Spring 2017 Supporting people to reach their potential, improve their wellbeing and strengthen their communities Newsletter www.interact.org.uk InterActEssex @InterActEssex Promoting creativity, inspiring and empowering people to make positive progress and live a happy and fulfilling life High Sheriff of Essex presents award to InterAct InterAct have been honoured by the High Sheriff of Essex, with an award at the 2016 High Sheriff of Essex Awards Ceremony. Lorna Rolfe, the 836th High Sheriff of Essex, visited InterAct as part of her year supporting voluntary sector in Essex, with a particular focus on community safety. She spent an evening at COZ Club meeting with young people, staff and volunteer to find out about the work that InterAct does with young people across the County. InterAct also received a grant of 1,000 towards our Circles of Support project from the High Sheriff s Fund. This will continue to help us to support more young volunteers. MORE INSIDE.. InterAct welcomes commitment to Mental Health First Aid Young People reach new heights with Outdoor Adventure Weekend Spotlight on Ali Perrott, Volunteer Development Co-ordinator Charity Registration No 1048631 Company Registration No 3087233 (England & Wales) Moulsham Mill, Parkway, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 7PX Tel: 01245 608201 Email: mail@interact.org.uk
InterAct welcomes Prime Minister s Mental Health First Aid pledge InterAct has welcomed the Prime Minister s pledge to offer Mental Health First Aid training in every secondary school. Theresa May also announced that employers and organisations will be given additional training in supporting staff who need to take time off. InterAct currently provides a range of training and support for schools, colleges, businesses and community groups. We deliver the internationally recognised Mental Health First Aid Course for young people and adults, plus a range of other training to teachers and staff in schools to help support young people and to employers to support their workforce. This support is vital as 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. InterAct welcomes the Prime Minister s focus on tackling stigma and discrimination. Anita Goldsmith, Chief Executive of InterAct, has welcomed the initiative: We welcome the Prime Minister s announcement on further action to support the emotional and mental wellbeing of people in schools, workplaces and the community. From our experience there is still lots more work to be done to help provide the necessary support and reduce the stigma around mental health. We look forward to being able to increase our delivery across Essex in every part of the community. Emotional Wellbeing support in secondary schools InterAct has received funding from the Essex Youth Service to deliver a range of training and support to young people experiencing challenges due to mental health issues. We will be delivering courses in schools in the Brentwood, Basildon and Castle Point areas thanks to funding from Essex Youth Service. Pupils will learn a range of skills and techniques to better manage their emotional wellbeing and support friends and family in the community. Mental Health Do you know what you need to know? If you support or work with someone or are yourself affected by mental health issues, learn some every day practical skills and how to identify, understand and help yourself and others. To find out more, please contact: Lesley Bailey - 01245 608307
A BIG Thank You! We would like to say a very big thank you to the following individuals and organisations who have fundraised and donated to InterAct over recent months. Trinity Methodist Church Rawreth Parish Council Gadsby Wicks Eat 2 the Beat Richard Arthurton Anita Howard Latchingdon Arts & Drama Society Essex Community Foundation Intake D2 from Essex Police Fowler Smith & Jones Trust If you d like to get involved raising funds for InterAct please contact Adam Fox on 01245 608332 or adam.fox@interact.org.uk Gaming Equipment We re on the look out for some additional gaming equipment to be able to use at our Aspire Centre. Many of the young people who join us at COZ Club and other activities are into gaming. Do you have a games console you no longer use or can you help us find some new equipment? Please get in touch with Andrew Denny - andrew.denny@interact.org.uk or call 01245 608206 Call for volunteers in Colchester and Tendring InterAct are looking for volunteers to help us with our popular group activities programme where young people with additional needs meet regularly to socialise and have fun in the community. Our programme includes bowling, karaoke, meals out and cinema trips, and much more. We have volunteer spaces in Colchester (Tuesday evenings weekly), and Tendring (Thursday evenings fortnightly). If you d like to join us in supporting our young people while enjoying yourself and learning new skills, please contact Ali Perrott - ali.perrott@interact.org.uk or call 01245 608333.
Apprentice Challenge hits InterAct s Aspire Garden A group of apprentices from Chelmsford-based e2v have helped to transform a corner of our Aspire Garden with a new pond and new pathways. The apprentices are currently competing in the Brathay Challenge, a competition to find the UK s Apprentice Team of the Year. In addition to volunteering at InterAct, the group have also been promoting apprenticeships. The challenges are designed to ensure that the teams demonstrate their team building, leadership, logistical and communications abilities. InterAct retain prestigious Mentoring and Befriending Accreditation Following a rigorous inspection, InterAct have been accredited with the Mentoring and Befriending Approved Provider Standard from national assessor NCVO, for the Circles of Support Programme. The Approved Provider Standard (APS) is the national quality standard designed specifically for all types of mentoring and befriending projects. InterAct are awarded the quality mark for three years.
Independent Support Education, Health & Care Plans (EHCPs) What are they? SEN Statements are being phased out will I, or my child, still get support? What is One Planning? Just received a letter from school / college about an EHCP? How will it affect me or my child? What do I need to do next? Our service is free of charge. An Independent Supporter can support you by: Explaining how the whole EHC Planning process works Acting as a named contact Helping you understand how to access services and support Helping you with a new assessment or transfer from a SEN Statement to an EHC Plan Helping you put together a One Page Profile and making the EHC Plan person-centred Working with lots of different services to help you through the EHC planning process Like some help? It s free! Please contact us sarah.riordan@isessex.org 01245 608300 / 07506 566856 www.isessex.org sendessex @sendessex
Mersea Outdoors Weekend Break gets young people reaching new heights! InterAct took a group of young people to Mersea Outdoors for a weekend of fun and adventure at the beginning of March. The trip was kindly supported by Gadsby Wicks and enabled the young people to try out a range of activities including caving, archery and the leap of faith! The weekend break helps provide a safe environment where young people can socialise, try out new activities and have a break from home and school life. It also gives parents a break for a day or two! The weekend breaks we offer build upon the term time and holiday activities that we run and we hope to provide additional opportunities through the year including for those over 19. He always has a good time, so I would be happy if you can offer anything in the future as InterAct has been such a turning point for him Its great to come away and spend time with friends Find us on Facebook and Twitter We ve recently made some changes to our online social media accounts. You can now keep up to date with the latest news from InterAct by searching for InterAct Essex on Facebook and Twitter. www.facebook.com/interactessex/ www.twitter.com/interactessex
Meet the newest member of our team Ali Perrott, Volunteer Development Coordinator Hello everyone. I m delighted to have joined InterAct in January as the Volunteer Development Coordinator for the Young People s Team. My role includes recruiting, training and supporting the many young people and adults who volunteer for us on our Circles of Support and Group Activities programmes, in our Aspire Garden project, and those who help us with administration and other tasks. A little about my background it was InterAct that gave me my initial entry into the charity sector 16 years ago. I started as a volunteer tutor then as an employee on the Bridges to Work project, which supported people with mental health issues to gain valuable IT skills and improve their employment options. After four years concentrating specifically on mental health, I moved into working with people with substance misuse issues, and for the last six years I have managed volunteers and mentors both in the community and in the criminal justice system. It s been a privilege to re-join InterAct and to find that a good number of my old colleagues are still here and have welcomed me back so warmly. I am enjoying learning the ropes and making my contribution to the fantastic work that InterAct and our wonderful volunteers accomplish. If you d like to find out more about volunteering for us, please give me a call on 01245 608333, or email me at ali.perrott@interact.org.uk
Volunteer at InterAct We have a variety of volunteering opportunities available. Do you know someone who could help us to support individuals and families in Essex? Some of the benefits are: Meeting new people Having fun Developing new skills and strengths, adding value to your CV Opportunities to undertake relevant training Aged 16+? Give your time to support a young person with additional needs in Essex Could you be an Independent Supporter for families going through the Education, Health & Care Plan process? Can you support our work as volunteer on our activity programme, in our Aspire Garden or helping out in our office? Would you be confident driving a minibus? Help support our projects by volunteering as a minibus driver Contact us now on 01245 608333 volunteering@interact.org.uk
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training This course is for you if you want to... LEARN NEW SKILLS/STRATEGIES OR ENHANCE YOUR CV IF YOU CARE FOR OR WORK WITH VULNERABLE YOUNG PEOPLE (AGE 8 UPWARDS) What you say, how you say it, and how well you listen can have a profound impact on someone who is emotionally distressed or having a difficult time. Everyone can learn and benefit from YMHFA skills. Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training is an interactive and practical training course to help you spot the early signs of a mental health problem. It will equip you with tools and techniques to help you, your family, friends and colleagues. Course very informative on all levels. Will be helpful, moving forward, in school environment to help support students with mental health difficulties The course runs over four mornings: 9.30am 1.00pm Dates: 16th May 6th June Every Tuesday 2017 Venue: Conference Room Moulsham Mill Parkway Chelmsford Essex CM2 7PX OR Those who wish to attend over 2 days: 9:30 to 4:30 on 16th & 30th May 2017 We require a contribution of 10 to cover course materials and to book your place payable on the first session via cash or cheque. 01245 608201 training@interact.org.uk InterAct Moulsham Mill Parkway Chelmsford Essex CM2 7PX www.interact.org.uk InterActEssex @InterActEssex Charity Registration No: 1048631 Company Registration Number: 3087233