Thurrock Mind

Thurrock Mind Services - Day Services

Many people who have suffered mental health problems can become very distanced from the communities they live in, which reinforces their sense of isolation, compounding feelings of stress, anxiety, depression and sapping confidence and self-esteem. The Day Services Model we deliver at Thurrock Mind works holistically with people to help them identify all their life needs, encouraging social inclusion, and promoting a sense of belonging. The 3 services complement each other, aiming to get people back on the road to recovery by providing the most appropriate support at the right time. Activities focus on enabling the people who use our services to access mainstream opportunities, encouraging them to become part of the community rather than separate from it.

Who can use the services?

Anybody who has been diagnosed as having a mental health problem – this can range from depression, stress or anxiety as a result of recent life events, through to longer term severe and enduring mental health problems. People do not have to use all three Day Services - although they can if they wish – they can choose the service that best meets their needs at the time.

What are the services and how can they help?

Each service can help in a different way, but all complement each other to some extent – the service or services you decide to use will depend on your needs at the time:

Community Bridge Builders

Work one to one with service users to develop a Person Centred Development Plan. This provides the map for the service user to identify goals they need to achieve to improve their mental health, decrease social isolation and get their lives back on track. Once this has been done, the Community Bridge Builder will support the service user to achieve their goals, bridging the gap between isolation and social inclusion. National research has identified key life areas, called Social Inclusion Domains, that people benefit from involvement in if they are to remain physically and mentally healthy:

• Employment and Volunteering
• Education and Life Skills
• Sports and Leisure
• Neighbourhood, community, housing and finance
• Arts
• Faith, Spirituality and Culture

The Community Bridge Builders at Thurrock Mind work as a team, each taking a lead in developing specific knowledge in one of the Social Inclusion Domains, and keeping up to date information about local community activities linked to the Domains.

Download Leaflet (PDF)

Befriending Scheme

Aims to match volunteer befrienders with service users who have enduring mental health problems. We recruit and train volunteers, from the local community, who can provide friendship and social support to people who may be isolated and lonely because of their mental health problems. The volunteer befrienders provide links to the work of Community Bridge Builders and the Drop In, as well as giving extra support for service users to access social activities and groups. They spend time with the service user doing the things that they would like to do but feel they cannot start without extra support – this could be a walk in the park, a day at the seaside or meeting for a coffee and chat. Friendships are usually for a maximum duration of 2 years.

Download Leaflet (PDF)

Drop-In

Is open at 160 Bridge Road, Grays 7 days a week between 11am – 4pm, providing a range of groups and other activities that enable and support service users to gain the confidence to take their place as valued members of the wider community, thus decreasing social isolation. Service users are free to call in during opening hours to catch up with friends, meet their Community Bridge Builder, Befriending Worker or cook a meal with others. We feel that it is important that the people who use the Drop-In are involved in defining the activities and groups delivered that will help them gain in confidence, improve self-esteem and develop skills linked to increasing their independence. Staff are on hand to support this, but service users also gain by supporting each other and sharing ideas. Many of the group activities link to the Social Inclusion Domains, often extending out into the community – for example the Art and Photography Groups work with Community Bridge Builders to visit art exhibitions. Activities and Groups vary depending on the needs of service users, with some groups developing spin-off activities. The most popular groups, regularly held, are:

• Art and Photography – encouraging participants to explore and develop their creative side.
• Relaxation – as a way to improve health and well-being.
• Self-Esteem and Confidence – run in partnership with WEA, and aiming to encourage participants to gain a positive attitude towards themselves.
• Look Good, Feel Good – to show how a positive personal appearance can lead to positive mental health.
• Cooking Certificate – enabling participants to learn the basic skills needed in the kitchen, and promoting healthy eating, hygiene and safety.

Download Leaflet (PDF)

How do I find out more about Day Services at Thurrock Mind?

If you would like to use any of the Day Services you can be referred by your GP, Community mental Health Team, relevant health or social services professional, or other community support worker or organisation. The Thurrock Mind Referral Form is available from our Forms and Leaflets section. If you wish to discuss a referral further, or would like to find out more if you think the services could help you, contact the Dropin or Befriending services by phoning 01375 380233 or fill out our Contact Us form.