1. Because...
There's No Health Without Mental Health!
Winter 2011
What's Inside...
World Mental Health Day
Service User Stories
KICKS
Annual Public Meeting 2011
Upcoming Events for 2012

2. Contents
3 Welcome from Mary & Dan
4 Our Governors
5 Why I am a Governor
6 Real Life Story - 40 years of Schizophenia
7 KICKS - Kids in the community kick stigma!
7
8 Real Life Story - Hate Crime
9 What we’ve been up to
9
11 Dates for your diary
Dear Member,
Hello everyone.
e is jam-
There’s been plenty going on! This issu
nts, stories
packed with news and pictures of eve
and lots more.
events.
We hope to see you at our upcoming
keep an
They’ve not all been finalised yet but
for more
eye on our website or facebook page
on 01245
information. Alternatively, contact me
k if you
546481 or helene.samuel@nepft.nhs.u
cific event has
want me to let you know when a spe
been finalised.
s in the
Something new is our KICKS page - kid very
are
community kicking stigma. Youngsters
amazing
aware of mental health issues and it’s
, based
how many have first hand experience
doing
on our visits to schools. And they are
to raise
suc h wonderful things in the community
awareness and help those with menta
feel they are not alone.
l health issues
9
Helene Samuel
Editor
Helene Samuel, Communications Team
Helene.Samuel@nepft.nhs.uk
Layout and design
Tracey Mann, Communications Team
Tracey.Mann@nepft.nhs.uk
2 Got something to say? Get involved
Email: Helene.Samuel@nepft.nhs.uk 10

3. Welcome
We would like to wish all our members a very Merry
Chirstmas and a Happy New Year!
There is unprecedented change in the NHS right now and we
Mary St.Aubyn Dan Kessler
want you to be involved now, whilst this is all happening.
Chairman Lead Governor
First, the facts
Last year we provided:
* 512,000 pieces of care, up about 40,000 on the year before
* 123,000 patient bed days
* 442 patient bed days for the mother and baby unit
* 85,000 appointments for the community
* 23,000 crisis care packages
* 70,000 phone calls to patients about their care
But stigma and discrimination still exist (see Christine's story on page 8) Mental illness can be a life
threatening condition and it's time we offered understanding and compassion.
So we need you for two reasons. One to help us improve our services with new ideas, new methods and
secondly to help us campaign for better understanding of mental health and the people who need help.
What you can do
* Tell us what you think
* Contact your Governors with ideas
* Become a campaigner
* Invite us to speak in your community or organisations
* Help us with interview panels, focus groups and staff training
So join in!
Harry Young 1955 - 2011
We’re very sad to report that Harry Young, one of the public Governors for Colchester, died in October.
Dan Kessler, our lead Governor, paid tribute to Harry at a meeting of the Governors in November. “Harry
was very well known in the Trust and amongst services users and carers as a tireless campaigner
against the scourge of mental illness, something he experienced himself. I last saw him at our Annual
Meeting in September when, true to form, he asked questions about service user involvement and
wanting more of it, immediately! One of his big priorities was getting better help for young people
experiencing mental illness. His commitment was the very definition of public service and what
contributing for others really means. He would pop up all over Essex to speak up and speak out about
services going well and when they weren’t going so well! It was a privilege to know and work with him.
I’ll certainly miss him; I’m sure we all will.”
At Harry’s funeral in November a number of Trust Governors, Directors and staff attended. The family
asked for donations to the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature). Music was a big part of Harry’s life and
the ceremony started with ‘Let it be’ and concluded with “Go your own way” - all very Harry! The Trust
has dedicated a film about the stigma campaign to Harry.
Got something to say? Get involved 3
Email: Helene.Samuel@nepft.nhs.uk

4. Our Governorsgold...
worth their weight in
Dave Monk , a radio presentor from BBC
Essex and Trust Governor for Media, was presented with an
award at the June Council of Governors meeting.
Mary St Aubyn, Chairman, said: “You will always find Dave
at the front and this is not because he’s a show off, but
Dave is always out in front. Unusually for a journalist, he has
championed mental health and all the issues around it by
featuring the stories and people it affects.
“Dave has been a terrific campaigner and raised his voice for Dave Monk accepts his award from Mary
our cause for a very long time. Some of his fans tell me that St.Aubyn
he has been in this business for 25 years this year and we
can’t let that pass - we’re presenting him with this star from all of his friends here at the Trust as a small
recognition of his outstanding work for mental health - a star for a star - well done!”
Pat Hamilton , Public Governor for Uttlesford, recently spoke on
BBC Essex about mental health in rural areas.
He said, “I live in a rural area of north Essex. In the past I have been chair of
our local MIND and a carer for someone experiencing an episode of mental
ill-health. I am particularly interested in mental health in rural communities
as Uttlesford Mind sponsored a research project on this subject with Essex
University, under Dr Peter Martin (2003). This led
to The Uttlesford Rural Network (TURN). You don’t
Pat Hamilton have to go to Northumberland or Mid-Wales to find
rural communities.”
Earlier this year, David Bamber, Public Governor for
Harlow, organised a members meeting for the Harlow members. It
was well attended and the presentation on the Derwent Centre update
prompted much discussion. There was also a presentation by Andrew
Geldard, Chief Executive.
David Bamber
Angela Barnes , Public Governor for Tendring: I’m back from
the Weeley Car Boot Sale where I had a stand to recruit new members. I talked
to several people, but it was not as busy as usual because of the Tendring Show.
Even so, I recruited two new members and so perhaps it's something that other
governors may consider doing in their areas. There was no cost to the Trust either
apart from a small amount of mileage, as I was allowed the pitch for nothing.
Also, on 1 December, at the launch of the Friends of the Landermere Centre,
I, as the Chair of the group was awarded with a cheque for £4,488.38 from the
Landermere Daisy Chain Appeal. The Landermere Daisy Chain Appeal was
Angela Barnes established as a Charity in 1996 and raised funds to buy a minibus for patients at
the Landermere Centre. The minibus was sold recently and the proceeds have
been donated to the group to buy new memory aid equipment for patients.
4 Got something to say? Get involved
Email: Helene.Samuel@nepft.nhs.uk

5. Why I am a Governor
Clive White, Goveror for Voluntary
Organisations (Colchester Mind)
I have been a Governor for the Trust since the very beginning.
My recent Trust activities have been something of a mixture. I
chair the Youth Matters Group and present ideas to the Council of
Governors. Our main role has been to hear the plans for children’s
services and feed in views of our constituents. We have worked on
a number of areas that will allow greater input to the Board. It is still
my view that we need to develop this input even more. To that end
we have been working to get some young people invited into the
Trust to provide their view on what we are doing. Whilst completely
understanding the age limits on governors, it does mean we have
to find innovative ways of getting views direct from young people.
Inviting the youngsters seems to fit that innovation.
Mary Power, Public Governor for Chelmsford
My reason for becoming a Governor was to help improve local health services. I feel passionate about
this and feel that local users deserve to have a quality service available to them. I am a carer to a family
member who is a service user. I am aware of the stigma of mental
illness and feel able to be empathetic towards service users.
Some of the skills that I have developed during my working
career are the ability to communicate with staff from statutory and
voluntary services and members of the public, as I have spent
my working career with the NHS covering positions in Nursing,
Midwifery and Health Visiting. I also completed a degree in Social
Sciences and received inservice training from the Trust.
One of the roles of a Governor is to act as an advisor. This is
achieved by attending meetings with the Board of Directors and
being a key community link to feed back views, information and
news between the Trust and the community. Governors also work
with the Board to set priorities for improvements and change. Our
role is to carry this out in a positive, supportive manner.
My best skill is in signing up new members for the Trust and I carry
this out, some would say ‘fanatically!’ Everywhere I go I look for an
opportunity to sign people up as members. It is important that everyone is represented when signing up
members.
Some of the highlights of my short time in office include; taking part in the World Mental Health Day Walk
in Chelmsford, acting as a “Living Book” in Chelmsford Library to engage with the public and becoming a
member of Youth Matters as I have a special interest in young people. I am also chair of the Friends of the
Rainbow Mother and Baby Unit, where at a recent fundraising event, we managed to raise over £640 to
put towards toys for the unit. This was much more than the £500 we were aiming for, so thanks to all who
came.
Got something to say? Get involved 5
Email: Helene.Samuel@nepft.nhs.uk

6. 40 years of Schizophenia
David Bamber tells his story
10 September 1973, aged 18, I re-trained in computer was convinced there was a plot
was a big day when I started programming with the help of the to kill me. I was so convinced I
an Honours Degree course hospital Occupational Therapy repeatedly set off the fire alarm
at the University of Salford. team to become a computer to fetch the fire brigade to rescue
Whatever the reason, this move programmer. me from what I saw was the
triggered what I know now as danger of the staff. One night I
the first ‘lucid’ symptoms of Another short spell in hospital was so deranged and frightened
schizophrenia. In the months after redundancy in 1995 and I poured a bucket full of water
following I heard voices in my down the back of one of those old
head, had delusional thoughts,
and many other frightening
“Then a miracle type TV sets, while people were
watching it, although I ought to
experiences. But I didn’t know happened: they have known of the danger.
what the pursuing hell was,
where to get treatment and,
started me on a Then a miracle happened:
frankly, I was too ashamed new drug called they started me on a new drug
to openly admit there was called Amisulpiride, an atypical
anything wrong. Amisulpiride” antipsychotic, which I am still
on to this day. Within days I had
In October 1982 I was admitted then some retraining for future vastly improved. Within weeks I
to the then Hopkins Ward at The work, whilst becoming financial was into a recovery ward, and ‘off
Princess Alexandra Hospital director of the service user section’. Well, out again into the
Psychiatric Department. The organisation, NEST for nearly open world in late 2005, and how
nightmare began. I would be in three years. have I been doing since then?
and out of this inpatient ward for Some up’s and downs again, but
the next three years, including In May 2005 I was sectioned. The not too bad, and I’ve managed
one whole year as an inpatient. next six months was an extremely to stay out of hospital, and be
The worst day of my life was dark and very black period of reasonably stable mentally.
when my consultant told me my life when I was
I had a mental illness called grossly unwell. I was
schizophrenia. If cancer is to the convinced the medical
body then being told this is the staff, under direction
equivalent to the mind. of the ‘Authorities’,
were trying to kill me,
But at last I had a diagnosis. I and specifically poison
didn’t need to hide it any more, me. Every medication,
or go round in agony not knowing every food, every cup
what I was suffering from. I was of coffee, even fumes
schizophrenic. It was a shock to coming up the sink, I
my family too, but we knew
what it was now.
In August 1983 I met my
future wife and present
partner in Hopkins Ward
who, like me, suffers from
schizophrenia. We married in
May 1994.
6 Got something to say? Get involved
Email: Helene.Samuel@nepft.nhs.uk

7. Reader’sy
4 page Supplement
Reader’sy
tor S
tor S
We met Celeste when she came along to one of our Poetry
events in the summer, and she told us her story. Celeste
agreed to share it with the Trust and all our members - you -
so here it is. If you’d like to send your story in to us, please
email foundationtrust@nepft.nhs.uk
I was born here in Colchester March 1980; a salutary les- cardiac care and the Intensive
in Sept 1966 and grew up be- son at the age of 14 in human Care Unit.
side the seaside in Clacton-on- mortality and the fragile nature Unfortunately I was very ill as
Sea with two younger sisters of life - my first but certainly a child and only found out this
and a much younger brother. not my last. Luckily I had a was due to a long-term chronic
close relationship with various kidney problem at the age of
My mum was young when she family members (especially my 18. Although I completed my
had me and was a full-time nana) who also lived in Clac- nurse training I gradually slid
stay at home mother, always ton, and I have many happy into complete renal failure
there after school with comfort and positive memories of my which subsequently led to me
and home-cooked meals. childhood. And yet, I also felt being medically retired from
like an outsider, I just didn’t fit the NHS in 1993 at the grand
My dad was a self-employed in anywhere because I felt so
“I have many
electrician working locally and different from those all around
home every evening until I was me. I was troubled and angst-
8 years old when he fell into
a job as an electrical subcon-
ridden even before I entered
my teens and there are some
happy and positive
tractor working offshore in very real and painful memories memories of my
the rapidly expanding North of running away from home childhood. And yet,
Sea gas and oil industry. He at 11, getting into trouble with
I also felt like an
”
worked two weeks on and two the police for shoplifting, being
weeks off for the remainder of bullied at school, underage outsider
my time at home which was drinking and even self-harming
tough on my mum and tough from quite a young age. I
on us kids despite the obvi- stayed silent and retreated old age of 27. Dialysis soon
ous benefits of a significant into a world of make-believe followed for a couple of years
increase in our family income, and books in order to sur- but I was then lucky enough to
such as moving from a council vive. However, somehow I got receive a kidney from my mum
estate to a private house and through it all and at the end at the Royal London Hospital
holidays abroad instead of in of 1985 at the age of 19, I left in the summer of 1995. Since
the UK. My dad also came home and went to Chelmsford then I have been extremely
terrifyingly close to being on to do my three year SRN train- well although I have to take
the Alexander Kielland, a ing. Once qualified I worked as loads of anti-rejection tablets
Norwegian drilling rig which a staff nurse in various places daily and have regular blood
capsized in the North Sea in including general medicine, tests and check-ups. My mum

8. Reader’sy
tor S
is doing very well on her re- one of my patients! He came have been far too much of a
maining kidney and we usually into Broomfield on New Year’s cliché! He also has suffered
celebrate our ‘transplant day’ Eve 1988 for an emergency some mental health issues in
every anniversary, the 15th of appendicectomy and 3 days the past decade, having been
August. later left with me! We married diagnosed with severe clini-
in Sept 1991 and have cele- cal depression and enduring
I returned to nursing post- brated our 20th wedding anni- several cyclic episodes, usu-
transplant in 1999 and worked versary recently. He’s my rock, ally triggered by an increase
on both intensive care and the my right-hand man and my in his work load, and therefore
regional burns unit which was soul mate; I’m so lucky to have stress, in the yearly 3-month
very rewarding but extremely met him and at least I didn’t run up to Christmas when
stressful. I nursed a survivor marry a doctor. That would he’s at his busiest at work. I
of both the Paddington rail should just mention here that
“both incapacity
crash and the Admiral Duncan he is a self-employed wall and
pub bombing in Soho. Difficult floor tiler working from home
times. I am in receipt as the sole trader of his own
of business. His illness has been
I made the decision to leave compounded by other issues
my career in 2002 as it was benefit and DLA that I will mention later. When
starting to affect my physical
and mental health and have
and, as a result, you hear about the difficulties
we have had to face in our
subsequently let my nursing worry greatly married life then you probably
qualification lapse. I am in will be no more surprised than
receipt of both incapacity ben- about the pos- I was that he was heading for
efit and DLA and, as a result, sible impact that some sort of mental collapse at
worry greatly about the pos- some point. It was like waiting
sible impact that the present the present gov- for the proverbial accident to
government’s welfare reforms ernment’s welfare happen in that I saw it coming
will have on me. but because of my own issues
reforms will have found myself completely un-
”
The same week that I passed able to intervene and do any-
my nursing exams I also met
on me. thing about it.
my husband, Jamie, who was The crisis eventually happened

9. and we had to react to it the husband’s job as a bricklayer
Reader’sy
tor S
best we could with the help of in the recession of the early
“I have so
a psychiatrist and the continu- 90s and subsequent repos-
ing and invaluable support of session of our house. The
our very competent and un- resulting mental breakdown
derstanding GP. Having finally
accepted his diagnosis Jamie
I suffered in March 1995 led
me to spend 3 months in the
much to thank
is now more able to deal with newly-opened Linden Centre my present
his depression proactively. An as a voluntary patient. From
increasing level of self-aware- that I was (wrongly in my opin- psychiatrist,
ness leading to a better, less ion) diagnosed with depression
frantic work/life balance and resulting in years of therapy Dr Bisdee,
for.
”
getting the right drug therapy and long-term SSRIs. After a
at the right dose and right time few attempts to come off the
has worked small wonders and antidepressants it took another
he is currently enjoying a long 13 years for me to reach crisis
period of remission. point. A psychotic episode just stable frame of mind than I can
before Christmas 2008 finally ever remember.
Life has dealt us a few blows led, five months later, to my I have so much to thank my
over the years, the worst being diagnosis of bipolar affective present psychiatrist, Dr Bis-
the death of our only child in disorder. Unable to go onto dee, for. Initially I asked to see
March 1992 at the age of 10 Lithium because of my trans- him because of my perceived
days. Daniel was born about plant it has taken time and incompatibility with the doctor
10 weeks prematurely and some imagination on the part I was initially referred to fol-
weighed in at only 2lb 6oz. He of my GP and psychiatrist to lowing my psychotic episode. I
fought so hard to live but sadly get the drug regime right. saw her twice and felt I wasn’t
we lost him and the effects of being listened to or under-
that still deeply affect us today, Thanks to all the help I’ve stood. There was no trust there
as they were always bound to. received from the CMHT, my at all and I wasn’t happy with
CPN, the MDF Bipolar Organi- her inability to explain why she
The 90s were very difficult sation and Rethink (a national was prescribing some heavy-
years for us with the loss of my mental health charity), I now duty anti-psychotic medication
career, my physical health, my find myself well and in a more or give me any hint of a diag-

10. Reader’sy
tor S
nosis. Putting to one side the happy to discuss new ideas write to express myself, for the
fact that I was probably a little and I feel that I can talk to him sheer enjoyment and creativ-
paranoid and delusional at the as an equal. His knowledge, ity of it and because it’s good
time and had been experienc- professionalism, expertise, therapy.
ing some visual and auditory humanity, support and humour
hallucinations something just are invaluable to me and I am Encouraged by having recently
didn’t feel right on the couple under no illusion that without become a media volunteer for
of occasions we met at the his on-going support and input Rethink and meeting up with
Linden Centre and so I exer- I wouldn’t be as well or stable Mike again at a recent event
cised my patient rights and as I am at this present time. I hope now that the time is
asked to see somebody else. We work well together and it’s right to take my writing forward
Luckily my concerns were nice to know that should I feel with a modicum of confidence
taken seriously and that is how I was relapsing into mental in my abilities. I am under no
I came to see Dr Bisdee for the ‘unwellness’ at any point in the illusion that I will become rich
first time in June 2009 when he future that seeing him for an and famous because of it but
gave me the totally expected assessment and/or help is only only hope to challenge peo-
(on my part) but still shocking ever a phone call away. ple’s ideas and preconcep-
diagnosis of Bipolar Affective tions about mental illness. I
Disorder. At last the years of Life is pretty stable at the am passionate about helping
madness had a name. I had moment and I am presently to end the stigma, the fear, the
spent a dangerous five months managing my bipolar disor- prejudice and ignorance sur-
ultra-rapid cycling which is not der well. I amuse myself by rounding a subject that affects
a new Olympic event but the reading, watching TV, being a roughly one in four of the adult
psychiatric equivalent of be- very hands-on aunty to vari- population to some degree.
ing on a very fast and out of ous nieces and nephews aged Chances are that if you are
control rollercoaster. I had got from 5-21 years, cooking, sitting listening to this with 3 of
to the point where even I didn’t keeping up with current affairs your colleagues, or friends, or
have a clue about what I was and generally trying to be the family members…well, I guess
going to do next so it was an best that I can be. you can do the maths! And so
immense relief to start treat- if my writing and speaking to
ment. I started writing a journal in groups such as yours in some
Since then I have seen him 1995 whilst in the Linden way changes the way one
regularly every 3 months and Centre (I have since shredded person thinks or approaches
over time we have managed to that in a moment of complete mental ill-health then that is
build up a mutually respectful madness a few years ago) and enough reward for me. As the
and trusting working relation- have carried on writing fairly Rethink poster so succinctly
ship. In a similar fashion to regularly since then when I puts it – my ‘problem’ is bipolar
how I have dealt with my renal have the time and inclination to disorder. What’s yours? (Thank
problems over the years and do so. I have been told many you)
due in no small part to that times over the years that I
particular experience I have have a ‘talent’ for it but haven’t Celeste E Thompson
managed to work in partner- felt able to take it forward be- Autumn 2011
ship with him. When I see him cause of a lack of confidence
we always seem able to speak in my abilities. I convince my-
openly and honestly about self that people are only say-
anything; suggesting and ing that to make me feel bet-
discussing treatment options, ter etc....you know the sort of
drug regimes and therapeutic thing....such is the unpredict-
options together. He is always able nature of being bipolar. I

11. KICKS - Kids in the
community kick stigma!
5QP W e recently set up a group called 5QP made up of youngsters in
work, school and who have used our services. Their job is to
meet with teams throughout the Trust, ask them questions about the
service and look around the unit. They then feed back to Andrew
Geldard, chief executive, their views and ask pointed questions when
necessary. The first trip was to Harkenwell, our child and adolescent
centre in Maldon, where they were impressed with the staff and the
unit but had questions around the number of staff available. Thank
you to Ben, Ceri, Emma and Jess (and Clive White our Trust
governor).
S tudents from the Chantry High
School in Ipswich presented a
Memory Blanket to the Trust on 13 July at the Defoe
Day Centre, Kings Wood Unit in Colchester. Helen
Comer, from Chantry High, led a delegation of students
and staff to King’s Wood where the blanket, made
specially to raise awareness of dementia, was presented
to Chairman, Mary StAubyn, Lead Governor, Dan Kessler,
Dr Mary Kennedy, Nurse Consultant for Dementia and
clinical manager, and Denise Cracknell, Ward Manager.
C helmer Valley School and Cedar Hall School (Benfleet) also sent a number of cards from 30 students
about dementia. Andrew Geldard, our Chief Executive, said, “Well done to these students. With
numbers rising, most families will know someone with dementia. There is no cure but we do believe in living
well with dementia. These students are fabulous because they show their caring sides, and we know it has
an impact on them too. This kind of action is a very practical way of showing they care”
S oap Sence 2011 kicked off with a performance by Boswells School in
Chelmsford. Inspired by the NHS, this play arose from one of the
awareness sessions the Trust recently made at the school.Interpretive dance takes
you through a family death and the subsequent demands, and depression of, a young man. The drama is
drawn out with the whole cast speaking statistics about mental illness, with the closing line being that only
1 in 4 who need help get it because of stigma and the taboos around it, as well as reasons such as the
side effects of some medications. Mike Waddington, Associate Director of Communications commented “A
great, moving performance”. Go to page 10 to find out more.
Got something to say? Get involved 7
Email: Helene.Samuel@nepft.nhs.uk

12. Hate Crime
Christine’s story
M
any people with Comments where shouted in
mental health the street, “you mental health Christine is very keen to thank
problems say that bitch” and “people like you are all the staff at The Lakes for the
the biggest barrier scum”, while children would throw care she has received from them.
to getting back on things at her front door. Equally “They have helped a lot and have
their feet is not the symptoms of distressing was that neighbours always been good to me”. She
illness, but the attitudes of other Christine had known for thirty was also full of praise for the on-
people. years would ignore her and cross going support she has received
the road. This all led to Christine from the crisis team.
The stigma and discrimination not daring to leave the house.
surrounding mental illness can “I’ve hidden behind my mental
make it difficult for people to After some incidents the Police health but I’ve got to speak out”
maintain friendships, get a job or became involved but felt that she said. “I’m feeling well now
get involved in their community. their intervention could make and I want to fight back”. Having
the situation worse, a judgement suffered the negative affects of
Despite attitudes about sexuality, Christine now accepts although stigma, Christine feels this is
ethnicity and other similar issues she feels improved police liaison often spurred on by negative
improving, and despite some in cases like this would be helpful. stories in the media. “Having a
improvements since the launch Mental Health problem doesn’t
of Time to Change, discrimination Although the family at the centre mean you are evil, or nasty” she
against people with mental health says. “I wish there was better
problems is still widespread. “A Mental understanding of those suffering
with mental ill health and I wish
Christine (not her real name) Health problem the people who have been
recently spoke to us about her abusive could know what it feels
own experiences. doesn’t mean like”.
In 1998 Christine’s health you are evil, or
deteriorated to the point where
she needed inpatient treatment nasty” On
and spent fourteen weeks at The
Lakes in Colchester. The police of her torment were evicted in Wednesday
were present when she was taken 2008 (for unrelated reasons) 29 February
into care. She smiles now saying Christine still occasionally sees
“at the time I thought I was going the women in town and “she 2012 we’re leaping
to a fancy dress party!”. looks daggers at me”. But she against stigma in
On her return home from hospital
says, “I am no longer afraid; it
took some courage but I said to
Colchester. Go
she began to suffer a campaign her, if you have a problem, talk to page 11 for
of verbal abuse by neighbours,
particularly from one family.
to me. She didn’t but I am not
afraid.”
more info.
Join our campaign; it is
Time to Change and that time is now!
8 Got something to say? Get involved
Email: Helene.Samuel@nepft.nhs.uk

13. What we’v e been up to
The Mary St.Aubyn Centre
Work on our new CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Service) unit is well underway and we can’t wait for the opening
next year.
The Centre - expected to be operational in June 2012 - has been named
after Mary St.Aubyn, the Chairman of the Trust, who stands down in one year’s time
after 10 years at the helm. Mary has been a firm champion of young people’s services and is
delighted with the honour.
In June we kicked off World Mental Health Day with our
Hopping Mad campaign. Trust governors, including Dave Monk
from BBC Essex who led the charge, hopped around Central
Park to highlight the stigma that still surrounds
mental ill health.
Over 200 people took part in the Extra Mile walk on World Mental
Health Day, 10 October 2011 in Central Park, Chelmsford. The event was
organised by North Essex Partnership and supported by Virgin Active,
Dorset Cereals, Britvic and Time to Change.
The purple plaster, No Health without Mental Health, was worn by service
users, staff and members of the public to raise awareness and stop mental
health discrimination.
A groundbreaking partnership has been formed between the military, North Essex
Partnership and Combat Stress to look after the needs of veterans with mental
health problems.
The partnership, which works under the slogan “A United Approach”, held a
conference at the Weston Homes Community Stadium in Colchester on 18
October, to explore the services already available for veterans locally and
improve links between organisations.
Stuart Ayris, Team a man with schizophrenia/alcohol health problems, fighting stigma
Manager for Maldon problems and his efforts to be and showing that suffering from
Adult Community Mental Health reunited with the wife and son a mental illness does not stop
Team, has finished his second he abandonned 24 years earlier. someone being the hero of their
book, a novel called Tollesbury The book celebrates the spirit own life.
Time Forever. The novel is about of people suffering with mental
Got something to say? Get involved 9
Email: Helene.Samuel@nepft.nhs.uk

14. Annual Public Meeting
A
round 300
people
attended
the Trust’s Annual
Public Meeting on 14
September 2011 at
the Central Baptist
Church, Chelmsford.
Bruce Calderwood,
Director of Mental
Health and Disability
at the Department of
Health was the guest
speaker and he spoke
about the Government’s mental The winner was St Clere’s School Dan Kessler, Lead Governor:
health strategy, ‘No Health without – the students were presented “Congratulations - our best APM
Mental Health’ and the future of with a trophy by Mary St Aubyn, to date.”
mental health services. Chairman. Boswells School
was the runner up and Clacton
Three local schools, (St Clere’s Coastal Academy was highly
School, Stanford-Le-Hope, commended.
Clacton Coastal Academy and
Boswells School, Chelmsford) Feedback
performed their plays about Linda Pearson, Staff Governor:
mental health. The plays were “The plays - well they spoke for
written especially for a drama themselves didn’t they - what
competition which was organised a wonderful idea that was. I do
by the Trust to highlight mental wish all our staff could have seen Students performing from St
health issues and end stigma. them. It was an excellent APM.” Cleres School
Coming Up
Schizophrenia
The National Inquiry into Schizophrenia is about to launch the questions it’s seeking
views on - We are planning three meetings around “Understanding Schizophrenia”
and will include service user and carer stories as well as medical and nursing
opinions. Want to get involved? Then get in touch!
2012 Drama & Speaking Competition
The Trust’s Mental Health Drama competition for schools has been launched and this
year also includes a public speaking competition on the theme, “OMG I cant believe
what you just said about mental health” - want to get involved? If so let us know!
10 Got something to say? Get involved
Email: Helene.Samuel@nepft.nhs.uk

15. Dates for your Diary
22
Clacton Christmas Carers Event
Freeland Court Day Hospital in Clacton is holding it’s annual carers at Christmas event
on Thursday 22 December between 12noon and 3pm.
December
It will be an open door event for carers and the people that they care for to come and
find out about services available to them locally. It is also a time for carers to meet each
other and have a mince pie and a bit of Christmas cheer.
Governor Elections
We are looking for people to stand for election as Governors of the Trust (elections
take place between January and March 2012, by postal ballot). 18&25
We're looking for Governor candidates in ... January
Tendring, Colchester, Braintree, Epping and Uttlesford
We're also holding two events where you can chat with some Governors, to get a
better feel for what's needed and whether you want to give it a go! These will be held on Wednesday 18
January at 6.30pm - 8pm, and on Wednesday 25 January at 1pm - 3pm. Both gatherings will be held at
Trust HQ, Stapleford House, Stapleford Close, Chelmsford, CM2 0QX
World Mental Health Day Launch
29 On Wednesday 29 February 2012 we’re leaping against stigma in Colchester. We
will be launching a conference about stigma that day to build up for a magnificent
February World Mental health Day on Wednesday 10 October 2012. If you want to be part
of the leaping (not bungee jumping!) but are prepared to go the extra few feet for
mental health - please us know.
3 5 6 1
Brain Teaser 3
8
5
9
7
2
6
7
4
Get Involved! 7
5
7
2
4
3
1
2
If you would like more information about our upcoming 9
events or have you got something to say? Get involved!
Contact: Helene.Samuel@nepft.nhs.uk or call 0800 169 1625
6 1 3 8
We want to know your recipes!
For our next issue we want to feature your favourite recipes, the ones that make you feel good. Send
us your best recipe, your reasons why it’s your favourite and pictures to: Tracey.Mann@nepft.nhs.uk.
11

16. Your Governors Your Governo
rs can’t can’t
deal with pers
onal complain
or concerns a ts
Contact bout the Tru
st
u can or your care
There are two ways yo and treatmen
t.
: For this, you
contact your Governor should speak
Secretary, to your Care
By letter. C/O Trust Co-ordinator
ce, NEPFT, 103 call the Patie or
Trust Secretary’s offi nt Advice an
sford, CM2 Liaison Servic d
Stapleford Close, Chelm e (PALS) on
01245 546433 b
0QX etw
ntrust@nepft. and 4.30pm, M een 9am
By email to foundatio onday - Frida
y.
nhs.uk
s is below.
A list of our governor
clude the
Please remember to in
/s you wish
name of the Governor
essage.
to contact in your m
Public Governors:
Braintree: Mikey Henderson, Matt Mills, Valerie Sach
Chelmsford: Mary Power, Steven Pruner, Cathy Trevaldwyn, Brian Winder
Colchester: Annette Bright, Peter Cheng, Lucy Taylor
East Herts: Michael Waller
Epping Forest: Sheila Jackman, Andrew Smith, Brian Spinks
Harlow: David Bamber, Terrie Harris
Maldon: David Pickles, David Williams
South Essex: David Fairweather
Suffolk: Moshud Ali
Tendring: Angela Barnes, Dan Kessler, Hugh Thompson
Stakeholder Governors:
Essex County Council: Cllr Michael Skeels
HM Prison Chelmsford: Robert Davis
Media: Dave Monk - BBC Essex
Primary Care Trusts: Qadir Bakhsh - W Essex, David Barron - M Essex, Tim Young - NE Essex
TACMEP: Nick Ntiako Brown
Universities: Allen Senivassen - Anglia Ruskin University
Voluntary Organisations: Claire Lance - Alzheimer’s Society, Hazel Ruane - Essex Respite Assn,
Clive White - Colchester Mind
Contact us
If you would like to feature in one of our next stories or would like to get involved with any of our
events please get in touch. Contact: Helene.Samuel@nepft.nhs.uk or call 0800 169 1625
We’re now on facebook! Go to
http://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Essex-Partnership-NHS-Foundation-Trust/185462138139966
and have a look at our DVDs and photos.