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04/01/2021

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN 


of an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)


of the members of Stockport User Friendly Fellowship STUFF reg. charity 1177660


to consider a change to the charity's legal status


The meeting will be held on

Monday 18 January 2021 at 4 pm 


Full details of the meeting, and how to vote

will be sent in a separate communication to all voting members of 

Stockport User Friendly Fellowship


but you are strongly advised NOT to attend in person in order to keep to government guidelines during the Coronavirus crisis


Thank you to Linda, Marie and all at Disability Stockport for their continuing support to ourselves. Members who would otherwise have been alone received a hot Christmas meal alongside presents Christmas Day 2020.



Healthwatch Stockport Community Hero

This year hasn't been easy for the vast majority of people. At the start of lock-down many people were asked to self-isolate and many volunteers, neighbours and professionals put themselves forward to help out where they could including to pick up shopping, medication or even carry out welfare checks on the most isolated and vulnerable people.

Each month we are going to put a spotlight on some of our community heroes that have gone above and beyond and really done their community proud in Stockport. This months heroes for December are


Sanda Walker and Dianne Scott-Fowler


Sandra Walker


Sandra Walker has received two nominations from two different people. You can find the two nominations below. Thank you Sandra for all your hard work.

"Sandra is the Quality Assurance lead for Stockport CCG. At the beginning of March she was asked to pull together a community swabbing team to provide a service for the local community. Within a week she had a team consisting of staff from the CCG, Public Health and Stockport Foundation Trust trained and ready to provide swabbing.

Initially provided a drive through service at Mastercall for front-line clinicians and their families. This enabled clinicians who had negative results were able to return to work quickly . In addition from the start the team provided swabbing for residents in Stockport who had Covid symptoms. This ensured that they could be provided with appropriate care, enabled any outbreaks to be identified early and appropriate action taken.

Stockport was the first area in Greater Manchester able to provide a comprehensive service like this to their Care Homes. Sandra then developed the drive in facilities at Enterprise House off Bird Hall Lane to expand the swabbing capacity. Throughout all of this Sandra has ensured that staff have been supported though a changing landscape.

The team needed to grow and Sandra always ensured that new staff have had appropriate training and support in an unfamiliar environment. The service has now been handed over and everyone including Sandra have returned to their day jobs. However I do feel that her leadership and contribution she made to the local Covid response should be recognised."

"Sandra Walker from Stockport CCG almost overnight set up a community Covid testing service that provided a service to Care Homes and front line clinicians. The service meant that front line workers could be tested quickly and able to return to work quickly if negative. Care Home service meant that any positive tests could be dealt with quickly to minimise spread.

Sandra embraced a truly collaborative approach and had staff from the CCG, Hospital and Public Health staff from SMBC working together quickly and effectively.

Sandra set up the service rapidly to respond to the situation which was safe and had necessary protocols and procedures in place from the start.

Training was organised for all staff so that they felt supported during such challenging times. She was always on hand to help or answer any queries.

Sandra is a remarkable person and her dedication to the people of Stockport shone through again. She is always thinking of Stockport people in her day job as Quality Lead and this commitment was highlighted again setting up this service. Sandra wholey deserves a nomination and an award for going well above and beyond."



Dianne Scott-Fowler


"Dianne has worked tirelessly over the past 20 years for those who sit on the margins of our communities. During COVID-19 Dianne has led the Stockport local Mental Health Charity, STUFF Stockport User Friendly Fellowship. Form the 24th of March 2029 she has reconfigured the whole spectrum of our delivery of service, stepping away from the usual settings within the Mental Health Unit, Stepping Hill Hospital to serve people throughout Stockport whose services had to be closed due to government restrictions.

She has supported the charity volunteers into connecting within communities not just secondary care service users but anyone needing mental health or practical support. She has raised £9000 which has gone to those most in need around food and fuel poverty,purchasing microwaves for those with no cooking facilities,acted as an advocate for people through GPs and Pennine Care around medication changes,taking in washing for those who have no facilities to do their own.


To date she has led her team of volunteers to deliver 451 social contact and welfare calls, delivered practical support i.e. purchased food for those with special dietary requirements including cultural need 267 times including pharmaceutical pick ups, has supported people via GM Working Well Program, people referred through Viaduct Care to Keira's Kingdom,a local organisation supporting individuals with life limiting and chronic illness, EAICO using her lived experience. She has also developed a recovery model for those who have been self isolating and will be delivering the Emergence of Self through a central location alongside satellite locations.

We feel within our organisation that apart from what Dianne has stepped on to the front-line to deliver has shown exceptional foresight and leadership. I am sure you will agree.This nomination is sent on behalf of myself, the Polish community she has supported alongside volunteers and members."


One to one alcohol support available delivered by people with lived experience

in a COVID secure environment, weekends and some evening appointments available.


Please contact

stockport_uff@hotmail.com , 07845928227 for an informal, non-judgemental, friendly chat



On 10 October at 1pm the Open Door Safe Haven opened its doors to the people of #Stockport.

You do not need a referral,

open 7 days a week as a drop-in,

72-74 Prince's Street, Stockport

(opendoorstockport@makingspace.co.uk )


or 24/7 crisis line 0800 138 7276


Alcoholics Anonymous Stockport


Lots of people have been asking us about AA meetings, please see the link for updated information.

For meetings that are now open after lockdown, please select this option from the accessibility dropdown.


Search 'online' to see all currently registered online meetings (updated daily)

https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/AA-Meetings/Find-a-Meeting/stockport




COVID-19 UPDATE

8th July 2020 Video




23rd June 2020


The Prime Minister has announced the following lockdown measures to be eased 

from Saturday 4th July:


-The two-metre social distancing restriction will be reduced to 'one metre plus' in England


-Brits can also enjoy the reopening of pubs and restaurants, go for a haircut as hairdressers prepare to reopen and stay overnight at hotels


-Cinemas and museums are to reopen


-Two households will be able to meet up inside but the government is recommending that multiple households don’t meet up indoors


-Some other services, like nail bars, will be allowed to open if they can do so in a safe way

People from one household will be able to stay overnight at another


-Campsites will be allowed to open, provided washing facilities and toilets can be kept clean

places of worship will be allowed to reopen for prayer and services and even weddings for a maximum of 30 people, subject to social distancing


-However indoors facilities, like gyms, bowling alleys and waterparks, will have to stay closed but the government will work with the sector to look at how they can open up. It will work with orchestras and choirs to look at how they can start performing again.


-Schools in England will reopen in September for primary and secondary school pupils in full.


Also if you are not aware, masks are mandatory at all hospital appointments at the present time.

The government says it is still trusting people to be careful and reduce contact where necessary.



STUFF team update


Our Wednesday Walk and Talk

6 members plus dogs


will be meeting at Woodbank Park at 5.30 pm


Many of our members have been shielding over the past 3 months. Members have named it "The Emergence of Self" after art work they designed in 2017

Woodbank Park is our central location walk, we will also be running similar groups in satellite locations throughout Stockport. 

People will be supported on what will be for some  the first time out. 

There will be masks and gloves for those that feel they may need that little extra reassurance.

Thank you to all of our members and supporters who have taken this journey alongside us over this past 12 weeks. 



Update to COVID-19 our response

From the 24th of March we have worked on the frontline within our local communities

To date we have raised £9000 which has been used to support vulnerable members of STUFF and other people in the community. This has been through purchase of food due to religious beliefs and dietary requirements. We have provided gas/electricity top ups for people on pre-payment meters, delivered shopping every day, supported people with Food bank, supported people with pets, taken people to appointments, got emergency mental health support when needed.

Testimonials examples:


"@WorkingWellWHP I'm giving a huge shout out of thanks on our behalf to Dianne and the amazing support which @stockport_uff offer!! What an absolute positive start to our working day - can't thank you enough. #communities #workingwell #healthandwellbeing "

- Jan Eddisford @WorkingWellWHP


" I would like to say thank you to all at STUFF I can’t sing their praises enough ! They came to our aid immediately following a referral from a friend.

I cannot believe their kindness and non judgemental approach along with such compassion shown to me despite my slight embarrassment at receiving outside help.

I can honestly say they are Angels and nothing has been too much trouble for them! This week we haven’t had to feel hungry or sad and worried about how we will manage during this difficult time! "

B.S. Jacobs

April 2020


Scott's thoughts:

" Thank you, and may I also say how good your help has been and continues to be during the Covid Pandemic, it is a true lifesaver to me. When this is all over I would really like to give something back to you."

" We cannot thank you enough, we were referred by a friend who you support. My 17 year old son has autism and I struggle terribly with mental and physical health, you have visited us bringing fresh fruit and vegetables, fish for my religious and dietary needs, no one else has ever helped us like this. You are the only support we have received. "

-S. Jacks


"Thank you very much, I know I've been all over with my mental health. Thank you for supporting me through this and caring about me."

-Lucy B.


" You have bought me my extra need shopping for 11 weeks now, I don't know what I would do without your help, God bless you and thank you ".

-Jannet


"You have delivered to me every week and I am grateful for that, thank you very much"

-S.


" You are very kind, thank you, hope we can get back to meetings soon, look after yourselves ".

-V.P.

Please note due to COVID-19 we are temporarily changing our service provision.

We have suspended all workings from hospital sites alongside community centre support. We are still delivering one to one telephone support and a food drop off for our most vulnreable members.

Please note this is in accordance with current government social distance guidelines. We are in communication on a daily basis with our members and continue to monitor the situation closely where we will respond to our mental health communities' need as and when we are able.

STAY SAFE, STAY AT HOME, we will get through this together.

JustGiving

https://justgiving.com/stockportuserfriendlyfellowship


We are a small service user led mental health/alcohol charity all volunteers and have no paid workers and are grateful for your continuing support. We also look for innovative ideas to raise funds to provide better services.

For your convenience we’ve incorporated the use of PayPal on our website to make the donation process easier. Click on the button below to donate through the secure use of PayPal and follow the links to Give As you Live and Amazon Smile. 

We also accept cheques through the post payable to 

Stockport User Friendly Fellowship c/o STUFF, 

Oasis Building, Mental Health Unit, 

Stepping Hill Hospital, Poplar Grove, Stockport, Cheshire SK2 7JE


You can now donate to STUFF simply by doing your normal online shop. Give As You Live is a company that helps charities raise money online. Simply sign up with the link below and select STUFF Stockport User Friendly Fellowship as your chosen charity. Then when you do your shopping remember to sign into your Give As You Live account. And that’s it! The retailer will then give a percentage of your shop to STUFF so it won’t cost you anything extra.

Click he​re to sign up: 

https://www.giveasyoulive.com/join/stuff

It would be great if we can get the word out there as this is a truly free way of raising money for STUFF.

Thank you for taking time to support us in this way.

Stockport User Friendly Fellowship Team


And if you shop at Amazon go to Amazon Smile UK. If you use this link a percentage of your purchase will come to the Stockport User Friendly Fellowship which would enable us to continue with the website. 

Thank you in advance. 

smile.amazon.co.uk/ch/1177660-0

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