Powys County Council and the Local Health board are pleased to announce equalities engagement events across the county in late June and early July to connect with the public on equality issues.  These are follow-on events from Nov 2011 when the public was consulted on issues that should be considered for setting the Equality Objectives for the Strategic Equality Plans for both organisations.  

If you have an interest in issues of equality ranging from how younger or older people sometimes have a harder time in life - accessing services and employment, to gender differences, to the impact of a disability on a persons life, to how a persons religious belief needs careful consideration in the delivery of public services, to how low income causes disadvantage, and many more, please try and make these events.  The more people involved in this process, the more effective the engagement process will be, and the more scope to bring about changes to peoples lives going forward.  At these events you will also hear about how you can get more involved in having an impact on the public sector in Powys and the decisions it makes.  

You can download further information and a booking form here. 

The Powys Community Safety Partnership want to know if there are any crime and disorder issues of concern to you in your local area. You can do this by completing their short questionnaire - it will only take 5-10 minutes to complete. More here

This Ministry of Justice consultation sets out the Government’s proposals for further reform of the legal aid system in England and Wales.  The closing date for comments is 4 June 2013.  The consultation can be found here.

Communities First Emotional Wellbeing Project.  The North Denbighshire Communities First Cluster Board is looking for a service user to help recruit a partner organisation to deliver an emotional and mental wellbeing project in the Denbighshire Communities First Area.

They are looking for someone who lives in Rhyl or Denbigh, and has personal experience of using mental health services in Denbighshire, either through their GP or a community mental health team.  More here.

Unllais, Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO), Bangor University,
North Wales and Dyfed Powys Police are working together to develop a research
proposal around vulnerable people and anti social behaviour.  Unllais would like to hear your views on their research idea.  Find out more here.

The Sheila McKechnie (SMK) Campaigner Awards are for people who are just starting out as campaigners or taking action on an issue and who want some support in getting results. Does this sound like you or someone you know?  Apply now or nominate someone you know.  More information here.  Deadline is 1pm on Monday 10th June!

Are you involved in a small grassroots group that needs funding to bring about social change?  The Edge Fund might be able to help. All the details of what they fund and how to apply can be found here.  The closing date for applications is 22 April. 

Mind Cymru is looking for people to become trainers in MHFA (Wales) and would like to hear from anyone interested.  Find out more here.

Leading by Experience.  People with experience of mental health problems are at the heart of the movement to end mental health stigma and discrimination in Wales.  Find out how you can get involved. www.timetochangewales.org.uk

This campaign aims to get a large number of people from across Wales discussing two questions:  What things are important to you in your life? and What helps you to do these things?.  More here.

War on Welfare (WOW) Petition was launched on Tuesday 18 December.  Behind the petition  is a community of sick and disabled people, carers, friends and families, who have come together via social media to start a resistance.  Find out more here.

Diverse Cymru have applied to Comic Relief for funding to employ a BME Mental Health Advocacy worker to work in each of the 7 Health Board areas with the Mental Health Champions.  Would you be interested in being part of this unique, dynamic project. Taking part as volunteers, Steering Group members, helping to promote the project, hosting peer advocacy sessions etc? Find out more here.http://diverse

The charity Siawns Teg (Fair Chance) is the lead partner in a European Union funded project that is developing a social enterprise business start-up course specifically for people who need an informal approach to learning. The charity is looking for young people (16 - 25) to shape the course(s), be trained to deliver, and motivate interest in the products.  This is a 2 year project during which time the courses will gain accreditation with Coleg Harlech and Coleg Powys taking part. There will be opportunities for participants to be Steering Group members in an environment that recognises the support needs of people who learn in different ways. Visits to other countries involved in the project are available for interested participants. The bottom line is that the courses need the active involvement of those who will benefit, so that the products are relevant and valuable.  There is an invitation for people in contact with mental health services to participate in this opportunity.

More information on these and other activities are on the websites www.siawnsteg.co.uk and set4work.eu

The Welsh Language Commissioner has asked Journeys to conduct some research on language and depression. If you or someone close to you have ever experienced depression you can find out how to complete their questionnaire here.

The City University London, Swansea University & Cardiff University are looking for individuals with direct experience of having a care plan and/or of the care programme approach (CPA), and who are willing to discuss their experiences. More information in our news item here.

You can access the minutes from the last Shared Vision meeting held in North Powys below.

André, who helps run the meeting, has asked us to let you know that the purpose of the Shared Vision Group is due to change and will be looking at local actions that can be undertaken jointly, in order to address needs from people using the service and contribute to service development. It is hoped on December 11th the group will be renamed and everyone is invited to address local issues around the Mental Health service and Mental health Needs.

Access the last minutes here.  Want more information contact Fiona Jones, Administrator Welshpool Team on 01938 558969 or e-mail fiona.jones3@wales.nhs.uk

You can find out more and start participating here.