Resource information  |  Services: Adult  |  Young Persons  |  In 2 Work  | 60+  |  Wellbeing  |  Recovery

Changes Mission Statement

· Promoting recovery and
  mental wellbeing

· Enabling user involvement

· Influencing local and national
  policy and practise

· Promoting a more positive
  and accurate view of mental
  distress

· Providing weekly mutual-help
  groups for those in mental
  distress

· Providing regular 'Wellbeing
  Workshops'

· Providing users with
  opportunities for training
  and volunteering

· Providing a menu of
  supported social activities
  and 'Changes In2 Work'

· Providing a comprehensive
  information service

· Partnership & networking
  with local and national
  mental health organisations

· Providing recovery training
  to health & social care
  professionals

· Representation/input via
  national and local
  commissioning bodies/
  forums etc

· Providing regular press
  releases and involvement
  in mental health promotion
  initiatives

CHANGES is a user-led mental health charity providing a unique recovery service to those in mental distress, based on users attending weekly mutual help groups and following CHANGES 12 step recovery programme, (developed from users own experience in recovering from mental distress).  

Access to CHANGES service is open and open-ended.  Groups work on the principle of mutual help, i.e. where people in mental distress can join together to help each other.  To facilitate this process, groups are co-ordinated by 2 trained volunteers, (known as Co-ordinators) and follow a Group Method, (i.e. set agenda and protocol).

For a greater understanding of what Changes is about, please see our Changes Philosophy page.

Opportunities for training and volunteering - Full support and accredited training is given to users wishing to carry out volunteer work for the organisation.  Changes Training Officer delivers a range of accredited training programmes related to volunteering and user of Changes service.  Changes Volunteer Liaison Officer provides ongoing support and supervision to users wishing to perform volunteer work in various areas of the organisation, i.e. as part of Changes Executive Committee, (the charity's management body); an Office Worker, (involved in administration, fundraising, PR work etc); a Group Co-ordinator, (involved in service delivery). 

A menu of social activities - People experiencing mental distress often feel isolated and lack confidence in social situations.  To help overcome this, Changes Social Secretary organises and oversees regular social events, where users can feel safe and secure in practising their social skills.

An information service - Changes Information Officer has a substantial database covering all aspects of mental wellbeing, providing users with information regarding their condition, medication and other avenues of help and treatment.
Email: davebchanges@yahoo.co.uk

Over the past decade, Changes has helped many people on the road to recovery  and continues to provide a relevant and effective recovery service for those in mental distress. But don't just take our word for it!

Read extracts from recent independent evaluations.

Read comments from a small selection of Changes users.

Read what the professionals have to say.

Changes 12 Steps to Mental Health was formed in Stoke-on-Trent in 1994, by people who were experiencing mental distress, to help themselves and those with similar needs, and to fill a gap in existing statutory and voluntary service provision.

The organisation achieved charity status in early 1998, since when it has secured a series of substantial development grants, (mainly from the charitable sector), which have enabled the provision of a North Staffordshire wide service.

The organisation recently entered into a Service Level Agreement to deliver its Adult Service throughout Stoke-on-Trent.

changes@hanley25.freeserve.co.uk

01782 289592

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