Here is some information about a Wellbeing Day to be held on 12th June and 17th July at Friends Meeting House, Buttermarket Street, Warrington WA1 2NR (corner of Buttermarket St/Academy Way).
Wellbeing is our natural state of being
When we don’t allow wellbeing we become ill
Take time to treat yourself and allow yourself to be well
Relax, de-stress, heal and enjoy. 30 minute treatments for £10 with experienced therapists. Choose from treatments including:
Massage Ear candles (£15)
Aromatherapy Massage Indian Head Massage
Reflexology Reiki
Hot Stones Shiatsu
Tarot readings Angel readings
Lots to buy: Natural skincare, crystals, angel bears, aloe products and much more
To book an appointment in advance or for more information
please contact Angelita on 07808 160315 or email appointment@wellbeingday.com
Follow me on Twitter @indigo_spirit
10am – 5pm Refreshments Admission £1
Elaine Hanzak
www.hanzak.com
Thursday, 27 May 2010
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
A useful directory for counselling
Here is some information about a counselling site you may find of interest:-
Achieving and maintaining mental wellbeing is very important, for both mind and body. However, around one in four people suffers from some kind of mental issue during their lifetime, but many do not seek the help they need to manage or overcome the problem.
Awareness of mental health problems is constantly rising, making it easier for people to recognize the signs and know what help is available. Counselling is regarded as an effective form of treatment for many mental health issues.
The initial decision to take the plunge and accept help is undoubtedly one of the hardest parts of the whole process. However after this decision had been taken, a whole new set of questions can arise with regards to actually finding the counselor.
There are numerous issues to consider – practical and otherwise. What about, for example, location? Despite counsellors’ assured complete confidentiality people may prefer to see a counsellor that is perhaps outside their local area, but still in surroundings they are comfortable in.
And what guarantees that the counsellor is the real deal? There are no laws in the UK that govern counselling, so what’s to stop anyone setting up shop to listen to people’s problems? There are qualifications and professional bodies, but these can often be confusing and over-whelming.
Counselling can take many different approaches – from person-based to psychoanalytic, and it’s important to choose a counsellor with an approach the person will be comfortable with and respond to well.
Counselling Directory was set up to provide a simple, easy, and most importantly un-daunting way of connecting people that need help with the people that provide it. A comprehensive searching tool, the site allows postcode, town and country searches, and produces a list of counsellors registered in this area. Each counsellor has a profile, listing a bit about themselves, their approaches, what areas they deal with, and all their training, qualification and experience and fees.
The site shows which counsellors are registered/accredited with a professional body, and full profiles are only displayed after insurance and qualification documents are checked or membership with a professional body has been verified.
The site has also become a huge information bank – there are articles written by the counsellors, as well as comprehensive information on all kinds of distress – from depression to eating disorders to abuse, to help people identify their problems and become informed, not scared.
http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk
Elaine Hanzak
www.hanzak.com
Achieving and maintaining mental wellbeing is very important, for both mind and body. However, around one in four people suffers from some kind of mental issue during their lifetime, but many do not seek the help they need to manage or overcome the problem.
Awareness of mental health problems is constantly rising, making it easier for people to recognize the signs and know what help is available. Counselling is regarded as an effective form of treatment for many mental health issues.
The initial decision to take the plunge and accept help is undoubtedly one of the hardest parts of the whole process. However after this decision had been taken, a whole new set of questions can arise with regards to actually finding the counselor.
There are numerous issues to consider – practical and otherwise. What about, for example, location? Despite counsellors’ assured complete confidentiality people may prefer to see a counsellor that is perhaps outside their local area, but still in surroundings they are comfortable in.
And what guarantees that the counsellor is the real deal? There are no laws in the UK that govern counselling, so what’s to stop anyone setting up shop to listen to people’s problems? There are qualifications and professional bodies, but these can often be confusing and over-whelming.
Counselling can take many different approaches – from person-based to psychoanalytic, and it’s important to choose a counsellor with an approach the person will be comfortable with and respond to well.
Counselling Directory was set up to provide a simple, easy, and most importantly un-daunting way of connecting people that need help with the people that provide it. A comprehensive searching tool, the site allows postcode, town and country searches, and produces a list of counsellors registered in this area. Each counsellor has a profile, listing a bit about themselves, their approaches, what areas they deal with, and all their training, qualification and experience and fees.
The site shows which counsellors are registered/accredited with a professional body, and full profiles are only displayed after insurance and qualification documents are checked or membership with a professional body has been verified.
The site has also become a huge information bank – there are articles written by the counsellors, as well as comprehensive information on all kinds of distress – from depression to eating disorders to abuse, to help people identify their problems and become informed, not scared.
http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk
Elaine Hanzak
www.hanzak.com
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Mersey Care event for Adult Leaners Week.
After I left the prison last Thursday I made my way across to Ashworth hospital at Maghull where Mersey Care NHS trust http://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/ had put on a day of activites and sessions for Adult Learners Week.
See the flyer here:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/31866081/Pick-n-Mix-Event-Poster
There were sessions arranged to fit in with the 5 ways of wellbeing - Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give. http://www.neweconomics.org/projects/five-ways-well-being
Some of the stand and information included:-
Liverpool John Moores University JMU - http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/
Edge Hill University - http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/
Workplace health advice - http://www.healthatworkcentre.org.uk/
Mersey Care Knowledge and Library service - http://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/learning_zone/knowledge_library_service/home.asp
Alcohol, mental health and wellbeing - http://www.drinkaware.co.uk/
The Food and Mood project - http://www.mind.org.uk/foodandmood/food_and_mood-the_mind_guide
Have a look at the Mersey Care Achievements Award details at http://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/news_and_events/Positive_Achievement_Awards_2010.asp
Who do you know that you could nominate?
Elaine Hanzak
www.hanzak.com
See the flyer here:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/31866081/Pick-n-Mix-Event-Poster
There were sessions arranged to fit in with the 5 ways of wellbeing - Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give. http://www.neweconomics.org/projects/five-ways-well-being
Some of the stand and information included:-
Liverpool John Moores University JMU - http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/
Edge Hill University - http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/
Workplace health advice - http://www.healthatworkcentre.org.uk/
Mersey Care Knowledge and Library service - http://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/learning_zone/knowledge_library_service/home.asp
Alcohol, mental health and wellbeing - http://www.drinkaware.co.uk/
The Food and Mood project - http://www.mind.org.uk/foodandmood/food_and_mood-the_mind_guide
Have a look at the Mersey Care Achievements Award details at http://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/news_and_events/Positive_Achievement_Awards_2010.asp
Who do you know that you could nominate?
Elaine Hanzak
www.hanzak.com
Monday, 24 May 2010
Enterprising Healthcare - Liverpool 2010 year of Health and Wellbeing event
Last Friday I attended the Liverpool PCT 2010 Year of Health and Wellbeing event at Blackburne House. http://www.blackburnehouse.co.uk/
See the programme here
http://www.lcvs.org.uk/news-and-events/enterprising-healthcare-third-sector-potential
Across the UK third sector organisations are delivering outstanding products and services to the NHS. This free one day conference was an opportunity to bring together North West health and social care commissioners with third sector organisations to explore:
http://www.northwest.nhs.uk/whoweare/boardprofiles/
We then had the pleasure of listening to the inspirational Lord Andrew Mawson from Bomley-by-Bow centre. http://www.can-online.org.uk/pages/lord_mawson_biography.html
He is Founder and President of the renowned Bromley by Bow Centre in east London and Co-founder and President of Community Action Network (CAN), a national charity supporting 850 social entrepreneurs across the UK. He is one of the leading social entrepreneurs in Britain and has created a family of projects, which demonstrate in practice the potential of social entrepreneurs. Andrew's career in the social sector has spanned over 25 years.
His work made me think that the efforts I have put into bringing the NH, church and other agencies together in Leeds to form a postnatal depression group (see previous blogs) could be the first of many!
Olivia Butterworth, Third Sector Delivery Manager from the Department of Health gave us 'hot-off-the -press' insight into her role under the new Government and how the 'sector' is going to be involved in working with the NHS.
Claire Dove, chief executive, social enterprise company Blackburne House Group spoke about delivering outcomes.
http://www.itzcaribbean.com/claire_dove_social_enterprise.php
Wallen Matthie, Race for Health Thinkng Partner spoke to the delegates about Equality and Diversity.
http://www.talawaconsulting.com/about.php?page=3
Louise Penfold, passionately told us about her Third Sector showcase - Bubble Enterprises.
http://www.partnershipwtp.co.uk/casestudies/bubble-enterprises-cic/bubble-enterprises
Blackburne House provided an excellent lunch - highly recommend them for a conference venue.
Sadly I could not stay for the afternoon.
Delegates were invited to showcase their area of expertise and were given a handout of those who contributed. I shall invite them to add their details as comments to this blog.
Well done to Liverpool NHS trust, Social Enterprise London and the Department of Health for a good event.
Elaine Hanzak
www.hanzak.com
See the programme here
http://www.lcvs.org.uk/news-and-events/enterprising-healthcare-third-sector-potential
Across the UK third sector organisations are delivering outstanding products and services to the NHS. This free one day conference was an opportunity to bring together North West health and social care commissioners with third sector organisations to explore:
- the potential of the third sector in improving health
- how the NHS can help achieve this potential
- how the third sector can meet NHS needs and win contracts
http://www.northwest.nhs.uk/whoweare/boardprofiles/
We then had the pleasure of listening to the inspirational Lord Andrew Mawson from Bomley-by-Bow centre. http://www.can-online.org.uk/pages/lord_mawson_biography.html
He is Founder and President of the renowned Bromley by Bow Centre in east London and Co-founder and President of Community Action Network (CAN), a national charity supporting 850 social entrepreneurs across the UK. He is one of the leading social entrepreneurs in Britain and has created a family of projects, which demonstrate in practice the potential of social entrepreneurs. Andrew's career in the social sector has spanned over 25 years.
His work made me think that the efforts I have put into bringing the NH, church and other agencies together in Leeds to form a postnatal depression group (see previous blogs) could be the first of many!
Olivia Butterworth, Third Sector Delivery Manager from the Department of Health gave us 'hot-off-the -press' insight into her role under the new Government and how the 'sector' is going to be involved in working with the NHS.
Claire Dove, chief executive, social enterprise company Blackburne House Group spoke about delivering outcomes.
http://www.itzcaribbean.com/claire_dove_social_enterprise.php
Wallen Matthie, Race for Health Thinkng Partner spoke to the delegates about Equality and Diversity.
http://www.talawaconsulting.com/about.php?page=3
Louise Penfold, passionately told us about her Third Sector showcase - Bubble Enterprises.
http://www.partnershipwtp.co.uk/casestudies/bubble-enterprises-cic/bubble-enterprises
Blackburne House provided an excellent lunch - highly recommend them for a conference venue.
Sadly I could not stay for the afternoon.
Delegates were invited to showcase their area of expertise and were given a handout of those who contributed. I shall invite them to add their details as comments to this blog.
Well done to Liverpool NHS trust, Social Enterprise London and the Department of Health for a good event.
Elaine Hanzak
www.hanzak.com
Launch of Antenatal sessions for expectant parents
Last week I was privileged to work with Ann Girling /http://www.onthethreshold.co.uk/ and the Wellbeing project /http://www.wellbeingproject.co.uk/ for an antenatal session for expectant mums and dads, funded by Halton Council and the Primary Care Trust.
We ran two sessions, one in St. Helens and one in Widnes, Cheshire.
See the press release here
http://www.runcornandwidnesweeklynews.co.uk/tags/elaine-hanzak/
We are waiting for the official feedback of the events but hope there will be more to come.
Elaine Hanzak
www.hanzak.com
We ran two sessions, one in St. Helens and one in Widnes, Cheshire.
See the press release here
http://www.runcornandwidnesweeklynews.co.uk/tags/elaine-hanzak/
We are waiting for the official feedback of the events but hope there will be more to come.
Project Manager Mark Swift, New mums Emma MacKerllar and Bonnita Collin of Widnes flank author Elaine Hanzak. On the right Halton Borough Council's Angela Haughton.
Elaine Hanzak
www.hanzak.com
Friday, 21 May 2010
Many congratulations to Grace - twins after puerperal psychosis!
Not long after my book 'Eyes without Sparkle' was published in 2005 I was contacted by a man who said he felt that one of his employees would be interested in talking to me.
I will never forget that first conversation with Grace as we got excited about the fact that we had both wandered the streets as 'mad women in our night clothes'! We compared our journeys of puerperal psychosis.
Since then we have kept in touch and finally met up a few times last year. In the interim Grace has been writing her story - to be published soon. One thing that I have had to come to terms with was no more children (Dominic is brilliant but I had wanted him to have a sibling as I love mine so much).
I was prepared to take the risk again, but it wasn't to be. Even at 46 that dream hadn't gone but a hysterectomy last year finally put a stop to it! I now am content being Mum to Dom, Auntie to baby Sophie and godmother to baby Ruby and Katie.
Grace and I discussed the issue that we both felt we wanted to have another child to enjoy it next time - given the right support behind us from the appropriate health and family teams.
So I was thrilled when Grace told me she was expecting twins! All the plans were put in place and big sister Ellie now has Thomas and Maggie as siblings. Mum and babies doing well!
Read their story in the Daily Mirror,
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/05/17/i-didn-t-believe-my-little-girl-was-mine-115875-22263712/
Many congratulations to all the family!
Elaine Hanzak
www.hanzak.com
I will never forget that first conversation with Grace as we got excited about the fact that we had both wandered the streets as 'mad women in our night clothes'! We compared our journeys of puerperal psychosis.
Since then we have kept in touch and finally met up a few times last year. In the interim Grace has been writing her story - to be published soon. One thing that I have had to come to terms with was no more children (Dominic is brilliant but I had wanted him to have a sibling as I love mine so much).
I was prepared to take the risk again, but it wasn't to be. Even at 46 that dream hadn't gone but a hysterectomy last year finally put a stop to it! I now am content being Mum to Dom, Auntie to baby Sophie and godmother to baby Ruby and Katie.
Grace and I discussed the issue that we both felt we wanted to have another child to enjoy it next time - given the right support behind us from the appropriate health and family teams.
So I was thrilled when Grace told me she was expecting twins! All the plans were put in place and big sister Ellie now has Thomas and Maggie as siblings. Mum and babies doing well!
Read their story in the Daily Mirror,
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/05/17/i-didn-t-believe-my-little-girl-was-mine-115875-22263712/
Many congratulations to all the family!
Elaine Hanzak
www.hanzak.com
Thursday, 20 May 2010
Stepping inside HMP Altcourse - life and work on the inside.
This morning I attended an unusual event with Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, http://www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk/ who have a series of unlikely venues for networking under the name Area 51. It was at HMP Altcourse http://www.hmpaltcourse.co.uk/, a category B local prison for Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales.
Getting there proved a challenge. I left my parent's home in plenty of time and being organised had set my Sat Nav the night before ..... for the Liverpool venue I was due at in the afternoon!!! Stupid me took ages for the penny to drop as I was so organised, wasn't I?! Once I realised my stupid mistake, I corrected myself and still felt confident I would be on time. However, the postcode takes you to a back lane which is now blocked off and there were no signs telling me otherwise! Luckily for me another car was doing the same manoeuvrings to get out of the fix - we consulted and after several more wrong turns and asking friendly pedestrians we made the venue - late but succeeded where 15 others had not!
14 years ago I had entered another environment which I previously hadn't considered myself 'to be the type' - in a psychiatric hospital. That experience has taught me not to judge others. Many of us have possibly walked a fine line between the right and wrong side of the law and I have a 'there but for the grace of God go I' attitude these days.
The prison is modern, spacious and seems to have a passion for making a positive change for the inmates, providing them with opportunities to work in a variety of workshops and activities. I could almost feel that considering the deprived and poverty-stricken backgrounds some must be from, that HMP Altcourse is comfortable. I was impressed with the relationships between the staff and inmates - all made us feel very welcome.
We ate breakfast in the chapel and then had a tour of some of the workshops and one of the accommodation block. Of course security was very high and every door, gate and fence was locked and unlocked behind us but it was nonetheless an informative and enjoyable morning. Thank you Jenny and team!
Some of the other members I chatted to were
Jon Harris, of Launch Resources www.launchresources.co.uk which is a recruitment company for IT and financial services.
Joanne Finnerty, branch manger at the business connection http://www.tbc-recruit.com/
Clare Beavan, Philanthropy Development manager at Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services http://www.lcvs.org.uk/home.php?/site/home
Gill Underwood, Recognition Express Wigan and Wirral http://www.re-wigan.co.uk/home/
John Arnold, Head of Enterprise and Vocational Training at HMP Altcourse. www.g4s.com
So where are we going next Jenny?
Elaine Hanzak
www.hanzak.com
Getting there proved a challenge. I left my parent's home in plenty of time and being organised had set my Sat Nav the night before ..... for the Liverpool venue I was due at in the afternoon!!! Stupid me took ages for the penny to drop as I was so organised, wasn't I?! Once I realised my stupid mistake, I corrected myself and still felt confident I would be on time. However, the postcode takes you to a back lane which is now blocked off and there were no signs telling me otherwise! Luckily for me another car was doing the same manoeuvrings to get out of the fix - we consulted and after several more wrong turns and asking friendly pedestrians we made the venue - late but succeeded where 15 others had not!
14 years ago I had entered another environment which I previously hadn't considered myself 'to be the type' - in a psychiatric hospital. That experience has taught me not to judge others. Many of us have possibly walked a fine line between the right and wrong side of the law and I have a 'there but for the grace of God go I' attitude these days.
The prison is modern, spacious and seems to have a passion for making a positive change for the inmates, providing them with opportunities to work in a variety of workshops and activities. I could almost feel that considering the deprived and poverty-stricken backgrounds some must be from, that HMP Altcourse is comfortable. I was impressed with the relationships between the staff and inmates - all made us feel very welcome.
We ate breakfast in the chapel and then had a tour of some of the workshops and one of the accommodation block. Of course security was very high and every door, gate and fence was locked and unlocked behind us but it was nonetheless an informative and enjoyable morning. Thank you Jenny and team!
Some of the other members I chatted to were
Jon Harris, of Launch Resources www.launchresources.co.uk which is a recruitment company for IT and financial services.
Joanne Finnerty, branch manger at the business connection http://www.tbc-recruit.com/
Clare Beavan, Philanthropy Development manager at Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services http://www.lcvs.org.uk/home.php?/site/home
Gill Underwood, Recognition Express Wigan and Wirral http://www.re-wigan.co.uk/home/
John Arnold, Head of Enterprise and Vocational Training at HMP Altcourse. www.g4s.com
So where are we going next Jenny?
Elaine Hanzak
www.hanzak.com
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