Now more than ever, mental health awareness is important. This week (10-16 May) is #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, the UK’s national week to raise awareness of mental health. The week, now in its 21st year, is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation. Find out more here.
From the food donations we receive, we create food parcels which we send on to local elderly and vulnerable residents, NHS staff and other food banks who support thousands of people in need. Shop and Donate is also an online shop, where we sell a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables.
The proceeds from this go into sustaining and improving our growing services! Together with our sister organisation AY Group Community Services CIC we have been very successful in supporting disadvantaged individuals within our community and across London.
Dementia Action Week is a national event will be taking place from Monday 17th May 2021 through to Sunday 23rd May 2021.
In the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham is a sizeable population of people registered at GP practices living with dementia. Hammersmith and Fulham Dementia Action Alliance along with other Voluntary Community Organisations and the local authority have worked collaboratively to create the Dementia Strategy Task and Finish Group – which Sobus is part of. One of the aims of the group is to support organisations in the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham to become dementia friendly.
In recognition of Dementia Action Week, Hammersmith and Fulham Dementia Action Alliance have organised a Virtual Dementia Hub of activities that will be run from the week beginning Monday 17th May 2021.
Virtual Dementia Hub Timetable
Photojournalism Hub is offering a Free Photography and Storytelling course for people aged 60+ living in Hammersmith and Fulham thanks to the kind support of Hammersmith United Charities. The project starts on the 13th of May and it lasts for 8 wks. It is a wonderful project in which participants will be learning basic photography and storytelling and will slowly work in pairs to produce a photo story of each other. The resulting photo stories will be published in a photo book which will be donated to all participants for themselves and their loved ones. A registering page with further information is here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/about-us-tickets-146967526829
I am also more than happy to have a phone call with those with an interest to join and would like further elucidation: Cinzia D’Ambrosi, Photojournalist, +44 7960940766
Coronavirus has changed life for us all. Anxiety and the disruption to daily life will be even more difficult to deal with for those who already struggle with mental health. In turn, the pressure on parents/carers, who are dealing with their own disruptions and worries, now also have increased concerns for those that they care for. We would like to help.
Our free workshops include time out in nature, walking or doing conservation work and then time doing creative activities – painting, weaving, lino-cutting, nature mandalas – under the guidance of our experienced Art Psychotherapist, who helps guide the conversation. The role parents and carers play is crucial in supporting young people with mental ill-health. By supporting parents/carers wellbeing, creating positive memories, and improving empathy and communication within families, parents/carers can in turn help their young person to recover.
Suitable for any young person experiencing mental ill-health (up to 25 years of age), and their parent/carer.
Workshop dates:
- Fri 7th May 5pm to 7.30pm
- Thurs 17th June 5pm to 7.30pm
- Fri 9th July 5pm to 7.30pm
- Sun 12th Sept 10am to 12.30pm
- Sun 3rd Oct 10am to 12.30pm
For further information please contact us by email or phone 07515 3557969. To book on the workshop, please complete the booking form on our website. Referral Form available for professionals.
We know how tough it can be for the young LGBTQ community, and Covid-19 has made the situation even worse. The Wild Mind Project is offering a safe, confidential space in nature for young people struggling with mental ill-health to share their feelings and thoughts.
The benefits of both nature and art for mental fitness are well documented. During a typical session, we might include a mindful walk in nature, conservation work or gardening. We then would do a creative activity such as painting, weaving or lino-cutting, and use the opportunity to talk and share.
HOUNSLOW programme starts on Sat 8th May 2021 and runs for 4 weeks (excluding 29th May) from 1pm-3pm at Hanworth Park House, Feltham.
RICHMOND & KINGSTON programme starts on Sun 16th May and runs for 5 weeks (excluding 29th May) from 10am-12pm at Heatham House and Marble Hill, Twickenham
We ask for a contribution of £10 to attend the full programme but if this a problem please just let us know.
For further information please contact us by email or phone 07515 3557969. To book a place on the programme, please complete the Booking form on our website. Referral Form available for professionals.
Whether you care to talk, or talk to care – let’s get together #InAGoodPlace.
At Carers Network, we believe in the value of an open conversation about death and the importance of finding a good place where people feel able to listen and support those who are planning for the last years of life or end of life, who are dying and who have been bereaved.
The lack of openness in our communities affects the quality and range of support and care available to patients and their families.
Dying Matters is an opportunity for the community to come together in a good place to open up conversations around life, death, bereavement, and future planning. We can all do it together.
Join us at one or all of our events below through Dying Matters Awareness Week during the w/c 10 May .
| EVENTS | BRIEF | DAY | TIME | Platform |
| Talking Future Planning | Talk and discussion – What is future care planning? Why does it matter and what can we do to create communities with good place for meaningful conversation? | Monday 10th May 2021 | 2.00 – 3.30 PM | Click here to join the meeting
On Microsoft Teams |
| Will Writing Workshop | Talk and discussion – Why and how to make a will, what happens to your assets if you die without making a will, what a will should cover, choosing executors, the basics of probate and inheritance tax, property abroad. | Tuesday 11th May 2021 | 12.30 – 2.00 PM | Join on Zoom
ID: 857 6309 9722 Passcode: 887689 |
| End of Life Carers Project
Open Day |
Presentation and discussion – This is an opportunity to talk about death and dying through the lenses of our End of Life Carers Project. What are we about? What does the project do and Why does support for family members of people in the last years of life matters? | Wednesday 12th May 2021 | 3.00 – 4.30 PM |
Click here to join the meeting On Microsoft Teams |
| Bereaved In the Community | The pandemic has brought death and the bereaved in sharp focus as we lived through the national daily count on covid death. What support is available and how do we, as a community, improve the experience of those who are bereaved in our community. | Thursday 13th May 2021 | 10.00 – 11.30 AM | Join on Zoom
ID: 829 3610 8707 Passcode: 710306 |
| End of Life Carers Project
Open Day |
Presentation and discussion – This is an opportunity to talk about death and dying through the lenses of our End of Life Carers Project. What are we about? What does the project do and Why does support for family members of people in the last years of life matters? | Friday 14th May 2021 | 11.00 AM – 12.30 PM | Join on Zoom
ID: 850 0101 6335 Passcode: 527219 |
If you are working with any unpaid adult carers looking after adults in the City of Westminster, London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham or Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea you can refer them to us for support securely online here.
Whether your business is now open, or you’ve got a few more weeks until you’re back up and running again, it’s important to make sure that you’re sticking to COVID-secure guidelines.
So, to help you, we’re giving you our free guide to reopening your business safely. It’s full of expertly written guides, posters and letter templates to help you meet COVID-secure laws and reduce your risk.
At IMPACT we aim to help you get involved in your community & build your confidence through creative activities, language & preparation to work support.
If you live in Westminister, Kensington & Chelsea or Hammersmith & Fulham join our free sessions today! Find out more
We’re also delivering free weekly wellbeing sessions on Zoom every Tuesday at 2-3.30pm for refugees and non-EU migrants living in Hounslow. Find out more
About 2 years ago, I came to Sobus with an idea. It was a good idea but I had no idea how to make it a reality. With the help of Nigel and Ash we managed to get the structure of what I was trying achieve. After many a meeting The Invisible Café slowly came to fruition. The Invisible Café is a safe and peaceful space dedicated to people with invisible illnesses or disabilities. Ash helped me with the creative stuff and Nigel helped me with the mammoth task to officially set up the business and complete the business plan.
We started working towards the Invisible Café being an actual bricks and mortar Café. Working to get people ‘out’ and ‘meeting up with others’. However, the pandemic hit and we had to totally rethink our ethos.
After, many a conflab, lots of coffee and late nights, we decided to move everything online and, here we are finally ready to launch. From adaptive fitness classes to coffee mornings and wellbeing and mindfulness sessions. Plus, we can offer exclusive gifts, incredible discounts and membership to a fun and supportive group.
I cannot thank Sobus enough. To be able to talk to Nigel and Ash about the initial idea to registering at Companies House and the wealth of contacts and advice – It’s because of these guys I am where I am today! Thank you…Rosx
Take a look at the website and join up as a member!
sobus
20 Dawes Road, London, SW6 7EN
Telephone 020 7952 1230
Email info@sobus.org.uk
Registered Charity No.1071089
and Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England No.03471416
Sobus is a new Community Development Agency for Hammersmith & Fulham. It has been created through the merger of the Community and Voluntary Sector Association Hammersmith & Fulham (CaVSA) and the Fulham Community Partnership Trust (FCPT). Building on the strengths of both organisations, sobus aims to provide a wider range of support services for local charities, community groups, social enterprises and start up businesses.