For your information Parking to pest control, housing to hate crime turn to pages 16 & 17 Useful information Conversation can make a difference News from Tower Hamlets Public Health THE council is encouraging residents to make Time to Talk on Thursday, February 5 to get more people talking about mental health than ever before. The campaign, led by national charity Time to Change, aims to show that: “It’s the little things which make a big difference.” Making a difference could be as simple as having a cup of tea and a chat with your friend, colleague or neighbour who may need some extra support. In an attempt to tackle the stigma and discrimination which are still associated with the words ‘mental health,’ local volunteers have created films to explore why mental health remains such a taboo. The project has brought together a group of people, all with lived experience of mental illness, allowing them to write scripts and create four dynamic short films. One of the film’s volunteers, S M Amos, shares her experience of the project: “I came across Moving Pictures not long after my hospitalisation, while I was living in Crisis House. “Over many years, I had been afraid to speak up about my diagnosis of bipolar disorder, not knowing fully what it meant. “Having faced negative responses very early on in my journey, I was aware those closest to me would not accept me and even I became too embarrassed to accept myself. “I could not make the doctors understand that a label and medication without any selfeducation did not mean a thing. “Depending on medications to stay ‘normal’ – but how does one know what ‘normal’ is anyway? “How was I to make others understand if I was unaware of it myself? My personal journey has been the hardest but years of experience taught me more self-awareness than a book could provide. “I became passionate to speak against the stigma I faced, fully knowing what impact negative attitudes can have on one’s life and that, sadly, many others are going through this. “This project gave me an opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges involved and hopefully provide a better understanding through a creative medium. “Suffering from anxiety attacks is not ideal for public speaking –however, as a group we were able to get to know our strengths and weaknesses. “We supported each other through Tea & Talk sessions at community and day centres. “I was involved a lot in the film-making side as it became a safe environment for all of us to make our voices heard. “By the end of it, I took part in a Q&A at the Genesis and Rich Mix cinemas and was able to speak in front of a crowd on our opening day at Toynbee Hall. “This was a huge confidence boost for someone who struggles to go out alone or speak to anyone. “What I learned most through this project, is that people are willing to listen and have more empathy and understanding. “All we need now is the voices of the survivors of mental health to be heard, and projects like these are allowing me and others to speak up.” ■ Staff from Mind in Tower Hamlets and Newham will be offering a cuppa and making time to have a chat at Chrisp Street Market, from 10am to 3pm on Thursday, February 5. For more information on mental health charity Mind in Tower Hamlets and Newham visit www.mithn.org.uk For tips on how to improve mental health, and to sign up to the Time to Change pledge, visit www.time-to-change.org.uk Standing up against discrimination More than 60,000 people have committed to challenge mental health stigma and discrimination by adding their name to the Time to Change pledge wall. Make your pledge at... www.time-to-change.org.uk Chemist rota Pharmacists in Tower Hamlets with extended opening hours. E1 ABC Drug Stores, 12-14 Montague Street: Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-5.30pm, Sun 10am-2.30pm. Beck & Sherman, 197 Whitechapel Road: Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-5.30pm, bank holidays 11am-1pm. Sainsbury’s, The Albion Brewery: Mon-Fri 8.30am- 10pm, Sat 7.30am-10pm, Sun 11am-5pm. Chapel, 139 Cannon Street: Mon- Fri 9am-8pm, Sat 9am-6pm. E2 Fairdale, 360 Bethnal Green Road: Mon, Tues, Weds, Fri 9am-6.30pm, Thurs 9am-1pm, Sat 9am-6pm, bank holidays 11am-2pm. Florida, 307 Bethnal Green Road: Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-6pm, bank holidays 11am-2pm. E3 Bell, 534 Roman Road: Mon-Sat 7am-11pm, Sun 10am-2pm. Forward, 648 Mile End Road: Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am- 6pm, Sun and bank holidays 10am-6pm. Green Light, St Andrew’s Health Centre, 2 Hannaford Walk: 8am-8pm, seven days a week, including bank holidays. Lincoln, 60 St Paul’s Way: Mon, Tues, Weds 8am-8pm, Thurs, Fri, 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-5pm. Tesco, Hancock Road: Mon 8am-10.30pm, Tues-Fri 6.30am-10.30pm, Sat 6.30am- 10pm, Sun 11am-4pm. E14 Boots, Unit 15, Jubilee Place: Mon-Fri 7am-midnight, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 12pm-6pm. Britannia (Perimart), Asda Precinct, East Ferry Road: Mon- Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 11am-4pm, bank holidays 11am-6pm. Doctors Please ring your doctor’s surgery for an appointment, but if it’s the weekend or late at night, call 7377 7151 (only for people in Tower Hamlets who are registered with a doctor). To find a doctor, dentist or help to quit smoking call the health hotline on 7364 5016, Mon-Fri 8am-8pm and Sat 8am-4pm. Advice East London Parkinson’s Support Group For people with Parkinson’s disease and their carers. Meets third Weds each month, 11am- 12pm at John Scurr Community Centre, 1A Bekesbourne St, E14. 0844 225 3704/0808 800 0303 Family Information Service (FIS) The Family Information Service provides information for people from birth to age 19 including helping parents and carers find childcare, advice on tax credits and childcare vouchers. Open Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm. 30 Greatorex Street, E1. fis@towerhamlets.gov.uk 7364 6495 Alzheimer’s Society Tower Hamlets Advice and help for carers and people with dementia. Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm. Robinson Centre, Mile End Hospital, Bancroft Road, E1. 8121 5626 Tower Hamlets Advocacy Project Independent advocates for adults with learning disabilities. Mon-Fri, 9.30am-4.30pm. Gladstone Place, 1 Ewart Place, E3. 7364 2550/2199 Parents Advice Centre (PAC) Offers advice around special educational needs (SEN). 30 Greatorex Street, E1. Drop-in sessions every Tues & Fri, 9:30am-3.30pm. 364 6489 LinkAge Plus An initiative of the Department for Work and Pensions. Toynbee Hall is one of five centres that coordinates services and activities provided. Mon-Fri from 9am-5pm, dropin session for advice on benefits, pensions, employment and housing. Appointments necessary. Mon 9am-5pm, Bangladeshi group. Toynbee Hall, Commercial Street, E1 7392 2914 www.toynbeehall.org.uk Free Advice Benefits, housing, immigration. Bengali speakers, home visits to house-bound. Weds, 10.30am- 12.30pm, Island House, Roserton Street, E14. Thurs, 1-3pm, Splash, Will Crooks Estate, Poplar High Street, E14. 7987 9379 Skillsmatch Free advice on all aspects of employment including training, apprenticeships and job vacancies. Canary Wharf Recruitment & Training Centre, 55 Upper Bank Street, E14. 7364 3727 or email skillsmatch @towerhamlets.gov.uk Tower Hamlets National Childbirth Trust Offers support, information and friendship to parents and parents-to-be. Regular events. 07976 710964 or towerhamletsnct@yahoo.com www.nct.org.uk Breastfeeding Support Centres Mon 11am-1pm Wapping Children’s Centre, 15 Chandler St, E1.Weds 12.30-2.30pm, Collingwood Children’s Centre, Buckhurst St, E1. Fri 12.30- 2.30pm, Overland Children’s Centre, 60 Parnell Rd, E3. Sun 2-4pm Barkantine Birth Centre, 121 Westferry Rd, E14. 3594 2591 or 07961 609 626 Free home fire safety advice From the London Fire Brigade 08000 28 44 28 Careers advice Tower Hamlets Careers Service Careers advice for ages 13-19 (up to 25 SEN). Mon-Fri, 1pm-5pm. Appointments available. Careers Centre, 35 Bow Road, E3. 7364 1401 TH Lifelong Learning Mon-Thurs, 10am-4pm. Shadwell Centre, 455 The Highway, E1. Careers advice Support from Civic Enterprise Clubs Co-operative. Tues & Thurs, 1-4pm & 6-9pm Bishopsgate Institute, 230 Bishopsgate, EC2. 07432 463343 Photo order form Copies of pictures published in East End Life taken by council photographers are available to readers. To request a copy, email eastendlife.news@towerhamlets.gov.uk and we can send it straight away. If you do not have access to email fill in this form and send it to Photos, East End Life, Town Hall, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, Poplar, E14 2BG. This service does take longer. Name Address Issue no. Page no. 8 NEWS FROM TOWER HAMLETS COUNCIL AND YOUR COMMUNITY 2 – 8 FEBRUARY 2015
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