News and Events
Birchwood Highland blog launched
We've just created a new blog on which staff, users of our services and others can post their stories, opinions and comments.
The initial post's theme is 'recovery', but contributions can be about other subjects, from stigma and discrimination to fundraising projects.
If you'd like to post an article on the blog, please submit your text to info@birchwoodhighland.org.uk
If you'd prefer to comment on an existing post, please click on "Leave a reply", which you will find just below the post.
Striking Gold!
2011 ended on a high note when the news came that we'd been successful in our application for the Healthy Working Lives Gold Award.
In recent years we progressed through the Bronze and Silver awards, and to achieve Gold we had to demonstrate that promoting Healthy Working Lives was an integral part of our business and its development.
If you are interested in the awards criteria and the benefits to organisations, communities and individuals, please visit the Healthy Working Lives website at http://www.healthyworkinglives.com/home/index.aspx
We are now in the process of applying for the Mental Health and Well-being Commendation Award, which is also part of the Healthy Working Lives programme.
Quiz Night
We're holding a quiz night on Friday 10th February 2012 at the Raigmore Hospital Recreation Hall. Teams can be up to 4 people and the cost is £20.00 per team. We'll be having a raffle and prizes for the winners. The bar will open at 7pm and we have a 100 person capacity venue. Please confirm your team's details to info@birchwoodhighland.org.uk and send a cheque for £20.00 by Monday 30th January to:
Birchwood Highland
5 Wells Street
Inverness IV3 5JT
There's only one word for it...
terrifying!
Congratulations to Jenny Roberts and Lori Sutherland, from Birchwood Highland Recovery Centre, for completing this spectacular fundraising bungee jump on Friday 30th September.
Their approach was to use sponsorsheets and create a page on the justgiving website, www.justgiving.com/jennyandlori
"There's still some money to come in", says Jenny, "but it looks like it's well over £600 raised".
Jenny is in the photo opposite.
2010/2011 Company Annual Report
Birchwood Highland's 2010/2011 Annual Report is now available, and can be downloaded here (PDF file).
Total warriors raise funds for Birchwood
In 2009, Tom Palmer and Donnie Duncanson (pictured opposite) cycled from Lands End to John O'Groats to raise funds for Birchwood.
On 7th August this year Tom and Donnie were joined by Barry Foreman, Bruce McCubbin and Tim Wade to attempt the 10K Total Warrior course in the Lake District (that's 6 miles of obstacles followed by 4 miles of fell-running). Their target was to raise £300 for Birchwood, which they've exceeded.
Donnie Duncanson said, "The cause is a worthy one, and one which is still too much of a taboo in our society - ill mental health. Birchwood Highland supports those with mental ill-health, and helps rehabilitate, building self-confidence and independence."
A big thank you to everyone in the team.
Their justgiving page can still be accessed at www.justgiving.com/totalwarriors
Caithness Housing Support Team has moved to:
1 Amherst
Malcolm Street
Wick, KW1 5AF
Their new phone number is: 01955 603 380
Updated 10th February 2011.
Lochaber Housing Support Team has moved to:
Flat 5, Meall na Mara
Alma Road
Fort William
PH33 6HD
Their new phone number is: 01397 700 944
Updated 9th September 2010
Birchwood Highland Recovery Centre retains highest grades
Following an unannounced visit to the Recovery Centre in January 2011, the Care Commission Scotland awarded Grade 6 markings - the highest available - in all the aspects they looked at. This is the third year running in which the Recovery Centre has met these high standards.
Birchwood Highland's Housing Support Service, assessed by the Care Commission on 4th December 2009, also achieved Grade 6 markings in all aspects.
For more information about the Care Commission's grading system, please visit our Quality Care Standards page.
Volunteer befriending service
The Befriending Network Scotland recently accredited Birchwood Highland as an Approved Provider of befriending services, through the use of volunteers.
As well as befriending there are many other ways in which volunteers can support and enhance our work - please visit our volunteering pages for more information.
Forest School project at Abriachan
This project, supported by Abriachan Forest Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland, Birchwood Highland and NHS New Craigs, has been running from October 2010 until the end of March 2011.
The sessions were held every Tuesday, mostly at Abriachan Forest but also in the Woodland Trust oak and hazel wood lower down the hill.
On arrival, participants went for a brisk 3km walk, some walking around in one direction, while others went the opposite way. This introduced an element of competition, and for the majority of participants this outdoor physical activity was a remarkable achievement because many of them live sedentary, sometimes solitary, indoor lives.
Learning navigation skills was an element of the project and participants used them to explore the path network and find hidden clues and objects.
Most of the group can now take the climb to the top of Carn na Leitire in their stride. The sense of support and looking out for each other was very obvious throughout.
Knowledge sharing was encouraged and there are now experts on tree species and animal tracks. All participants will achieve John Muir Discovery Awards.
Campfire cookery menus have been varied and unanimously declared delicious. Menus were agreed on, planned, cooked and devoured by everyone involved.
Tasks have included drainage, building a fire pit, firewood collection, creating a path and planting trees.
Ken: "Unmissable, fantastic. I feel lucky to get the chance of doing it. It's fun learning about the forest with a great bunch of people who are friendly and keen to help."
Both Birchwood Highland and New Craigs Hospital have valued this project so much that they have found funds to continue the project for a further 14 weeks. We are also seeking wider support to sustain and build on the project through grant funding bodies.
Thanks to Suzann Barr, Abriachan Forest Trust, for the attached report (PDF 64KB).
Puppet project on film
Can You See Me? is the title of a film following the progress of a group of Birchwood Highland service users who got together with Zenwing Puppets to create stories of recovery from mental ill health - using puppets.
Birchwood Highland is grateful to 'see me', Scotland's national campaign against stigma and discrimination towards people with mental ill-health - for their support.
The film, first shown at the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival 2010, is now available as two DVDs. These have already been shown in some Highland Schools.
Film 1 (28 mins) follows the progress of the service users as they create their stories and puppets, and Film 2 (34 mins) shows their performances.
They are available as DVDs at £5 each, plus postage of £1.96.
If you would like copies of the DVDs, please get in touch with:
Birchwood Highland
5 Wells Street
Inverness
IV3 5JT
Tel 01463 236507
Email:info@birchwoodhighland.org.uk
Scottish Mental Health Co-operative
Birchwood Highland is a member of the recently formed Scottish Mental Health Co-operative.