Changes, a mental health organisation operating from Uttoxeter and Burton since April this year won their recent award for Lichfield, Tamworth and Burntwoood, offer a comprehensive range of services.

These include friendly mutual support groups, social activities, wellness workshops where users improve their ‘mental fitness,’ and offer opportunities for accredited training.

Changes are an organisation that was formed by people who have experience of using mental health services, and they will give local people opportunities via their accredited National Open College Network course to be involved in how their service is run.

County Councillor Matthew Ellis, Cabinet Member for Adult’s Wellbeing said: “It’s important that we as a County Council commission a range of services that suit people’s needs. We expect and demand the highest standards from the services we commission, and continually monitor these to improve quality for people using them.

“It’s about raising aspirations and improving services, giving people more choice in the services they receive and promoting health and independence. More personalised support and services, greater independence and better opportunities are our priorities for Staffordshire people, giving them the tools that help them lead healthier, more independent lives.”

Changes have recently recruited volunteers from the communities of South East Staffordshire to help people to access mainstream services. A series of social events will support users to practice their social skills, regain confidence and ease themselves back into their local community.

The new services in South East Staffordshire are part of a countywide reorganisation of mental health services.

“ My Auntie encouraged me to go to Changes in Tamworth, I was not intending to when Albert House shut down. I was very scared as I am a very nervous person and I have only just learnt to talk again at college as I have been mute for many years so meeting new people is very difficult for me as I will not talk to new faces. After only a week I had started to talk to Michelle and Yvonne as they are very warm and friendly people and as time has gone on I have managed to discuss my past and present problems. I have been attending the mutual support groups and have recently managed to speak a few words in front of a group that is a massive achievement for me. I have made friends inside and outside Changes, I have made a social life for myself, and have now enough confidence to go back to college. I have found confidence to talk to people at college and I am so much happier in my self my whole life has changed.”

Want to know more about Changes multi award winning work? Visit their web site: www.changes.org.uk for details of their open access South East Staffs. meetings, no referral required or telephone Michelle, Tamworth Wellbeing Centre on 01827 311006, Ann, Lichfield Wellbeing Centre on 01543 309770 and Samantha, Burntwood Wellbeing Centre on 01543 679000 who will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

Activities are open to disabled children, young people and their families living in Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffordshire Moorlands and Stafford.  Ages for each activity vary – for more information on this click here.  For any questions or to book a place please call Crossroads on 01782 207863.

Places are open to disabled children and young people aged 6-18 years old. 

Sessions take place on:

·         Wednesdays 5.30-7.30pm (6-11 year olds)

·         Thursdays 5.30-7.30pm (11-14 year olds)

·         Fridays 5.30-7.30pm (14-18 year olds)

Limited weekend sessions take place on Saturdays 10am – 12.30pm and Sundays 1.30 - 4pm.  Weekend sessions are open to 6-18 year olds.  Please contact Hannah Dean on the number below for more information on weekend dates available.

To book a place or for any questions please contact Hannah Dean on 01782 717612 or email nsadventure@lineone.net 

4. More Aiming High Funded Activities

• Chasewater Innovation Centre, Chasewater Country Park, Pool Road, Brownhills WS8 7NL See poster
• Dates: Sat11th Feb, Sat 3rd March, Friday 13th April, Sat 12th May, Sat 9th June 2012 - Times: 9.30am-1,30pm
  
• Fradley Village Hall, Church Lane, Fradley, WS13 8NL See poster 
• Dates: Sat 28th Jan, Sat 25th Feb, Tues 3rd April, Sat 28th April, Sat 19th May 2012 - Times 9.30am-1.30pm 

To book your place and for more information contact Jim or Simon on 0752 790988 or email pulse4music@gmail.com

This week sees the launch of this year’s Home Heat Helpline campaign. The main focus of the campaign is to encourage people to call the Helpline if they are worried about paying their energy bills this winter.

The campaign

Dragons’ Den star Hilary Devey will be launching the campaign and will be urging people to call the helpline to see whether they are entitled to help with their energy bills this winter. While she’s now well-known as a high-powered and successful businesswoman, Hilary came from humble beginnings. As a young single mother in Bolton, she struggled to pay her fuel bills and to keep her family warm, and as a result is committed to helping others to get the support they need and are entitled to. Hilary will also be raising awareness about the Helpline amongst MPs at an event being held at Westminster on 8 December, so they can pass on the information about their Helpline to their constituents. 

The key aim of the campaign is to get those people who need help with paying their fuel bills, or know someone who needs help, to call the Home Heat Helpline number - 0800 33 66 99. This is a free service that provides independent advice to people on low incomes on how to get help with their gas and electricity bills, including grants for insulation and new boilers, discount or rebate schemes, and other help with keeping warm. People can also access the service online by visiting www.homeheathelpline.org.uk.

Background on the campaign:

• The Home Heat Helpline has revealed that one in ten UK households are entitled to some form of assistance with their fuel bills. But many people don’t know what help is available. That help is worth an average of £250 for each household.  

• In total 3.5 million households in the UK could benefit from using the Home Heat Helpline to claim support. 

• The Home Heat Helpline is launching a campaign today to raise awareness of its free service - 0800 33 66 99, that provides independent advice to people on low incomes on how to get help with their gas and electricity bills, including grants for insulation and new boilers, discount or rebate schemes, and other help with keeping warm. You can also access the service online by visiting www.homeheathelpline.org.uk. 

Background information on Home Heat Helpline:

• One in ten UK households are entitled to some form of support with their energy bills. That help is worth an average of £250 for each household.
• If people are struggling to pay fuel bills, or are worried about staying warm this winter, they should call the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 33 66 99. The Helpline is open 9am-6pm Monday to Friday
• Since it was set up in 2005, over 200,000 people have been helped from across the UK.  

·         Friendly expert advisers give callers clear information on the grants, benefits and payment schemes people may be entitled to as well as advice on how to make your home more energy efficient.