Positive Future ahead for Havering mental health service
A mental health service in Havering has set its sights on a Positive Future as it appeals for people living with mental health problems to come forward and access the service.
Positive Future, a community based support initiative from Richmond Fellowship, the national charity making mental health recovery reality, is opening its doors on 18 June to show people what they offer and how it can help them with their mental health recovery.
The service provides people living with mental health problems such as depression, anxiety or stress with the opportunity to access meaningful community activities designed to build confidence, increase social interaction and develop new skills.
Positive Future also offers people the training and skills they need to return to work after dealing with mental health problems.
Jane has been receiving help from Positive Future for six months. In that time she has gained confidence, felt less isolated and had the opportunity to participate in group activities like art and music groups.
She said: “Positive Future offers hope, empowerment and helps you to look positively at the future. It reaches out to everyone in the community who has mental health difficulties. It makes you feel valued as a person and the staff work alongside you, not just giving or providing the therapy, which helps with your self-esteem.
“I’m not afraid of failure any more. The staff have encouraged me to try new activities and made me realise that even if you aren’t good at them it doesn’t matter. Everyone here is very supportive; they help you when you are experiencing mental or physical problems. You can talk about these in a group or you can have a one-to-one with a member of staff.
“The most important thing I’ve achieved is confidence in dealing with people and general life problems. It has given me the confidence to try new things without worrying what other people think. I now look forward to the future without crippling fear.”
Positive Future is holding the open day to increase awareness of the service throughout the Havering community and to give people experiencing mental health problems the opportunity to see first hand the services on offer.
Katy Sinclair, locality manager for Richmond Fellowship in Islington and Havering, said: “Positive Future is a new approach to mental health services in Havering. With help from our clients we have become a more inclusive service focusing on mental wellbeing and personal goals.
“Our open day is an opportunity for people to come along, meet staff and clients, and see what support and activities we offer. It’s a chance to see that we’re a friendly and inclusive service where people can manage their own approach to recovery and agree their own goals with our team.”
The open day takes place at 49 Mawney Road, Romford, RM7 7HL on 18 June between 1-4pm.
