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I am now 35 and have held down several jobs, one of which lasted 3yrs,but I have had to give up full time employment in order to look after my daughter who is now 4yrs. She is pictured with me at the start of this website. I have at times been eligible for various state benefits and have thereby gained knowledge of the various benefits available to assist people who have mental health problems.
Presently, I live with my daughter in a house I rent from one of the housing associations.
In the past I have been admitted into psychiatric units and I am still on regular treatment for Schizophrenia and Depression, which involves regular consultations with a psychiatrist and visits by a C.P.N.
So you probably want to know what I can do. Well with my past personal experience which included, working for mental health charities (one of which I was secretary and for which I am presently being considered for Chair), instigating meetings for supported housing in Scarborough, together with the knowledge that I have gained of the Mental Health system and state benefits, I can help in the following:-
1.Doing presentations at support groups on self management
2.Setting up conferences for self management
3. Helping and advising people about which State benefits they could get and who to see.
4. Assisting user's to identify the sort of housing most beneficial to them.
5. Writing up reviews and articles for Newsletters within Mental Health circles.
6. Setting up user led support groups within my area.
7. Helping develop mental health services for my area
My work has also involved me contacting the correct professionals in and out of the Mental Health services to improve their service to user's.
So whether you provide housing, or you require some kind of hands-on training in providing the right service for each and every service user, I am able to help. Alternatively, you may be a service user/ carer who may not know what benefits you are entitled to or may need some help with various forms etc. I am also available for presentations at conferences or as an independent adviser to help Service Users/Carers with their own care plan.