LATEST NEWS:
14 August 2008:
Vacancy: Somerset Mind Development Worker
We are recruiting for a Development Worker, to be based in our Taunton
Office. Please see our Vacancies page for
more info.
 Music
for the Mind - Summer concert
>>> Download the
Poster here
A grand fundraising evening on 24 August 2008 is planned at the stunning
outdoor setting of the Bishop's Palace, Wells, to raise money for local Mind
Associations in Bath, Bristol and Somerset.
England rugby star Matt Stevens (finalist of TVs Celebrity X Factor)
will join Bath-based Vocal Works Gospel Choir (a 40-strong choir).
The concert is the project of Bristol businessman Richard Lowe, whose
brother James who was raised in Wells took his own life ten years ago
aged just 30, while suffering from mental illness.
Richard has been very successful in attracting support for the event from
local businesses but is keen to get more people involved in fundraising.
Music for the Mind will be held on the evening of Sunday 24 August from
6.30 pm. Only 500 tickets are available so it is advisable to book early.
You can book tickets online
here, call
into The Bishop's Palace shop in Wells or call 07787 572062.
 Ironman
triathlon challenge
June 2007
Bridgwater athlete Alice Hector (left) will be showing everyone what
she's made of on 7 September 2008 as she takes part in the Ironman UK
Triathlon in Sherborne.
Alice is using the event as an opportunity to raise awareness and money
for Mind in Taunton and West Somerset, having had her own experience of
depression in the past.
The gruelling event consist of a 3.8k swim, an 180km bike ride, followed
by a 42.2 km run - the equivalent of a marathon. Alice is looking forward to
the event and to challenging public perception of mental illness. "The money
I raise will help both researchers and the public understand more about
mental health and erase the taboo that surrounds it," Alice told us. "As a
previous sufferer of depression myself, I know how debilitating the illness
can be and I would love to do my bit to help others in the same boat."
If you would like to do your bit to support Alice you can send donations
to our office in Canal Road, marking your envelope 'Ironman' or donate
directly through Alice's online fundraising page
here.
 Peace
of Mind Art Exhibition
Spring 2008
Peace of Mind held a successful exhibition of server users' artwork at
the Taunton Library - see the
Peace
of Mind page for more information.
Street collection in Taunton town centre
March 2008
We would like to thank everybody who contributed to a successful street
collection in Taunton town centre on Saturday 1 March. Thanks also to Robert
T. Riley, Sheila Harvey and Belle Middleton who volunteered their time on
the day to help collect a total of £100.91.
Launch of new Dulverton outreach service
February 2008
The West Somerset Inclusion Project is beginning
its new outreach programme with the launch of a service in Dulverton
offering information and advice on all aspects of mental health. Staff from
the Minehead office will be in Dulverton Town Hall every Thursday between
12noon and 2pm. If you would like any information about mental health issues
or would like to talk to someone about what services you would like to see
in Dulverton please do go along anybody is welcome to drop in.
For more information on services in the Minehead area you can call the
Minehead office direct on 01643 708765 or email
Deborah.melmoth@mindinwestsomerset.org.uk.
Cash boost for telephone helpline
February 2008
Mindline Somerset is celebrating after
receiving two significant donations towards the cost of expanding the
service in 2008.
The helpline has been running for over five years and is manned by a team
of over 20 volunteers, all of whom have undergone extensive training. The
number of calls Mindline takes has grown rapidly over the last few years
it now takes over 1,500 calls a year. The donations - £1,000 from the Souter
Charitable Trust and £500 from the Alchemy Foundation - will help Mindline
recruit and train more volunteers to deal with the ever increasing demand
for the service.
>> more information about this
story
Happy New Year and Thank you!
February 2008
As we start the new year we would like to take the opportunity to say a
big THANK YOU to everyone who has supported Mind in Taunton and West
Somerset in 2007. As many of you will know 2007 has been a year of change
within the organisation. Some projects have sadly come to the end of their
funding, others have been successful in securing significant ongoing funding
streams. Despite these ups and downs however we remain very positive about
the future and are excited about the opportunities that 2008 will be
bringing.
New I.T. Equipment for Peace of Mind
February 2008
There was cause for celebration at the Peace of
Mind Project when the group found out that they had successfully won a
grant of £1,070 from Awards for All for a new IT project. The money will
help to kit out a computer suite, enabling service users to learn valuable
new skills and access a programme of simple, supported IT training.
Stuart Hooper, Chief Executive at Mind in Taunton and West Somerset, was
delighted to hear the news. It is not always easy for people with mental
health problems to access further education and they are often on a low
income and not able to afford their own computer equipment. This facility
will give them the opportunity to access email and the internet as well as
learning new skills.
Welcome to new staff member Andy Pritchard
February 2008
 We would like to take this opportunity to welcome to our staff team Andy
Pritchard. Andy has recently moved to the area, having previously worked for
Mind in Westminster, and is taking over the role of Mindline Manager from
December. Andy will be working hard over the next few months getting to know
staff and volunteers do introduce yourself if you see him in and around
the office!
If you would like to find out more about Mindline or would like to
contact Andy you can call the office on 01823 334906 or email
Andrew.Pritchard@mindtws.org.uk
What else is new this month? (July 2008)
This month changes and additions have been made to the following pages:
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