Down To Earth

Down To Earth is the BPMHA User group. It actively encourages users to :

Express their needs and concerns in order to bring about change.
Organise educational and social events which meet the needs of the members.
Promote the individual development of members through the sharing of experiences, information, knowledge, skills and abilities.
To network with other users in Waltham Forest.

Membership is free and automatic to all BPMHA users. The Management Committee, which is elected annually at the AGM, holds regular monthly meetings.

The parent support group has operated for over two years. It is a self-help group that meets once a fortnight to share , listen and offer advice. Members have a remarkable wealth of knowledge and experience. Mothers, fathers and grandparents are all involved.

Learning aids such as audio and videotapes, case studies and current news articles enhance the interaction. Topics are planned for over a period of time. Some of the issues discussed to date have been:

Loneliness
Practical parenting skills
Grandparents bringing up grandchildren
Children summoned to war

Audio and videotapes have been on:

The sixty minute parent
The absent dad
Learning to discern the media
Women's issues

The group is for registered clients of the Association.

Yemi Majekodunmi
Mental Health Support Worker.

Supporting each other
Learning new skills and improving old ones
Sharing fun and laughter
Going out together
Working towards independence

Meeting Tuesday afternoons 2:00-3:30 p.m

Facilitator: Maureen Barker
Women’s Mental Health Worker, Family Services Unit

The Men's group gives male users the opportunity to discuss a number of topics from a male perspective - personal, health and social, chosen by the men themselves.

The aim is for men to take a more active part in the activities at the Centre by putting their views and opinions forward. The group also hopes to improve social awareness, enable greater interaction amongst men in the community and increase confidence through interaction.