News

Notice Anything Different..?

2012-05-17T16:02:39+00:00

You may have noticed that a new ‘button’ has appeared on our website. It’s the new Instant Messaging Service for the Staffordshire Mental Health Helpline. We’re in the process of developing this fantastic, easy new way to get in touch with the helpline during it’s opening times of 7pm - 2am weekdays and 2pm - 2am weekends. We’re not quite ready yet but things are moving fast and we hope to make the service available to you in June. Watch this space for more information.

Are You a Local Business With a Corporate Responsibilty Policy..?

2012-05-15T08:04:06+00:00

If the answer is ‘yes’ you might be interested in an event being held on Friday 25th May. The event is aimed at businesses in Stoke-on-Trent with new or existing commitments to policies of corporate social responsibility. During the event we will discuss the opportunities for businesses to get involved with creating opportunities for homeless people. Local services encourage the development of skills and self-esteem, but can only succeed if there are opportunities to out this into practice. For more information click the link below. To book a place on this FREE event please contact Marguerite Castille at Brighter Futures on 01782 406000 or email marguerite.castille@brighter-futures.org.uk

New! Customer Involvement ‘What’s On’ flyer

2012-05-02T08:49:34+00:00

Brighter Futures customers can now find out what opportuntities they can get involved with by looking at our brand new ‘What’s On’ flyer. Our Customer Involvement Officer, Dave, will be updating the flyer every two months to make sure that everyone who wants to get involved, give their feedback and have their say about the Brighter Futures’ service they use know what’s coming up.

Event - Creating Opportunity for Homeless People in Stoke-on-Trent

2012-04-24T08:28:31+00:00

Brighter Futures is hosting an event at the Mitchell Arts Centre to discuss how local businesses in Stoke-on-Trent can get involved in creating opportunity for homeless people.

To read more about the event click on the link below. To book a place at the event contact Margeurite Castille at Brighter Futures on 01782 406000 or at Marguerite.Castille@brighter-futures.org.uk

Brighter Futures Top Story on BBC news

2012-04-24T07:38:30+00:00

Brighter Futures’ Chief Executive, Gill Brown is today being interviewed by BBC radio stations about her response to a letter received from the London Borough of Newham which offered inflated rents for any properties which Brighter Futures could acquire locally and lease to the London Borough.

Click link below to read the BBC news item

For more information contact Emma Robertson, Communication and Involvement Manager on 01782 406000 or emma.robertson@brigther-futures.org.uk

Volunteers wanted!

2012-04-19T15:29:01+00:00

For the first time Brighter Futures is offering volunteering roles externally. Since the launch of our volunteering scheme nearly 12 months ago we have focussed on supporting our customers into volunteering with us. We have had lots of success with this and have recently launched a five week training course for customers who are interested in becoming volunteers.

This new role has been developed for a Volunteer Support Assistant working within the Staffordshire Mental Health Helpline. We are looking for people with specific skills and experience who can support customers through the Helpline service. If you are interested in applying for the role, please follow the link to our employment section or call Sharon Sharman, Helpline Manager on 01782 406000.

Spring Customer Newsletter - The Star

2012-04-11T13:04:06+00:00

We hope you enjoy reading the latest edition of The Star, our customer newsletter which is packed with information about our services and wonderful stories and poems written by our customers.

We are launched!

2012-03-29T15:27:37+00:00

The launch of the Newcastle base for the New Days service was a huge success and at the final count we had 100 visitors through the doors!

Everyone there got to find out more information about this fantastic service which supports people who have mental health problems and live in the Borough of Newcastle to make positive changes to their lives. Visitors also got to have a look around the building which is situated in Merrial Street (across from the Police Station).

The feedback was amazing, everyone commented on the lovely, calm atmosphere of the building which was originally home to the caretaker of the church next door.

Big, big thanks to all the customers, volunteers and staff who helped out during the day. We are so pleased that we had customers running the kitchen, giving out information and even one who was our doorman / bouncer! You were all amazing and we couldn’t have done it without you.

If you think New Days could help you or someone you know please call us on 01782 835220.

Don’t forget!

2012-03-28T08:00:31+00:00

Tomorrow is the official launch of our new Newcastle base for the New Days scheme. Anyone with an interest in finding out more about what the service offers is welcome to come along to meet the team, talk to customers and have a look around the building. We’re there between 11am – 3pm with the official ribbon cutting at 11.30am, free refreshments and buffet throughout the event.

Venue: Methodist Church, Merrial Street, Newcastle (opposite the Police Station)

See you there!

We are featured in ‘Psychologically Informed Services for Homeless People’ Good Practice Guide

2012-03-22T16:06:31+00:00

This document describes how providers and commissioners can develop psychologically aware services for homeless people, in particular for rough sleepers and young people.

Previous good practice ( www.nmhdu.org.uk/complextrauma ) has shown that up to 60% of adults in hostels have a diagnosable personality disorder. The behaviour observed in people with personality disorder can often be seen as a way of coping with the traumatic experience of difficult childhoods and the cumulative effect of adverse life events. It is better described as ‘complex trauma’, in other words, as a reaction to an ongoing and sustained traumatic experience.

Many of the people that homelessness and rough sleeper services work with may for example:

seem to have difficulty managing their emotions

self-harm or have an uncontrolled drug and/or alcohol problem

appear impulsive and not consider the consequences of their actions

appear withdrawn or socially isolated and reluctant to engage with help which is offered

exhibit anti-social or aggressive behaviour

lack any structure or regular daily routine

not have been in work or education for significant periods of time

have come to the attention of the criminal justice system due to offending.

There are particular issues to consider around 16-17 year olds who may have had traumatic and abusive childhoods. On top of the challenges of adolescence which all young people go through, they may also exhibit emotional and behavioural problems often associated with antisocial behaviour, which can lead to homelessness.

Psychologically informed environments are intended to help staff and services understand where these behaviours are coming from, and so to be able to work more creatively and constructively with people with so-called challenging behaviours.

Psychologically informed environments are intended to use the latest insights and evidence from the psychological disciplines to give rough sleepers and homeless people the best chance of sustainably escaping the cycle of poor wellbeing and chronic homelessness. The PDF describes the key elements of developing psychologically aware services for homeless people and provides a range of case studies where providers and commissioners are in the process of training and supporting staff to develop clear and suitably consistent responses to clients who may be chaotic and distressed and who have learned not to trust.