DIRECTORY OF VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS

 
Address: Campion Place, 44-46 Elm Grove, Southsea, PO5 1JX.
Telephone: 023 9273 7106 (Switchboard)
Website: www.solentmind.org.uk
Contact: Alli McDonald-Hughes or Debra Houghton
 
What We Do
 
The Portsmouth Vocational Advice service helps people with severe and enduring mental health problems to access or remain in work. Dedicated Vocational Advisors work on a 1-2-1 basis, offering advice, information and support to individuals, their Care Co-ordinators and where necessary to employers. Services are tailored to suit the individual, but could include:
 

• Personalised job hunting e.g. speculative approach to employers, CVs, job applications preparing for interviews
• Accessing benefit advice, going to the JobCentre and seeing the Disability Employment Advisor
• Vocational assessment to help identify suitable work and the steps needed to achieve this
• Looking at education and training opportunities
• Liaising with employers to find work and in-work support
• Looking for voluntary work and work placements
• A "sounding board" for work related issues
• Linking with other services who can give advice in specific areas beyond our expertise

How To Access The Service
 
The Vocational Advice service is open to people who are thinking about finding work or who need support to keep a job. We welcome referrals from:

• Service Users (self referral)
• CMHTs, and other PCT/ PCC departments connected with Adult Mental Health e.g. Resettlement, Mendos, Rehab & Recovery, Early Intervention
• Voluntary and community sector organisations

We have simple paperwork to be completed by the individual User and a brief medical form for Care Co-ordinators/ Mental Health Workers to complete enabling sharing of risk screening information.
 
Our History
 
Solent Mind is an independent registered charity affiliated to National Mind. We provide a wide range of services including Vocational Advice to people with mental health problems. We encourage people who have experienced mental health distress to speak out about their experiences, and join with others to eliminate ignorance and prejudice. We campaign vigorously for better and more accessible local services.
 
Solent Minds values:

• We value people as individuals, and respect their rights
• We recognise that mental health is affected by social, political and personal circumstances, and that people with mental health problems face discrimination from the attitudes of others
• We believe that every individual has the right to make informed choices to enable them to share in the opportunities, enjoyment, challenges and responsibilities of everyday life.
• We believe that the effective running of mental health services depends on the expertise and involvement of people who have experienced mental health problems

The Portsmouth Vocational Advice service is funded and supported by Portsmouth City Council.
 
Our Future Plans
 
The VA service is developing drop-in services at community locations throughout Portsmouth city and values comments from service users and agencies on the best way to develop the service. If you have any ideas or comments, please contact Alli or Debs on (023) 9273 7106.
 
Find Out More
 

• Download the September 2007 Newsletter (PDF - 750kb)
• Call Debs or Alli for an informal chat on 023 9273 7106
• Browse the website www.solentmind.org.uk