HEALTH MATTERS
DR Ian Hulme, clinical lead for mental health at NHS Eastern Cheshire CCG and GP with Meadowside Medical Centre, Congleton. DID you know that one in four of us will suffer from mental ill health at some stage? That’s why we’ve made it one of our ambitions here at the CCG to improve the healthrelated quality of life for people with mental health conditions.
One of the approaches we’ve taken is to establish a Talking Therapies service for people with mild to moderate symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression. This is an innovative service because it doesn’t only tackle the symptoms through clinical support, it also addresses the root causes of the problem – for example debt, loneliness or bereavement.
The clinical service is provided by The Big Life Group, a consortium of social businesses and charities working to give people opportunities to change their lives. The non-clinical side of the service is delivered by Peaks and Plains Housing Trust with partners with expertise in areas including bereavement counselling, disability support services and financial advice.
As a Congleton GP, I’m delighted that the Talking Therapies partners have just brought Plus Dane Housing onboard to run weekly wellbeing sessions in the Bromley Farm Wellbeing Hub in Parnell Square. You don’t have to be from Congleton to participate, as the sessions are open to anyone from eastern Cheshire. What’s more, you don’t have to be referred by your GP, you can simply turn up.
The sessions started on Monday, June 5, and run from 1.30pm to 3pm. They offer practical health and wellbeing support in an informal setting. A menu of topics is covered.
Issues looked at include physical health, employment and relationship breakdown.
There are also sessions in Macclesfield and Handforth. The sessions are for people aged 16 or over, they are free and their aim is to help people feel happier and healthier.
For more information, call Lisa on 07966 992780 or Stephanie on 07814 928436. Alternatively, visit mytalkingtherapies.com. If a group is not appropriate, there are many other elements of the Taking Therapies service. These include counselling, therapy, and one-to one-practical support. Call 01625 469955 for more.