About the West Midlands Social Inclusion Programme
The West Midlands Regional Development Centre's Social Inclusion programme's remit was to steer the regional delivery of the 2004 SEU (Social Exclusion Unit) Report on Mental Health, and to provide mental health input for the 2006 "Reaching Out" Social Exclusion Action Plan. The project also supported implementation of the West Midlands RDC's Anti Stigma/ Discrimination, Mental Health Promotion and Public Health workstream, and corresponding national policy initiatives.
It worked in partnership with the CSIP National Social Inclusion Programme, as well as Jobcentre Plus and NIACE (National Institute of Adult Continuing Education). The aim is to help mental health services focus on improving ordinary life opportunities, through which recovery is promoted, and drive change in these mainstream structures to make the necessary adjustments for fair and equitable access.
We expect focus for Social Inclusion to include:
- Housing
- Employment
- Education
- Volunteering
- Direct Payments/ Individual Budgets
- Physical Health
- Locality support
For more information, please contact Mary Dunleavy at mary.dunleavy@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk.
Staying Mentally Healthy Following Redundancy
It is recognised that being made redundant is likely to be in the top ten most stressful events that can happen throughout your life. However it can also be seen as an opportunity for change, a chance to re-evaluate what is important to you, and what direction your career might take in the future. It might be useful to know that most of us will be made redundant at least twice in our working life. The most important part to being made redundant is to keep your self confidence high.
Download the booklet `Staying Mentally Healthy Following Redundancy`, through this link - the booklet contains very practical guidance and further links to other helpful reources and organisations.