Healthy Walks
Posted: 7th of February 2012
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Walking Group – A Short Winter Walk along the Canal and Woods in Woking.
Eight members of Woking Mind took part in another walk on the 10 January 2012, with the newly established Walking Group. Tasha was the group leader that day. We set off from CornerHouse around 11 a.m., and walked along the canal tow path towards Sheerwater. Tasha was very knowledgeable about the local area and gave us a running commentary. We saw coots and moorhens on the canal, which is a good sign that the water is not polluted.
When we reached the bridge on Monument Road we crossed over the canal and started walking along the path in the woods. We were told that the land we were walking on was once heathland but more recently, the land has been planted with Silver Birch and Scots Pine, which is a much poorer habitat for wildlife. There is a current project to restore the woods to what it used to be and this might involve cutting down some of the trees and replanting heather.
After a while, we came to a clearing. In the centre we saw what looked like two mounds. These were Bronze Age burial mounds – a high one for rich people and a lower one for poorer people. The barrows have been recently excavated.
On entering the woods the path improved and was stony and firm. The path seemed to have been made from wooden planks but we found out that they were made by using recycled plastic, which is non-biodegradable and requires very little maintenance.
We soon found ourselves walking back along the canal route towards our starting base and arrived just in time for lunch!
It was a very enjoyable walk and I am looking forward to the next one.
Stephen Boyles
Member of Woking Mind Editorial Group
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Successful launch of On-line Mental Health Education Activity Pack
Posted: 13th of January 2012
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FIRST OF ITS KIND
AN ON-LINE MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION ACTIVITY PACK, LAUNCHED BY THE CHARITY, WOKING MIND.
Woking Mind’s On-Line Mental Health Activity Pack was successfully launched at the Surrey History Centre, Woking, on 12 January 2012. It is the first on-line mental health education pack that does not require teachers to have prior knowledge of mental health, available free. It contains over 100 personal accounts about mental distress.
This work has been led by two of our volunteers, Tristana Smith, an Oxford Psychology student and Lexy Rose, a student from the Institute of Psychiatry, working with numerous professionals and organisations who have given their time and expertise for free. In the summer of 2010, Tristana and Lexy started this work in response to the need to challenge the stigma of mental health problems.
One 22 year old service user said: "If my school had used this pack, it might not have taken me seven years to seek help. I might not have missed countless days of school, and constantly underperformed"
The pack allows young people to understand and empathise with the experience of mental health problems. It contains six modules, covering the main topics within mental health; including self-harm, depression and addiction. The pack fits within the PSHE curriculum. Teacher activity plans contain all the information needed to teach the activities, and formatted student activity sheets are available. Click here to download the pack for free.
The pack has had input from Surrey CAMHS (NHS child and adolescent mental health services), researchers at the University of Oxford and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, teachers, mental health professionals, and countless individuals with personal experience.
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Charity Event
Posted: 13th of January 2012
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Paul\'s decision to grow a moustache and seek sponsorship resulted in over £200 pounds being raised for Woking Mind. £100 of this money will be put towards the running costs of Woking Minders football team and the remaining balance will support day trips during 2012.
Well Done Paul. Will we ever see you with a moustache again?
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Christmas Closure
Posted: 6th of December 2011
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Our last Drop-in sessions in 2011 will be 20th December and we will re-open in the New Year on Monday 9th January 2012.
The Chairman and Trustees would like to take this opportunity to wish all our members and volunteers a Very Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year.
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Launch of Woking Mind Mental Health Activity Pack
Posted: 6th of December 2011
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On 12th January 2012, Woking Mind will be launching the Mental Health Activity Pack, which has been developed as a valuable teaching tool for use in secondary schools. It is a detailed and prestigious piece of work, which will enable a better understanding of mental health in schools. Woking Mind is very grateful to everyone who has been involved in the development of this project.
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November Community Meeting
Posted: 7th of November 2011
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The November Community Meeting was very well attended. Here are the highlights for those who were unable to make it.
*David Rye expressed the importance of completing the register of attendance as it informs the activity report we provide to Social Services (our grant funders). No personal data is shared in this process.
*Surrey Lifelong Learning is providing free training on using the website. If you are interested in receiving this training please speak to Lexy. If we have sufficient interest it will be arranged at CornerHouse.
*On November 15th Nick and Lindsay have arranged an Autumn stroll. Mind has an autumn photograph competition, so combine the walk with photo taking for the competition. Duncan has offered to help get photographs ready for submission to the competition.
*Some members have really enjoyed attending the Outside In art events at the LightBox. If you would like to participate speak to Duncan or look at website www.outsidein.org.uk
*We were pleased to invite Vicky to the meeting. She is in the final year of a clinical psychology doctorate. She is carrying out a research project on the impact of owning a cat or dog on mental health. If you own a cat or dog and would like to help Vicky please let us know
*Suzette Jones also joined us today and explained her role as a health and well being advisor with the Guildford Diocese. She has a wealth of knowledge on services available.
*Steve from Bridgewell House, explained the latest changes occurring in the local Recovery Team and the implication for local services. He anticipates more groups and prgrammes will be running to assist in recovery.
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Social Inclusion Strategy
Posted: 7th of November 2011
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Stuart Deacon attended Woking Mind on 1st November 2011 to present the draft Social Inclusion Strategy for Surrey County Council.This is an important strategy as it clarifies factors that will influence the commissioning of future services. Following substantial discussion, those present completed a short questionnaire. If you missed the presentation and would like to know more, please speak to David Rye.
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Community Matters Campaign
Posted: 22nd of August 2011
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Procter and Gamble in conjunction with the Surrey Advertiser ran a Community Matters campaign which Woking Minders FC entered. The campaign focused on projects that benefit youth sport in the community. They won the bronze award (of 750pounds) which will pay for five-aside and seven-aside football.
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