Triangulate is one of the local organisations working together to initiate a new venture in Romsey. Initiated by Carers Together this is a monthly informal gathering being held for the local community. Romsey Rendez-Vous provides a meeting place for individuals to come and chat, have a coffee, read newspapers, play board games and to generally meet with friends – old and new. Triangulate is pleased to support this venture and to be able to work with local organisations.

Employers attending Triangulate’s latest Employer meeting heard about mechanisms now in place to help support employees, who may be suffering from stress and mental health problems, remain in work. Two members of the local ‘italk’ team came along to explain to attendees about the range of talking therapies which are available to local people – either through contact from their GP or by self-referral. Katie Gibbons (supervisory psychological wellbeing practitioner) explained what happens when an individual makes contact with the service and how the therapies are delivered. Ian Smith (employment advisor) explained how he works with employers and individuals to ensure people can stay in work wherever possible.

This meeting followed on from the Abbey’s fourth Annual Mental Health Sunday service which also focused on the how employers and employees can make improvements within their workplaces. Two employers explained why they are signatories to the Mindful Employer charter and how it is a visible sign of their commitment to ensuring their workplaces are healthy environments for everyone. This was followed by employees explaining how good communication is a major contributor to mental wellbeing in the workplace. If staff are able to communicate with their managers there is more likely to be a positive approach to understanding the difficulties being faced, which in turn leads to a breakdown in stigma and discrimination and a more productive output for everyone.

The trustees held a strategy planning day, structured and delivered by two external facilitators. Designed to help us ‘chart the way forward’ it was a really useful and productive session. We now have some further work to do to ensure that our resources, both financial and time, are directed to achieving the maximum impact. We are grateful to Paul and Ann for giving of their time and expertise.

We are working with Southern Health Foundation NHS Trust on the project to include spirituality in mental health recovery. On World Mental Health Day we were delighted to contribute to the Tree of Life Café held in the Abbey. Having coffee and croissants in the Nave whilst listening to live music was definitely a different way to spend a Monday morning!

Triangulate’s latest employer meeting focused on the topic of ‘fit notes’, the replacement for the long-established sick note. We were lucky enough to have two speakers, Dr Greg Warner, from Nightingale Surgery and Charlotte Solway, Human Resources Manager from Southern Health Foundation NHS Trust. Greg and Charlotte explained how recovery from some health conditions can be quicker if the individual is able to return to work with some basic support from their employer. The next employer meeting will be held on 27 th February 2012 in the Town Hall.

At the employer meeting, Councillor Mike Curtis presented us with a cheque for £1734.30, a third of the proceeds raised during his mayoral year when Triangulate was one of his nominated charities. This is the first direct funding we’ve received and it will go a long way to delivering support for employers and individuals over the next couple of years.

Photo shows trustees Tim Sledge, Ian Cox and Bridget Brook with Cllr Mike Curtis

At the June meeting of Diocesan Synod, Romsey Deanery’s motion on mental health was presented, discussed, proposed and successfully voted through. The Romsey team of Tim Sledge, Peter Speck and Bridget Brook originally took the motion from the Abbey to the Romsey Deanery Synod last June where it was adopted and passed through to Diocesan Synod.

After discussion time a series of questions were tabled and responded to before the motion was put to the vote. Passed by a large majority of the members this means that over the next couple of years the Diocese will work to develop and promote positive mental health practices. And as an initial step Winchester Diocese has now become the first Diocese in the country to sign the Mindful Employer charter sending a message out nationally of this commitment.

We are excited about the opportunities for continuing our support for this work into the future across the parish, deanery and diocese. If you want to know more please contact Tim, Peter or Bridget.

Dr Bob Grove, Joint Chief Executive of the Centre for Mental Health, retired from his post in June 2011. Bridget and Matt Brook attended the retirement reception and thanked Bob for his encouragement in the setting up of Triangulate and for his ongoing commitment and support of our work.

Matt Brook and Bridget Brook, Triangulate and Dr Bob Grove, Centre for Mental Health

Bridget Brook, Trustee of Triangulate, attended the launch of the 2011 Music in Romsey programme at which a cheque for the work of Mind was presented. This donation comes from the 2011 lunchtime series of recitals which take place in the Abbey throughout the summer months, the total being shared between the work of Mind, George’s Trust and the Abbey. Triangulate and George’s Trust were chosen in memory of the two choirmen, Peter Brook and George O’Brien who both died within months of each other in 2008.

The second of Triangulate’s Local Employer Network meetings focused on the Equality Act 2010. We were delighted to welcome Susanne Holiday from Footner & Ewing Solicitors who gave information on what changes have been brought in and how these might impact on employers. We are grateful to Susanne and also to Peter McVean of Footner & Ewing Solicitors for their support.

The Abbey’s annual service to raise awareness of mental health issues this year focused on dementia. Lawrie McMenemy, known by many as a former Southampton and Northern Ireland football manager, attended in his role as a champion of the Alzheimer’s Society.