Please find attached Stonham Birmingham Mental Health Carers Support Service, an information pack full of information dedicated to to provides information and services in Birmingham. The service is a city wide service supporting carers and families who care for individuals with mental health difficulties living in Birmingham.

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MHCarerService@homegroup.org.uk
www.facebook.com/HomeGrouphousing
www.twitter.com/homegroup

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Send your photos, stories &
artwork to us at…
Stonham
Birmingham Mental Health
Carers Support Service,
Unit 3, Holt Court North,
Heneage Street West,
Birmingham Science Park,
Aston, Birmingham
B7 4AX
Stonham Carers Support Service
would like to ensure that our
clients are at the heart of
everything we do.
If you would like to receive this
pack in another format e.g. large
print, on tape or in Braille, please
contact the Gateway Team on
0121 380 4949, or email
MHCarerService@homegroup.org.uk
We’d absolutely love to hear from you!
Our packs are also available to download at:
https://bhammhcarer.homegroup.org.uk
2 Contact Us & Contents of Info Pack
3 PALS Contact Details
4 Creative Support Open Day
5 Positive Mental Health Group
6 T.R.U.S.T. Support Group Poster
7 Stonham Carers Walking Club Dates
8 Information For Carers
9 “Jointly” free ‘APP’ For Carers
10 Legal Advice Clinic B’ham Library
11 Time to Change Event
Chinese New Year
12 What Is Hate Crime?
13 Healthy Bites — Change 4 Life
14 BITA Pathways
15 Weekly Benefit Rates 2014 / 2015
16 Activities For Children & Young People
17 The Three Estates Notice Board Info...
18 Birmingham Community Healthcare
19 LGB&T Event — 8th February
20 LGBT Yoga & Pilates / Workshop
21 Age Concern Services
22 Charity Ball—Druids Heath
23 Patient Participation Group Event
24 Northfield Carers Group Poster
25 Longbridge Carers Group Poster
26 Stirchley Carers Group Poster
27 Age UK — Transport & Shopping
28 Action For Children — Family Support
29 Sexual Health — Whittall Street
30 Birmingham Carers Advocacy Service
31 Birmingham Healthy Minds
32 Carers Groups
33 Carers Groups Continued
34 Carers Groups Continued
35 Fire Safety Checks
36 To Report A Hate Crime
37 Carers Feedback Sheet

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PALS customer relations
(Patient Advice & Liaison Service)
Can provide information on a
range of mental health matters,
and liaison with all Trust services
Monday to Friday
8am to 8pm
Contact
0800 953 0045
Text
07985883509
Email
pals@bsmhft.nhs.uk
Website:
www.bsmhft.nhs.uk
Please note that the PALS team
is NOT a medical team. If you
have an immediate health
problem please contact NHS
Direct (0845 46 47) or your GP.
The Patient Advice and
Liaison Service (PALS)
Works in partnership with patients
and staff to help improve services for
our patients.
PALS is part of our commitment to
give high standards of care and
support to everyone who uses our
services.
As a patient, relative or carer,
sometimes you may need to turn to
someone for on-the-spot help, advice
and support.
The service aims to:
• advise and support patients, their
families and carers
• provide information about NHS
services and the options available
to you
• listen to your comments,
compliments, concerns,
suggestions or queries
• help you resolve any problems or
concerns you may have, as quickly
as possible
PALS acts independently when
handling patient and family concerns,
liaising with staff, managers and,
where appropriate, relevant
organisations to negotiate immediate
or prompt solutions.
The service offered by PALS is
free, informal, impartial and
confidential.

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We meet on the 2nd Thursday of the Month, 10.30am - 1.00pm
13th February – The Barber Institute, University of Birmingham,
Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TS. Car parking available at
the University’s south car park on Edgbaston Park Road
1-3 hours £3, 3-5 hours £4. Meet inside the main entrance.
13th March - Bourneville Village. Bourneville Garden Centre,
Maple Road, Bourneville, Birmingham, B30 2AE.
Meet in the car park.
10th April – Lightwoods Park, Adkins Lane, Bearwood, Smethwick,
B67 5DP. Meet in the public car park near the park entrance
and near the Bearwood Bus Station.
8th May – Brueton Park, Warwick Road, Solihull, B91 3HW.
Meet in the car park.
12th June – Brookvale Park and Lake, Park Road, Erdington,
Birmingham. Meet Park Road entrance.
10th July – Sheldon Country Park, Ragley Drive, Church Road, Sheldon,
B26 3TU. Meet in the main entrance car park off Ragley Drive.
14th August – Moseley Bog – Yardley Wood Road, Birmingham.
Meet in car park on Windermere Road.
11th September – Sandwell Valley, Salter’s Lane,
West Bromwich, B71 4BG. Meet In main car park
9th October – Northfield Eco Centre and Victoria Park , 53 Church Road,
Birmingham, B31 2LB. Meet in the car park.
13th November – Gas Street Basin. Meet in the café in the ICC
11th December – German Market. Meet in the café in the ICC
Contact Safia Sawal on 07713 387325
Alternatively you can call our Gateway line on 0121 380 4949
if you require any further Information.

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Information for carers
What is a carer?
A carer is someone of any age who provides unpaid
support to family or friends who could not manage
without this help. This could be caring for a relative,
partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental
health or substance misuse problems. Anyone can become
a carer; carers come from all walks of life, all cultures and
can be of any age. Many feel they are doing what anyone
else would in the same situation; looking after their
mother, son, or best friend and just getting on with it.
Why do carers need support?
Carers experience many different caring situations.
Despite differing caring roles, all carers share some basic
needs. All carers also need services to be able to recognise
the individual and changing needs throughout their caring
journey. Carers often suffer ill-health due to their caring
role. To care safely and maintain their own physical and
mental health and well-being, carers need information,
support, respect and recognition from the professionals
with whom they are in contact. Improved support for the
person being cared for can make the carer’s role more
manageable.
Carers need support to be able to juggle their work and
caring roles or to return to work if they have lost
employment due to caring. Post-caring, carers may need
support to rebuild a life of their own and reconnect with
education, work or a social life. With an ageing population,
the UK will need more care from families and friends in
the future. This is an issue that will touch everyone’s life at
some point. Carer support concerns everyone.
Peer support
Talking about your worries and problems can be a very
good way of releasing some of the stress that can build up
when you’re a carer. Your family, friends and the medical
and social work team can all listen to your concerns.
But sometimes it's best to talk to someone who knows
exactly what you’re going through, because it's happening
to them too. Other carers can offer kindness, sympathy,
understanding and advice, and they can make you feel less
isolated.
How to meet other carers
A number of carer’s organisations, such as Carers UK have
local groups around the country. Some organisations for
specific conditions, such as the MS Society and Macmillan
Cancer Support, also have local groups. Macmillan
supports more than 900 cancer self-help and support
groups across the UK. If the person you care for has a
condition or illness for which there's a supportive
organisation, check if that organisation has a group in your
area.
The facilities and services offered can vary from group to
group. Your local centre can tell you what's available in
your area. These are some of the services you could find
at support centres near you:
regular meetings where members can get together, make
new friends and share interests (these may be at a local
centre or at members’ homes)
• relaxing treats for carers, such as complementary
therapies, for example, reflexology or massage (these
may be subsidised)
• training sessions with a back care nurse to help you
look after the person you care for without damaging
your back
• professional counselling
• social activities
Local councils also often support or run independent
support groups. Contact Birmingham City Council’s social
services department to get details of groups near you.
Support for black or ethnic minority carers
Many carers find that mixing socially with other people in
a similar situation provides them with a welcome break
from the stresses and strains of caring and stops them
feeling isolated. This can be difficult for black and
minority ethnic carers who may face cultural or language
barriers when seeking help.
There are many groups that specialise in supporting the
needs of black carers and carers from ethnic minorities
(or carers who look after people who are black or from
an ethnic minority). These groups can help you to find
services that are better suited to your particular
community, culture, diet or faith needs. They can support
you, for example, by helping you to find resources in your
language if you have difficulty with English.
Often these groups offer support in a local area where a
specific cultural community is concentrated. However,
the National Black Carers and Carers’ Workers Network
brings many of these groups together on a national level,
and it can sometimes put you in touch with a relevant
organisation if there isn't one near you. The network is
hosted by the Afiya Trust, which aims to reduce
inequality in health and social care provision to black and
minority ethnic groups. It also produces guidelines for
people working with black and minority ethnic carers.
Carer organisations and local authorities employ
specialist workers to serve the needs of particular
communities within their local area. Crossroads Care has
details of local support groups throughout the country as
has Carers UK, which also provides interpreters on its
free and confidential helpline. The number for the Carers
UK helpline is 0808 808 7777. It is open on Wednesday
and Thursday from 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm.

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Sharing care is easier when you do it Jointly
We're launching a new mobile and online app
designed by carers, for carers.
Jointly is designed to make caring a little easier, less
stressful and a lot more organised. Once you’ve
invited others into your Jointly circle, co-ordinating
tasks becomes as easy as sending a text message. Even
if you have no-one to share care with, you can use
Jointly’s care organisation tools to help you stay on
top of things.
Why not take a look and see how Jointly can help you?
Do I have to pay for Jointly?
You can visit www.jointlyapp.com or download the
app for free and access the Jointly video,
Jointly user guide and Jointly FAQs in order to find out
more about Jointly.
Jointly works with circles of care. You can purchase a
Jointly circle with an one-off payment of £2.99 either
through the Apple or Google Play stores or
at www.jointlyapp.com.
Once you have purchased a Jointly circle for the
person you are looking after you can invite as many
people as you want to share the care with you. There
is no additional cost for you or the people you invite to
join you. Alternatively, you can use Jointly on your
own to organise the care around someone. In this case
you will still need to buy a Jointly circle.
Jointly by Carers UK
www.carersuk.org/jointly
Jointly is an innovative mobile and
online app designed to support
carers.
It makes your caring a little easier, less
stressful and a lot more organised by
making communication and coordination
between those who share the care as easy
as a text message.
How does Jointly work?
With Jointly you can create a circle of care for
the person you are looking after. Once you have
set up your Jointly circle you can start using
Jointly to organise care.
You can use it on your own or you can invite
other people to join you and share the care.
Jointly works on iPhone, iPad, Android devices
and on most modern web browsers (home
computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, etc.)
Key features
• Simple, intuitive group
communication: Communicate with everyone in
your Jointly circle at a touch of a button! Simply
post a message or upload an image.
• Tasks/lists: Keep organised and on top of things
by using tasks and task lists. Simply create a task
and assign it to any member of your Jointly circle,
including yourself, and monitor its status.
• Calendar: Create date/time specific events and
invite anyone in your circle. You can also use the
field provided to invite people outside your
Jointly circle.
• Profile page: Store useful information about the
person you are looking after and have it available
to access any time at a click of a button!
• Medications: Use Jointly's Medications feature to
keep track of current and past medication of the
person you are caring for. You can also upload an
image to quickly recognise a medicine.
A PC/Laptop version
is also available from
www.jointlyapp.com

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Birmingham Legal Advice Clinic
The Library of Birmingham in partnership with BLAC—Business and Learning,
Level 1, Library of Birmingham
Guidance: Booking advised. Drop-in sessions also available.
Address: Library of Birmingham, Centenary Square, Broad Street,
Birmingham B1 2ND
The Library of Birmingham, Business and Learning, in partnership with
Birmingham Legal Advice Clinic (BLAC) offer free legal advice, from legal
professionals, on welfare benefits, consumer law, contract law, housing
and debt.
The clinic will be held on level 1, Business and Learning every Tuesday .
All appointments are available on first come, first served basis as follows:
*It is advisable to arrive as early as possible for these drop-in sessions.
Telephone 0121 303 6800 to make an appointment. Bookings may
be made up to 10 days in advance.

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James Bagnall Foyer and Rolfe
House Foyer accommodate and
support 58 young people who
are homeless. Sandwell EIS will
be hosting a session to help
young people understand more
about mental health. We will
have some quizzes to follow
with prizes to reduce stress and
anxiety - such as rock climbing
event. We will open the event to
the local public on the estate
and have a stall where they can
access and take away
information on local services.
Tea and cake available to
encourage people along.
Date and time of event:
Thursday 6th February 2014
(All day)
Event location:
Bagnall street West Bromwich
B70 0TP
Chinese New Year
Celebrate Chinese New
Year in Birmingham
Sunday 2nd February 2014
Chinese New Year is a festival enjoyed
all over the world, and each year is
represented by an animal from the
Chinese zodiac calendar.
The 31st January 2014 marks the year
of the horse, and celebrations will be
taking place in the Arcadian Centre in
the heart of the city on Sunday 2nd
February from 12:30pm-5:30pm.
There will be FREE entertainment for
thousands of visitors including lion
dancing, Chinese inspired activities
and of course fireworks!
To find out more about the festival
nearer the time visit the Birmingham
Chinese Festival Committee here.

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To report a Hate Crime you should tell your Support Worker or, ring the Gateway Line
on 0121 380 4949, Stonham Carer Support Service is a Hate Crime Reporting Centre.
You can also ring 999, 101 or 0800 555 111. * See page 37.

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Organisations provide sessions to
help children or young people with
disabilities to enjoy a wealth of
activities. Activities can include:
• Sport
• Dance
• Music
• Drama
• Play
• Clubs
• Entertainment
Uniform Groups, e.g. Scouts, Air Cadets, Girl
Guides,
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is there a charge for events and activities?
Sometimes there is a charge for some events
and activities. You can contact the
organisation directly to find out whether
there is a charge or not.
Are any of the events or activities suitable
for disabled children and young people?
Some of them are but we would always
recommend that you call ahead to discuss
your child’s individual needs to make sure
they can be met.
Can I book an activity?
You will need to contact the organisation to
find out whether you can book the activity
or not.
Children's Information and
Advice Service (CIAS)
0121 303 1888
Activities for Children, Families and Young People
We can provide information about events,
activities and additional support organisations for
children, young people and families throughout
the year and during school holidays. This includes
services for those families with disabled children.
We produce the following fact sheets:
• Activities for Under Fives
• Indoor and outdoor sports and activities
• Performing arts including dance and drama
groups
• Uniform groups – Air Cadets, Boys Brigade,
Brownies, Guides and more
• Days Out – family fun attractions in and
around Birmingham
• And many more
During the School Holidays
During the school holidays and half terms many
organisations, libraries, museums and leisure
centres put on activities and events for children
and families. A booklet, “Fun in Brum”, is
produced for all school holidays which lists a wide
range of events and activities for children and
young people in Birmingham.
Holiday Play Schemes are also available.

17. Brilliant Opportunity – FREE Pilates, Freestyle Fitness Yoga and Legs, Bums & Tums, Aerobics or Circuits
sessions at Greaves Hall until March 2014
This is a FREE 3 x 1hr weekly programme at Greaves Hall, off Hillmeads Road, Kings Norton, B38 9LX.
• Mondays 1:45-2:45pm (Aerobics, Legs, Bums & Tums or Circuits)
• Wednesday 5-6pm (Freestyle Fitness Yoga or Pilates)
• Fridays 9:30-10:30am (Freestyle Fitness Yoga or Pilates)
Freestyle Fitness Yoga (FFY) is a fitness program that incorporates stretch, strength & Yoga postures. You can expect to improve strength
and flexibility, seeing the benefits within 8 weeks. You will learn how to understand your body and begin to move more effectively and
efficiently, improving posture, self awareness and confidence. FFY differs from traditional Yoga as it concentrates on movement, breathing,
transitions from one posture to another and progression. There is no dogma, chanting or use of Sanskrit terms as postures are prescribed from
a modern fitness perspective.
Pilates is an exercise system that focuses on stretching and strengthening the whole body to improve balance, muscle-strength, flexibility
and posture. There’s more to pilates than developing ‘strong abs’ or ‘core strength’. Pilates is suitable for people of all levels of fitness. Pilates
can help improve posture, muscle tone and flexibility, core strength and joint mobility, as well as relieve stress and tension. Practitioners say
it’s a more gentle way of raising your activity levels, especially if you have poor mobility, aches and pains or an injury.
Circuits/Aerobics/Legs, Bums and Tums - Circuit training is an efficient and challenging form of conditioning that develops strength,
endurance, flexibility and coordination all in one exercise session. It is one of the few forms of fitness training that has been shown to
effectively develop both strength and cardiovascular fitness in the same exercise session. The term ‘circuit training’ describes the way a
workout is structured rather than the type of exercise performed. It typically consists of a series of exercises or stations completed in
succession with minimal rest in between. Circuit routines allow the instructor to create an endless number of workouts and add variety to
routine training programs. Aerobic sessions like Legs, Bums and Tums target these problem areas.
You can attend any of the sessions. You do not need to book. You do not need any equipment as Yoga/Pilates mats are provided. Just wear
comfortable clothes. Yoga and Pilates is done barefoot, but wear trainers for Aerobics, Legs, Bums and Tums and Circuits. These sessions are
suitable for all – you do as much or as little as you can.
If you need to bring babies/small children to the daytime sessions (Monday and Friday) that’s fine. You will need to supervise them yourself
though so bring toys, drink etc. Older children accompanied by parents and teenagers are welcome at the Wednesday session and in the
school holidays etc.
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Listening to Carers
We want to provide a service that meets the needs of
carers in Birmingham. During Carers Week 2011 we
actively engaged with carers to find out what was
important to them. We will now use these views to
shape the service we provide for carers.
Carer Groups within BCHC
Our Carers Support Team facilitate several Carer
Groups which include external carers. These include:
• Acocks Green
• Hall Green
• Maypole
• Quinton
• Parent Link
• Cofton
• Carers Walking Group
In addition to this there is the Intrathecal Baclofen User
Forum within the Rehabilitation Directorate which is
made up predominantly of Carers.
There is also the Kingswood Carers Group within our
Learning Disabilities Division.
• Carers are also represented at PIAG which is
organisation wide but isn’t solely a carers group.
Other Useful Links
• BCHC Customer Service (formerly PALS)
• BCHC Patient Information Service (part of
patient experience
• The Birmingham Carers Centre
• The Carers Network
• Carers UK
• Crossroads
• Carers Emergency Response Service
• The Princes Trust for Carers
• Age UK
• Adults and Communities (Birmingham City
Council).
Who would care if you didn’t?
Do you provide unpaid care for someone who is a
relative, friend or neighbour who has a long term
illness disability, mental health problem or frailty due
to age?
If so, we may be able to help.
The Carers Support Team is part of the Patient
Experience Team within the Birmingham Community
Healthcare Trust (BCHC). The team focuses on
improving the support and advice available for carers
in the communities of the south and west of
Birmingham and any BCHC member of staff.
Who can use our service?
• A carer living in the south, central or west of the
city (carers from the north and east of the city will
receive a service if they or their cared for are using our
services or they are a member of our staff)
• A carer who is using our services
• A carer who is looking after someone who uses our
services
• Any member of our staff who is a carer.
Our aims are to:
• Offer a wide range of services aimed at providing
on-going support and advice to carers in order to help
them cope with the stress of caring for someone on an
ongoing basis
• Provide information, advice and support enabling
carers to make informed choices to improve their
physical and mental well being. This can contribute to
carers receiving improved access to services and
reduce social isolation
• Actively identify carers at an early stage of their
caring role
• Provide information and advice tailored to the
carer’s particular circumstances
• Act as a link between carers and those who provide
services
• Support carers to relieve social isolation and
promote health and well-being
• Signpost carers to other relevant services
• We support several carers groups across
Birmingham.
Birmingham Community Healthcare Trust
Headquarters
3 Priestley Wharf, Holt Street,
Birmingham Science Park, Aston, Birmingham
B7 4BN
Tel: 0121 466 7000

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Saturday 8th February 2014
10am—3.30pm
Birmingham LGBT 38 / 40 Holloway Circus
Birmingham B1 1EQ
The National LGB&T Partnership invites you to
join the discussion on what is important to you in
LGB&T health!
You will be able to hear about changes and developments
related to health that affect you, and LGB&T communities.
In Birmingham, we will be looking at issues faced by and
the needs of old(er) LGB&T people.
Paul Devlin, CEO of Health Watch Birmingham, and Iain
Ledgerwood of Age UK Birmingham, will be speaking.
There will also be workshops on old(er) LGB&T people and
housing and the issues facing old(er) LGB&T people.
The Government Equalities Office will also be hosting a
session asking LGB&T people their perspective on
prioritising issues facing the communities.

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Age Concern - Birmingham,
Central Advice and Information
• We offer a wide range of advice, information and support on financial matters:
• Welfare benefits such as Income Support, Social Fund, Attendance
• Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, and NHS
• costs
• Reviews and appeals procedures for welfare benefits
• Council Tax payments
• Debt counselling, liaison with Bailiffs, advice on County Court procedures and individual
support.
• Fuel bills and other household bills, including assistance with debt or arrears problems.
• Grants from local and national Charitable Trusts to individuals to help with expenses
such as home repairs or medical costs.
• We can help with advice on a range of needs and enquiries
• Age Concern Factsheets and help with where to find a variety of information
• Counselling and support for carers
• Support for people in cases of abuse of older people
• Advice on home energy.
• Befriending and counselling schemes to provide long term practical and emotional
support.
• Assistance available from Social Services and other agencies, eg. home care Respite care
or holidays
• Housing and/or repairs
• Residential and nursing home charging procedures
• Transport and equipment for people with disabilities.
• Legal advice and will writing service
0121 236 2197

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Press Release
Bells Farm Community Centre, based at Bells Farm House in Druids Heath are
planning a “Charity Ball”.
The event is being organised by volunteers, who have formed a fundraising committee in order to
highlight domestic abuse.
Proceeds raised will help start launch a training course to help and support victims. The course will be
part of a new domestic violence campaign called 'One Step at a Time' and has been written specifically
for The Spearhead Trust who have been the custodians of Bells Farm House for many years.
The Trust have a family support service who specialize in domestic abuse amongst many other vital
services, and have been pivotal in the education, growth, wellbeing and healing of many families who
live on the Druids Heath estate and its surrounding areas.
The Venue for the ball is Kings Norton Golf Club and will take place on 1st March 2014. On the night
their will be a three course meal, music, entertainment and company! There will also be a raffle and
silent auction. All you need to do is make a space in your diary, dress to impress, practise your best
moves and know that you will be helping to make a real difference to someone's life.
Tickets for the Charity Ball are on sale now and are priced at £30 per ticket.
Ticket includes 3 course meal and entertainment.

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27. Transport & shopping
Telephone: 0121 437 0033 Email: contactus@ageukbirmingham.org.uk
Garden Scheme
Available in Oscott, Perry Barr and Sutton Four Oaks ward.
The Garden Scheme is a one off service to bring overgrown gardens to manageable state. This usually
involves mowing very long grass and trimming back hedges.
The work might be a total clear up or it might be alteration to make the garden easier to manage in the
future. This also provides greater security as unkempt gardens have been found to attract unwelcome
visitors.
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Perry Barr Office
Transport
We run a door-to-door service and escort to
hospital and GP appointments. Charges apply,
please contact us for details.
Shopping
We can provide either escort to and from
shops or we can shop on your behalf.

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The Ladywood Centre
2-4 Guild Close (off Ledsam St)
Ladywood
Birmingham
B16 8EL
0121 456 5010
Family support
All families need help at critical moments. We support children and
families with the most difficult problems and are the largest provider of
family support services in the UK.
Families under stress are often trapped in a difficult situation - on their own with little money
and no confidence. This can put children at risk.
Our long-term approach - supporting and challenging families - gives families opportunities to
turn things around together.
We help:
• children who are neglected or abused
• children whose parents are separating
• children having difficulties at school
• children returning to live at home
• young people with caring responsibilites
• families whose tenancy is at risk because of anti-social behaviour
• families at risk of breakdown
Our children's and family centres give parenting advice, a safe space for families to play and the
chance to learn new skills, subjects and information.
The centres also help practically, with things like debt and housing difficulties,
and offer self-help or family therapy for problems such as sexual abuse, domestic
violence and anti-social behaviour.

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OPENING TIMES & HOW TO FIND US...
SELF REFERRAL
You do not need to be referred by your GP to
use our services,
OUR SERVICES ARE CONFIDENTIAL
We do not use your name on any of our records. On
registration with us, our system will allocate a seven
digit unique number to you that we shall use to label
your test specimens. We use a secure electronic system
that is only available to a limited number of staff at
UHB. Access to our data is heavily monitored by
sophisticated security systems. You can even choose for
us not to send a summary of your clinic visit to your GP
when booking an appointment. Under exceptional
circumstances, we may need to share some of your
results with other GUM clinics. In those cases, we will
always inform you in advance.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND OUR CLINICS?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common in the
UK. The majority of STIs do not cause any symptoms
and therefore it is important to be tested for STIs. More
than 90% of patients attending our clinics want peace of
mind after having had unprotected sex some time in
their life. Our advice is that anyone should be tested for
an STI after unprotected sex, even if they don't have any
symptoms.
You should attend our clinic urgently if your partner has
informed you that they have been diagnosed with an
STI.

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Help with depression and anxiety—Birmingham Healthy Minds
Help with depression and anxiety—Birmingham Healthy Minds
Birmingham Healthy Minds is an NHS primary care psychological therapies service that
works closely with Birmingham GPs. BHM offers advice, information and brief
psychological talking therapies for people aged 16 and over, who are often feeling
anxious, low in mood or depressed.
How do I know if Birmingham Healthy Minds is right for me?
Can you identify with the following thoughts or feelings, persistently over the last two weeks?
• Feeling low and unhappy for much of the time.
• Unable to control feelings of anxiety or panic.
• Feeling stressed in general and not sure how to cope.
• Worried about changes in your thoughts and behaviour.
If so, our service may be able to help.
You can refer yourself by calling our service on 0121 301 2525.
We will be able to answer your call between 9.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Please be patient
as telephone lines can become very busy due to high demand on our service.
*You can also text 'BHM' to 60777 and we will call you back.*
Alternatively, your GP can refer you to us by sending us your details and you can ask your GP to notify us
of any special requirements in accessing our service, for example if English is not your first language and
you require an interpreter.

32. 32
Group Frequency Venue
Address
Type of
Group
When Contact
Library
Carers
Group
Monthly
2nd Monday of
month
Springhill Library,
Springhill,
Hockley,
Birmingham,
B18 7BH
Mixed
Carers
Reading &
Social
Group
10th Feb
10th March
14th April
2 – 4pm
Safia Sawal
07713 387325
Acocks Green
& South
B’ham District
Carers Group
Monthly
1st Tuesday of
month
South Yardley
Library, Yardley Rd
Birmingham
B25 8LT
Mixed Carers
Group
4th Feb
4th March
1st April
12.30—3.30
Phyllis Proctar &
Eileen Skidmore
admiral1805@blue
yonder.co.uk or
0121 624 6770
Computer
Group
The Our Place
Community Hub,
Farthing Lane,
Sutton Coldfield,
B72 1NR
Mixed Carers
Group
Ward End
Library Group
Monthly
4th Tuesday of
month
Ward End Library
Westwood Heath Rd
Ward End
B8 2HF
Mixed Carers
Group
Group looking for new
members, all ability ranges
welcome.
Please register your interest
by calling 0121 380 4949
25th Feb
25th March
22nd April
11—1pm
Mick Brown
07713 385893
Phoenix
Centre
Carers Group
Weekly
every Wednesday
Phoenix Centre,
Harrison Road,
(off Erdington High
Street)
Erdington
Mixed Carers
Group
5th, 12th,
19th & 26th
Feb
11 - 1pm
Mick Brown
07713 385893
Small Heath
Carers
Group
Monthly
1st Wednesday of
month
Small Heath Health
Centre
42 Chapman Rd
Small heath
B10 0PG
Mixed Carers
Group
5th Feb
5th March
2nd April
7th May
2 – 4pm
Safia Sawal
07713 387325
Women Carer
Creativity
Group
Monthly
1st Wednesday of
month
8 Heathfield Rd,
Kings Heath,
B14 7DB
0121 464 6717
Women's Art
Group
5th Feb
5th March
2nd April
7pm—9pm
Janet Summers
07713 385888
Chinese
Carers group
Monthly
2nd Wednesday of
month
Chinese Community
Centre
99 Bradford road
Digbeth B12 0NS
Chinese Carers
Only
12th Feb
12th March
9th April
10.30-12.30
Safia Sawal
07713 387325
...If anyone has any problems contacting the numbers above, please contact the
Gateway Team on 0121 380 4949—to find out more information...

33. 33
Group Frequency Venue
Address
Type of
Group
When Contact
Northfield
Carers Group
Monthly
1st Wednesdays of
month
Creative Support,
88 Bristol Road
South, Northfield,
B31 2NS
Mixed Carers
Group
5th Feb
5th March
2nd April
2—3.30pm
Janet
Summers
07713 385888
Longbridge
Carers Group
Fortnightly
Alternate
Wednesdays
Longbridge Health
& Community
Centre,
10 Park Way,
Rednal, B45
Mixed Carers
Group
12th & 26th
Feb
9th & 23rd
April
11 -1pm
Janet
Summers
07713 385888
Quinton
Carers Group
Monthly
2nd Wednesday of
month
Quinton Health
Centre
Mixed Carers
Group
12th Feb
12th March
9th April
14th May
9.30-12pm
Helen Dale
07713 387323
Carer for
Carers Group
Monthly
3rd Wednesday of
month
Zinnia Centre
100 Showell Green
Lane
Sparkhill
B11 4HL
Mixed Carers
Group
19th Feb
19th March
16th April
21st May
1 – 3pm
Safia Sawal
07713 387325
Newbridge
House
In-patient
Carers Group
Monthly
Daytime & Evening
Last Wednesday of
month
Newbridge House
130 Hob Moor Road,
Small Heath,
Birmingham,
B10 9JH
Carers with
Patients in
Hospital
26th Feb
26th March
30th April
28th May
2 – 4pm
6 –8pm
Mick Brown
07713 385893
Maypole
Carers Group
Monthly
Last Wednesday of
month
Residents Common
Room, Bradshaw Cl.
Housing Complex,
Maypole B14 5NW
Mixed Carers
Group
26th Feb
26th March
30th April
10.30-12.30
Safia Sawal
07713 387325
Stechford
Carers Group
Monthly
2nd Thursday of
month
The Stechford
Club
7 Victoria Road,
Stechford
Mixed Carers
Group
13th Feb
13th March
10th April
7 - 9pm
Mick Brown
07713 385893
New Heights
Art Group
Weekly
Every Thursday
Morning
New Heights St Johns
Centre Warren Farm
Road, Kingstanding
B44 0QN
Mixed Carers
Group
6th, 13th,
20th, &
27th Feb
10 - 12pm
Asha Hussain
07713 387324
...If anyone has any problems contacting the numbers above, please contact the
Gateway Team on 0121 380 4949—to find out more information...

34. 34
Group Frequency Venue
Address
Type of
Group
When Contact
Carers
Walking
Group
Monthly
2nd Thursday of
month
The Barber Institute,
University of B’ham,
Edgbaston, B’ham, B15
2TS. Car parking
available at the
University’s south car
park on Edgbaston Park
Rd
1-3 hrs £3, 3-5 hrs £4
Meet inside the main
entrance.
Mixed Carers
Walking Group
13th Feb
Meet 10.30
to walk
10.45
13th March
10th April
8th May
12th June
10th July
14th Aug
Safia Sawal
07713 387325
To see all
walking group
dates & venues
see poster on
page 7 for
details
Parent Link
Group
(Carers of
Children)
Monthly
3rd Thursday of
month
At The ARC, Moseley
School,
Springfield Rd
Entrance,
Moseley
B13 9NN
Mixed Carers
Group
20th Feb
20th March
17th April
15th May
10—12pm
Helen Dale
07713 387323
Stirchley
Carers Group
Monthly
3rd Thursday of
month
Hazelwell Street
Stirchley
Birmingham, B30
2JX
Mixed Carers
Group
20th Feb
20th March
17th April
15th May
11—1pm
Janet
Summers
07713 385888
Sutton
Carers Group
Monthly
Last Thursday of
month
The Our Place
Community Hub,
Farthing Lane,
Sutton Coldfield,
B72 1NR
Mixed Carers
Group
27th Feb
27th March
24th April
29th May
6–8pm
Mick Brown
07713 385893
Kinmos
Carers Group
Monthly
1st Friday of month
Kinmos Centre
1 High Street
Kings Heath
B14 7AR
Mixed Carers
Group
7th Feb
7th March
4th April
2nd May
10 – 12pm
Janet
Summers
07713 385888
Take a Break
Carers Group
Monthly
Last Friday of
month
Creative Support
64 Water Street
Digbeth
B3 1HN
Mixed Carers
Group
28th Feb
28th March
25th April
30th May
1 – 3pm
Safia Sawal
07713 387325
...If anyone has any problems contacting the numbers above, please contact the
Gateway Team on 0121 380 4949—to find out more information...

35. 35
32

36. To Report it Dial: 999, 101, 0800 555 111, or
36
To Report a Hate Crime
West Midlands Police are please to certify that
Stonham Birmingham Mental Health Carers Support Service
is an
Official Third Party Reporting Centre for Hate Crime
Have you or someone you know been a victim of a hate crime or hate incident?
Follow us on Twitter - @true_vision_hc
'Like' Our Facebook page –
www.facebook.com/acpotruevision
www.report-it.org.uk
On this website, you can:
Find out what hate crimes or hate
incidents are.
Find out about the ways you can report
them.
Report using the online form.
Find information about people that can
help and support you if you have
been a victim.
Reporting makes a difference – to you, your
friends, and your community. By reporting
hate crime when it happens, you can help stop
it happening to someone else. You will also
help the police to better understand the level
of hate crime in your local area, and improve
the way they respond to it.
Hate crimes and incidents come in many
different forms. It can be because of hatred on
the grounds of your race, religion, sexual
orientation, transgender identity or disability.
Hate crime in any form is wrong. That is why it
is important that if hate crime happens to you
or someone you know, that you report it.
True Vision is here to give you information
about hate crime or incidents and how to
report it.

37. 37
Stonham Carer Support Service
Unit 3, Holt Court North
Heneage Street West
Birmingham Science Park,
Aston, B7 4AX
Please use for your
comments, feedback or
complaints & return to…