www.communicatormentalhealth.org 'associate wanted' 'target groups' 'our aims' 'references' 'feedback' 'further info'

Health Media and Sport Limited

Health Media and Sport Limited would like to form working relationships with established organisations in related fields across the UK, and beyond.

Health Media and Sport Limited publishes the 'handy guide to wellbeing' series of community network publications for healthcare professionals, people with caring responsibilities and members of the public.

Both our online and printed titles provide regular health news updates and coverage from across the UK, and beyond, including leading international, national and local editorial contributors.

Our publications include websites, blogs and printed magazines. We aim to provide people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds with voluntary work opportunities to enhance their future employment prospects.

Publishers of health news and information for 12 years.

Health Media and Sport Limited is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England. Company number 5999829.

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Target groups

Across the UK:

people living in rural communities,

people suffering from family breakdown,

people in work,

people in isolation,

people with physical disabilities,

people with mental health difficulties,

people with caring responsibilities,

people with substance abuse, alcohol and drug problems.

References

The recommendations in the report, Reducing Dependency, Increasing Opportunity: options for the future of welfare to work include greater use of private and voluntary sector resources to help people into work, more personalised employment support, and matching increased support with greater obligations on claimants to look for work. In particular it suggests placing greater responsibilities on lone parents with older children to look for work once their youngest child reaches 12, rather than the current age of 16. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions John Hutton said: “We have made real progress so far, with 2.5 million more people in work since 1997 and 900,000 fewer on benefits. But we must go further and find new ways to support the hardest to help into work.” Website: www.dwp.gov.uk.

For further guidance see the Social Exclusion Unit published report Mental Health and Social Exclusion in June 2004, on improving the lives of people with mental health problems by reducing or eliminating barriers to employment and wider social participation.

Media literacy has parallels with traditional literacy, the ability to read and write. ‘Media literacy is the ability to read and write audiovisual information – to use a range of media and be able to understand the information received’. Department for Culture Media and Sport. Website: www.culture.gov.uk. See also the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom strategy and priorities for promoting media literacy to adults, disabled people, minority ethnic groups, older people and children. Website: www.ofcom.org.uk.

Department of Health – At least five a week: Evidence on the impact of physical activity and its relationship to health, a report from the chief medical officer. Aimed at the NHS, specifically public health and Primary Care Trusts, it covers the benefits of physical activity for health backed–up by research and aimed at those concerned with formulating and implementing policies or programmes that utilise the promotion of physical activity, sport and exercise to achieve health gain. Website: www.dh.gov.uk.

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Feedback about our services

Letter:

Congratulations on your current issue of Communicatormentalhealth.org magazine. The format and cover are most attractive and, as usual, the information you provide is of great value. Thank you for the excellent service your magazine gives to the mental health sector.

Chief executive, international organisation, USA.

Letter:

I have just received the latest issue of Communicator and wanted to say “well done” to all involved, It is an excellent and highly professional magazine, for which you all deserve to be congratulated, and thanked. Keep up the high standards…

Health professional, name supplied, UK.

Letter:

I think the summer edition of Communicator is even better than your usual standard. I really like the format and layout…

Member of the public, name supplied, UK.

Letter:

Congratulations on producing such a good magazine. It will really help carers who always put the need for good information at the top of their list.

Carer, name supplied, UK.

Testimony:

I live in Norwich and I am a mental health service user. My confidence has grown because of my involvement with Health Media and Sport Limited as both a home–based and in–house volunteer. I have learnt different aspects of the publishing trade. This uncovered potential which I never realised I had. It has widened my horizons. I now have personal hope and professional ambitions.

Service user, name supplied, UK.

Testimony:

I am a service user in Norfolk, and I have suffered from bipolar disorder for 29 years and I am 48 years old. I was the recipient of The Lilly Moving Life Forward Award in 2004, and owe much of my success in winning this to the increased confidence and stability I had in my life, following my involvement with Health Media and Sport Limited.

In 2003, during a very difficult time in my life, Health Media and Sport Limited encouraged me to play football which improved my fitness and confidence. Without their encouragement I can see that my illness would have worsened. I joined the organisation as a volunteer undertaking various duties. I also helped to run a weekly five–a–side football session in the local community.

After the Lilly Award ceremony I had several meetings with my local MP to promote Health Media and Sport as a national model for mental health.

They have taught me how to be patient and focus on one thing at a time. Today, I do not work for them, but use the skills I learned to work on behalf of service users for better services at NHS meetings.

Service user, name supplied, UK.