Co-production acknowledges that people with ‘lived experience’ of a particular condition, are often best placed to advise on what support and services will make a positive difference to their lives.

The Macmillan Mental Health Cancer Care project is looking for people interested in working alongside the Project Lead to produce recommendations to improve the experience of people living with a mental health condition and affected by cancer. This is an exciting new opportunity to help improve future experiences

The recommendations to be developed will be focussed on three areas:

• Referral processes - what information is shared at referral and what happens to it
• Training and development – what are the gaps in cancer and mental health services regarding cancer and mental health awareness. Identification of current training provision available
• Information – critically analyse written information offered to patients on diagnosis. Offer suggestions for improvements to make written information more accessible

Role Purpose:

To support the Macmillan Mental Health Cancer Care Project Lead to develop recommendations to improve the experience of people living with mental health conditions and affected by cancer.

For more details please download the volunteer role description below.

To find out more or to join us, ring Sarah Jane on 07802335570 or email: sarahjane.ashcroft@middlesbroughandstocktonmind.org.uk.

Could you volunteer as an Appropriate Adult?
Mind provides an Appropriate Adult Service to support vulnerable adults in police custody. We have a 24/7 rota system where volunteers can offer their time on the following shifts:

Morning (07:00-12:00)
Afternoon (12:00-18:00)
Evening (18:00-00:00)
Overnight (22:00-04:00)

The role can be quite challenging and will not suit everyone, but it can be very rewarding. The current team of volunteers do a fabulous job and Mind gets excellent feedback from the police!!

The most difficult shifts to cover are the Evenings (18:00-00:00) and Overnights (22:00-04:00), particularly on the weekends and during holiday periods, so we are always looking for new volunteers who can cover those shifts.

You will be trained and supported to carry out the role, so if anyone would like to be a volunteer for the service, please get in touch with Hilary Homan!

Energise is our new women’s activity project in Middlesbrough and Stockton. Are you interested in helping people to participate in sport and physical activity to help them improve their mental health?
If so, read on - our Peer Sports Mentor volunteer role may be of interest to you. The role involves:
• Working with women one-to-one, or in a small group, to help them achieve realistic goals and attend activity sessions together in the community or at a leisure centre.
• Being able to assist, support, encourage and motivate the person to help them overcome perceived barriers to participation in sport.
• Encouraging the person to manage their physical and mental health.
• Encouraging the person to improve their social networks.

Previous experience of this type of work isn’t needed as we do provide training. What we are more interested in is people who:
• Can use their own experiences of poor mental health in a positive way
• Have an interest in sport or physical activity
• Are happy to get practically involved
• Have a non-judgemental approach
• Can work within agreed boundaries
• Can be a positive role model
• Are reliable and committed to the role

We would particularly like to hear from women who understand the positive impact that activity has on our mental health and well-being.

For more information please contact Adelle Stevens or Kim Peacock on (01642) 796636 or email kim.peacock@middlesbroughandstocktonmind.org.uk