Minutes from 23 March 2009

Dear friends
I apologise for sending these minutes of 23 March 2009 without the Epsom Mental Health Week header: my computer is not happy at the moment so please email me at info@epsommentalhealthweek.org.uk ,  or write to St Barnabas Church, Temple Road, Epsom KT19 8HA if you need to contact me.  Thank you so much.

We began the meeting by sharing what we desired from EMHW.  A hope for greater knowledge about good mental health; an ability to recognise the signs when we or somebody else may not be so well; and access to resources available were some of the suggestions offered.

We then moved to planning for the week.  We are still waiting for confirmation about the organisation of the proposed Epsom Downs event in May.  A final decision about its viability will take place in the first week of April.

It is hoped that the fund raising memorial concert on 28 March will have a capacity audience.  Sarah Jenkins is producing the publicity material for the event.

The advertising for 22 April – The effect of the Recession on Mental Health in Epsom – is to be found on forthcoming events page of the Love Me Love My Mind website: attached.  If possible, please could you circulate it as widely as possible.  Thank you.

We felt that connections could helpfully be made with Sam Holt, the Community Safety Officer who is also involved with mentoring; the Domestic Abuse Forum at the CAB in Walton (Diane Lynch offered to contact); the Kingston Advocacy Service; Youth Justice; surgeries; and close friends and neighbours.

The WEA are happy to provide a selection of taster sessions.

Beth Hill is willing to lead a ‘I can’t sing’ two hour evening meeting on Wednesday 7 October.

As well as the previous suggestions of cyber bullying and the ending of friendships, other possible themes for the school plays include teenage depression, eating disorders, and anxiety.  Diane Lynch is to invite all the head teachers to use the play during the week.

Poster Competition.  This will be for Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils (to age 11).  The theme will be along the lines of what happens when we cannot cope, feel sad or lonely.  It is hoped that the Mayor will be able to present the prizes (art set to pupils, voucher to school) during tea at the Mayor’s parlour on Wednesday 15 July 3.30pm (tbc).  Tony and Diane Luck both kindly offered to donate one of the art sets.  The posters will be splattered around Epsom, and the success of the winning entrants will hopefully be marked during emhw by Jacqueline Wilson or J K Rowling (we will ask) leading a book reading and signing session for young people.

Other famous people will be approached to see if they would be able to open the week or appear at some time.

It was agreed that hopefully
-    there will be performances of a play in the market place to engage passers-by
-    we will ask if ‘Cracking up’ could be shown at the Epsom Playhouse Studio
-    The Odeon Cinema will be invited to show a couple of relevant films
-    Stagecoach and the Orpheus Centre will be invited to provide some artistic input.  Laine Theatre Arts have already kindly agreed to be involved.
-    Book signings will take place at Waterstone’s and the Library
      
Sources of funding were discussed and will be approached.

EMHW will aim to have a stall at the Trust open day on 13 May.  Paul and Sue Thomson have volunteered to help with the stall.  Other offers gratefully received!

Publicity is a major issue.  The Trust has kindly offered to provide translation services for some of the literature.  It was suggested that Glyn School and the University College could be invited to provide some graphic design.  Nilda, an artist, generously volunteered to help in whatever way she could.  We considered outlets for publicity, including Rosebery Panel and Carers of Epsom.

Doreen brought along some designs for Christmas cards for fund raising, and Nilda volunteered to donate a design or designs.

The dates of the next meetings will be
20 April
18 May
15 June
13 July
All at 12noon at St Barnabas.

Before lunch, we reflected briefly on the things that we are good at that we may wish to use during the week.

Thank you, as ever, for your time and support.

With kind regards.


Sue Bull