January Newsletter

Dear Friends

We hope you have had a good holiday season and have started the New Year in good health, happiness and peace of mind.

Personally not a big fan of the Christmas period, to celebrate that all the frenzy is over I wish to share Dolly Sen's "Madvent Calendar" for those that have not seen it yet.

It can be found in her blog, within the DAO website.
Next Monday the 19th we are returning to LARC for our first FEEL meeting of the year. Please join us between 6.30-8.30 pm at the LARC Centre 62, Fieldgate Street. Whitechapel E1 1ES, 6.30-8.30pm.

2015 is already buzzing with a rich programme of events and we wish you'll participate in contributing while shaping it.

Find to follow a list of forthcoming events:

Last night the much attended Mary Barnes exhibition opened at the Nunnery Gallery in Bow. A very kind and humorous Joe Berke offered a few recounts of those shared days back in the '60s, at Laing's community at the Kingsley Hall.

Dr Berke and playwright David Edgar will be back for "In Conversation: Mary Barnes" on Tuesday the 24th of February to discuss life and works of Mary Barnes. Tickets are limited and can be purchased HERE

The exhibition runs up to the 29th of March at the The Nunnery, 181 Bow Road, London E3 2SJ


The first Recovery College in Tower Hamlets was also launched yesterday.
Look Ahead Toward Recovery Project will be delivering a series of 10 open learning sessions (FREE).

The sessions developed collaboratively between service users and professionals will focus on coping strategies and self-management, in an environment in which everybody can learn & share their experiences together as equals.

Look Ahead Recovery Centre is located at 53a Barnsley St, London E1 5RB

For more information email or telephone 07522051124 Ross Robinson.

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BOOK TALK
'Capitalism is Bad for Your Mental Health' with Robert Dellar, Alistair Kemp, and the Association of Musical Marxists
Date: Wednesday 21st January, 7pm
Venue: Housmans Radical Booksellers 5 Caledonian Road, N1 9DX London

Entry £3, redeemable against any purchase

Robert Dellar's Splitting in Two: Mad Pride and Punk Rock Oblivion, a book of memories and fantasy by one of the founders of Mad Pride has opened the door on a new kind of politics. Being published by Unkant, publishing wing of the Association of Musical Marxists - a group set up by rebel SWP members - is a sign of the left's regroupment, since Mad Pride was heavily associated with Hackney anarchism.

The AMM persuaded Dellar to read Psycho-Politics by Peter Sedgwick, doyen of the early, libertarian SWP, and this meeting will allow Dellar to talk about what he found. We have invited Alastair Kemp, editor of The Newhaven Journeyman ("where music, politics and madness meet") to speak as well. There will also be musical interludes by the AMM All Stars. This will be an unusual night of genuinely unpredictable conversation and laughs. ammarxists.org/ben-watson-sedgwick-psycho-politics-and-poiesis-via-daleks-dialectics-and-the-swp/

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West London Mental Health NHS Trust are holding a co-produced Conference:
Shared Decision Making in Medication - Evidence, Efficacy and Alternative Paradigms

Date: 28 January, 9am - 5:30pm
Venue: Double Tree Hilton, 2-8 Hanger Lane, Ealing, London, W5 3HN
Question Time style debate with:
Dr Pat Bracken
Dr Joanna Moncrieff
Dr Michael Maier
Prof David Taylor
Prof Mike Slade
Dr Suman Fernando
Dr Florian Birkmayer
Eleanor Longden
Pete Bullimore
Hosted by Lord Nigel Crisp
To book a place please email alma.hector@wlmht.nhs.uk

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NSUN (National Survivors User Network) are having their annual general meeting and Members event
Date: 29th January, 10 am -5.30 pm
Venue: Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, Holborn
Places are limited and need to be book in advance here.

"We want to look at the future of mental health from the direct lived experience - no organisational agenda! It will also provide an important opportunity for members to have direct input into how they want the network to progress and develop".

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“Spirituality and Hearing Voices”
Date: 12th February 2015, 2 pm -4 pm
Venue: Essex Unitarian Church, 112 Palace Gardens Terrace, London, W8 4RT
Presenters/Facilitators: Professor Simon Dein & Dolly Sen - Chair: Satyin Taylor

Professor Simon Dein is a consultant psychiatrist with long-standing interests in psychiatry and religion. He holds academic appointments in Durham University, University College London and Goldsmith's College and his research and publications include several books and many academic articles. His recent work includes study of the experiences of Christians hearing G-d's voice. He is in demand as a speaker both nationally and internationally.

Dolly Sen is a writer, artist, film-maker, health consultant and trainer, with lived experience of psychosis, mood disorder and PTSD.

She is an engaging and inspiring speaker: "I have no religion, but I do see voices as the soul's story told in metaphor and that if you take a holistic approach to voices and listen to the soul, it will tell you your road home."

Chaired by Satyin Taylor, NHS mental health professional, member of the Triratna Buddhist Order, founder of the London Group of www.SpiritualCrisisNetwork.org.uk, lived experience of psychosis.
Booking HERE
spiritualitymentalhealth.org.uk/whatson.html

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Obviously sad about what happened in Paris, instead of blaming anyone or any religion I would say that weapons makers are the first to be blamed.

EAST LONDON AGAINST ARMS FAIRS (ELAAF) presents a Musical Protest tomorrow, the 17th of January outside the ExCeL Centre, which threatens to hold another "DSEI" Arms Fair in 2015.

ELAAF Musical Protests aim to raise awareness of the arms trade and campaign for the cancellation of all arms fairs at ExCeL or anywhere else.
More supporters are needed. Just turn up and be welcome, More singers, musicians, also jugglers, dancers, mime artists... Even if you are not musical you will still be welcome.
From Custom House DLR station or Victoria Dock Road just follow the signs to ExCeL. We will be at the end of the walkway just before you get to the entrance to the exhibition centre www.elaaf.org/#events