Tag Archives: service users

More recognition for the role of carers

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Saba Salman

TweetJanet Down only realised she was a full-time carer for her disabled husband when she fell ill a few years ago and could not look after him. Suffering back pain from lifting and depression from coping unsupported, her inability to … Continue reading →

Posted in Cuts, Health, Local government, Older people, Social care, Wellbeing | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off

We should be kind, while there is still time

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Lol Butterfield

TweetOver 30 years ago as a young man I first set foot in a psychiatric hospital. It was an old Victorian “asylum” in the rolling countryside of Bedfordshire. I had travelled to the south of England from my native north … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Mental health, Social care, Social exclusion, Third sector, Uncategorized, Volunteering, Wellbeing | Tagged , , | Comments Off

Pictures of mental health

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Saba Salman

TweetThe painting here, depicting the torment of a lost past and an unknown future, is among the intriguing works in a new exhibition opening in London today which focuses on mental health. The arts event by charity CoolTan Arts, an … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Mental health, Music & arts, Social exclusion, Third sector, Uncategorized, Volunteering, Wellbeing | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

The vital role of creative thinking in care

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Saba Salman

TweetSeven years ago, no one could have imagined Martin* living anywhere but in residential care. The then 24-year-old, who is autistic and has a moderate learning disability, was exploited by ‘friends’ who dealt drugs from his housing association flat in … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Learning disability, Local government, Social care, Social exclusion, Uncategorized, Wellbeing | Tagged , , , | Comments Off

I was in care, now I’m working to improve the system for looked-after children

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Saba Salman

TweetGuest post by teenager Matt Langsford I’m Matt Langsford, I’m 19, I was in care for nine years, I lived in over 15 different care placements and I was homeless twice. I was in care due to my mother’s mental … Continue reading →

Posted in Social care, Third sector, Uncategorized, Young people | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Fundraising: how to make friends and influence people

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Saba Salman

TweetGiven the dire state of funding in the charity and public sector, fundraisers (and by that I mean staff and volunteers – not chuggers) are working overtime with some fantastically inspiring and engaging events, some of which I’ve featured on … Continue reading →

Posted in Cuts, Health, Mental health, Third sector, Uncategorized, Volunteering, Wellbeing | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

A sporting chance for the homeless

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Saba Salman

TweetAny mention of “the games” and all eyes look to east London and this week, in particular, towards the newly-opened retail mecca and gateway to the games – Westfield. But last week, the home of “the games” was the north … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Social exclusion, Third sector, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

“As a child, I didn’t know what stigma meant – but I certainly knew how it felt”

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Saba Salman

TweetGuest blogger Lol Butterfield, a mental health campaigner and qualified mental health nurse, explains his involvement with a national drive to tackle the stigma suffered by people with mental health issues. The campaign is driven by service users. Butterfield, who … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Mental health, Social care, Social exclusion, Third sector, Uncategorized, Wellbeing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The big society bypass

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Saba Salman

Tweet Above, Ian Harvey, from heroin and rough sleeping to charity volunteer, gardening enthusiast and Chelsea Flower Show winner. The big society concept might be a touch nebulous – as its creator Philip Blond effectively admitted this week – but … Continue reading →

Posted in Big society, Housing, Social exclusion, Third sector, Uncategorized, Volunteering | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off

“I feel privileged to be different; I wouldn’t want to be the same as everyone else.”

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Saba Salman

Tweet Above, a film about the making of a play about Down’s Syndrome at a Camphill Village Trust community, The Grange in Gloucestershire. Today’s the start of Learning Disability Week. What’s it like living with a learning disability? A few … Continue reading →

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