Carers Focus Newsletter: September 2016

Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival 2016
ECC are excited to again be involved in the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival (SMHAFF). This year is the 10th anniversary of the festival so marks a very special event with the theme of ‘Time’ being celebrated. The festival runs 10th — 31st October with some great events planned, not to mention our Music Matters event and Creative Carers Workshop, see below for details. Read more about SMHAFF at www.mhfestival.com

Creative Carers Art Workshop
Decorate a journal or create a masterpiece to keep. No experience needed, just bring your imagination. Lunch and materials supplied. Facilitated by Heather from Light Bulb Arts.
When: Tuesday 11th October, 12.30 pm — 3.30 pm, Edinburgh Carers Council, 1-3 Canon St, EH3 5HE, FREE but booking required. Contact Kellie at info@edinburghcarerscouncil.co.uk

Music Matters
We are pleased to have Admiral Fallow (acoustic 3 piece set), The Cathode Ray and Jo Mango provide the music at our annual event. Join us for a fun evening of great live music followed by a DJ set. Guest DJ to be confirmed.
When: Thursday 27th October, 7 pm — 1 am, Electric Circus, 36 – 39 Market Street, EH1 1DF. Tickets £10 available from Ripping Records, or at www.theelectriccircus.biz and www.tickets-scotland.com (online tickets £1 service charge) Contact james@edinburghcarerscouncil.co.uk or 0131 270 6087 or see the events page on our website.

Suicide Prevention Week Event
A Time for Reflection for those touched by Suicide is on Sunday 11th September, 3 pm at the Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL. This is a guided time of reflective words and music and an act of remembrance for all lives lost to suicide (30 minutes). Refreshments served after. All Welcome. For more information telephone 0131 537 6516.

Carers Forum Update
Thanks to everyone who came along to our July Forum. We had a great afternoon celebrating our 3rd birthday and had lots of positive ideas and feedback from carers on the topic of future planning. The next forum date will be advised on our website and via email soon, so please keep an eye out.

Annual General Meeting — Save the Date — 28th November
You are invited to attend our AGM on Monday 28th of November at 10 am — 12 pm. AGM business will be covered from 10.30 — 11am. We are also pleased to be having a guest speaker (details to be advised). Come along and hear about our work from the past year and enjoy some refreshments and cake.
Venue: Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel, 9 Haddington Place (Leith Walk) EH7 4AL 10 am — 12 pm

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Dementia Friendly Show — Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on Friday 14th October 1.30 pm
The Festival Theatre is delighted to present Scotland's first dementia friendly performance of a major touring musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. During the show
the lighting levels in the auditorium will be brighter and sound levels reduced. People will also be able to come in and out of the auditorium during the
performance and see the show in the bar on TV screens if they wish. It’s sure to be a fun show and joining in with the singing will be encouraged and applauded!

Thanks to the Life Changes Trust funding, The Forget Me Not Project at is able to offer free tickets to community groups, care homes, day centres and individuals and family members affected by dementia. To take advantage of this offer ask for the ‘Toot Sweet offer for Chitty’, tickets can be booked by calling the box office on 0131 529
6000. For groups of 8 people or more please call Group Sales on 0131 529 6005.

More Support for Mental Health Carers — Support in Mind Scotland Public Petition
Please consider signing this important petition from Support in Mind Scotland which hopes to improve the rights of carers of people with mental health problems
and mental illness. A specific request being made is a right to independent advocacy for carers of people being treated under the mental health legislation.
Support in Mind are keen to reach as many carers as possible so if you know someone who can help support this campaign please share www.supportinmindscotland.org.uk

‘Big Dialogue Event’ Invitation — Wednesday 5th October, 10 am — 4.30 pm
As part of the planning for the new Lothian Joint Mental Health Strategy, NHS Lothian are inviting organisations, service users and carers to take part in a ‘A Sense of Belonging 2’ on the 5th October. There will be workshops on various planning topics that are included in the new strategy. This is a great way to get involved in helping to
shape mental health strategy in the Lothians. Register now — FREE but booking required as spaces are limited. Phone Ruth on 0131 270 6087 for information or register by the 16th September by emailing the organisers at mentalhealth.admin@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk. Registration is 9.30 am with a start time of 10.00 am. Venue:
Conference Hall, Norton Park Conference Centre, 57 Albion Rd, EH7 5QY. Light lunch and refreshments provided.

Woodland Activity Programme — Early-Stage Dementia
Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust in association with the Forestry Commission Scotland are developing a Dementia Woodland Activity programme. The aim is to promote outdoor woodland activities and using the environment as a therapeutic tool for the sufferer and their carer. They are looking for people who are at early stage diagnosis/onset with a carer who would be interested in attending. Located at the Hermitage of Braid, by Blackford Hill, on Thursdays, 12 — 3 pm for 12 weeks from September to November. Participants would need to be able to get to and from the Hermitage, and be physically capable of being outside (in colder weather) for around 3 hours.

The programme is led by qualified staff and includes a variety of woodland activities such as photography, gentle walks, tai chi, bushcraft, woodland arts and crafts. The sessions are free, tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. For more details or to take part please contact Abby Boultbee on abby@elgt.org.uk or 0131 445 4025.

Mental Health Information Station
‘A Sense of Someplace’ is on every Thursday 11 am — 3 pm at Walpole Hall (Next to St. Mary’s Cathedral).
This helpful drop-in event has a great range of information from local organisations about services to better
manage health and well-being. Walpole Hall, Palmerston Place, Edinburgh EH12 54W.

Edinburgh Carers Council is a Charity in Scotland: SC028469. Funded by NHS Lothian & City of Edinburgh Council.
The Canon Mill, 1-3 Canon Street, EH3 5HE 0131 270 6087 info@edinburghcarerscouncil.co.uk www.edinburghcarerscouncil.co.uk