We are pleased to invite you to a meeting of the All Party Group on Mental Health, which will be held on Tuesday, 3rd December 2013 at 12.30 p.m. in Committee Room 21 in Parliament Buildings in Stormont. This month the implications of Welfare Reform for mental health service users will be discussed.

The All party Group is a forum for MLAs and mental health sector representatives to meet and discuss mental health policy. For MLAs this is an opportunity to educate themselves so they can make well-informed decisions; for sector representatives it is a chance to share their experience and expertise and influence policy-makers.

As debate continues on the issue of welfare reform, the All Party Group on Mental Health takes the opportunity to discuss what consequences the Bill will have for mental health service users and considers what mitigations could be introduced in order to protect the most vulnerable.

Contributors from the Northern Ireland Advice Services Consortium (NIASC) will include:

• Les Allamby – Law Centre NI
• Pól Callaghan – Citizens Advice
• Annette Carter – Advice NI
• Kevin Higgins – Advice NI

PROGRAMME:
12.30 p.m.           Election of Maeve McLaughlin as Acting Chair for the duration of Sue Ramsey’s absence.
12.35 p.m.           Introduction by Maeve McLaughlin.
12.40 p.m.           Presentations regarding Welfare Reform including DLA, PIP, ESA, sanctions and the importance of independent advice.
13.10 p.m.           Open Discussion.
13.30 p.m.           Close of meeting followed by tea/coffee and a light lunch.

Please note that there may be minor additions or alterations to the timings within the Programme. However, this will not affect the start time of the meeting.

Secretariat for the All Party Group on Mental Health is provided by MindWise.

Please confirm your attendance with Sonja Woods at 028 9040 2323 or email sonja.woods@mindwisenv.org.
Questions or requests for further information are also welcome.

Stanley Booth (NIAAS) Manager represented MindWise at the conference on new 'Bail Procedures in Criminal Proceedings'  held by the Department of Justice at the Law Society Building in Belfast.

He didn't miss the took the opportunity to make the Justice Minister Mr Ford aware of the LINKED IN project delivered by MindWise.
 
The Minister was keen to listen about this new developement where MindWise support vulnerable young people after they leave police custody,
which follows on from the support that MindWise provides whilstin police custody.

With support by MindWise both inside and outside of Police Custody we are playing key roles in the area of support for the vulnerable caught up in the Criminal Justice systems.
 

MindWise are pleased to present our third issue of WiseCraic, the MindWise magazine on Mental Health.
Please download here  

We thank you for your continuing support, if you would like to contribute to assist us providing 30+ services to the 1,000+ people daily across Northern Ireland
& would like to donate please follow the link above.

Or text  MWNV055 to 70070 to donate £5 to MindWise New Vision.

New Style Furniture, Magherafelt has been delivering a service for over 17 years.
Those attending New Style Furniture learn many new skills including woodwork, designing & creating furniture, furniture resoration, basic upholstery and retail skills.

At New Style Furniture (Unit 8 Workspace, 80-82 Rainey Street, Magherafelt, BT45 5AH, phone 02879634834) there is a fully fitted workshop, a 2nd hand furniture department & a charity shop which is open Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm.

New Style Furniture also have an online catalogue with examples of the great work and products that are made in the service. 
The online catalogue and wonderful Christmas competition can be found here.

Donations to the shop are greatfully appreciated.
 

Thursday 19th September saw the annual MindWise Volunteer Awards take place in the prestigious Belfast Castle.

Some of the award winners can be seen here; Wendy Osbourne (CEO, Volunteer Now) presented MindWise with the Investing in Volunteers award, David Smith - Winner of the Health in Mind volunteer award, Ruth McKenzie - Winner of the Patsy England Volunteer of the Year Award and Miriam Walsh Charity Shop Volunteer, Thelma McCullough - Winner of the Internal Volunteer Award, Laura Mocanu - winner of theOpen Your Mind, Student Award for Mental Health Campaigning, Acheson Blair - Received his award for Ten Years Volunteering, Lindsay Armstrong, Volunteer Now.
 
Other award winners were, External Volunteer Award - William Brennan, College or University Award for Volunteering - University of Ulster Students Union.