20 people enjoyed finding out more about the See Me campaign from Laetitia Jan. See Me is tackling discrimination and stigma including self-stigma, to change behaviour in communities. They run programmes around At Work, Children & Young People, Health & Social Care and will soon be starting a new project called “Ageing Minds”. Their communities work includes See Me Community …
Group Advocacy Update
In July we heard conflicting reports from different wards about the hospital food as well as patients’ feelings about safety on the wards. Some patients felt the food has been getting much worse, others felt it had improved quite a bit since their last visit. Similarly, some male ward patients felt less safe than on previous visits, whereas on a …
‘First Aid’ by Jo McFarlane – Published in Stories of Changing Lives II
On a day when death’s preferable to breathing in and out, I’ll look back on this reminder, try to think of all that’s good The pastel sunset in the sky, the chatter of the rain The resurrection of each day again, again, again The comfort in a friendly voice, the smile that fills my heart The beauty of …
Patients Council Meeting – Monday 27 July 2015
20 people attended a very informative and interesting session with our guest speaker, Paul Noyes from the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland (MWC). Paul knows the hospital well from his years as the MWC’s Edinburgh representative. The MWC acts as a watchdog, safeguarding service users, and as a guide dog, helping folk through the maze of services. It’s independent and …
Group Advocacy News
In May and June we: Listened to a lot of complaints about the impact of the new smoking ban on patients throughout the hospital. Patients in the Orchard Clinic feel the new policy hits them particularly hard: they see lots of people freely smoking on the grounds with no consequences, but because of rules on nurse escorts, they are unable …
Mirror Image by Jo McFarlane
Published in Stories of Changing Lives II This is what I want to be: a carbon copy print of me A billboard plastered high above: my picture on it, look of love This is what I want to write: my signature bold and wide A book about my tawdry life: the tears I’ve wept, the rope, the knife This is …
Stories of Changing Lives II
Simon and Ronnie launched our new booklet, Stories of Changing Lives II, at the Taking Stock conference on 28 May. The day was a great success for us and a great way to distribute hundreds of copies to a wide audience. Simon offered a thoughtful overview of the background to producing the book and Ronnie thrilled the audience with his …
Patients Council Meeting – Monday 25 May 2015
14 people attended an informative, stimulating and enjoyable informal question and answer session with Linda Irvine, NHS Lothian’s Strategic Programme Manager for Mental Health. Linda does a lot of thinking, planning and gathering ideas on how to improve the mental health and wellbeing of people of all ages across the Lothians. NHS Lothian is involved in a number of Public …
Stories Of Changin Lives II Launch Event
The Royal Edinburgh Hospital Launch of Stories Of Changing Lives II: We are holding a launch event at 2pm on Monday the 13th July in the Link Gallery, Royal Edinburgh Hospital. Everyone is welcome! We look forward to seeing you there. Refreshments will be provided
