Bristol Time to Change Champions Fund re-opened for Time to Talk Day 2020!

February 6, 2020 at 9:00 am

 

To celebrate Time to Talk Day 2020, the Bristol Time to Change Hub has re-opened the Time to Change Champions Fund for a final round of funding. The Fund is available to Time to Change Champions to support them in delivering an event or project that challenges mental health stigma where they live.

The Fund has already completed numerous successful funding rounds, and supported activities such as drop-ins, awareness events, discussion workshops exploring the myths surrounding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, health festivals, and more.

The Bristol Time to Change Hub is excited to support further applications to the Champions Fund. There is a limited amount of funding available, and applications will be considered on an as-received basis. For more information about the Champions Fund, frequently asked questions, and an application form, click here.

 

The Champions Fund supported ‘Lifting the Myth of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder,’ an open discussion workshop that explored the harmful myths and stereotypes surrounding OCD.

 

 

 

 

February 6, 2020 at 9:00 am | News, Time to Change | No comment

Time to Talk Day 2020 in Bristol

January 30, 2020 at 6:10 pm

Time To Talk Day is an annual national event, lead by Time to Change. Time to Change is a national campaign against mental health stigma, and Time to Talk Day is all about making time to talk about mental health. 

Mental health problems affect one in four of us, yet people are still afraid to talk about it – talking about mental health problems and sharing real life stories helps to change the way we all think and act about mental health problems.

This year, Time to Talk Day takes place on Thursday 6th February. 

In Bristol, there’s a lot going on! Check out this guide, compiled by the Bristol Time to Change Hub, detailing what’s happening. From pub quizzes to coffee mornings, bowling competitions to poetry nights, there’s bound to be something going on near you.

If you’re posting to social media, we’ll be using two hashtags; #TimeToTalk and #TTCBristol.

Has Time to Talk Day inspired you to get more involved in campaigning against mental health stigma? Maybe you’ve had an idea for an event or activity that you would like to run? Watch out for a special announcement coming on Time to Talk day, which will explain how we can help you make that idea a reality.

Some Time to Talk events are organised by the Bristol Time to Change Hub. The Bristol Hub are a group of organisations who have come together to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination in the city of Bristol.

These organisations are the Bristol Independent Mental Health Network (a branch of the Independent Mental Health Network, a membership-lead organisation for those with lived experience of mental health), Rethink (Bristol), Wellbeans Initiative, Community Access Support Service (CASS) Bristol, and Bristol City Council. Find out more about the Hub here.

January 30, 2020 at 6:10 pm | News, Time to Change | No comment

Bank of Ireland Signs Time to Change Employer Pledge

October 10, 2019 at 1:13 pm

Today, on World Mental Health Day 2019, Bank of Ireland signed up to the Time to Change Employer Pledge at its offices at Temple Quay, Bristol. In attendance were employees of the Bank, members of the Bank’s leadership team, representatives from the Time to Change Bristol hub, and Bristol City Council.

Furthering the reach of the Time to Change Employer Pledge is one of the aims of the Time to Change Bristol hub. The hub is a group of organisations who have come together to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination within the city of Bristol.

Over 1,200 organisations, collectively employing over 2 million people, have now signed the Time to Change Employer Pledge nationally. Bank of Ireland have signed the pledge today to show their commitment to the launch of their company-wide wellbeing offer, at all of their offices across the England, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland.

This picture shows David Carrie (Director of Operations, Bank of Ireland – centre) holding the newly signed Employer Pledge, with others including Tom (far left) and Lynn (far right) from the Time to Change Bristol Hub.

 

The Time to Change Bristol hub is lead by the Bristol Independent Mental Health Network (BIMHN); the Bristol branch of the Independent Mental Health Network.

Independent Mental Health Network CEO, Tom Renhard, said:

We are really pleased to have joined the Bank of Ireland on World Mental Health Day for the signing of the Time to Change Employer Pledge. It signals their commitment to this agenda and it is great to hear of the important work that has already started within the organisation to challenge mental health stigma and encourage people to open up about their mental health in a supportive environment.

The Time to Change Bristol hub look forward to working with the Bank of Ireland in the coming months and years to support them on their journey. If you work for an organisation that hasn’t yet signed the Employer Pledge, please do get in touch with the hub by emailing us at ttcbristol[@]gmail.com.

Notes to editors:

What is the Time to Change Bristol Hub?

The Hub are a group of organisations who have come together to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination in the city of Bristol.

The lead partner of the Hub is the Bristol Independent Mental Health Network, a branch of the Independent Mental Health Network, which is a membership-lead organisation for those with lived experience of mental health. The Hub is supported by Rethink (Bristol), Wellbeans Initiative, Community Access Support Service (CASS) Bristol, and Bristol City Council. 

Find out more about the Hub here.

 

What is the Time to Change Employer Pledge?

The Time to Change Employer Pledge is a commitment to changing the way we all think and act about mental health in the workplace. The Pledge is organised by Time to Change, a national campaign committed to campaigning against mental health stigma.

Over 1,200 organisations, employing over 2 million people, have now signed the Time to Change Employer Pledge. The Employer Pledge is free of charge and available to organisations based in England.

October 10, 2019 at 1:13 pm | News, Time to Change | No comment

Time to Talk about Mental Health : OCD & Pure OCD

September 12, 2019 at 3:06 pm

One in four people are affected by mental health problems every year. But not everyone feels comfortable discussing their mental health with their doctor, or even family and friends. Many struggle on alone and find it hard to access the help they need. The Time to Change campaign aims to change this, by reducing the stigma around talking about mental health conditions, helping people to share their experiences, and finding the most appropriate support.

Members of the public, including Lockleaze & Horfield Councillor Gill Kirk, attended an event at the Old Library on Muller Road on Monday 29th July. Lifting the Myth of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) was organised by Tracy Tainton, herself living with an OCD diagnosis, and was supported by the local Time to Change Champions Fund in partnership with OCD Action and the Independent Mental Health Network (IMHN).

The event was an initial discussion workshop looking at what it’s like to live with OCD and how this condition can be mis-portrayed in the media. A type of anxiety disorder, OCD is experienced in the form of obsession with intensely negative, repetitive and intrusive thoughts, fear of harm, and/or compulsive patterns of behaviour to reduce the anxiety caused by these thoughts. It is not just about cleanliness or neatness, and many people tend to over-use the term ‘OCD-ish’ without understanding the distressing and debilitating nature of the disorder in its severest form.

This workshop was a relaxed opportunity to chat in small groups, listen to people with lived experience of OCD with family members and friends who support them. Tracy Tainton, who is also a trustee of IMHN, said:

Thank you to everyone who contributed to a frank and open discussion around OCD, especially those who were very open about their diagnosis. Being candid can be so hard and fearful for sufferers: a big well done. Next step is to look at setting up a peer-support / social group in Bristol specifically for those with lived experience of OCD.

The Independent Mental Health Network also campaigns to ensure that local mental health services provide the best possible care and access for patients, with input from service users themselves, and for there to be greater parity of esteem between mental and physical health. If you would like to know more about the Independent Mental Health Network, or the work of their Bristol branch, BIMHN, then please email engagement[@]imhn.org (taking out the brackets in the email address).

The aim of this event was to gauge interest in an OCD support / social group. Tracy is delighted to report that there has been an initial session of this organised for Tuesday 24th September at 7.30pm on the Gloucester Road (exact location to be confirmed). If you are interested in attending, or would like more information, please email Tracy at tracy_tainton[@]yahoo.co.uk (taking out the brackets from the email address) .

 

 

 

September 12, 2019 at 3:06 pm | News | No comment

Local CCG sign Time to Change Employer’s Pledge

August 10, 2019 at 9:30 am

 

Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (BNSSG CCG) has signed the ‘Time to Change’ employer pledge. The pledge is a way for organisations to demonstrate their commitment to changing the way we all think and act about mental health in the workplace, and supporting the wellbeing of staff.

The CCG has already made headway in recruiting a number of ‘Time to Change staff champions’, who will be key in driving change across the organisation, and developing new and different ways of raising awareness of mental health.

Dr David Soodeen, the CCG’s Clinical Lead for Mental Health, and Time to Change Governing Body champion, said:

“We know it can be hard to talk about mental health, which is why we’re supporting employees to open up; to talk and to listen.

One in four people are affected by conditions like anxiety, depression and stress every year. It’s a myth to think that people with mental health problems can’t work – with the right knowledge and skills we can help our employees to stay well.

Signing the pledge demonstrates our continued commitment to tackling mental health stigma and ensuring that we’re providing staff with a great place to work.”

Over the next few months, the CCG will be working with Time to Change Bristol to put its commitment into practice, starting with a Time to Change staff workshop led by people with lived experience of mental health from Bristol Independent Mental Health Network (BIMHN). The champions network is also launching a ‘temperature check’ survey to understand more about people’s experiences and views, and inform the organisation’s Time to Change action plan.

Independent Mental Health Network CEO, Tom Renhard, said:

“We are really pleased to have attended the signing of the Time to Change Employer’s Pledge by BNSSG CCG, one of the few CCG’s in the country to have done so. We have been working closely with the organisation to support the development of the action plan and delivered a workshop for staff at the CCG.

Alongside Bristol City Council, it is encouraging to know that city leaders are firmly committed to challenging mental health stigma and discrimination. We are committed to supporting organisations to sign the pledge and be leading organisations in the fight to end mental health stigma and discrimination.

If you are reading this article as an organisation that is yet to sign up, get in touch by emailing so we can support you on your journey to improve mental health in the workplace.”

CCG Chief Executive, Julia Ross, said:

“We are delighted to be signing the Time to Change pledge today. As well as demonstrating our commitment to supporting mental health at work, it’s a reflection of the strength of the action plan we submitted earlier in the year.

We’re ambitious about the health of our population, and that includes the people who work with us. If we’re going to continue to attract and retain the very best people, it’s important that we create a healthy and inclusive environment for everyone.”

Time to Change is an anti-stigma campaign run by the leading mental health charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness. It has been shown to have a positive impact on attitudes and behaviour towards people who are experiencing mental health problems.

The pledge was signed at the CCG Governing Body meeting on August 6 by BNSSG CCG Chief Executive, Julia Ross and Clinical Chair Dr Jonathan Hayes.

 

 

ENDS

 

Notes to editors:

  • Julia Ross, Chief Executive, BNSSG CCG signed the Time To Change pledge at the CCG Governing Body meeting on 6 August, 1.30pm – 5.30pm at Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 2QQ.
  • For more information about Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group please visit: www.bnssgccg.nhs.uk

For access to a range of free images to accompany mental health news stories please visit www.time-to-change.org.uk/getthepicture. These images have been developed by Time to Change.

 

Time to Change

Time to Change is a campaign to change how we all think and act about mental health problems, led by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness. It is funded by the Department of Health, Comic Relief and the Big Lottery Fund. Set up to create a positive shift in public attitudes towards mental health problems, Time to Change supports communities, schools and workplaces to open up to mental health problems; to talk and to listen.

For more information go to www.time-to-change.org.uk.

 

Time to Change Bristol

Time to Change Bristol Hub is a partnership of local organisations and people who are committed to ending mental health stigma and discrimination. It is made up of the city council, Bristol Independent Mental Health Network (BIMHN), Wellbeans Initiative CIC and Rethink Bristol; with support from partners across the city – including employers, unions, universities, police and the NHS.

 

Media contacts:

 

Sean Gilchrist, Communications Officer

0117 984 1644

 

CCG Press Office

0300 123 4476

 

 

August 10, 2019 at 9:30 am | News | No comment

Focus Group Opportunity with Time to Change!

March 27, 2019 at 8:15 pm

Time to Change are a national campaign that tackles mental health stigma by working to change the way we think and act about mental health problems. They run a number of ongoing initiatives, including Ask Twice, the annual Time to Talk Day, and more. Their work also includes support local hubs, which are centres of focus around anti-stigma work and activities. BIMHN is a partner of Bristol’s Time to Change Hub.

Time to Change runs in ‘phases’, responding to changing and prevailing concerns in the mental health landscape. The main campaign has, is, and always will be about ending negative attitudes towards mental health. However, Time to Change are looking to hear from people about their experiences, so that the priorities and focuses for phase four (which commences in 2021) are effective in ending all mental health stigma and discrimination.

The Focus Group

Time to Change are running a focus group to discuss and gather day-to-day experiences of those with lived experience of mental health problems, to assist them in their future planning.

The session takes place on Monday 29th April, between 13:30 – 15:30 at The Station, Silver Street, Bristol (BS1 2AG).

To recognise your contributions to the session, you will receive £25, plus travel expenses up to a maximum of £15.

It is recommended that you have some knowledge of Time to Change if you wish to attend. You may also find it useful to have a read about our Bristol Time to Change hub, including the work of the Champions Fund. Additionally, you can read more about Time to Change Champions, and how to become one, here.

March 27, 2019 at 8:15 pm | News, Opportunities | No comment

Bristol City Council Signs Time to Change Employer Pledge

February 7, 2019 at 1:37 pm

BIMHN is a partner of the Bristol Time to Change hub, a group of organisations who have come together to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination in the city of Bristol.

One of the initiatives that the Hub works on is furthering the reach of the Time to Change Employer Pledge. This is a scheme where employers and businesses sign up and demonstrate their commitment to change how we think and act about mental health in the workplace, and make sure that employees who are facing these problems feel supported by those around them.

The pledge has already been signed by more than 900 employers in England, including those from the FTSE 100, leading retailers, and Government departments.

Yesterday, the day before Time to Talk Day 2019, we are delighted to announce that Bristol City Council has signed the pledge.

This picture shows Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees holding the newly signed Employer Pledge, along with Tom and Liz from the Time to Change Bristol hub, and others (including Keith and Aden from Time to Change UK).

 

February 7, 2019 at 1:37 pm | News | No comment

Time to Talk Day 2019!

February 1, 2019 at 1:13 pm

About Time to Talk Day

Time To Talk Day is an annual national event, that aims to promote talking about mental health. Mental health problems affect one in four of us, yet people are still afraid to talk about it. Time to Talk Day encourages everyone to talk about mental health; talking about mental health problems and sharing real life stories helps to change the way we all think and act about mental health problems.

This year, it takes place on Thursday 7th February, and the theme is bringing together the right ingredients to have that important conversation about mental health. Whether that’s tea, biscuits and close friends; or a room full of people challenging mental health stigma; we want people to get talking.

If you’re posting to social media, we’ll be using two hashtags; #TimeToTalk and #TTCBristol.

In Bristol, there are lots of events going on both before and on the day itself – take a look below!

North Bristol

  • Community Access Support Service (CASS) Bristol / Tea and Talk with tea, cake, activities and space to talk / 09:30 – 12:00 Thursday 7th February / The Greenway Cafe, Doncaster Road, Bristol, BS10 5PY
  • Community Access Support Service (CASS) Bristol  / Gentle Walking Group / Starting at 10:00, Wednesday 6th February / The Greenway Centre, Doncaster Road, Bristol / CASS’ new ‘Talk and Walk’ app (see below) will be used on a route walking through Badock’s Wood with quiz questions on the topic of mental health.

Central Bristol

  • Time to Talk Stall at Bristol City Council’s ‘Cash Hall’ / 11:00 – 14:30 Thursday 7th February / City Hall, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TR
  • Introduction to Challenging Stigma and Discrimination training session / 09:30 – 12:45 Tuesday 5th February / The Station (First Floor Classroom), Silver Street, Bristol, BS1 2AG
  • Time to Change Champion’s Fund Information Session / 13:30 – 14:45 Tuesday 5th February / The Station (First Floor Classroom), Silver Street, Bristol, BS1 2AG
  • Integrated Community Localities Transformation Event: as part of the event, attendees such as GPs, health commissioners, people from local authorities and other partners will be encouraged to share what they will be doing to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination.
  • St. Mungo’s are running a drop-in on Time to Talk Day between 10:00 – 12:00 with an open invitation to anyone to come in and talk about mental health / Location: 1 New Street, Bristol, BS2 9DX

East Bristol

UWE Bristol

Every February, UWE runs a Feel Good February initiative focusing on health and wellbeing. This year, there are two events taking place on Thursday 7th February;

Talk and Walk

Finally, CASS will be launching a ‘Talk and Walk’ app in time for Time to Talk Day, promoting gentle exercise with some fun and exciting challenges included. You can download the app from Monday 4th February, and challenges run until Sunday 17th February. For more information, take a look at the flyer.

Wellbeans Initiative

Wellbeans Initiative CIC are a social peer network. To mark Time to Talk Day this year, they will be visiting retailers. Through social contact, they will look at ways of opening the conversation, and how we respond to challenging attitudes and behaviour towards mental health in the workplace. Wellbeans’ aim is to really try and open up conversation between staff, how they may respond to challenges, and also safeguard themselves.

 

Getting more involved with Time to Change

Would you like to get more involved with anti-stigma mental health work, or start your own event? Find out about how to support the Time to Change social movement and sign up to become a Time to Change Champion.

The Time to Change Bristol hub, is a partnership of local organisations, who collectively work together to further the mental health conversation. To sign up to the Hub’s mailing list, to hear about new opportunities and events, click here.

The Champions Fund is available to any Time to Change Champion to use to run an event in line with Time to Talk’s aims; you can apply for up to £500 to run a social contact event. Take a look at the linked pages for more information, and for help applying. 

February 1, 2019 at 1:13 pm | News | No comment

Funding to help challenge mental health stigma in Bristol

July 2, 2018 at 9:21 am

Today (2 July 2018) Time to Change Bristol is launching its Champions Fund – a £10,000 pot of money to help residents with personal experience challenge mental health stigma where they live.

Each applicant must be a registered Time to Change Champion and can apply for up to £500. The funding will be used to spark conversations between people who have experienced mental health problems and those who have not. Talking about mental health problems and sharing real life stories helps to change the way we all think and act about mental health problems.

Activities can range from stalls in shopping centres or festivals to free haircuts by bantering barbers and even ‘walk and talk’ dog walks.

A spokesperson for the Time to Change Bristol Hub said: “This is a great opportunity for residents who have experienced mental health problems to share their story and encourage people to talk more openly about mental health.

“When we talk to each other and establish common ground, prejudices and assumptions are often challenged and replaced with mutual understanding and respect. This can lead to changes in attitudes and behaviours and our campaign is proving that it is an incredibly effective way to reduce stigma and discrimination.”

Cllr Asher Craig, Cabinet Member for Communities, Equality and Public Health said: “I’m looking forward to seeing how our local champions would like to spend this money and their ideas to get more people opening up about their mental health. Since becoming a Time to Change hub we’ve offered training for people to become champions and this new funding pot will help to really bring the campaign alive. Only by working together will we bring about change that lasts, break down stigma and put our mental health at the top of the priority list.”

The funding is made available through Time to Change, a social movement run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness to change the way we all think and act about mental health problems. Time to Change Bristol was successful in its bid to become a Time to Change hub in March 2018. Time to Change Bristol is made up of the city council, Bristol Independent Mental Health Network (BIMHN), Rethink Bristol and Wellbeans Initiative CIC and with support from partners across the city – including employers, unions, universities, police and the NHS.

Time to Change hubs are local partnerships which demonstrate their commitment to:

  • Putting people with personal experience of mental health problems at the heart of their work
  • Embedding anti-stigma and discrimination work locally, whether that be local schools, workplaces or other community settings
  • Proactively campaigning to improve people’s attitudes and behaviours towards mental health.

To apply for funding applicants need to be registered Time to Change champions, be at least 18 years old, have lived experience of a mental health problem and live in Bristol.

The deadline to apply for the first round of funding is 24th August. Applications will be assessed by 7th September and successful applicants will be notified by 14th September.  

To register as a Time to Change champion visit www.time-to-change.org.uk/get-involved

To apply for the Champions Fund visit www.bimhn.org.uk/ttcbristol/

 

July 2, 2018 at 9:21 am | News | No comment

Free training to provide support as a Time to Change Champion

May 11, 2018 at 1:26 pm

Free training sessions are on offer with Time to Change Bristol to help people to join a growing movement of people changing how we all think and act about mental health problems.

The training is available over the next month to enable people to become Champions for the Bristol Time to Change hub, which is a network of local organisations and individuals committed to ending negative attitudes and behaviours towards people experiencing mental health problems.

Too many people with mental health problems are made to feel isolated, ashamed and worthless. But with the right support from those around them, people can recover and experience equality of opportunity in all areas of life. Encouraging people to open up to mental health – to talk and to listen – is the first step.

Time to Change Champions are people with lived experience of mental health problems and are vital campaigners for the movement as they have links to communities, come from a diverse range of backgrounds with various levels of previous experiences and skills.

Cllr Asher Craig, Cabinet Member for Public Health, said: “One of our key ambitions is for Bristol to become a city where everyone feels safe speaking out about mental health issues and where we can secure the support we need when we need it.

“Time to Change Champions are an essential part of the work to bring our city together to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination as they have first-hand experience in dealing with mental health problems.

“Their understanding and local focus will be instrumental in our upcoming Thrive Bristol programme, which we are leading with Bristol’s Anti Stigma Alliance with the help of our local universities, employers and unions alongside our partners in the voluntary sector, NHS and police.

“By working together as a city and using the expertise and support offered by the national Time to Change campaign we be believe we can make great progress towards Bristol becoming a city free from stigma and discrimination around mental health.”

Kata Papunen, a Time to Change Champion, said: “I became a Time to Change Champion in 2014, after an amazing summer of volunteering at Time to Change events in Bristol. I am passionate about mental health campaigning, reducing stigma and empowering others as well as myself, and I find that Time to Change provides the perfect network, support and cause to combine what I care for and what I can do and learn.

“By becoming a champion I have had a unique chance to further develop my skills in event management with the support of the champions forum, training opportunities and online material.

“Best of all, the Champions Fund allows us champions to bid for funding to help turn our ideas into reality. Having the funds to organise any kind of event or activity is a big hurdle, but thanks to the Champions Fund I don’t have to worry about that. Whether I want to organise a small coffee social or take part in a public campaigning day, the Champions Fund is there to help.

“I am grateful for the amazing support the Time to Change community continues to give, and I am looking forward to doing more good this summer with a very inspiring network.”

If you are interested in joining the social movement to change how we think and act about mental health problems and becoming a Time to Change Champion, sign up for one of the training sessions in Bristol:

Time to Change Bristol is made up of Bristol City Council, Bristol Independent Mental Health Network (BIMHN), Wellbeans Initiative CIC and Rethink Bristol with support from partners across the city – including employers, unions, universities, police and the NHS.

Time to Change the national campaign is run by charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness.

For more information visit www.bimhn.org.uk/ttcbristol or www.time-to-change.org.uk.

May 11, 2018 at 1:26 pm | News | No comment

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