On Thursday 7th February Triangulate launched an information booklet to help workplaces remain mentally healthy environments. Held in the Town Hall and in the presence of the Mayor of Test Valley, Cllr Dorothy Baverstock, the Mayor of Romsey, Cllr Mark Cooper, local employers and managers everyone heard about the development of this resource. The booklet has been produced to signpost information from a range of national charities and company sources. Bridget Brook, Trustee of Triangulate, says ‘so often we hear from managers that they don’t know where to turn when someone in their workplace is struggling with stress and anxiety. There is lots of information available but if you haven’t had to deal with this before then knowing where to go is not so easy. We’ve put links to all the main sources of information in one place so anyone can see there is help available.’ Ian Cox, of OKW Enclosures Ltd and also a Trustee says ‘we’ve been delighted with early feedback from some of the national charities who have been supportive of the concept of our booklet. And now that it’s ready they are delighted to see the information brought together in one resource which will be free to anyone who would like a copy’. Copies can be ordered from info@triangulate.org.uk (free with a post and packing charge). The pdf is also available for anyone to put on their websites – either to download from www.triangulate.org.uk or by email as above. Ian Cox and Bridget Brook then spoke at the February meeting of the combined Chamber of Commerce and Retailers’ Forum meeting and look forward to future meetings.

We are delighted to hear that we raised £967.84 from the sale of raffle tickets in the national charity raffle especially for small charities (run by the FSI). That means 526 tickets were bought by people supporting Triangulate – thank you so much! Unfortunately, the winning ticket for the car wasn’t one of the tickets we sold!

Triangulate, the Romsey-based charity working with employers to raise awareness of mental health issues in the workplace, has benefited from training specifically provided for small charities. Organised and delivered by the Foundation for Social Improvement (FSI) a two day roadshow was recently held at the Ark Conference Centre in Basingstoke. Pauline Broomhead, CEO of the FSI, started the days with an inspirational introduction on the difference small charities make in so many areas of our everyday life.

Triangulate trustee, Bridget Brook, attended a one day workshop aimed at helping charities measure the impact of the work they do and was delighted with the quality of the training which was provided free. She comments ‘we are often asked how we know if we’ve made a difference and this training gave us a range of techniques which we’ll be able to use into the future to ensure we continue to focus on what’s important for employers and individuals in Romsey.  In addition, Triangulate have been able to sign up to a fund-raising raffle which will be publicised around the town and which will provide much-needed funds to continue our work in the town.’

Bridget Brook, Triangulate; Pauline Broomhead, CEO FSI; and Nikki Tapley, Communicare in Southampton

A hardy group of 11 climbers, 3 of whom herald from Romsey, completed the Three Peaks challenge recently. Scaling Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon – the three highest peaks in the UK – in a total time of 23 hours and 25 minutes, the team were raising money for their special charities. The challenge was organised by former Romsey man Paul Hewett, with a support team of his dad, Dick Hewett and Rob Gower, both formerly of Ordnance Survey.

Two of the climbers, Dave Hewett and Matt Brook, continued their support of Mind, the mental health charity, by adding a further £1,400 to their £13,000 they raised running the London Marathon in 2009. Dave, Matt and Dick are trustees of Triangulate, set up to raise awareness of mental health issues in the workplace after Matt’s dad, Peter, died in 2008.

The team after completing the challenge – Dave Hewett, back third from right; and Matt Brook, front third from left

Triangulate was one of 24 community organisations from Romsey and the local area taking part in the Annual Voluntary and Community Event at Romsey Abbey. Held over three days this event is organised by Test Valley Community Services to give local people and visitors the opportunity to see the wealth of acitivity which takes place in the town. and to also provide information to those considering volunteering opportunities.

This year the event linked with the Civic Service and the congregation heard from three local charities about the work they carry out in the community. En route to the Civic Reception everyone was entertained by the Romsey Old Cadets Band who recruited two new temporary members to assist with their routine, the Town Mayor, Cllr Mark Cooper and the Vicar, Rev Tim Sledge.

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