Community Wellbeing Service
Community Wellbeing Services - 01473 230609
There are a range of services and activities available through the Community Wellbeing Service provided by Suffolk Mind and Family Action. The support services are available in centres throughout Suffolk.
The objectives are to continuously promote, develop, deliver and maintain a range of meaningful services and activities that build confidence and increase life choices, leading to improved quality of life and recovery from mental ill health. These services are available to people experiencing a wide range of mental health problems. People can self refer (open access) or be referred into these services. Services can be accessed quickly and the process is inclusive. You will be invited to attend an appointment where we can explore what we have to offer you.
Services are free and are delivered by trained, knowledgeable and experienced staff or facilitators. Individualised support plans are agreed with users of the service and then periodically reviewed to ensure needs are met and outcome issues addressed. Support plans will be periodically reviewed to ensure appropriateness / benefit of input. People can access services for as long as there is a need. Services are inclusive and confidentiality is maintained (according to policy).
Services are provided based on identified needs and have the ability to evolve according to changing needs. Flexibility and diversity of provision is highly valued by those using the services and also those that refer into it.
Direct Access Information, Advice & Support
These sessions provide an opportunity for people to access the service to get information, seek advice, and be provided with support on mental health issues. Individual appointments can be offered for specific interventions including support planning and advice and information.
Facilitated Groups
Groups are facilitated by staff to develop skills and appreciation of activities that will encourage personal development and confidence. Facilitated Groups operate from a variety of centres on specific days and times throughout the year.
Social Support Group
This group provides the opportunity for service users to meet and socialise, share experiences and participate in group activities that help develop skills, develop friendships and learn ways to tackle problems experienced by others in the group. The group will also provide service users with the opportunity to receive support to plan other activities for themselves both individually and with others.
Active Lifestyles Group
Service users participate in discussions and physical activities designed to increase awareness and participation in physical activity. Emphasis is placed on the benefits resulting from keeping active.
Being Well Group
This group aims to improve the wellbeing of participants through mutual support and by sharing recovery strategies. The group is suitable for people with a variety of mental health problems who are motivated to improve their mental health.
Food & Healthy Eating Group
Service users meet to gain an appreciation of the benefits of healthy eating. Cooking demonstrations and teaching sessions are considered an appropriate part of the group’s activities.
Creative Activities Group
The creative activities group encourages service users to learn new skills and develop existing skills in a wide range of creative activities such as art, crafts, photography and knitting to rebuild confidence and motivation.
Depression Support Group
Service users meet to share experiences on identifying and taking control of depression. The group on occasions will include discussions on topics such as food and mood, may take part in relaxation exercises and positive thinking.
Gender Groups
Some topics are best handled through gender groups. For example the Women’s groups meet to benefit from each other on specific issues relating to their gender such as difficult stressful relationships with their partners. It is envisaged that Men’s groups will be introduced during the forthcoming months as a need arises.
Peer Support Groups
Peer Support Groups are organised by lead service users and/or volunteers. They may be held in the main information, advice and support centres, some are organised in other venues identified on the timetable of events.
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Programmes (courses) and Workshops
A wide range of programmes (courses) and workshops are available in centres and other locations. Programmes are usually one and a half or two hours in length and run over several weeks. The following programmes are currently available:
Confidence/Self Esteem
The programme will help participants to understand how to break the circle of a negative self image by learning some tools and techniques to improve self confidence and become more assertive.
Food & Mood
How we feel affects what we eat and what we eat affects our mental well-being. This course will help to raise personal awareness, enabling participants to make changes to ensure they are in control, and eat what they need for physical and mental well-being.
Motivation to be Active
The programme helps people understand how becoming more active and engaging in activity will help to improve mental health and have a positive impact on different aspects of their lives. Participants will explore ways in which they can incorporate exercise into their daily lives.
Life Choices (Moving Forward)
This programme aims to bridge the two issues of physical and mental health. Participants will look at moods and depression and incorporate key elements of other programmes such as food & mood, self esteem and the benefits of being active.
Depression Management
The programme looks at the physical and emotional aspects of depression, the causes and triggers as well as introducing coping strategies and positive thinking.
BME Community Support
The programme provides a better understanding of the services, support and information available for the black, minority and ethnic communities.
Find Yourself
The programme builds self confidence and self esteem. Participants will be helped to understand what has been happening in their lives and enable them to take control.
Stress Management Workshop
This one day workshop will help participants gain awareness of their stress levels and the causes of their stress, while also building positive coping strategies and offering practical tools to reduce stress.
Programmes are usually held in the Direct Access, Information and Advice Centres but where appropriate alternative venues such as community centres may be used. There is sometimes a waiting list for specific programmes.