Service is taking the next step in key role (From Gazette & Herald)

Next Steps Mental Health Resource Centre develops services

11:23am Wednesday 10th October 2012 in News

NEXT Steps Mental Health Resource Centre in Norton has been awarded a series of grants to help develop its services.

With a second round of funding from Ecominds, the centre is continuing to provide the Green Steps to Wellbeing health and fitness project which offers environmental and outdoor activities for people with mental health issues, as a way of improving mental health through physical health.

It provides a walking group, access to allotments, bird feeding and visits to environmental projects for members.

The Next Steps walking group started again with a fundraising sponsored walk and now short walks to continue every Friday.

Walk leader Bridget Robinson-Clark said: “The walks are a great way to get fit and reduce your health risks, meet new people, lift your spirits, de-stress and recharge your batteries, and they are also free.

She added: “The sun shone down for the sponsored walk and it was a great fun atmosphere with the group walking back to a wonderful reception at Next Steps with tea and home-made scones. Thanks to all who took part in this event.”

Next Steps has also been awarded a grant by the Santander Foundation to run a memory café for people with memory problems on a weekly basis.

The centre is working closely with Carers Support, Princess Road Elderly Services Clinic and Alzheimer’s Society to provide this service for people in Norton and the surrounding area.

The café is the first in the area and will provide social support in a friendly and informal setting for people with dementia and their carers.

Thanks to grants from Trusthouse Charitable Foundation and Ryedale District Council’s community investment fund, an activity group in the evenings and at the weekend is continuing, Led by activities co-ordinator Leisa Taylor, the group has undertaken a range of activities including going to the cinema, day trips and bingo sessions.

Leisa said: “The group encourages people with mental health issues to play a bigger part in their local community and break down stigma.”

Next Steps service manager, Mike Dixon said it was a very positive time for the centre.

“We will soon be providing members with access to life skills coaching at our café and drop-in centre.

“Coaches provided by My Possible Self, funded by the Wilderness Oak Charitable Trust, will work with individuals to identify goals and strategies to cope with everyday life, develop problem solving techniques and specific skills, such as filling in job applications,” he said.

Mike said it had been a busy year and added: “We are now working with a lot of partnerships which are all locally-based, which is great. It is also very much a people-place with all sections of the community popping in.”

The charity runs outreach services in Pickering and Kirkbymoorside. The Pickering group meets in the Friends’ Meeting House on Wednesday, 10am-noon, and the Kirkbymoorside group meets on Saturday, 10am-noon, also in the Friends’ Meeting House.

Both groups are drop-in sessions to meet and chat with others in a non-judgmental atmosphere.

Next Steps is now looking to start a third group in Helmsley and anyone in this area who is interested in attending a weekly group should contact the centre.