A PR I L

2014

g a t e w a y
Newsletter
Unit 1, 2 Parker Hill, Rathmines Road, D 6. E-mail : thegatewaynewsletter@gmail.com

Welcome to all And once again a big thank you to all who have contributed to this wonderful newsletter that belongs to all of us. So if you have a comment to make, or an axe to grind about anything, or just to share a thought, please contact one of the Newsletter team and dont be shy. Also dont be fooled on April fools day.
MENTAL HEALTH REFORM GRASSROOTS FORUM On the 5th of March I went to the meeting of the Mental Health Reform Grassroots forum. Mental Health Reform (MHR) brings together many organisations, including Gateway, with the aim of improving mental health services in Ireland. meetings where MHR asks the public what they want as well as deciding what MHRs position on counselling and psychotherapy should be. 2. Commit to funding for local community mental health groups that support recovery from mental health difficulties. (Like Gateway!) 3. Ensure that there is an effective local authority-led Housing and Disability Steering Group, to liaise between community mental health teams and the local housing office, in order to prevent homelessness. 4. Pass a Council resolution stating that in its work, the Council will seek to promote mental health and well-being among the whole population. The MHR Grassroots forum usually meets four times a year, and its a very welcoming and open meeting. If you are interested in representing Gateway in the future, come and let me know. If you have any issues youd like to see brought up at the next meeting, just tell me about them, that is why I go there! Till next time, -Ali

Of particular relevance with local elections coming up is a list prepared by MHR of four key The Grassroots Forum is made up of actions that local elected people from the member representatives can take to promote organisations. Oliver D and I good mental health. It was suggested represent Gateway at the moment. that any house-calling candidates could be asked to commit to these in At the meeting we looked at the application form people have to fill exchange for a vote. out for disability allowance its 27 The four key local actions are: pages long! Cathy who was chairing the meeting wanted to get 1. Demand improved communityour opinions on it so that they could based mental health services locally work on figuring out how it could be for children and adults, and the made better. implementation of the current mental health policy A Vision for We also looked at the organisation Change. of upcoming public consultation

BRAVE SOULS STAND UP FOR LIONS

P o o l a t G a t e wa y
Pool competition was on the 27th February 2014. It was fun. Michael D. and Oliver R. were in the final. It was a thrilling final and Michael was not smiling. You could feel the tension between the two but Oliver came out on top. The champion for the month of February is Oliver Reynolds. The next pool competition is on the 27th of March. All are welcome to play. THE R EAS ON W E C E LE BRATE E AS T E R Peter denied Jesus. Jesus was mocked and beaten. Jesus faced the Sanhedrin. Jesus handed over to Pontius Pilate. Jesus faced Herod. Jesus took the place of Barabbas. Jesus died on the cross. Jesus was buried in the new tomb of Joseph. Then after all these events it was heard that he had risen. Everybody was excited - thats the reason we celebrate Easter in remembrance of him. -John L.

On Saturday the 15th of March a group of Gateway members went on a mission to save the lions. They were part of a global protest to end canned hunting. According to cannedlion.org, there are fewer than 4,000 lions left in the wild in South Africa, but more than 8,000 in captivity, being bred for the bullet or the arrow. This is notoriously called the canned lion industry. Well done to all who got out there!

GATEWAY TRAINING AND

EDUCATION PROGRAMMES FOR PEOPLE WITH SELF EXPERIENCE OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES 2014

WRAP Caf Follow on monthly WRAP class for people who have already completed Level 1 WRAP training. Starts: 31st March 2014 Last Mon every month: 2.30-4.30pm Assertiveness & Confidence Building / Personal Development FETAC 4 Training Course fee, dates & times to be confirmed. Mindfulness for Daily Living Training Course fee, dates & times to be confirmed.

Well-being Programme Nutrition and Diet Food and Cookery Personal Effectiveness Exercise and Stress Management Elements Managing Personal Finances Personal Care & Presentation Communications Elements Course fees, dates and times to be confirmed. For more information on these programmes please contact Mary Barnes at: 01 4965558 Email: maryb@rpcp.ie Places are limitedapply early!

First Aid Training: Basic First Aid Dates and times to be confirmed. Dependent on interest of membership. Personal Development Programs: Act The Maggot Develop a new hobby or interest Learn new drama skills in a fun and relaxed creative environment Helps develop confidence and self esteem Boosts communication and interpersonal skills Great fun and de-stressor! Starts: 23rd April 2014 7 weeks in duration

Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Level 1 WRAP training. WRAP is a programme designed by people with Please bear in mind that all courses self-experience of mental health issues to help develop individualised in Gateway Project are subject to plans and tools for lasting wellbeing, funding and ongoing demand. We will do our best to bring as many of health and recovery. these programmes as possible into Time commitment: 8 weeks / 4 hr the Project over 2014. sessions.

Wednesdays 2-4pm Course Fee: 10 Course fee, dates & times tbc.

The most recent sessions focused on portraits and I greatly enjoyed relearning how to correctly proportion the face and then draw various figures using pencil There is an arts and crafts and pastels. There were class held each Thursday in some fine portraits drawn Gateway between 2.30pm and the process was and 4.30pm. The class tutor stimulating and satisfying. is Tim and I have been The next theme will be enjoying participating in photography, so if you recent sessions. The class would like to explore your will focus on a particular theme for 2-3 weeks and we artistic side, come along on build up a bit more skill and Thursday and give it a try. -Richard.

Arts and Crafts

expertise on how to create more fulfilling artworks.

Want to do something different this Spring?

Something to get your creative juices flowing? Come on, Act the Maggot!
Fun creative drama exercises, with a focus on taking small, comfortable steps towards positive change, developing confidence, socialising and lots more craic!

NEW BLOGGER IN TOWN

Our very own Ann Marie has started flexing her writing muscles and I think youll be very impressed! Hi all Gateway members, Just to let you know I have a new blog, hurrah, I finally found the courage! You can find me on, www.thedesperatedesolatedepression.blogspot.ie Hope you like it! Its fun and will keep me out of trouble. -Ann Marie Here is a short extract from her very first post, called Bleak Days.
When I was depressed the grime on my sink would be there every day I unwillingly dragged my weary bones out of bed. I stared at the toothpaste stained mirror and all I could see through the hazziness and fussiness in my brain was a mop of unruly and unkempt hair. As I shakingly filled the kettle the gears in my brain just weren't working, full stop. I didn't want to meet people. Getting washed and dressed and getting out the front door was a day's work. If it was raining it was Hell. It wasn't that I liked wallowing in solitude and misery, for sheer misery it was, but there was no escape. Each second came slow and compounded the feeling of misery and emptiness. The days were long and unending. A packet of noodles or packet of crisps was my only salvation. I couldn't connect with the radio, I wasn't in the zone. At night I lay helpless in bed and contemplated nothing. Depression was eating me like a cancer, devouring my soul.

This is a 7 week journey with a difference Its fun and easy going. Starts: Wednesday, 23rd April Wednesdays 2.00 to 4.00pm. Just bring yourself your valued participation is important.. The more the merrier! Cost: 10 in total
For more information and to book your place, just sign up in drop-in, talk to Mary Barnes in person or by phone 01 4965558 or email maryb@rpcp.ie.
*Please note all courses at the Gateway Project are subject to continued funding and ongoing demand.

Reminder: Oliver D is still meeting members in Toast cafe every Wed 1pm All are welcome to come!

MENTAL HEALTH REFORM wants to hear from anyone with an interest in mental health about their experience of getting mental health support. We will share our perspective on what a good quality mental health

service should offer, and give an assessment of the Government's implementation of mental health policy. Email rsvp@mentalhealthreform.ie or call us on 01-874 9468 to book a place at any of our four public

meetings taking place in Cork (9th Apr), Dublin (17th Apr), Donegal (7th May) and Athlone (14th May). Places are free of charge and all venues are wheelchair accessible.
Dublin - 17 Apr 2.00-4.30 Carmichael Centre, North Brunswick St, D7

A few of my favourite things..

Linda
Colour: Green Season: Autumn Sound: Sea Clothes: Casual Music: Classical Film: The kiss of the

Have you already completed a WRAP course in the past? Want a chance to learn and develop you wellness tools and WRAP with other wrappers even more over the coming year?
For people who would like to continue developing their Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP), Gateway will be running a facilitated monthly WRAP Caf on the last Monday of every month during 2014. WHO IS THE WRAP CAF FOR?

spider woman
Book: The wake of

imagination
Hero: Martin Luther King My Mind in Ranelagh is offering discounted counselling services. Vouchers are available to Gateway members at 10 per session for 5 sessions. Contact Mary Barnes on 01-4965558.
One per person. Creative Writing during Easter Creative writing will occur on Tuesday 15thApril instead of Friday that week to accommodate the Good Friday holiday on 18th April. There will be no class on Friday 25th April due to the mid-term break for Easter. Term resumes as normal on 2nd May. Happy writing

The WRAP Caf will be open to everyone who has completed a Level 1 WRAP course previously. Anyone who has not completed a WRAP programme yet but is interested in learning about WRAP will be invited WHAT IS THE WRAP CAF? to attend if places are available on the This is a formal learning space day. Ali will announce this on the day. dedicated to WRAP and recovery Please understand this group is semiwork. It is facilitated by Ali Rochford, closed because we will be reviewing a trained WRAP facilitator and WRAP course content and so would be Gateway Project worker. Please note difficult to engage with if you havent this is not a support group but a completed Level 1 WRAP training facilitated learning group. It will before. provide opportunities for formal WHEN & WHERE IS THE WRAP learning and peer discussion but will CAF? not replace any ongoing WRAP Last Monday of the month in 2014 support meetings running alongside / Time: 2:30 to 4:30pm outside Gateway which provide vital Location: Back room in Parker Hill Registration: Please speak to Mary peer support and well-being in the Barnes on 01-4965558 or email community. maryb@rpcp.ie

11 Wynnefield Road Dublin 6. Ph. 01-4965558 www.projectgateway.blogspot.com

Views expressed in this newsletter are only views of the contributors and not views of the Gateway Project.