Open Up E-bulletin - June 2009

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Hello again from Open Up! We've had a brief break in communications over the last couple of months, while we've been managing an office move and settling into our new home at Mind. However, things are starting to return to normal now and we've got plenty of exciting opportunities to share with you. Thanks for bearing with us during this busy time.

In this bulletin...

  • Open Up Initiatives Scheme
  • Open Up is recruiting
  • Calling all Photographers
  • Harmless - looking for contributions
  • Get Moving
  • Open Up and Mind
Open Up Initiatives Scheme - Applications now open!

We are now taking applications for the Open Up Initiatives Scheme 2009. This innovative programme is for people with experience of mental health problems who want to set up projects that will raise awareness or challenge discrimination where they live.

We select 16 groups or individuals to become an Open Up Initiative (2 in each region of England) and works with them over a period of one year. The scheme helps the people to get their Initiatives up and running through providing an average of £2500 towards expenses - plus training, mentoring and promotions support.

In 2009 we are looking for original ideas from people from a diverse range of backgrounds about how to challenge discrimination on a local level. You can download full details of the Open Up Initiatives Scheme from www.open-up.org.uk/initiatives. If you would like support with your application please email ouinitiatives@mind.org.uk or telephone Mind on 020 8519 2122 and ask to speak to a member of the Open Up team.

Deadline for applications is 5pm on Saturday 15th August 2009. Applicants must be 18 and over.

Open Up is recruiting

Would you like to come and work with us? We are looking for a talented individual to join our team as Regional Development Officer.

You will play a key role in supporting our team of regional co-ordinators to help people with experience of mental distress to gain the skills, confidence and resources to challenge mental health discrimination for themselves. You will be committed to challenging inequality and be a good team player with experience of supervising others. You will also have previously undertaken community development work and possess first-rate interpersonal skills. This post is subject to receipt of a satisfactory criminal records bureau disclosure.

£30,815 (pro rata) per annum plus benefits
28 hours per week (spread over four days),
Fixed-term until 11 March 2011
Based in Stratford, London E15

To apply online, please visit www.mind.org.uk
If you have difficulty downloading please call 020 8215 2289.

Closing date for completed applications: 4.00pm, Monday 29 June 2009.
Expected interview date: Thursday 14 July 2009.

Mind is an equal opportunities employer
Calling all Photographers

Are you a keen photgrapher? Do you have some images you'd be willing to share? Open Up is looking for pictures to include in our new promotional posters and postcards. These will be handed out at conferences and events and will be used to introduce people to our work. It could be a photograph of a person or an event, or it could be a more symbolic image - the only rule is that it must have something to say about mental health discrimination.

All photographs must be your own original work and must not infringe intellectual property, privacy or any other rights of any other person. You must ensure you have obtained consent from any person or persons whose image is used in your picture. For more information please email openup@mind.org.uk or call 020 8519 2122.

 
Harmless - looking for contributions
Harmless, a group which aims to influence the lives of people who self harm for the better, is looking for contributions for a new stigma-challenging book about self harm. The book will aim to reach people in need and raise awareness about self harm in a health and hope promoting way. Harmless will be running a group for people from across the UK with personal experience of self harm - who will generate submissions whilst supporting each other. The book will be called In Our Own Words.

Anyone interested in creating or writing, or being involved in any other way - please contact info@harmless.org.uk. Harmless is supported by the Open Up Initiatives Scheme.
Get Moving - toolkit and online registration are now live!
Time to Change is the biggest national anti-stigma and discrimination campaign to be seen in England, led by Mind, Rethink and the Institute of Psychiatry. This summer, our campaign will be live again across England from 13 July, and in the autumn, Time to Change’s Get Moving Week (3–11 October 2009) will bring together people with and without mental health problems at physical activity events to challenge stigma. It is based on the theory that when we get to know one another on an equal fun level, we get to understand each other better and our misconceptions about mental health problems are broken down.

Get Moving events will take place around the country, ranging from the hyperactive buzz of football competitions to the positively soothing qualities of gardening and everyone can get involved!

Time to Change relies on the energy and commitment of local activists to post campaigning material locally and organise events. Our toolkit and online registration are now live, so anyone interested in putting on an event has a wealth of information to help them. For those who just want to take part there is a Get Moving map with all registered events, so it couldn’t be easier to find a Get Moving event near you and help tackle the stigma of mental health. Our personal action pack is also now available, containing materials that anyone can use to help make Time to Change a success by promoting the campaign in their local community.

To find events that are taking place near you, or order free materials, go to www.time-to-change.org.uk. Activists might like to sign up to our Twitter and Facebook pages to keep up to date with our campaign.
Open Up and Mind
Following the merger between Mind and Mental Health Media, Open Up has now become part of Mind.

What does this mean?

1. Our contact details have now changed. You can now contact us at:

Email: openup@mind.org.uk
Telephone: 020 8519 2122
Post: Mind, 15-19 Broadway, London E15 4BQ

2. You will now start to see the Mind logo on our website and on our publicity. Over the months the style of Open Up leaflets and other promotional materials may also slightly change. This is to reflect the project’s move into a new organisation.

3. The Open Up central team staff have now become Mind employees. However our work supporting people to speak out against discrimination has not been affected by the move. We are still part of the Time to Change programme and our work is still funded by the Big Lottery fund.

If you have any questions about the merger, please contact us on the details above.

 

Open Up –Sharing Experience | Raising Awareness | Challenging Discrimination
Mind, 15 - 19 Broadway, London E15 4BQ
020 8519 2122 | openup@mind.org.uk | www.open-up.org.uk

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