A giant multi-coloured ‘rainbow’ scarf more than 30m long will be draped from the balcony of City Hall, Norwich, this Friday (July 30) as part of the annual Norwich Pride celebrations.

Norwich Pride celebrates the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, and this year’s parade takes place on Saturday, with events throughout the day.

The scarf is the brainchild of Helen Simpson-Slapp, who is both a well-known local artist and city employment lead for Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Hundreds of people across Norfolk have knitted squares for the scarf, which contained at least 1500 squares at the last count. ‘Knit-ins’ have taken place at pubs, offices and church halls since March. Progress has been publicised on Facebook, and squares have been received from all over the world.


“I wanted a way for people from all walks of life to be part of Norwich Pride, and the response has been amazing,” said Helen.

“I particularly asked churches to be involved, and we have had knitting groups from all over the country busy making squares.”

The scarf will be collected from St Gregory’s Church, on Pottergate, at 1pm on Friday, and carried to City Hall, where it will be hung from the balcony. Councillor Jeremy Hooke will say a few words, and the Rev Philip Young, from St Thomas’ Church, will bless the scarf.

When the scarf is taken down it will be broken up into blankets, which will be sold to raise money for charity.

www.norwichpride.org.uk

This summer the Sainsbury Centre’s exciting events programme includes lots for free activities for families. The annual Family Fun Day on Sunday 1 August from midday until 4pm, in association with Norwich Evening News, will include live performances, creative activities, fun and games. This year’s theme, Explore the World, links to the Sainsbury Centre’s extraordinary collection of world art, which comprises objects from Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Americas. From Tuesday 27 - Sunday 5 September from 11am - 4pm the Sainsbury Centre will be offering artist-designed drop-in activities for families to do together as part of the Centre’s Object of the Holiday series. Family Fun Day, Object of the Holiday activities and admission to the gallery is free. The Centre is closed on Mondays including August Bank Holiday Monday.


Every school holiday the Sainsbury Centre offers Object of the Holiday activities for families. This holiday the activities all link to the Mini Museum, a group of small objects in the Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection that were personal favourites of Sir Robert Sainsbury.

“Sir Robert Sainsbury was especially fond of small sculptures, a selection of which he arranged in a special display cabinet in his bedroom. Its composition changed over the years until Sir Robert’s death in 2000.The final version has been recreated in the gallery so visitors may enjoy Sir Robert’s personal choice of fine miniature sculptures from many lands and many periods” - Emma Hazell, Assistant Curator (maternity cover).

Families will be able to spend the day at the Centre and enjoy the host of things on offer. At the activity table, which is kindly sponsored by The Hewett School, there will be artist-designed things to make and do (Tuesday to Sunday each week from 11am to 4pm). Amongst the activities will be the chance to make a Mini Museum. The Object of the Holiday activity booklet designed by artist Sarah Florence with support from the Centre’s guides includes fun facts about the Mini Museum, drawing activities, trails, word games, things to do when you get home and other challenges.
Children can also enjoy stories about Japan and the miniature inspired by the permanent collections and narrated by Sainsbury Centre guides (Tuesday 3 August - Saturday 8 August at 11am).


At Fun Day on Sunday 1 August there will be lots of fun and creative activities suitable for all the family, inspired by countries around the world that are represented in the Sainsbury Centre’s Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection. There will be the chance to make an Alaskan hunter’s hat and drop-in to a workshop with Chie Kutsuwada, one of the UK’s pre-eminent manga artists, and have a go at manga-style drawing. Fun Day will mark the end of a week-long residency at the Sainsbury Centre for Chie, during which she is running workshops and working on art projects in the galleries and Education Studio.

Throughout the event there will be live performances from Norwich-based band Brolly Folk and world dance workshops. There will also be a parade of classic Harley-Davidsons from the Iceni Motorcycle Club. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic, or treat themselves to an ice-cream or something from the BBQ. The Sainsbury Centre Gallery Café will also be open serving a range of drinks and light lunches.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming even more families to another great Fun Day this year and are delighted to be able to offer it for free. There’s something to keep everyone entertained so why not drop in and see what we have to offer?” - Emily Ward, Education and Events Officer.


This Fun Day, the Sainsbury Centre is also celebrating its participation in the BBC and British Museum project, A History of the World. The Antler Comb, currently on display in the Living Area gallery, is one of ten objects selected to tell the history of Norfolk and its place in the world. Visitors to the History of the World stand will find creative activities linked to the comb and an artist-designed activity trail to help them explore the Centre and collections.

In addition to the activities outside visitors will be able to enjoy a display of artwork by children from years 4 and 5 at Valley Primary School in Norwich. The work was made on a special visit to the Sainsbury Centre supported by Bayer Crop Science. Amongst the other things to do inside will be tours of the gallery’s permanent collections by the Sainsbury Centre’s guides. Children can also pick up one of our activity booklets, full of puzzles, activities and fun facts, or use one of our gallery trails to explore the Centre’s collections. During Fun Day, there will be free admission to the Sainsbury Centre’s two special exhibitions (usual price £4, concessions £2, family price £8, concessions £6): Henry Moore Textiles is an exhibition of Moore’s fabric designs from the 1940s and 1950s, while unearthed brings together small prehistoric ceramic figurines from the Balkans and Japan for the first time.

Event detail is subject to the weather. The event will take place inside the Sainsbury Centre if it is raining.

This clip was taken along side one of my photographic shoots on Elmley Marshes, Kent.

For a high res image go to: www.wildaboutimages.co.uk
© Paul Bunyard

Norwich City Net VERY SPECIAL advertising offer!

This film is showing as part of 'Britain at Bay: Peace & War 1937-1940', a touring programme of films from the BFI National Archive. Visit http://www.independentcinemaoffice.or... for more information.

This early Dufaycolor documentary from Humphrey Jennings focuses on an August harvest in Sawston, Cambridgeshire. The old makes way for the new as the trusty old scythe bows down to the horse-drawn binder and plough. Hard work, flat caps and pipes abound as we see the workers downing midday ale for sustenance and taking a break at 5 to sit in the fields for a cup of tea brought to them by their wives. The 'playground of the town' and 'workshop of the country', alias the great British countryside, has never looked better.
For more information about Dufaycolor and 'English Harvest' see http://www.bftv.ac.uk/projects/dufayc...

Surviving the cut backs, tough times ahead.

It seemed a long time coming but at last summer arrived with clear skies and the sun blazing down. Just what we all needed to boost us up when all around us there is evidence of the hard times we are told we have to expect. According to the media everyone will suffer financial cut backs and many will not be able to manage. Things that we have taken for granted will no longer be available.

We all know this has happened before and after a struggle we came through it OK. I have no doubt we will do so again. Of course, there will be those who suffer more than others. Looking on a brighter side, there will be a great number of people who have to start working for what they get and in some cases, this could be a blessing in disguise. They will soon learn that those things we have to make a sacrifice to get are much more appreciated and enjoyed than any we are able to have at any time.
Anyone forced to go through a spell of having to manage on a meagre income that allows for few, if any of the luxuries we all take for granted, soon learns exactly what is really essential for a full and happy life. They might find that there are many things more important than money. History has proved that in a recession or any kind of emergency the hardship which ensues tends to draw people and whole communities closer together. 


For ordinary people, the tragedy is that they can do nothing about it. They go to work and earn the money to support their family but how much of what they receive is theirs. A great deal of it, tax, insurance, pension etc. is deducted before they have access to the balance but then there is still the mortgage or rent, services and other committed payments.

What is left is yours! – Except for things like the VAT you have to pay on most goods and services.

Would it be much better for everyone if all the deductions were made at the same time before wages and salaries were paid? They all finish up in the same big purse anyway for distribution as our elected government thinks fit.

Did You Know?

In 1939 when the Second World War started almost all the Class barriers that had always been so prevalent disappeared. Everyone’s ambitions and plans had to be put on hold. There was no certain future to look forward to.

People had to take one day at a time never knowing what was round the corner. It was surprising how quickly they got over the initial shock of coping with things like the blackout, being fitted and issued with a gas mask, not being able to travel freely and frequently being asked to produce their identity card. They soon adapted to the long queues that had to be tolerated at all kinds of shops as well as managing the family rations to ensure there was always something on the table at meal times.

Very often it would only be those at the front of the queue that reached the shop before supplies ran out. Nothing could be done except go home and return to the queue earlier tomorrow. This took up a great deal of time but it did make a big contribution to the bonding process. Many women had their men folk away in the forces or employed in the war effort on munitions, mines etc.
Everyone shared and helped each other in any way they could. In some streets, when there was no shelter near at hand, the residents had a rota so when the siren sounded they all hurried to an agreed neighbours house. This practice was changed later when the bombing became more frequent and many households were issued with their own air raid shelters.
If we consider what the past generations had to put up with at such times, our present situation might not seem quite so bad. It is true they didn’t have to suffer a Government who was undecided about what they could or couldn’t do. In most cases they had very little choice and had to be sure they got it right first time. Sometimes it was a matter of life and death and concerned everyone. Consequently, the response and support they received from the public in every quarter at the end of the 1930’s was something that is never likely to be repeated.

What can we do? 
For a start we might ask ourselves if we are really as bad off as we think we are? Then, whether we are or not, we could decide to be more appreciative and content with what we have. Make the time to consider what is really important, not just to you but to your friends, neighbours and the whole community. 

Perhaps there are things you can share. If there is nothing material it usually gives a good feeling of relief when you have someone who is impartial to listen to all the things that you worry about and often can’t discuss with those close to you.
 
We are constantly being told how important it is to change our lifestyle but with today’s financial and social pressures it is not easy to see how it can be done. Things have changed dramatically since those days of our forefathers and it is difficult to see how we could ever match that same close companionship without a major disaster of some kind to initiate it. However, even a tiny move in that direction now, could make a lot of difference to many families and communities in the future.

Why not look up The Five Ways To Wellbeing?  --  THEN AND NOW[71]. There is something there for everyone.


valley lad - [EIGHTY-THREE]

NHS Norfolk is urging children and their parents to stay active over the school summer holidays, and is promoting a Change4Life initiative designed to help them.

The Change4Life "Fun Wheel" aims to make sure that families meet the 60 minutes of activity which they need to take every day to help maintain good health.

The wheel is a spin-the-wheel game with lots of ideas for fun activities. It is ideal for children’s team challenges, parties or family trips to the park, or just encouraging children to be more active. Ideas include dancing, running on the spot, and star jumps.

Hannah Critten, NHS Norfolk's Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives Co-ordinator (Childhood Obesity) said: "About a third of children in Norfolk are overweight or obese, and the school summer holidays are the perfect time for children - and their parents - to make a commitment to be more active.

"The Fun Wheel aims to provide inspiration for a range of children's activities. We want to encourage children away from the TV set and computer games, and towards more active, and fun, pursuits instead."

To find out more, visit the Change4Life website at www.nhs.uk/change4life.
There, you will have access to an interactive summer activity planner and a competition to win a family holiday with Eurocamp.

You can order your own Fun Wheel by visiting the Change4Life website or calling 0300 123 1018.

There are also many other activities for children to take part in across the county, throughout the school summer holidays.

Hannah added: "From Star:track athletics courses and Sportscamps organised by Active Norfolk, to Soccer Schools run by Football in the Community, there's something enjoyable to encourage children to be more active, whatever their age.


"NHS Norfolk works with Active Norfolk, part-funding the post of Physical Activity and Health Co-ordinator. We also work closely with Norwich City FC/Football in the Community, funding courses such as MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do-It) to encourage children to be more active."

In addition, Change4Life will launch a Facebook page next month (august) that will provide a forum for families to exchange ideas and invite each other to take part in local activities.

Jonathan Williams, NHS Norfolk's Assistant Director of Public Health, said: "NHS Norfolk is pleased to promote this new Change4Life initiative, and to support schemes run by Active Norfolk and Football in the Community.

"Research has shown that children who are overweight or obese tend to remain so as adults, putting themselves at risk of a range of health problems and diseases, including diabetes and cancer.

"We hope the Change4Life Fun Wheel will encourage people of all ages to think about activities they can incorporate into the school holidays and improve their health as a result, and we hope they will decide to enrol on a course locally too."

For information about healthy eating projects and those designed to get you more active, call the NHS Norfolk Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0800 587 4132.

For details about children's activities organised by Active Norfolk or Norwich City FC/Football in the Community, visit their websites at www.activenorfolk.org or www.fitc.org

Nick Baker shows us how to go fishing for pond skaters! Learn more about these amazing water skimming insects and how you can get a close-up look at them. If you do try this activity - make sure you wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

SAFE DRIVING GONE IN A FLASH

Then something unexpected happened. As this new season got under way, a chap my father knew (through work, racing pigeons and the pub) mentioned to him that he went to watch City most weeks and that he would take me to the games. I didn't see the point in that. As I explained in my previous article in this series, I was a fledgling Barclay Boy. I certainly didn't need taking to Carrow Road!! I would no longer be living on the edge. And I had also laughed at lads my own age when I saw them holding their Dad's hands to and from the ground. No thanks.




It wasn't every game because my friend worked shifts so couldn't always make it. But it was quite often, and for the games in between I went back to the Barclay. The task of cushion selling was easy enough. From about 1.30 onwards we had to be stationed on the concrete landing under the Main Stand, and in return for what I think was sixpence (two and a half pence in modern currency) we handed over a splendid green cushion. The seats in those days were not plastic but wooden. In fact they were really just wooden benches with no backs of course. After two hours your backside needed the comfort of a cushion that is for sure.




He never left me alone too long with the cushions - it was actually quite a busy little job, and the guy really was kind hearted and generous to a fault. As three o'clock arrived the ground would start buzzing. We used to hang around on the staircase, reading the programme he got free with the job (he always let me keep it and bought one for himself as he collected them). We couldn't go to the seats until the game had started, so in truth I used to miss the first thirty seconds of every match. By then he would have sussed out where there might be an empty seat he could plonk me down at. He was entitled to a seat anyway, so if push came to shove, I used his and he crouched down in the aisle. It was fantastic for me.




I studied tactics, and listened to all the opinions from those seated around me. It was worth being huddled tightly together, with bony knees digging into my back. It was worth having cigarette smoke blown in my face. I watched as City gloriously won their way through to first flight football for the first time in their history and I shared in the hopes and dreams of the other faithful Canaries supporters. It couldn't really happen could it? Not to Norwich City.




The next season I was back to witness the survival against relegation, and the following year when we didn't make it. And finally, as far as the Main Stand was concerned, 1974-75, and a second promotion year from Division Two. After that I drifted away from the cushion seller. We had no fall out, it was just a case of life moving on. I don't know what happened to him, but he had two young sons and I suspect that by then, the oldest one at least was ready go to games and act as assistant cushion seller. I owed the guy lots. My time in the Main Stand was to prove to be vital to my footballing education. I did get to night matches, and I went to some away games with him too, on Red Car Service from Bell Avenue, with pocket money saved from not paying to get into Carrow Road.




Credit to:
aitch www.canaryseventyninety.blogspot.com

Aylsham has a well deserved reputation as a "foodie town" with its wide range of food retailers, a twice-monthly FARMA-accredited farmers' markets and of course, the many farms which surround it. The town's annual Food Festival serves to confirm that reputation, focussing on local food, its producers and associated businesses.

The 2010 Aylsham Food Festival takes place over the weekend of 1st to 3rd October 2010 with a variety of events for the whole community, starting with a sumptuous buffet dinner for 100 people at the High School on Friday 1st. Students at the school have been charged with devising a menu, as well costing the ingredients which must be sourced locally. Tickets for the dinner will be available in September and will cost just £18.50 per person.

Saturday 2nd will see the bulk of the Food Festival events, starting with a farmers' market in the Market Place during the morning. Running at the same time will be 'The Taste Adventure' in the Town Hall. This new departure for the Food Festival uses a project devised by Slow Food UK, aimed at educating children on the use of the five senses when we eat and enjoy good food. A series of ‘zones’ will be set up to stimulate the children’s senses through ‘touchy’, ‘smelly’, ‘noisy’, ‘tasty’ and ‘seeing’ areas, where children are encouraged to squish, spy and sniff food in its natural form. Entry will be completely free and there will be gifts for the children.


Also on Saturday, the High School will host 'Kids Cooking Workshops' where primary school children will make fresh food products, using local ingredients. Run in association with the lottery-funded 'Let's Get Cooking' campaign, these workshops will encourage young children to taste and share the food both at the cooking session and at home.

Rounding off Aylsham Food Festival will be the Big Slow Breakfast in the Town Hall on the morning of Sunday 3rd October. This much-loved event has become a byword for the Festival and its organisers, Slow Food Aylsham, offering local residents and their guests the opportunity to share a traditional English breakfast (a vegetarian option will be available) in a friendly and light-hearted atmosphere.

Tickets for the Friday evening dinner and the Big Slow Breakfast will be available throughout September at Salad Days fruit and veg stall in the Town Square. The Taste Adventure offers free entry on the day while details of the Kids Cooking Workshops will be made available through the town's primary schools. There is more information about the Food Festival on the Slow Food Aylsham website at www.slowfoodaylsham.org.uk

Slow Food Aylsham, organisers of the Aylsham Food Festival, is a not-for-profit membership organisation, a branch of Slow Food UK. The international Slow Food movement, founded in 1989, has over 100,000 members across the world and seeks to counteract fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions and people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect the rest of the world.

Last chance to apply to the Norfolk Sports & Cultural Foundation Fund

The fund supports the Norfolk's most promising artists and athletes in the spirit of the London 2012 Games.

The fund has two strands:
- Rising Stars: supports young people aged 14-25 who are recognised as being highly talented in their field with potential to perform at a national/ international level. The grant is up to £5,000 for up to two years.
- Make it Happen: supports people 14 and over who want to progress in their sporting or cultural field through a one-off grant of up to £1,000.

Click here for further information

The deadline for nominations and applications in 30th July 2010 and awards are made in October.


Active Norfolk's Startrack Athletics and sports camps are running ever weekday during the school holidays for children aged 6 - 15. Prices start from £4 per session and free places are available under some circumstances. Click here for details.

It's not too late to join in the Get Back Into courses - most of the have now started but you can turn up and pay on the day. An extra Get Back Into Golf session has been arranged at Dunston Hall starting Thursday 29th July for 8 weeks, 6pm-7pm £28.00 Click here for details


News


Hethersett village London 2012 open weekend
Hethersett village is planning a weekend of London 2012 themed events over the weekend of 24 - 25 July including a fun run, sport in the park and a ladies and girls football competition.


Sports Academies at Framlingham College
The Academies at Framlingham College were established in 2006 and have an enviable reputation for top class coaching. Details for this summer's academies are now available and booing is now open.


Coach vacancy: Get Back Into coaches
Active Norfolk is planning to run our popular Get Back Into programme in the Methwold area.


Vetting and Barring Scheme on hold
The government has announced that the Vetting and Barring Scheme - which was to have introduced additional checks for those working with vulnerable people - has been put on hold pending a review.


Children's summer holiday activities 2010
Once again there are a whole host of sporty activities for kids during the summer holidays all over Norfolk.


Tackling a Good Cause
Wymondham Rugby Club's Annual Day of Family Fun and Rugby for The Big C & East Anglian Air Ambulance 11am Sunday, 12th September, 2010 at Wymondham Rugby Club, Foster Harrison Memorial Ground, Tuttles Lane (East), Wymondham, NR18 0EN


East inspired to play by London 2012
64,000 young people in the East who don't normally play sport outside of school lessons have made a change and completed 10-week sports courses in their own time, new figures released reveal.


Community Sport Grants Programme
Voluntary groups/sports clubs based within the Broadland District Council or Norwich City Council area can now apply for this club grant. Grants of up to £1,000 may be awarded to sports clubs who have gained Clubmark (or their NGB equivalent).


Hethersett gains prestigious National Award
Hethersett "Sport in the Park" has been granted the Inspire Mark the badge of the London 2012 Inspire Programme. The London 2012 Inspire programme recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.


New Website is Welcome Boost for Disability Golf
A new website to help disabled golfers take part in and benefit from golf has been created by the England Golf Partnership (EGP).


Job Vacancy: Junior Development Swimming Coach
UEA City of Norwich SC is seeking a highly motivated individual to join the coaching team under the direction of the Head Coach and Head Age Coach to design and deliver an effective coaching and training syllabus for the UEA Norwich SC Junior Development group.


Job vacancy: Sports coach required for September
Funding has been secured to create an exciting, new opportunity for a Year 13 school/college leaver or qualified coach to work as an East Norfolk School Sports Partnership Sports Coach on a one year contract, term time only.


Job vacancy: Partnership Dance Coach
The East Norfolk School Sport Partnership has successfully secured funding to recruit a part-time Dance Coach from September 2010 for a 1 year contract initially to work within the Partnership's schools as part of the growing School Sports Coaching team.


New career? Teach Swimming!
Ever thought of being a swimming teacher? Want to help people overcome their fear of water? And rise to be the next Olympic star. Then become a swimming teacher with flexible working hours, and excellent rates of pay.


Events

Grand Skate Board event at Eaton Park, Norwich
To celebrate the new skate park at Eaton Park there will be a weekend of FREE, fun activity for all to enjoy.


Grand BMX event at Eaton Park, Norwich
To celebrate the new skate park at Eaton Park there will be a weekend of FREE, fun activity for all to enjoy.


Norwich Parkrun
Sign up to this free weekly park run happening at Eaton Park. The first session is on Saturday August 7th 9:00am - 10:30am. People of every ability are encouraged to take part; from those taking their first steps in running to Olympians; from juniors to those with more experience; we welcome you all!


Nordic Walking Course
Nordic Walking UK holds training courses across the UK and can help those from all backgrounds become qualified Nordic Walking Instructors.


Summer Swim Camp
New swimp camp is happening this summer at Hewett School Pool with the City of Norwich Swimming Club.


Dereham Hockey Club - Goalkeeping Day
Dereham Hockey Club is running another hockey goalkeeping day with former England & GB goalkeeper, Simon Mason

NHS Norfolk has been commended for driving forward improvements to the care of people with learning disabilities.

Together with organisations which deliver health care such as GP Practices and NHS hospitals, NHS Norfolk is working to bring about a step change in the experience of healthcare for a patient with a learning disability.


NHS Norfolk has been particularly commended for:

- Getting GPs to create a register of people with learning difficulties and working to give each of those patients an annual health check

- Ensuring the needs of people with learning difficulties are included across all areas of health care planning and provision

- Ensuring the safety of people with learning difficulties whilst they are being treated by the NHS

- The establishment of a specialist service to help adults with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. This was undertaken jointly with Norfolk County Council and NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.


NHS Norfolk undertook a self assessment of progress with this work to date, which includes close working with the Norfolk Learning Difficulty Partnership Board and other stakeholders.

This self assessment was then scrutinised by the East of England's Strategic Health Authority, which wrote back saying: "NHS Norfolk has clearly made significant progress in developing and improving services which meet the health and wellbeing of people with a learning disability in your area."

Steve McCormack, Commissioning Manager for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities at NHS Norfolk, said: "We are delighted that we have received such positive feedback.


"It supports the very significant partnership working we have all undertaken in Norfolk to provide more equitable access to health care for people with learning disabilities and difficulties.


"Much has been achieved in the last twelve months which we wish to build on to further improve this important area of healthcare."

The Board of NHS Norfolk will be updated on the progress made when it meets on Wednesday July 28th. The meeting is being held in public, at the West Norfolk Development Centre in King's Lynn, from 2pm.

In May, the Board heard how local hospitals are striving to improve services for those with learning difficulties.

For example, through the appointment of a Learning Difficuolty Liaison nurse about 1,000 staff at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital have received training to help them understand the needs of people who have learning difficulties when they come in for treatment.

Each ward has an ‘LD Champion’ to liaise with patients and their family or carer, to ensure their needs are met. The hospital has also produced a short web film with ‘ten top tips’ for coming into hospital - produced and filmed with the input of people with learning difficulties.

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital was the first hospital in the country to pilot Project SEARCH in partnership with Adult Social Services. This is an initiative which gives young people with learning disability and also those with an autistic spectrum disorder a chance to try real jobs in the hospital and apply for them at the end of their training.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn is commencing Project Search in the autumn. It has also has run workshops and training for staff and there is a Learning Disability Steering Group which works across all areas of the Trust.

Find out about local mental health services and specific mental health issues at an event on 28th July 2010, in the Forum, Norwich from 9.30am - 4pm.

This fun, interactive event will offer something for people of all ages. A range of stands and representatives from the Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust’s services will be present to answer your questions and provide you with useful information to take away.

Representatives will be giving out Time to Change campaign packs for people to take to their hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons to display to raise awareness of mental health and end the stigma and discrimination faced by people living with mental illness.

Aidan Thomas, Chief Executive of Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust said:

‘The Trust runs these events to give the local community a chance to meet our health professionals and understand how our services care for people.

‘It's also an important opportunity to make people aware that many among us are living with mental illness and that the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health can isolate them and make their experience worse.

‘Everybody is entitled to good mental health and wellbeing, and as a community we must work together to achieve this and support those with mental illness to improve their quality of life.’

Time to Change and local project Stuff Stigma invite you to join celebrities like Ruby Wax, Frank Bruno and Gok Wan in helping to end mental health prejudice. Nearly 5000 people across England have already pledged to do their bit to help end mental health prejudice at www.time-to-change.org.uk. Show support for Time to Change and someone you know with a mentalhealth problem by adding your pledge and photo on the spot to a giant mosaic pledge board or make a video pledge at the Forum on 28 July.

From 12.30-3.30pm there will be an interactive art area run by the Trust’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services as part of their stand, where children can paint, draw and play with different art materials under the supervision and creative encouragement of a qualified art psychotherapist.

There will be an opportunity to meet the Trust’s governors and visit a special recruitment stand to find out about current job vacancies. The Trust’s patient advice and liaison service will also be present throughout the day.

A series of mental health seminars will run in The Cube upstairs in the Forum at the following times on July 28. These free seminars will each last from 45-60 minutes and there is no need to book to attend:

- 10am Treating alcohol problems
- 11.30am Depression
- 1pm Dementia
- 2pm Dementia Care Mapping as a technique to help people with Dementia
- 3.30pm Helping children with post-abuse trauma

For further information please contact membership@nwmhp.nhs.uk or call 01603 421494