Chair s update. Mission statement

Transcription

1 Annual Report 2016

2 Chair s update The past year has brought consolidation and change in equal measure. LUWSC has continued to establish itself in its new home at St Margaret s House and build relationships with the artistic community that surrounds us. LUWSC has always been very much in touch with the therapeutic nature of creativity. This last year has been no different and the Writing Group is flourishing. This year s project with the Scottish Mental Health Art and Film Festival has involved everyone in the centre as you will see later in the report. by students from Tynecastle High School as their entry for the Youth Philanthropy Initiative and are grateful for their hard work that made Link Up a winner. We are delighted to have received funding from the NHS and CEC Health Inequalities Programme which has enabled us to start a much needed Out of Hours service on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. We are also very pleased to be able to offer counselling on site once more thanks to Craigentinny and Duddingston Neighbourhood Partnership which granted funding to refurbish an additional room at St Margaret s House. A surprise donation has funded our weekend retreats for women this year we were honoured to have been chosen We welcome our new Project Co-ordinator, Laura Plumb, who has a background in managing advice services at Citizens Advice Edinburgh and at Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council. We would like to take this opportunity to say a big THANK YOU to Fiona Cross, our Project Co-ordinator for the past 5 years. We are particularly indebted to Fiona for managing the aftermath of the fire at Lochend House and installing us securely in our new premises as well as for her hard work in securing funding over the years. We wish her every success in her new role at the Ripple Project. Ann Roberts, Chair, Management Committee Mission statement Providing a community where women can connect with each other, share experiences, build relationships and find support to move forward through some really difficult times. Supporting women living in Edinburgh to live a hopeful and satisfying life even in the continuing presence of a mental illness or condition. Giving women the time and space to build their confidence and practice the skills needed to make positive changes in their lives outside the centre.

3 Our membership The 2016 Link Up member survey has given us some interesting information and statistics to share. The charts show that Link Up is here for women of all ages and that for some we provide long term support and for others we are there at times of need playing an important part in the recovery process. Link up is a place I have been coming for many years. I hope to come for many more. It is a safe haven. With over 50% of members being referred to us by health professionals and a further 15% by other voluntary organisations such as Edinburgh Women s Aid, Move On, Fresh Start and the Crisis Centre, we are embedded in Edinburgh s support networks for women facing mental health issues and social isolation. 95% of the women responding to the survey suffer from depression and 86% from anxiety. In addition, over half of the women responding to the survey experienced social isolation as well as at least one other mental or physical health issue whilst about a third have experienced a variety of traumas. Approximately a quarter of members have caring responsibilities that impact on their wellbeing. Link Up represents somewhere for women to talk about their experiences and feelings in a safe space where others listen and understand: The support I receive from my peers here is so special as I am being supported by those who have experienced the issues I face first hand. I have been to many groups elsewhere in the past. Link U p is the only group I have ever looked forward to going to. I don t feel judged, awkward etc. I feel like I am amongst friends. Our person-centred and holistic approach involves supporting women to develop self-belief and confidence on their own terms. It is a people-person organisation where I am treated like myself a human not a statistic. Women are involved at every level of the planning and delivery of the service whether it be the weekly support sessions or Try Something New programmes as well as forming the majority of the Management Committee. Confidence building and empowerment are at the heart of the difference we make. Length of engagement with Link Up Age range Referral sources < 3 months 3-6 months 6-12 months 1-2 years 2-5 years 5+ years 10+ years Link Up members Health professionals Other referral Word of mouth Leaflet/publicity

4 100% said Link Up has a positive effect on their mood 95% said we have a positive effect on their confidence and their ability to engage socially reported feeling 90%less isolated of our members reported their ability to cope with day 71%to day life was improved DIARY 100% of members said Link Up was a of place where they felt supported 90% members also felt they where better able to support others of members also felt they had a better awareness 71%of health issues

5 Lorna s Story: Reaching for the Sun A Stitch in Time My name is Lorna and I ve been coming to Link Up for about a year. I have a long history of depression, anxiety and self-harm I also suffered from post-natal depression. By the time I got to Link Up I felt very vulnerable, exhausted and scared. The Time For Me group offered me a safe sanctuary where I could express myself without fear and offered support and friendship. After my first diagnosed bout of depression in my early twenties my Mum bought me a ruler, cutter and mat. This began my love affair with quilting. With the ups and downs of my mental health there has always been the creativity of quilting to help me out. I was overjoyed to be asked to collaborate with Link Up and the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival (SMHAFF) on an Art Quilt. This year s SMHAFF theme is Time and I thought of the quilt in relation to my own journey with depression. Some periods would be incredibly dark as though being stuck in a black hole unable to see the light. Other times I feel bright and alive, ready to go out into the world with the sun on my face. I used the analogy of bulbs growing into flowers as I think it expressed perfectly the seasons of change we can go through with our mental health. Bulbs sitting in the dark awaiting transformation, growing slowing up through the earth to emerge as bright flowers then dying down again and the cycle beginning again. As I was piecing the quilt together I became aware that the bulbs were just as beautiful as the flowers and should be celebrated equally. I was able to meet with each group twice so everyone made a bulb square and a flower square. It was amazing to spend time with each group and see although they were all very different the same thread of compassion, friendship and support were flowing through them. Each woman has created pieces that are as beautiful and unique as they are. This quilt is my love note to Link Up with thanks for providing the support, time and nurturing that have enabled me to grow this quilt with the women at the Centre.

6 Mindfulness and meditation matters at all ages A number of our members at Link Up have young children and we see part of our role as supporting the mothers to develop strong bonds with them. The connection between mother and child s wellbeing is clear and early motherhood can be fraught with new challenges for both parties. He was getting frustrated with himself, trying to fit a shape through a hole then he sat back, started chanting and calmed himself down. Then he put the shape through the hole. I can t believe that he can t even talk but he can calm himself down. Within the well-established Link-Up crèche, things are always bright and busy. The children play happily, allowing their carers to access the LUWSC support groups and counselling service. The crèche team have completed the Connected Kids/Teen Professional Level 2 meditation course and have started running a meditation service with the crèche children as well as with their carers and other LUWSC members. These techniques support the whole family unit, are transferable to the home environment and can be used at recognized stress points within the day. I have never had a place like this. I can feel my feelings without fear and I don t have to hide them. You have no idea what this means to me and my son. I feel hope for the first time since he was born Being able to offer this additional help in the emotional development of children and providing assistance with mental health, social anxiety and other developmental problems, makes the crèche team integral to our work and has had a profound impact on those who have benefitted from it. A new addition to our Link Up team, Alison Hughes Project Worker, brings a whole host of skills that complement those of the crèche team and we are now able to offer yoga and relaxation sessions, Indian head massage and reflexology during our group and drop in sessions. We also have reiki practitioners on the team and see mindfulness, meditation and complementary therapies as playing a big part in future developments not only for Link Up members but also for clients of partner organisations so that as many local women and families as possible are able to benefit.

7 Accounts and Funders 2015/16 INCOME Grants The City of Edinburgh Council NHS Lothian People s Health Trust Craigentinny & Duddingston NP Youth Philanthropy Initiative Others Other income Insurance claim recovery Donations and reimbursed expenses Bank Interest Total Income 60, , , , , , , , , EXPENDITURE Staff costs Salaries and Social Security Contributions Staff Training Sessional Fees Payroll and bookkeeping fees Course Expenses and Administration Property Costs Governance Costs Total Expenditure 63, , , , , , , These figures are extracted from the full accounts of the charity which are available upon request. A great big thank you: Action on Depression Care for Carers ELCA NHS Lothian Community Health Team EVOC SMHAFF Lorna Fogden Edinburgh Palette Craigentinny Community Centre Edinburgh Women s Aid Pilton Retreat Edinburgh Community Food Feniks City of Edinburgh Council Craigentinny and Duddingston NP Lothian Community Health Initiative People s Health Trust Youth Philanthropy Initiative CRAIGENTINNY & DUDDINGSTON NEIGHBOURHOOD PARTNERSHIP

8 What s on Link Up Women s Support Centre offers a range of different services which are outlined below: Monday Writing Group 10:00 am 12:00 midday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday New You 2 Support Group Chance for Change Support Group Counselling appointments with ELCA NHS Health Appointments New You Support Group Try Something New Evening Support Group Counselling Service Time for Me Support Group Drop In Counselling Service Creche available A range of courses/workshops delivered in collaboration with key partners Drop In Saturday Counselling sessions Creche available 10:30 am 12:30 pm 01:30 pm 15:30 pm 10:00 am 01:00 pm 01:30 pm 04:30 pm 10:00 am 12:00 midday 01:00 pm 03:00 pm 06:30 pm 08:30 pm 10:00 am 08:30 pm 10:00 am 12:00 midday 01:00 pm 03:00 pm 10:00 am 04:00 pm All day 10:30 am - 12:30 pm 10:30 am - 12:30 pm Some sessions New You, New You 2, Time for Me and Wednesday evening support groups are for women who may experience depression, anxiety or isolation and need to take the next step. Chance for Change - a high level support group run in conjunction with the North East Edinburgh Continuing Care Team to help women cope with life and move forward positively. Writing group - A friendly tutored group which is based on helping share experiences through writing stories, poetry and fun Try Something New - Short courses and tasters of activities and ideas which members have expressed an interest in. Drop-ins - A chance to socialise over a cup of tea, crafts or relaxation and also a chance for potential new members to be made welcome and find out what we are about. If you want to know more about the work mentioned here, or anything about LUWSC, please contact us Link Up Women s Support Centre St Margaret s House G1, 151 London Road Edinburgh EH7 6AE T: E: info@link-upsupport.co.uk W: Scottish Charity No. SC017541