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Menampilkan postingan dari Agustus, 2016

Taking pride in diversity

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by Anne Woods, Participation Officer For the last three years I’ve volunteered in various ways at the Pride event in London . I was born in London and spent a large part of my life there and so it’s a good opportunity to head back and get involved. After a stint as a senior steward in Soho, managing a team of people to look after the public, I fancied being closer to the parade – a colourful, joyous march through the streets of London: a celebration of the freedom to be whoever you want to be. So in 2015, in the first year of the programme, I volunteered to be an official flag bearer, carrying the Cuban flag along with flagbearers representing countries from around the world at the head of the parade. Embed from Getty Images Anne, far right, watching Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley at Pride in London This year, I was proud to carry the flag of Afghanistan, again heading up the parade behind the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan and the event directors. The flag bearers create a visual me...

Do we need a change for treatment into Eating Disorders?

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By guest author Helen Missen, from North Powys Recently I have been in an NHS system that works incredibly effectively - is a gold standard as far as the way it runs - and is evidence based. 9 weeks ago Breast Test Wales called me for a routine mammogram (I'm 50 at the end of the year). Within that time frame I have had two biopsies, many explanatory leaflets and a number of incredibly supportive phone calls. I have had consistency of care, from what I suspect are the team who will, in the event of a dodgy result, care for me long term. I have a sketchy and limited knowledge of breast cancer, one borne from a nursing career and a lot of media input. I shall, of course, read extensively and take advice from others if all goes tits up. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I will have evidence based, effective treatment. After all breast cancer can be a killer. Six years ago my knowledge of anorexia was as my knowledge of breast cancer is now. I had nursed eating disorder patien...

Powys Befrienders - it’s given me back my life!

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“Individuals who are socially isolated are between two and five times more likely than those who have strong social links to die prematurely.”  Michael Marmot (2010) – Fair Society, Healthy Lives. Last year we heard from the then Project Co-ordinator, Rachael Beech, about this really successful lottery funded befriending project. She told us it is "so much more than a cuppa and a chat". Rachael has recently moved on to work with Action for Hearing Loss in Powys, and Befrienders’ colleague Jill Ball has taken over the reins, in this, the fifth year of the project. It seemed like a good time to catch up with progress, particularly as the service has developed to meet the changing needs of clients. As well as 1:1 support Powys Befrienders now holds regular group meetings and occasional days out. First of all Jill gives us some of the project basics: Powys Befrienders is a five year Big Lottery funded project delivered by Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO). Th...

You don't have to be mad to work here, but...

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Carla Rosenthal recently joined the mental health team at PAVO to provide maternity cover for Angharad Griffiths. Some readers may know her from her previous role as editor of Headspace magazine for Powys Mental Health Alliance. During that time she organised some very interesting Open Days throughout the county. Carla has thrown herself with great enthusiasm into her new role at PAVO; you can watch a video of her first Coffee Moaning , which took place in Knighton in May. She works very closely with Anne Woods, a participation colleague focusing on the Stand up! for emotional health & wellbeing project funded by Comic Relief. With one of her many other hats on Carla is also a Mental Health Act Manager in North Powys. We spoke to Carla at her Llandrindod base to find out more. Tell us more about your new role in the PAVO mental health team The job title is Participation Officer and essentially it’s all about community engagement. I spend a lot of time meeting people and talking ...