Support service has friends in mind

Mayoress Ann Jones with Paul Harrison, the Area Manager of the charity "Together".

The Annual Service Review of Rochdale Community Support Service was held at Rochdale Town Hall on Friday (3 October).

The President of the Rotary Club of Rochdale, John Kay, was delighted to attend at the invitation of fellow Rotarian Michael Tomkinson who is responsible for the new Rotary project “Friends in Mind”, which will deliver an accredited training programme to volunteers from the Rotary Club, who will then be able to befriend members society who are suffering from mental health disabilities.

The Annual Review was well supported by professionals and their clients. Julie Radcliffe introduced the event and welcomed Helen Murray-Sharpe, Operations Director of Together, a leading national charity, who addressed the meeting about wellbeing and recovery in mental health.

Emily Brown, Deputy Director of Together Service User Involvement then tackled the topic “Why is service-user involvement important?”

She was followed by a client who had benefited substantially from the support provided by Together and was now making a real contribution to helping others.

The Mayoress of Rochdale, Ann Jones, who herself works in mental health support, then addressed the meeting with words of encouragement for the good work which they are achieving and finally John Kay told the meeting of his enthusiasm for the “Friends In Mind” Scheme which, if successful in Rochdale, could be rolled out to other Rotary Clubs across the North West and beyond.

John Kay said: "There were a number of organisations displaying their details and discussing what they have to offer with delegates who were attending the meeting. It was a very worthwhile day for a very worthwhile support service."