beautiful surrounding area by foot and you are welcome to take part in the walking if you do not have a camera. During the 9 week course we will be looking at: canals and Lancaster skylines/buildings. In the event of bad weather, we will be running indoors sessions at our centre. This session is suitable for complete beginners or people wanting to just walk. Don't forget your camera if you want to take photos.

WEDNESDAY

Information & Advice Drop-In

10.30 - 12pm

Starts 15th May

 If you have any practical problems such as housing or benefits issues, phone calls to make or anything else, from the 15th May you can drop in to see Emma on Wednesday mornings. Whatever the problem, Emma will help you.

Crafts

1.30 - 2.30pm

On now

 Join us on Wednesday afternoons for our popular crafts sessions. Recently we've been working on bunting and we're going to try modelling and jewellery-making next. This session is great fun and suitable for complete beginners.

FRIDAY

Reading Group

12 - 1pm

On now
Join Dougie on Friday mornings for a short story or poem. It's a very relaxed group, you don't need to read aloud if you don't want to, and there is no homework!

Gentle Exercise

2 - 2.45pm

Starts 10th May
Did you know that even some gentle exercise can make you feel much better and improve your mood? On Friday afternoons Nicky is going to run a very gentle exercise session - the session is suitable for the very unfit or those limited by mobility problems. Many exercises will be done sitting down and there will be stretching. Afterwards you can even reward yourself and stay on for the relaxation session.

Relaxation

3 - 4pm

On now

 Join us at the end of the week for our most popular session, relaxation. The room will be closed to other members for peace and quiet, and our relaxation tutor will help you release your stress and feel happier.

Members Meeting - Lancaster

 

This Friday 3rd May

 

1.30pm

 

Come along and have your say!

The Future of Mental Health Services Inquiry

 

We have been forwarded a link to a survey from the Mental Health Foundation, who is undertaking a major inquiry into the future of mental health services across the UK. They are looking 20-30 years ahead at what sort of mental health care and support we will need, and how we might ensure it is achieved.

 

Have your say! You - our members - are the people who use mental health services and your opinions are important.

 

You can answer the survey by clicking on this link:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FOMHS_call_for_evidence

You can find out more about the Inquiry from here:
http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/policy/future-mental-health-services/

Signposts Closing

 

 

Peer Support is very sorry to hear that our partner agency, Signposts, is closing due to lack of funding. We would like to thank them for all that they have done with us and our members, and we wish all of the staff and volunteers the very best for the future.

 

Peer Support has worked closely with Signposts since our opening and they have provided invaluable support to our members and other local people. It is a great shame to see them go, and to see yet another service close due to the lack of fundingin this current economic climate.

 

There will be many people who miss the service provided by Signposts. Our doors are open to anyone with mental health difficulties who feels at a loss after Signposts' closure, either at our Morecambe centre (United Reform Church, Sefton Rd, Monday and Thursday 10-4) or our Lancaster centre (Trinity Community Centre, Middle Street, Monday/Wednesday/Friday 10-4) - just drop in.

 

We are also launching a Practical Matters Drop-In 10.30-12am Wednesday at Lancaster, which is run by a former volunteer of Signposts. If you have a practical issue that you would like support with, you are welcome to just come along within that time and we will help.

 

Once again, we are sorry to see Signposts go and wish them all the best.

New Timetable

Activities!

 

As promised, we've been busy working on our timetable for all the activities we want to have running soon. Have a look below!

 

Arts & Crafts will continue to run 1.30 - 2.30 Wednesday

Relaxation will also continue 3-4 Friday

 

New Reading Group 1.30-2.30 Friday - on now!

 

Creative Writing will re-start 10.30am Monday 13th May

 

Other new additions are walking/photography, music jam, keep fit, practical support drop-in, dance, and a games afternoon.

 

Lake District Trip

Trip to the Lake District

 

Tuesday 30th April

 

 

An hour in Kendal before going on to Bowness by Lake Windermere for the afternoon. We've heard you can get a cavery lunch at the Crown for just £3 and there's plenty to see and do by the lake in the afternoon.

 

1st pick-up from Peer Support in Morecambe at 10am

2nd pick-up from Peer Support in Lancaster at 10.30am

£5 for the coach, plus spending money

 
 

Sign up at Peer Support at Lancaster or Morecambe

Blackpool Trip

Trip to Blackpool and Blackpool Zoo!

Tuesday 26th March

Coach will drop off at Blackpool Zoo and then Blackpool centre, so you can chose which place you want to go to

£5 plus spending money for zoo/sea life entrance if you want to go there and food

Sign up at Peer Support in Lancaster or Morecambe

Facebook

For all Facebook users, we now have our own page. Check us out - we're called Lancaster Peer Support. Click here.

You can 'like' our Facebook page and keep up to date with the group and it's members there.

Funding

You will also be pleased to know that we have just received some funding for the group from Comic Relief and Allan Lane. Comic Relief have awarded us £6,280 and Allan Lane have awarded us £6,000.    

A big thank you to them for their help.