February 2008 Newsletter
Christmas and the heady excitement seem a long way behind us but the unseasonally warm weather gives us early intimations of spring. And with Spring an Annual General Meeting , a new workplan and a new Executive Committee. Now that may not make your heart sing but it really is a chance to help to shape the future development of our network .
AGM Election Process
Set out on the site are details of the timetable for the election process and the AGM on 15th May at the National Council for Voluntary Organisations Conference Centre. There will be a keynote speaker, a chance to debate the workplan, and the usual reports from officers about the activities of SPN in the past year. Nominations are requested by 1st April so do begin thinking about putting your name forward or talk to a member of the Executive or any of the staff here at SPN on 0207 089 6864 about it.
SPN Activities
There is certainly a lot of activity around SPN. The publication on recovery and diversity is now out, the publication on the safeguarding study day is imminent (details will be on the website when available) and plans are well advanced for Beyond the Smile- the study day on maternal mental health on 18th March in conjunction with the Parental Mental Health and Child Welfare Network.
Whatever happened to evidence based policy making?
And there is no shortage of issues on which there is something to say- the changes to incapacity benefit, the floated threat to social housing tenants not in work and the apparent abandonment of the earlier commitment to abolish mixed sex wards all have particular resonance for people with mental health problems. Read more
Mental Health Act Commission
The Mental Health Act Commission has been on death row longer than most quangos but is going out with a bang with its powerful Biennial report published last week. Will the new Care Quality Commission have the same powers and the same bite ? Doubts have already surfaced, as written by Mark Gould in the Guardian.
Department of Health Media Campaign
The Department of Health will be launching a major advertising & media campaign in March to recruit more people into social care in England. An important part of the campaign will be to update their collection of case studies on inspiring social carers and the people they serve.
They are looking to identify new case studies in the areas of
* surprising career moves/significant life changes
* overcoming of major obstacles
* lives turned around/dreams come true
* carers/beneficiaries involved in innovative projects/interesting use of direct budgets
* individuals who both give and receive care
Email or Tel 0207 8153900 for more details
Events
Find out what's happening in your area.
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