Remembering Jill Dibling

Jill Dibling in 2017 with her artwork

Derek Turner writes:

It was with a deep sense of sadness that I learnt recently that Jill had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Three days ago, I learnt that she had passed away. My sense of sadness deepened with the fact that I would be unable to celebrate Jill’s life at The Pales Meeting House in Llandegley on Saturday 14th December 2019. It was typical of Jill that she did not want visitors, she would manage her illness, and her final days, in her own way with the support of ‘her girls’.

Jill was a pioneer in modern thinking about mental health. She not only had her own lived experience but she had ‘lived expertise’ as well. By lived expertise I mean that she learnt valuable skills from her own overcoming of the challenges she faced. It was her ability to use this expertise to the benefit of other people that makes her stand out. 

Jill helped in the founding of Mid Powys Mind and later became Chair. She was equally involved in Powys Mental Health Alliance. It was in this later participation that I had most to do with Jill. The Alliance was run entirely by people with lived experience but it was Jill who was behind the radical approach to service provision that drew on her own expertise. Jill had a quiet tenacity that more often than not won the day when others might be sceptical about what could be achieved by people who were so often dismissed as mere ‘service users’.

Jill (right) with Pat Atkinson of Powys Mental Health Alliance in 2009

It would however be wrong to remember Jill just in terms of mental health services. She was a committed artist whose work has been described as experimental. She passionately believed in the benefits for some people in the creative value of art in mental health and wellbeing. Jill would sing with the Peace Choir at the Pales Meeting House, but, if asked, Jill would probably see her role as a mother to her girls as her most important contribution.

There was a positive energy from Jill that gave us all hope. She will be missed in by all those who knew her, and her contribution to mental health services in Llandrindod, Powys and Wales, should not be forgotten.

Jill (far right) at the launch of the Powys "Yellow Book" of mental health information in 2000

Freda Lacey writes:

Jill was always someone who was open to developing and growing her knowledge. She was very involved in the lottery-funded DIY Futures project and was a firm proponent of the abilities of people to be very much co-creators of their own mental health care and treating people as experts in their own care.

I knew Jill in the capacity of my working with her in Participation, her patience and care of working with others and her openness to listening to other people’s views and her encouragement of people speaking up and asking for what they wanted. She was always supportive of me and I felt her deep care… She’d always have time for a coffee and would, in my early days, offer me guidance or knowledge of a situation or history/story that was invariably really important and valuable to know.

Jill with colleagues from Powys Mental Health Alliance in 2010

Jill undertook some Open University courses that I supported her on and certainly our discussions about her essays and her dedicated focus on learning inspired me, she was always wanting to improve her knowledge and continue to grow and learn.

Jill was a skilled professional volunteer contributing outstanding knowledge and guidance to mental health services in Powys, particularly her support of individuals coming together as peers. She was recently awarded a life achievement award by Mid Powys Mind which was very well deserved. 

I will miss her, her quiet support and the way she would invite sharing. I will miss her steadfastness and extraordinary lived experience, her gentleness and yet her solid convictions on what was right and what was needed. Her loss in respect of mental health services in Mid Powys will be keenly felt.

Letting go – a poem by Jill Dibling 

Jill at the grand opening of the Wellness & Recovery Learning
Centre on Felindre Ward, Bronllys Hospital, in 2014.

The creeper went west
With the wind from virginia.
The tall trees went south
With the wind from the north.
The gardens went wild as
The weeds became stronger -
They thrived and they seeded
And then they took hold
Of the lawns and the beds
Where the roses were growing.

Then all became clear as
Their strength was revealed.
The moss covered stones and
The fungi grew bold
On the wood of the roof and
The door and the sills.
The pools formed and swirled and
Spawned life of their own.

Then at last we let go of
The home that had bound us.
The breath of the earth and
The light could surround us
And free us to enter
That world that had found us.


Derek Turner worked for many years as a Mental Health Development Worker at Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations.

Freda Lacey is the Mental Health Partnership Manager, Powys Teaching Health Board, and previously the Senior Officer Health & Wellbeing at PAVO.

In memory of Kelvin Mills: trustee, volunteer and life affirmer

Powys Patients' Council team 2014: L - R Freda Lacey, Rhydian Parry, Penny Price (Ward Manager), John Lilley, Kelvin Mills

by guest author, Freda Lacey
PAVO Senior Officer, Health & Social Care

I wrote recently about “Dying Matters” and in May, one of the long standing volunteers of the PAVO Mental Health team, Powys Mental Health Alliance (PMHA) and Mid Powys Mind - Kelvin Mills - died.

When I facilitated Powys Patients’ Council several years ago now, which goes into Bronllys Hospital Mental Health Inpatient Unit, I was privileged to work with three volunteers. Kelvin was one of the liveliest volunteers who dedicated his time to speaking with patients and rallying them around to come in and visit us to talk about how they were doing and/or speaking up about any issues, compliments, concerns they had whilst being an inpatient on the mental health ward.

It is no secret that Kelvin used to be a patient, both at Bronllys for some time but also at “Mid Wales Hospital”. He was known, far and wide, by staff and other people in contact with services, volunteers and members of the public. Everyone seemed to know Kelvin. I don’t think he ever met a stranger. If he didn’t know you, he’d know all about you within minutes, and you’d know about him! He would have treated you to a story or two, shared some history, told a joke (quite often “politically incorrect”) and laugh hilariously so you had no choice but to laugh with him. He was incredibly generous and very funny, sometimes without meaning to be.

Kelvin at a PMHA trustee meeting in 2010 with fellow trustee Jill Dibling

I remember fondly some of the PMHA Trustee meetings, when trying to have a serious conversation about some order of business, Kelvin would break out the crisps from his rucksack (which he was never without) and start to share them out, not caring a whit about whether it was the right time for a break. Kelvin could get quite passionate about rights and would tell you straight if he thought something wasn’t right. He wasn’t shy about saying what needed to happen - he expected people to step up to the plate and do what was necessary.

Kelvin's Poems & Jokes page in the PMHA newsletter

He was a nostalgic and used to quite often tell stories of his time in Mid Wales Hospital and the fun and community they had. He spoke about his catering experience and I know from attending his funeral, and hearing some more about his life, that he was a very good cook. I believe he used to volunteer/cook with Mid Powys Mind on occasion.

Before going into Bronllys Hospital for our meetings with patients, we’d always have lunch, the volunteers and I, and have a bit of a briefing about issues we’d picked up from the last meeting and actions that had taken place. Kelvin was known to the staff at “The Honey Café” where he would chat away to them as if they were his friends. He would order the same thing always, a cheese sandwich, a cup of coffee and an apple or berry tart with vanilla ice cream, all to come at the same time. He is the only person I knew who could stand whilst having a cup of coffee in one hand, a cigarette in another and fall asleep - an incredible feat of balance.

Despite Kelvin’s physical ailments, he would always be ready to come to Patients’ Council and looked forward to his outings. He was always telling me about ways of saving the public purse and would speak quite often about the amount of money being spent on services and whether it was really value for money. He made me reflect on how things were and are now.

I think Kelvin always sought for ways to belong, to local community. He was incredibly attached to Llandrindod Wells Football Club and used to go to games with his Dad. He was dedicated to helping the club in many ways. He was also a bit of a rock and roller, liked wearing leather jackets, jeans and loved Elvis Presley and was seriously attached to watching Westerns.

Gravel Baptist Chapel

People I’ve spoken to remember Kelvin very fondly. One of the Senior Managers at Bronllys mentioned a Christmas on the ward she’d never forget, especially given what Kelvin had bought for all the nurses!

We will miss Kelvin. We will miss his laughter, his humour, his stories and his abilities to break down the barriers of what is expected and the unusual. He took risks without knowing he showed us how to push the boundaries. He didn’t do what was usual and yet he was so very familiar. He wasn’t silent and sometimes his stories meant you got lost or side tracked. I learned to be patient with him as he sometimes wouldn’t take no for an answer. He demanded respect and well, he deserved it. His life, whilst too short, packed a punch, I’ll never forget him.

There is a saying at the end of the novel, “Middlemarch” which I feel appropriate to end with (and have taken some liberties of changing some words).... "His full nature spent itself in deeds which left no great name on the Earth, but the effect of his being on those around him was uncapturable. For the growing good of the World is partly dependant on unhistoric acts, and on all those people who live faithfully their hidden lives and rest in unvisited tombs.”

Kelvin lies at rest in Gravel Baptist Church’s graveyard, overlooking the peaceful countryside near Llangunllo. I’d like to think he won’t rest in an unvisited tomb…

RIP Kelvin Mills: died 6 May 2017, aged 59 years.

Powys Mental Health Alliance Winter Open Day 2014

It's that time of year again already! The mental health charity - Powys Mental Health Alliance - holds two open days each year, one in spring/summer (you can see my colleague Freda joining in the Stretch and Smile session in May here), and another each winter. Last week I went along to the Royal British Legion in Llandrindod Wells to find out more about the group's latest activities and also listened to invited speakers on subjects as diverse as mental health research and dog-sitting.

Chair of the organisation, Bryan Douglas-Matthews, and trustee Debra Douglas-Matthews,
check out the latest edition of Headspace magazine with editor Carla Rosenthal.

The Open Day was well attended with individuals travelling from far and wide across the county, including Ystradgynlais in the South and Llanfair Caereinion to the North. Many organisations had stands on the day as it's a great way to share information about their activities - more details about some of those who came along at the end of the post.

The first business of the day was the charity's annual AGM, where members have the opportunity to sign off the annual report and accounts. The trustees are also voted in at this point for the coming year.

Current trustees of the organisation L-R: Christine Field, Bill Fawcett, Debra Douglas-Matthews,
Bryan Douglas-Matthews, John Steadman. Not pictured: Kelvin Mills, Robert Short.

First speaker of the day was Jenna Markham of the National Centre for Mental Health, a research organisation based in Cardiff and backed by Welsh Government, the NHS and Cardiff University. 

Jenna spoke about the current research programme which NCMH is running, and invited anyone who is interested to contact her to find out more.

This particular research "is working to find out more about mental health conditions so that we can make diagnosis, treatment and support better in the future." Jenna explained that the research started in 2011, and has a target of 6000 participants. So far 3000 people, aged from 4 - 96, have taken part across Wales.

NCMH is interviewing people both with and without a mental health diagnosis, as a control group is required. She said that the process was very informal, and also offered the opportunity to discuss how effective people thought any medication they were taking was, and if they received benefits from other therapies or approaches to their mental health problems.

After the serious matter of mental health research, it was time for some light relief in the form of Michele Hart's Stretch and Smile exercise session.This has proved extremely popular at previous Open Days, and this time was no different! 

Others took the opportunity for some gentle relaxation with Holistic Therapist Liz Gannon from Welshpool, who offered neck, shoulder and head massage and reiki sessions on the day.

Stretch & Smile, with Liz Gannon providing a neck
massage in the background

Liz told me that the benefits of massage included: 

• Relief from pain, stress and tension, and the release of endorphins - the body's feel good hormones.
• Increased energy levels and feelings of vitality.
• A general sense of health and well-being.

A mask-making workshop, with former PMHA trustee Diane Hart, tempted others to put their creative skills to good use during the coffee break. Diane has created designs for a variety of animal masks which can easily be adapted - she showed us her lion, wolf and owl. They look gorgeous!

Diane holds regular Harts & Crafts workshops at Ponthafren Association's Welshpool base - you can find out more here.

Next up to speak was a regular supporter of PMHA - this year's Powys High Sheriff Phil Bowen. Phil has enjoyed an extremely busy year so far - the following week he was due to support the Lord Lieutenant at Princess Anne's visit to the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in Builth Wells. In his role Phil has provided huge support to a variety of mental health organisations and activities since April, including opening the new Wellness and Recovery Learning Centre at Bronllys Hospital and introducing new drama activities for mental health patients on Felindre Ward at the same hospital.

The Open Day then welcomed Julia Roberts of Dementia Friends, an initiative of the Alzheimer's Society. Julia, who works in a shop in Knighton and is also busy as a school governor, recently took part in a Dementia Friendly Information Session, and became a Dementia Friend.

The Knighton Dementia Friendly Community held its first steering group meeting last week and Julia hopes that the initiative will prove as successful as that already underway in Brecon.

Julia had taken away many messages from her Dementia Friendly session, including that it is possible to live well with dementia, and that there is always more to a person than their dementia.

She said that she hoped to help make a community in Knighton where "I can feel safe, loved and valued if I develop dementia."

And then to Barking Mad. Local organiser Steve Gibbon was unable to attend the Open Day, but, luckily for us, Headspace Editor Carla Rosenthal had two moving doggy tales to tell.... Last summer Carla sadly lost her own much-loved dog and felt very miserable as a result. Whilst writing an article on Bob the Dog for the magazine she realised how depressed she was because she didn't have a dog any more, and then found out about Barking Mad.

Before long Carla found herself looking after a Staffordshire bull terrier called Nancy while her owners went on holiday. She took Nancy for a walk around Clun on a lovely sunny day and spoke to lots of other dog walkers. Her spirits were lifted. She felt energised. "It changed the whole weekend for me."

Carla has since looked after Ozzie for 10 days and went walking every day. She sent a postcard to the owner on behalf of Ozzie and even texts. "I had all the fun of a dog without commitment!" By the end of Carla's talk everyone seemed sold on the idea! Not to be left out, even the cat lovers were throwing out ideas about cat sitting and cat cafes!

PMHA were pleased to welcome a number of other organisations on the day, including the following:

Mel Santorini of Time to Change Wales

Denise Davies of Mid & West Wales
Fire & Rescue Service

Meg Lewis and Linda Jones of Powys Care & Repair

Lucy Taylor of Powys Carers

If you want to find out more about the future activities of Powys Mental Health Alliance, you can check out the organisation's website here.

You can also tweet the charity 

at @powysmha

Tel:  07926 862 414

Email: info@powysmha.org.uk

Were you at this year's Open Day? 

Let us know what you thought in the comments section below.

Bronllys Grand Opening - Wellness & Recovery Learning Centre

Last Thursday saw the Grand Opening of the new Wellness and Recovery Learning Centre at Felindre Ward in Bronllys Hospital, Talgarth, South Powys.

L - R: Philip Bowen (High Sheriff of Powys), Christine Field (Trustee Powys Mental Health Alliance), Jane Cooke (PAVO Mental Health Project Officer), Paul, Freda Lacey (PAVO Participation Officer), Laura Gallagher (PAVO County Mental Health Development Officer).

The DIY Futures project, with its vision of learning in relation to mental health wellness and recovery, has helped enable an exciting new development in the acute in-patient mental health ward in Bronllys Hospital, Powys. Through funding agreed with The Big Lottery Fund, petitioned by the Powys Patients' Council, originally facilitated by Powys Mental Health Alliance and now developed and managed by Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO), the new Centre (also known as the Quiet Room) opened its doors.

Powys Wellness and Recovery Centres aim to reinforce and develop people’s strengths. The new Centre will provide a peaceful and relaxing place where books and online information, supporting learning about our mental health, wellbeing and recovery, can be accessed by patients on the ward.

My colleague Freda Lacey, who has been key in liaising with the many different agencies involved in the project, told me more about the Centre:

"The room or centre has been under development for some time and patients, volunteers, ward staff and other agencies, which have been linked with the Lottery funded DIY Futures project, have all contributed to helping shape and develop the room. Match funding was contributed by The League of Friends and the Felindre Legacy Trust (charitable funds donated to the hospital) to help outfit the room with new flooring, and furniture. Books promoting recovery, people’s stories or lived experiences of living with mental distress, information on medication and other useful resources have been purchased for the room. Two laptops with internet access have been provided for patients in order to help with accessing online information such as local support groups and/or community mental health wellness and recovery learning centres. Training will be provided on how to use the laptops for writing and self-support."

L - R: Mel Evans (Chairman Powys teaching Health Board), Philip Bowen (High Sheriff of Powys)

Mel Evans, Chairman of Powys teaching Health Board, and Philip Bowen, the High Sheriff of Powys, opened the Centre to a packed corridor of invited guests. These included patients and staff on the ward, other mental health professionals, representatives from Bronllys Hospital & Community League of Friends, the Felindre Legacy Trust, the Community Health Council, Powys Mental Health Alliance, Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations, and other voluntary sector mental health groups from across Powys.

Mel spoke to thank everyone, including the funders, for their contribution to the new Centre. Before they cut the ribbon and pronounced the Centre well and truly open, Philip read an extract from Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth to set the scene. Macbeth is seeking support from his doctor to ease his wife’s troubled mind:

Macbeth:

Canst thou not minister to a mind diseas'd,

Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow,

Raze out the written troubles of the brain,

And with some sweet oblivious antidote

Cleanse the stuff'd bosom of that perilous stuff

Which weighs upon the heart? 

Doctor:

Therein the patient

Must minister to himself.

Philip then spoke about the DIY Futures book “it’s the inside that matters”, a book that has “had me in tears”, adding that when seeking recovery “what better way than painting or writing about your problems.” He read extracts from the book, adding that it was very apt for the hospital setting. Many of the current patients and visitors on the day, who had not seen the book before, received their own personal copy to read. Future patients will have access to the book in the new room – and all agreed that there could not be a more useful and apt legacy of the DIY Futures project.

Jane Cooke, previously the DIY Futures Project Manager until May of this year, (she is now back as a Mental Health Project Manager at PAVO) told us about the e-book version of “it’s the inside that matters”, the DIY Futures Stories Project book. Stocks of hardback copies of the book are now running low but anyone with internet access can now dip into the stories of the people who came into contact with the project during its five year life.

The grand opening - visitors take a look around

L - R: Carla Rosenthal, (Powys Mental Health Alliance Magazine Editor), Penny Price (Ward Manager, Felindre Ward, Bronllys Hospital), Terry Hurford (Trustee Bronllys Hospital & Community League of Friends)

Visitors and patients also took the opportunity to look at some of the artwork from the DIY Futures book which was temporarily on display. Other artwork on the walls had been produced by the art group at Brecon & District Mind. The ward patients had created an amazing “recovery tree” with colourful leaves and inspiring words:

• Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.
• The only difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude.
• Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a song bird will come.
• Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will.
• Make your optimism come true.

L - R: Bill Fawcett (Vice Chair, Powys Mental Health Alliance), Andrew Hopkins (Senior Nurse, Mental Health Specialist Services, Aneurin Bevan Health Board)

L - R: Paul, Jill Dibling.

Browsing the bookshelves I found many other books and flyers available to the patients. To mention just a few – Mindfulness: A practical guide to finding peace in a frantic world, the British Medical Association Concise Guide to Medicine and Drugs, Trauma & Recovery by Judith Herman, A Straight Talking Introduction to the Causes of Mental Health problems, Living with Voices: 50 Stories of Recovery, The Rainbow Journal: For young people who self-injure, Overcoming Anxiety, Stress and Panic. (Some of these books have already been reviewed on our blog – see links). There is also a comprehensive selection of Mind’s Information leaflets.

L - R: Jane Cooke (PAVO Mental Health Project Officer), Carl Cooper (PAVO Chief Executive Officer)

Terry Hurford (Trustee Bronllys Hospital & Community League of Friends), Kelvin Mills (Trustee, Powys Mental Health Alliance), Bill Fawcett (Vice Chair, Powys Mental Health Alliance)

Jan Chilton (Ponthafren Association 1-1 Worker)

On the day people reminisced a bit about the past, about the old Mid Wales Hospital, how life used to be for patients there, on the recent past when the room now housing the Wellness and Recovery Centre used to be a table tennis room. But the overall sense was of hope and optimism for the future – a future made better for patients on Felinde Ward by the creation of a new quiet space just for them.

Powys Mental Health Alliance Open Day 2014

Yesterday my colleague Freda and I went along to the latest Powys Mental Health Alliance Open Day at The Commodore Hotel in Llandrindod Wells. These days are a great opportunity to find out more about what is happening in the county around mental health, and to meet up with other members and people representing organisations to chat, catch up and have... as it happens... fun! The big yellow inflatable football in the photograph below is a bit of a clue...

L - R, top row: Debra Douglas-Matthews (PMHA trustee), Philip Bowen (High Sheriff of Powys),
Bryan Douglas-Matthews (PMHA chair)
middle row: Christine Field (PMHA trustee),  Kelvin Mills (PMHA trustee), Carla Rosenthal (PMHA magazine editor)
bottom row: Bill Fawcett (PMHA Vice Chair), Michelle Hart (Stretch & Smile)

Surprise guest this time round was Philip Bowen, the High Sheriff of Powys. "The Office of High Sheriff is an independent non-political Royal appointment for a single year". Philip has many hats it seems, as he is also Artistic Director of The Willow Globe - a scaled down, living willow theatre, based on The Globe Theatre in London. Philip enthusiastically opened the day with, appropriately enough, a reference to some of the distressed heroes of Shakespeare's plays, including Prospero and Pericles. By the end of the drama they are able to say - "this is who I am.... this is my story." Through the storytelling process they are healed.

Eddie Evans, the Regional Welfare Officer for Combat Stress, the veterans' mental health charity, kicked off as first speaker of the day. He had served in the army for 26 years, and now works with Community Psychiatric Nurses and Mental Health Practitioners to provide support to ex-servicemen and women in the community.

Eddie spoke about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - "a normal reaction to an abnormal situation". Personnel often go back to their families after being in a war zone and try and start up again as if nothing has happened... but problems can quickly escalate if people need help. "It is as if the wheels fall off before some people seek help... there are failed marriages, lost jobs..." Eddie is the first point of contact for people as there "is a bond of history". Some veterans can receive support in the community, including practical support if there are money issues; others, who may be more severely distressed, enter one of three Combat Stress treatment centres - the one serving Wales is in Newport, Shropshire. "Some veterans smile for the first time as they are amongst other veterans."

Freda catches up with Eddie Evans in the coffee break

Eddie's obvious understanding and empathy for struggling veterans was picked up by several people in the audience, who responded by describing moving experiences relating to themselves and family members. "You could not believe some of the sights that they see..."
"My son went away for a week (with Combat Stress) and the difference was so remarkable that you wouldn't think it was the same person!"
"People don't realise that veterans suffer from mental health problems in a big way."

The coffee break was followed by a brilliant session of seated exercises with Michelle Hart from Stretch & Smile. Nearly everyone joined in, including the High Sheriff of Powys and Freda! 

L - R: Carla Rosenthal, Philip Bowen, Michelle Hart & two others stretching!

These were just the warm-up exercises.... but then the large inflatable balls were rolled out and the real fun began... 

Chris Coe - Am I really as tough as old boots?

How to follow that...? Well, what better choice than Chris Coe of the Farming Community Network (previously Farming Crisis Network).

Chris had been a Rural Officer with the United Reform Church when an opportunity arose for an additional part-time post - this time as Regional Director for FCN based in Llandrindod Wells. Chris explained that the charity's main role was to "walk with people" - to be there, to listen, to respond - as a friend. He can go with farmers to court, to the bank, to a doctor... shopping... even organise to have a field ploughed if that is what is needed when someone is too distressed to do the work themselves. The service is free and confidential. The hardest part is encouraging people to ask for help in the first place.

Chris works with a large team of volunteers covering Powys and SW Wales... and if the two case studies he gave us are anything to go by the work is very much needed in the county. He said "45% of the people helped suffer some form of mental illness caused through the stress and hardship of producing the food we all depend on." The farming community is currently bracing itself for changes in the Single Farm Payment from the government which so many depend on to stay afloat.

After a delicious lunch Inspector Brian Jones of Dyfed-Powys Police stepped up to take the microphone. He is stationed in Brecon and works as a Partnership Inspector - one of his key responsibilities being mental health. The two main areas of discussion which developed around this session focused on the Section 136 detentions (when people are taken to a place of safety and possibly assessed by mental health professionals before a decision is made about next steps) and police training.

Many of those in the audience were keen to relate their own experiences of contact with police officers whilst distressed, some of them quite negative, and Brian listened carefully to them all.

Brian explained that:

• Sometimes people will be taken into custody when they shouldn't be.
• Sometimes people don't know who to call when a crisis/incident develops so they call the police.
• New officers (recruited over the past 2 years and ongoing) have to spend three days in Bronllys Hospital as part of their training.
• A new training programme is being developed, in partnership with other organisations including Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO), which will be rolled out to all officers. Individuals, including those in contact with mental health services and those close to them, will be involved in this training. Mental Health First Aid sessions are also likely to be made available.
• He is trying to bring about change and influence to the police by listening to people's experiences (which is why today was so valuable to him).

There followed a much longer discussion, including topics such as anti-social behaviour, multi-agency problem solving, mental health advocates and hate crime... if only we had the space and time here to relate it all! At the end of a really interesting session Brian rounded up by saying: "Give the officers a chance. Approach them. Speak to them. When we are called out we will say - the next time we come here, how would you like us to treat you? Tell us and the details will be linked to your address. We want to do the best we can."

Other mental health organisations were present on the day, and Freda and I enjoyed meeting up with colleagues at The Alzheimer's Society:

Kate Llewellyn (Advocate) and Pat Griffiths (Dementia Support Worker)

Pat reminded me about the Memory Cafe which runs every second Friday of the month at the Methodist Church in Newtown.

Here at Powys Mental Health Information Service we often signpost people to Journeys and the C.A.L.L. helpline, so it was great to meet everyone at their stands.

Lorraine Jones and Jackie Faichney of C.A.L.L. Helpline 

Gareth Childs, Journeys

Finally, I'll sign off with this photo of Freda joining Pat and Kate of The Alzheimer's Society for the Stretch & Smile session... The smiles on their faces say it all!

We look forward to the next PMHA Open Day. If you were there, tell us what you thought. Do you have suggestions about speakers or activities for future open days? Did you try out the Listening Table? Or listen to Diane Milberry's talk? We'd love to know, as we had to shoot off back to the office at that point...

Powys Mental Health Alliance: AGM and Winter Open Day 2013

At the end of November Powys Mental Health Alliance held its Annual General Meeting and Winter Open Day at the Commodore Hotel in Llandrindod Wells. In July I had travelled down to Brecon for the PMHA Summer Open Day to find out how the organisation was doing and this seemed like the ideal opportunity to catch up with activities.

Trustees Bill Fawcett and John Steadman

I was greeted in the hotel foyer by trustee John Steadman from Ystradgynlais alongside a roaring open fire. Days before there had been a christening at the venue and the decorations were still in place – it all looked very cheerful with bunting and colourful paper lanterns.

  

The meeting kicked off with the formal AGM business. Chairman Bryan Douglas-Matthews welcomed all and we were straight into the Directors’ Report for the previous year followed by the finances. Two new trustees were elected to the Board on the day. Louise Evans is a member of Ponthafren Association in North Powys. She has enjoyed taking part in a variety of activities for the past couple of years, and is now keen to take on this new responsibility with PMHA. Bob Short is an adult learning tutor from Newbridge-on-Wye who is also involved with several voluntary groups.

Louise Evans and Bob Short - new trustees

Next up was – Jane Cooke, DIY Futures Project Manager – to speak about the book – “it’s the inside that matters.” It features thirteen stories from people who came into contact with the DIY service since it started in 2009, alongside artwork described as visual poetry. People have responded very favourably to the book so far, as it is promoted with the aim of helping to reduce stigma around mental distress, with groups from Aberystwyth, Ystradgynlais and Llanfair Caereinion expressing interest.

Jane Cooke, DIY Futures Project Manager, and contributor Adam Payne

Free copies of the book are available to organisations and groups which will set up an event which uses the book to start some discussion around stigma. “That could have been my story,” was the refrain I heard again and again as people chatted enthusiastically about the book.

Magazine editor Carla Rosenthal is currently working on the third issue of Headspace, which is due out in early 2014 – the deadline for submitting articles, letters, poems or artwork is 20 December. She said that PMHA is hoping to produce a book of poetry if funds can be sourced – “a huge amount of people love to send poems for the magazine.” There will also be a new poetry page on the website soon.

The art workshop

Workshops followed, with the option of art with Terri Sweeney, bead-making with Christine Brooks, and poetry with Carla. Then we enjoyed a delicious hot lunch, and a chance to catch up with friends and fellow members.

The afternoon session started with speaker Penny Nicholson, who volunteers with the bereavement counselling charity Cruse – “somewhere to turn when someone dies.” Penny said that 10 – 15% of mental health issues are the result of unresolved grief. “I cannot take your grief away. It is a question of learning to manage it.” She compared it to learning to walk with a broken leg – so that you don’t have a limp for the rest of your life. “It is a process of growth. You will flower eventually as a result of the pain and anguish and the pride of the relationship is still there.”

Penny Nicholson, on volunteering with Cruse

The talk was brought to life by Penny’s reference to her own personal experience of bereavement, as she was widowed unexpectedly at a young age with two young children to care for. “I was cut in half and bleeding from one side.” Penny described driving her MGB car with the hood down and screaming as she drove down the A3. This made her feel a lot better – “but Cruse would have been a softer and cheaper option!”

There are about 30 Cruse volunteers providing counselling across the length and breadth of Powys. People self-refer, and others are referred by social services. The sessions are weekly for the first three weeks, then fortnightly, and then once a month. The longest Penny has supported someone is just over a year – it depends on the age of the person and their personality. All in all it was a really interesting talk, with insights into the Cruse service, the nature of grief and how healing takes place.

Diane Millbury & Penny Nicholson

The day was rounded off with a contrasting but equally valuable session – Diane Millbury spoke briefly about the natural healing therapies and techniques which she practices before encouraging us to participate in a relaxing meditation session ourselves. Diane explained that she used to work for the health service, but that the medical model of the NHS did not suit her ethos in life. She learnt instead about meditation techniques which help people find their true potential by taking a holistic approach.

Once we were all chilled out from the meditation, Diane asked us to stand. “If you’re feeling sad (or happy) move your body and it helps.” So we finished with two exercises, The Palm Tree and The Lion. One thing I can guarantee – you can’t help smiling as you turn into a lion… my final photograph of the day sums it up really!

Let us know what you thought it you were there – and if you have suggestions for future activities I’m sure all at PMHA would appreciate feedback too!