We provide a variety of learning opportunities and focus groups for carers

Suicide awareness

DO YOU PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR SOME-ONE AT RISK OF SUICIDE?

We provide sessions on suicide awareness for carers at Edinburgh Carers Council. The aim of the session is to assist you in your supporting role with information and understanding of suicide, risk factors and the services and supports available. Sandra de Munoz, National Co-ordinator from Choose Life, the National Strategy to prevent suicide in Scotland, will provide input.

If you are interested, want to know more, or to book a place please contact Edinburgh Carers Council 0131 270 6087 or Support in Mind 0131 662 2280

Self harm awareness

Merrick Pope, clinical lead nurse practitioner, at the self-harm project at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, offers regular sessions to a group of carers at Edinburgh Carers Council at Canonmills

Forthcoming dates: 2 November, 14 December 2010, 25 January 2011 : 6-8pm.

Named Person Information Session

Are you, or are you thinking about becoming a Named Person?
Do you want to find out more about the role of Named Person?

Edinburgh Carers Council is running a free session for mental health carers and family members around the role of Named Person, the Mental Health Officer and Carer Advocacy. The aim of the session is to provide information and an opportunity for people to discuss their experiences of acting as a Named Person for someone.

There will be input from Dolores Nelson & Callum Hendry, Mental Health Officers and Andrea Ridley: Carer Advocacy Worker.

The session will be Friday 1st October, 10am -12.30 at Edinburgh Carers Council, 1 Canon Street, Edinburgh.

To book a place, please phone, Andrea on 0131 270 6089.

Information Feedback session

Following on from the great work that carers did in developing information last year and earlier this year, we are having a morning to look over and discuss your views on current information provided for mental health carers in Edinburgh and how easy it is to access. This will include Edinburgh Carers Council booklets & website, NHS Lothian & City of Edinburgh Council information. The session will be Tuesday 12th October, 10-12.30. Please contact Andrea on 0131 270 6087.

BPD group

The Borderline Personality Disorder Group developed from a need in that carers in this category found it difficult to talk in other groups about the issues surrounding BPD. The monthly meetings give them an opportunity to discuss any current issues they may be experiencing. This Group has provided carers with the opportunity of developing confidence within their own group and in time move on to participate in other things. Carers have found this really helpful and its given them insight into what it is like for a ser-vice user with BPD and what may be the best course of action, particularly in relation to how does a carer respond to the person they care for in certain situations. This is helpful to both carer and service user when managing a crisis. Contact Linda on 0131 270 6087

Forensic Mental Health Family and Friends group

The group is open to family and friends supporting those using in-patient secure accomodation within the Orchard Clinic or other hospital wards, or community-based services from the Orchard Clinic. The group meets on the last Saturday of each month, 1.30-3.30pm at The Craiglockhart Centre, REH. (2nd floor of Andrew Duncan Clinic). The next meeting will be on Saturday 28th August. The focus of the group will be the National Forensic Carers Conference on Saturday 21st May 2011 in Edinburgh. For more information, contact Andrea 0131 270 6089.

Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)

WRAP enables people to think what they need in order to maintain mental health and well-being. It allows for individuality and the importance of interdependence, which is important for both carers and service users. Carers are encouraged to concentrate on who they are, what they need and it provides them with a space to learn, feel listened too but also to recognise their own strengths and inner resilience. It’s about providing social contact and encourages carers to have quality time for themselves, to provide them with a self management tool that they have created. That will develop self-awareness and control to promote self directed Recovery.

Edinburgh Carers Council provides WRAP sessions throughout the year. They can be challenging, exciting and fun and are FREE to all carers.

Feedback from carers who attended our WRAP sessions:

“The WRAP group saved my sanity. It has offered me so much on how to handle my emotions and other things”

“I had been on a two day WRAP course before but it was never aimed at myself as a carer. Although it was difficult at first to concentrate on myself and not the person I care for. The facilitator was brilliant at bringing the focus back to ourselves. It was great as it was a bit of me time”.

If you think you might be interested in finding out more or putting your name down for the new sessions coming up in Autumn 2010, please contact Linda on 0131 270 6087

Other events:

Stress Control Course

NHS Lothian continue to run Stress Control courses. This course is based on the model that was shown on the recent TV series ‘Make Me Happy’ and is theory based, you will not be asked to speak or share problems and you will be given helpful handouts and info each week.
For more information or to book a place contact Health in Mind 0131 243 0106

Looking to the future with someone with mental health difficulties

includes information about support and services, housing and housing support, employment and education and finances.
Tuesdays 14 September – 2 November 2010 6.30-8.30pm. To be held at VOCAL Carers Centre, 8-13 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh (just off the Royal Mile) 0131 622 6666

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