We had our say! Harrow MPs visit Mind in Harrow January 2010
In the New Year, we invited our local MPs to visit Mind in Harrow at our offices in central Harrow to talk about what we believe is important for the future of mental health services in Harrow. We were delighted that they could both MPs make 29 January, as we have lots of ideas!
Tony McNulty, MP Harrow East and Gareth Thomas, MP Harrow West both met Harrow User Group (HUG) representatives and Mind in Harrow Chair with staff for an in depth discussion about many topics over tea and plenty of chocolate biscuits. Here are examples:
- Expanding mental health advocacy for refugee families which can break down barriers caused by language and some lack of cultural understanding. Tony particularly has been a strong supporter of our Somali Advocacy Project for the past two years.
- Our request to introduce a regular Asian food menu at the mental health day centre.
- The need for more talking therapies in Harrow and more befriending projects to reduce isolation.
- The importance of a resourced mental health helpline in Harrow for people to get quick access to information.
- The high demand for Stepping Stones education and physical activity courses.
- Mind in Harrow TrainAware employment project offering a way back to getting a job.
- Confidence for Life course
- Increasing meaningful service user involvement in NHS and improving Care Programme Approach (CPA) practice in Harrow
We talked about how many of these suggestions could be taken up through the review of Harrow Council’s funding for mental health services currently underway.
Tony and Gareth were very interested to hear our views and agreed to contact Harrow Council or Harrow NHS to support our campaign for More Choice for Mental Health in Harrow.
Harrow Observer photographer joined us to take pictures of the visit.
Gareth visited the Mind offices a week later to give more assistance with the campaign and Mind in Harrow CEO, Mark Gillham, will be in keeping in regular contact with Tony.
Thanks to our MPs for their support and to Harrow User Group representatives and Mind staff for putting the case so well for a better understanding of mental health.
Those present:
Andrew Watkiss - Harrow resident Chair of Mind in Harrow Trustees
Alan Brown - Harrow resident Chair of Harrow Mental Health User Group (HUG) & trainer Krishna Lathia-James - Harrow resident HUG rep & Harrow Councillor
Rasmita Bhudia - Harrow resident HUG rep & trainer
Patrick Stoupe - Harrow resident HUG rep
Abdi Gure - Harrow resident Mind staff (Somali Advocacy Worker)
Chandra Shah - Harrow resident Mind staff (Befriending Coordinator) & EKTA
Nisha Wickramasighe - Mind staff (Community Development Worker)
Chrystelle Heldire - Mind staff (User-led Training Coordinator)
Arvind Joshi - Harrow resident Mind staff (Carers Worker)
Safron Simmonds - Mind staff (Service Manager – Community Support Services)
Mark Gillham - Harrow resident Mind staff (Mind in Harrow CEO)