Redbourn Community Group (RCG)
Sharn Tomlinson, CEO for Mind in Mid Herts (MiMH’s) gave an informative and engaging talk on MiMH’s and mental health services at RCG’s AGM on 2 November. She explained that prevention and education is the best objective and that mental health should be treated the same as physical health. Sharn said that MiMH’s have funding for social and recovery support; they are also able to offer prevention by way of education on how to look after yourself.
During Covid MiMH’s changed to a paperless organisation. They found that as volunteers and clients were unable to attend the office it became essential to have online information to enable them to ring and talk to people offering support. MiMH’s offers help:
- With connecting people in that everyone feels better when they can connect with other people and talk.
- With relationships, forming friendships because creating networks to stay in touch and support each other are so important.
- With meaning in that everyone wants to have meaningful things to do and feel useful, therefore vocational support is available.
MiMH’s have outreach workers who assist at various locations, this includes having volunteers at Lister Hospital A & E in the evening and night to support patients.
Mind offers ‘Living Well’ courses including workshops for people who are not ‘Sleeping Well’, on ‘Coping with Loss and Change’, ‘Staying Well’ and ‘Staying Calm’. They are running a campaign called ‘Spot the Signs and Safe a Life’ which also aims to reduce the stigma of suicide.
Sharn suggested there are five ways to wellbeing: Stay Connected, Exercise, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Giving. MiMH’s now see 50% more people than in 2019 and employ more people for which they need more funding.
Further information is on their website: www.mindinmidherts.org.uk
Call: 03303 208 100 or Email: admin@mindinmidherts.org.uk
