Dear Friends,
The 10th December marks the 70th anniversary of the declaration of Human Rights.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated on 3rd December, since it was proclaimed by the UN in 1992.
This year theme was "Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality"
However it looks like there is still lots of work to do before we can say our society treats people with inclusiveness and equality.
We are still submerged by SO much ignorance towards each other needs, mostly because monetary profit is usually deemed the priority.
Adjustments and proper care cost money and not everyone is prepared to slice income to accommodate special needs.
The final Review of the Mental Health Act was launched yesterday, 6th December https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/modernising-the-mental-health-act-final-report-from-the-independent-review Titled "Modernising the Mental Health Act", its 307 pages will require a bit of time to go through. From first onlooker's response it seems that the document shows an adherence to the original principles of psychiatry, back to the days it was invented. Not much modernisation as such if human rights of patients - the receiving end of this often abusing system - are decreased rather than increased.
Why weren't more experts-by-experience involved and consulted in this revision, many have asked. Why put such delicate process in the hands of the Regius Professor of Psychiatry, Simon Wessely? Is it too soon to have proper modernised, compassionate approaches to care when every one can read/educate themselves these days the pros and cons, the help and harm psychiatric (s)care does. Obviously to try to reinforce old school psychiatry, which is failing and crumbling thanks to the honesty and ethical work of some of its professional representatives and the collective work put together on a global scale.
NSUN Managing Director, Sarah Yiannoullou, issued the following response www.nsun.org.uk/news/
The LHVN has launched an Alternative Review, wrote by Akiko Hart and Rai Waddingham www.hearing-voices.org/wp-
A summary can be viewed here www.madintheuk.com/2018/12/an-
In the main time as the end of the year approaches, we would like to invite you to the last meeting for the year taking place on Monday 17 Dec at LARC, 62, Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel E1 1ES (6:30-8:30 pm). We'd like to wishing you all (here or at the meeting) a very Happy Christmas and may 2019 bring you all you wish for.
Yet the festive season can be a sad and miserable period for many (not a fun myself) sending here further warm wishes to those that struggle more.
The Dragon Cafe is bravely staying open on Mondays 24th and 31st December between 12 - 6 pm (details below).
Or why not celebrate at any other event happening this month, if mobility allows?
The Together! 2018 Disability Film Festival which begins tonight at 7pm with the documentary The Social Model (details below).
Worth more than a fake Christmas treat under a plastic tree. More events below.
And for the darker days a pet might help (or a friend with a pet too)
EVENTS
7th Annual Together! 2018 Disability Film Festival
7-9 December 2018, Old Town Hall, 29 The Broadway, Stratford, London E15 4BQ.
Screening films by Deaf/Disabled filmmakers and films with a strong central Deaf/Disabled character. The Festival is free, fully accessible and welcomes everyone - no need to book, just turn up. All screenings are ‘relaxed’, a variety of seating is available, and light refreshments are served. The full programme is available here, where you can also download an A4 version in PDF or Word formats: www.together2012.org.uk/
22 November – 14 December 2018
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News from Nowhere Club
Saturday 8th December 2018 7.30 for 8pm Epicentre, West St E11 4LJ
How Far Away Are We from a World Free of Nuclear Weapons? Speaker: Stephanie Clark
Also attached the new programme for 2019. For info call Rose Kane on 0208 555 5248.
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Disability History Month - UKDHM 2018: Disability and Music
19th November to 22nd December - Nationwide
For full programme check ukdhm.org
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Help get answers for Tim
Get answers for TimKatie is raising funds via Crowd Justice for Legal Aid to find answers following the tragic death of her brother.
Her brother Tim was failed in his Mental Health Care: help them get #Answers4Tim www.crowdjustice.com/case/
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Stuart Low Trust Friday Evening Events
6:30-9:00 pm St Mary’s Neighbourhood Centre (next to St Mary’s Church), Upper Street London, N1 2TX
Phone: 020 7713 9304 Email: info@slt.org.uk www.slt.org.uk/events/
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Survivor's Poetry @ the Poetry Cafe (every second Thursday of the month - see leaflet attached)
Thursday 13 December 2018, 7:30-10.30pm. Arrive 7.00pm to sign up for floorspots (1.50 floorspots / 2.50 concessions / 3.50 the full ticket).
The Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton St, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9BX. Facebook Page: Survivor's Poetry Gigs
Special guest Jennie Bellestar Matthias treating us to a rare spoken word event. Resident Musician Dave Russell.
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The Dragon Café every Monday (but only on a Monday)
12 midday to 8.30 pm at The Crypt of St George the Martyr Church, Borough High Street, SE1 1JA
Please also note, the Café will be open on Mondays 24th and 31st December between 12 - 6 pm so people can stay in touch with the Café and the creative community over the Christmas period dragoncafe.co.uk/this-week
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Riposte & Amnesty UK PROTECTION EXHIBITION
10 - 16 December, Coal Drops Yard London N1C 4DQ
To mark the 70th anniversary of the declaration of human rights Riposte Magazine in partnership with Amnesty International UK, has curated a group exhibition where thirty artists have been invited to create work in response to the theme of protection www.
Riposte TRANS AWARENESS WEEK 10-16 December
As part of Trans Awareness Week Riposte Magazine will be sharing essays and interviews with some of the brilliant and beautiful trans women and activists featured in past issues. First up is an essay on freedom from Shon Faye www.ripostemagazine.com/shon-
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'House of Bread: Inside Bethlem Hospital', Mark Neville solo show
Until 5 Jan 2019, Bethlem Museum of the Mind, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3BX
Bethlem Hospital was founded in the city of London in 1247 as a monastery dedicated to St Mary of Bethlehem. As well as being a placename, ‘Bethlehem’ is Hebrew for ‘House of Bread’ museumofthemind.org.uk/whats-
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PROJECTIONS: Cinematic representations of mental illness: Intensive Day Course, Cost: £48 - £65
9 February 2019, 10:00 am - 5:30 pm, Freud Museum London 20 Maresfield Gardens London, NW3 5SX
Psychoanalysis and Feminism: Beauvoir, Irigaray, Kristeva, Butler
Sat 30 March 2019, 10:00 am - 5:30 pm, Freud Museum London 20 Maresfield Gardens London, NW3 5SX
