Welcome
Swindon Mind’s Newsletter
Edition 11 Summer 2010

Previous Newsletters:  Edition 9     Edition 10

News Round Following on from the members’ meeting in July, Swindon Mind held a Service Users Consultation meeting at the Pilgrim Centre on Friday 27th August.  Kathleen Aitken, manager, spoke to the service users present about how potential cuts in funding may affect Swindon Mind and explained that in line with government directives, Swindon Borough Council are setting up a User Lead Organisation, which in turn will have responsibility for funding services in the future.  The members were asked to complete a comprehensive questionnaire about the full range of services Swindon Mind currently provides, and also the advocacy service, and given an opportunity to voice their opinions on how changes to this service might affect them. Any members who want to develop their own Recovery Plan should speak to a worker at Mind.  Those people who already have recovery plans have found them to be beneficial.  Mind workers are trained and can help achieve goals such a starting a new hobby, volunteering or problem solving.  Also, Suzanne can give help to provide Advance Directives for future care. The suggestion box in the activities room is one way to inform us of any ideas for an activity, to make a positive suggestion, raise issues of concern or make a complaint. There is a new member of staff at the Swindon Mind office.  Julian Fox joined us in July as a housekeeper/admin worker.  Some of you may have met Julian before as he also works at Oak Lodge one day a week. Plans for the future include investing in new carpet for the activities room and the hallway areas, re-decorating the entrance and stairway walls, and as part of his housekeeping role Julian will be setting up a gardening group to re-vamp the back garden area and keep it tidy.

Volunteering Opportunities Walking Group Hi, my name is Elaine Dix and I have been a volunteer with Mind for several years now.  Fairly recently I have stepped in to take over the walking group from Ann Ockenden, who ran this group and who is so very greatly missed, but I am sure she would want the group to continue on without her, particularly as I know she loved leading it so much.  I have enjoyed my part as a volunteer with Ann previously and I hope I can carry on to help lead out Saturday strolls for some time yet.  We have already held walks at the Town Gardens and Lydiard Park, and our next walk will be in September when we will be strolling around Coate Water. In forthcoming months we are looking at going to other local places such as along the Canal Towpath, the Old Town Railway Line, The Lawns and Shaw Ridge Country Park.  We walk at the place of the slowest person and I hope that members will continue to support our monthly walks, even into the chillier months. Elaine Dix

Activities News Poker Group Summer BBQ A group of members gathered at Mind for a 6 o’clock start.  We drove to Lechlade, parked up in the car park, and then Dave and Trish set up the BBQ. The rest of us went for a walk alongside the River Thames until we got to a field of cows.  We walked halfway across the field and then the cows started to show more of an interest in us, so we turned right round and quickly retraced our steps.  We walked back across the fields until we reached the car park and the BBQ site.  Some of the group bought chips. Dave had everything under control, so Steve went in the car for the rest of the chips.  By the time he got back everything was well away – beefburgers and bangers were doing well.  Everyone was full up and a good time was had by all. Sue Sanders Theatre Trip In August, 6 members went to see the Summer Youth Project production of The Wizard of Oz at The Wyvern.  The theatre was packed out to see this wonderful show which involved over 200 children and young people.  There was also a lot of audience participation and we all joined in.  I was surprised and overwhelmed by the number involved and how cheerful the children all were, and would happily have gone to see the show again. Hangyee Crowther Horse Riding Group Members of the Horse Riding Group enjoying the summer sunshine. The group meet every Thursday afternoon and the horse riding costs £5 per session Needlecraft Group Twelve blankets made by the needlecraft group have been donated to the Pakistan Flood Appeal.  June delivered the blankets to the mosque, where she received their thanks and assurances that they would be sent out as quickly as possible.  It is good to know that the blankets have gone to such a deserving cause. From September the needlecraft group will be having themed monthly projects (see the notice board for more details).  Members may buy the items produced and the money from the sale used towards materials for the next month’s project. Sheila Cox Breakfast Club The Monday Breakfast Club has been one of our most successful activities since the very first session in November 2008, with an average weekly attendance of 14 members.  The group is now completely run and managed by volunteers, who have all gained Food and Hygiene certificates.  Sue, Cherry and Trish do a marvellous job in preparing an extensive menu each week, which now includes options such as baked beans, eggs, sausage, bacon, croissant, toast and a selection of sauces, jams and marmalades, plus tea or coffee. Elaine Woulfe

Recipe from Lifeskills Ingredients for Corned Beef Hash (Serves 4) 350g / 12oz Corned Beef, diced 50g / 2oz Butter 1 tbsp Oil 275g / 10oz Boiled Potatoes, sliced 2 Medium Onions, chopped Salt and Pepper Fried eggs to serve (optional) How to make Corned Beef Hash Heat 25g / 1oz of the butter and oil in a large frying pan and gently fry the sliced potatoes, turning occasionally for 5 minutes or until brown - do not mash.  Remove with a slotted spoon and keep warm. Add the remaining butter to the pan and fry the onions for 5 minutes until soft and golden. Add the corned beef and reserved potatoes, salt and pepper and heat thoroughly, turning all the time. To serve you Corned Beef Hash - pile into a pyramid onto a hot serving dish and top with fried eggs if you are using eggs.  Serve very hot.

Joker's Corner A piece of bacon and a sausage are in a frying pan being cooked.  The sausage says, 'It's hot in here isn't it!' and the bacon replies, 'Wow! A talking sausage!' Q:  What do you get if you cross a chicken with a cow? A:  Roost Beef!

~ Working towards better mental health for everyone ~