Dr Madeleine Tatham, Consultant Clinical Psychologist from CPFT said: "The team are looking forward to building upon and developing an effective, evidence-based service for the people of Norfolk. Together with b-eat, we hope to ensure the early detection and treatment of eating disorders and to work closely with other services to promote the recovery of people with eating disorders."
Next Stop - Dementia carer support service!
A red double-decker bus toured for 6 days around Cambridgeshire, in order to promote volunteering as part of National Volunteer Week.
The bus tour, organised by Volunteer Centres in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, invited local people to climb aboard and find out about volunteering opportunities. The Dementia Carers’ Support Service (DCSS) run by CPFT joined the bus in Ely along side the local Mayor and City Crier. DCSS staff spoke to prospective volunteers about opportunities, whilst promoting the new service which launched earlier this year.
Fe Franklin, project co-ordinators for DCSS said: “Talking to local residents and visitors helped us to provide information and an insight into the developing service which we are offering, but also to express the need for volunteers. It was very useful to talk to other organisations who may recommend our service in future.”
The Dementia Carers' Support Service, which launched in January 2011, is an innovative new project that aims to link former carers with current carers of people with dementia to offer regular and consistent support as a befriender or buddy. The experienced volunteers share their extensive hands on knowledge and skills with the carers, whilst providing them with practical advice.
Successful start for Dementia project
The first cohorts of volunteers have now successfully been matched with carers and have started the befriending journey. The Dementia Carers’ Support Service, launched by CPFT, invited volunteers to the first Peer Group Supervision where they had a chance to come together and share their experiences so far. The event provided an opportunity for each volunteer to give a brief account of how they are finding the journey, as well as sharing top tips. 
Fe Franklin, project co-ordinator, said: “It’s really important for the carer to be the main focus, and for the volunteer not only to provide the support they would like, but also in the way they would like (within boundaries). Some carers take comfort just knowing there is someone there, and who understands how they’re feeling. Our volunteers are able to relate to these feelings and to provide reassurance.”
One of the carers said about the service: “I feel someone really understands the problems and answering them brought me to tears and helped me to face up to the truth of the situation.”
For more information on the service please contact Fe Franklin fe.franklin@cpft.nhs.uk 01353 652084 or Sally Kitchin on 01353 652084 sally.kitchin@cpft.nhs.uk
Unique children's mental health service expands
A unique children's mental health service in Cambridge has proved so successful it will be expanding and holding a special launch in the city on 24 June.
The Croft Child and Family Unit, based at Ida Darwin, Fulbourn, will be officially launching its extended in-patient facilities and new transition services.
The Croft has been established in Cambridge for more than 30 years. It is one of only seven such units in the country and is unique in being the only unit of its kind to admit and treat children alongside their parents using a multi-family group approach. It provides care for children up to the age of 13 from across the eastern regions, who have a wide range of severe and complex mental health disorders.
Dr Joanne Holmes, Consultant Child Psychiatrist, said: “We are delighted to launch our new facilities and transition services. We work intensively with families and children to ensure that maximum positive change is achieved as quickly as possible. This expansion means that we will be able to work with more children and provide additional support to families as they return home after their admission.”
Dr Holmes added: “It is crucial children receive the best possible support during their transition back into community care to maintain the improvements made during their stay at The Croft.”
There will be a clinical seminar from 9am-3.30pm examining evidence-based approaches to intensive community, day- and in-patient health interventions for families that can promote positive change for children. Speakers include Dr Joanne Holmes, Consultant Child and Family Psychiatrist, and Brigitte Squire, Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) Programme Director. The seminar booking fee is £50.
The formal launch will be from 4pm at The Croft Child and Family Unit, Ida Darwin, Fulbourn CB21 5EE.
For more information contact Sheran Minton sheran.minton@cpft.nhs.uk
Time to Talk event success
A POP-UP, virtual living room was set up on Parkers Piece this weekend to draw attention to the issue of ending mental health stigma.
The ‘It’s time to talk. It’s Time to Change' roadshow was at the Town and County show, inviting local people to have a cup of tea in the ‘living room’ and talk to people with a lived experience of mental health problems. 
Despite the rain, hundreds of people engaged in conversations over the weekend including the City Mayor Ian Nimmo-Smith who said on Saturday: “The display is very imaginative and creates a lovely homely feel. It gives people the opportunity to talk about the stigma often associated with mental health and how to combat it.”
The ‘It’s time to talk. It’s Time to Change' road show was hosted by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT).
CPFT piloted the Time to Change campaign in October 2008 just prior to its national release, and has since led a number of projects including the regional venture “Heads’ Up!,” which enabled people to talk about mental health through hairdressing salons.
Jenny Raine, Chief Executive of CPFT, said: “We are working hard to reduce the stigma and discrimination often experienced by people with a mental health problem. The Time to Change roadshow gives people a chance to find out more about mental health by talking to someone with personal experience.”
Phil Alsop, from the Manic Depression Fellowship, who works closely with CPFT and who volunteered on the day, said: “I think this is an important cause to volunteer for. I’ve been very grateful for the support of my friends and family, and believe the most important thing to remember is that if you have a friend or a family member with a mental health problem you should keep in regular contact.”
New project offers work opportunities for service users
An exciting new initiative has been set up to enhance the Trusts recovery work and Mindful Employer status.
The project helps to support people with lived experience of mental health problems to acquire work experience across the Trust. The 12-week unpaid placements help to build peoples self esteem, while providing them with the skills and support needed to move on to paid employment. It will be focussed on people who are ready for work and will match their skills and interests to a relevant job or department. They will be supported throughout the application process and all necessary training and checks will be completed.
The project will be piloted in Peterborough and Cambridge before expanding to other areas within the Trust. Professor Woody Caan at Anglia Ruskin University as well as local organisations such as the Richmond Fellowship and Job centres have been involved in supporting this project.
For more information about the project and how to get involved, please contact: Catherine Perkins, project coordinator for Cambridge catherine.perkins@cpft.nhs.uk or Rachel Wakefield, project coordinator for Peterborough rachel.wakefield@cpft.nhs.uk
The team can also be contacted via work.experience@cpft.nhs.uk
New adult social care website
Information about adult social care in Cambridgeshire can now be found on a new, easy-to-navigate website called Your Life, Your Choice – www.yourlifeyourchoice.org.uk
The aim is to ensure that everyone living in Cambridgeshire and looking for information about adult social care has access to the help and advice they need at a time and in a format that suits them. In addition to the new website a set of Your Life, Your Choice branded leaflets will be available soon.
New Directions Service
The New Directions Service is a new initiative in Cambridgeshire that looks to engage with men who are being violent and abusive to their partners, helping them to recognise their abusive behaviour and giving them the support needed to change it.
As part of the New Directions service a confidential helpline has been set up for men who recognise their problem and want to seek help. Once they have called the helpline, they will be invited to attend an educational programme run by trained professionals experienced in working with abusive men.
What the service is offering is not an overnight solution but an opportunity to make gradual changes that will ultimately reduce domestic violence and keep more women and children safe. The men themselves need to be motivated to change to get the best out of this service.
New Directions is now taking referrals and we welcome calls from those affected by domestic abuse and from professionals who may be supporting families where abuse is occurring and would like to know more about the service.
For more information on New Directions Service please visit www.newdirectionsservice.org.uk or for a confidential chat call the helpline on 01223 366745.
Lived Experience
Cambridgeshire User Led Organisation (Cambs ULO) is holding drop-in conferences for people with a disability or impairment and their carers. These take place in:
South Cambridgeshire
Tuesday 12 July, 10.30am to 4pm, Burgess Hall, Westwood Road,St Ives, Cambridgeshire, PE27 6WU
North Cambridgeshire
Monday 1 August, 10.30am to 4pm, The Oliver Cromwell Hotel, High Street, March, Cambridgeshire, PE15 9LH
Two free events organised by disabled people, for disabled people. Drop-in when you like, find out about local services, meet others and share your views and experiences.
Access: free parking and full wheelchair access at both venues. ULO will be providing sign interpreters, a palantypist, loop system and information in easy-to-read format. Please get in touch if you have any other access needs.