The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Five innovative new groups including a reminiscing film club and a get together for adults with autism are to be launched by charity Tonic Health after receiving a share of a £300,000 NHS cash pot.
Sessions to support the likes of those with autism, mental health issues, dementia and the carers of people in need themselves are among those being backed by the Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s Managed Care Network.
The new projects are entitled Mental Health Advocacy Service, Carer’s Support Group, Reminiscence TV & Film Club and Autistic Led.
The latter will be run for adults with autism by Spalding resident Callum Brazzo.
The sessions at Tonic Health on Thursdays from 4.30pm to 6.30pm will compliment existing services.
The Reminiscence TV and Film Club will meet fortnightly on a Friday from 1.30pm to 3.30pm to watch films and TV programmes from “back in the day” on a big screen. Listings will be available in advance and the £5 entry fee includes refreshments and a chance to talk about what you watch.
The Carers Support Group is aimed at adult carers and offers peer support, guidance and information at its monthly meetings.
As previously reported in The Voice, the Managed Care Network has stopped funding to the Safe Place initiative, but it has backed a new initiative called Safe Places Sunday Lunch.
That’s to be run by tonic and will be a place for those recovering from mental illness to come together over a hearty meal on alternative weekends at Tonic Health.
The two course meal is subsidised for those who cannot afford to pay, but others are welcome at £6 per head.
Finally, Ruth Taplin will be running an advocacy service from Tonic Health providing one to one support for people needing advice and guidance on a range of health and wellbeing issues, including information, signposting and form filling.
Michael Morris, chair of Tonic Health said: This funding allows us to try new ideas, based on research from people who access our services and what is needed.
“The intention for this fund is to prove a long term need which we can take to future funders, like the NHS, for longer term financial support. Funding is becoming increasingly harder to secure, so data collection and proof of need is a constant requirement – whether this comes from the public or private sector.”
Also receiving the funding is the Spalding Community Peer Support Group.
Jane Marshall, director of strategy at Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust added: “We have a strong desire and vision to grow and expand the network, to offer as wide a range of activities covering as many geographical areas as possible.
“It’s great that we’ve been able to introduce yet more new exciting projects this year for the benefit of our communities.”
