Jewish

1 September 2016

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

SUPPLEMENT

Coffee in confidence
Drop into Jamis new caf for coffee and courses
One to one: Advice from someone who has been in your shoes
Prep Time: Getting your head in gear for university

J2

The Jewish News 1 September 2016

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jami SUPPLEMENT

COFFEE CONFIDENTIAL
Sip, Shop, Share is the slogan for a new cafe that plans to
change the way mental health is perceived in the community.
Debra Barnes went for a latte to learn more...
SHOREDITCH COMES TO GOLDERS
GREEN is how Jami Chief Executive
Laurie Rackind describes the new Head
Room caf, about to open in the space that
used to be the charitys shop in Golders
Green Road.
First, this is a cool coffee shop which
people will want to come to, but it will also
present a better image of mental health on the
high street. Secondly it will provide work placements for Jamis service users and we hope it
will generate some much-needed income for
the charity. Its a social enterprise, but we dont
want it to look like one.
Indeed there is no obvious Jami branding in
sight, but the walls feature on-trend paintings
with slogans such as Im fine! and Labels are
for jars, not people which in an artistic way delivers the subliminal message that this is not
just somewhere to get a cappuccino, but a
place to really talk with food and beverages as
a bonus. And knowing who is available to chat
will be made easier as Jami staff will be wearing a Heads Up shirt which will single them out
as the people who are ready to listen to anyone who feels they would like someone to
point them in the right direction for help.
In order to ensure a first-class offering which
will keep customers coming back, Jami have
teamed up with professional good food partners to supply Ottolenghi style dishes in a
kosher environment. All the staff will be
trained in mental health first aid and our aim is
that after six months 25% of the staff will be
sourced from our social enterprise, explains
Laurie.
Head Room also has a breakout area where
activities will be run. My colleagues at Jami

The idea was to

create a cool coffee
shop that would help
mental health
become cool
are itching to use the space but were going to
take things gradually. This is a pilot after all
which could eventually be replicated in other
areas with large Jewish communities. We dont
want it to turn into a day centre, but we do
hope that visitors will be encouraged to pop
into some of our sessions which they might not
otherwise have attended. Many of our sessions are for anyone and everyone.
The coffee shop is the next step for Jami in
their vision of removing the stigma of mental

Laurie Rackind, Jami Chief Executive and Baruch Coutts, Head Room Project Manager

health illness. Its great that people are starting to talk about mental health, but where do
you go for the next step? Why not to the coffee shop on the high street where you might
just join in with an anxiety management workshop, or maybe sit and chat with someone who
understands? Head Room gives Jami the opportunity to go to
where the people are
rather than waiting for
them to come to us.
I believe that Head
Room is the first of a
kind. Ive heard of
pop-up cafs of this
type in libraries or
hospitals but never in
such a commercial way
on the high street.
Wouldnt it be great if
the Jewish community
was known not just for
providing great care
homes, but for embracing mental health too?
Jewish people love talking about their physical
health so why not about their mental health as
well we all have it, after all. Lets get rid of

the stigma!
Laurie first had the vision four years ago.
The idea was to create a cool coffee shop
which would help mental health become cool
too.
Head Room really is as voguish as they come
with its long brass bar, industrial lighting, bare
brick walls, exposed
pipes and reclaimed
furniture. Were so
lucky that the retro
vintage look is in fashion, as its allowed us
to create a fantastic
trendy space on a
tight budget! Most
of the tables and
chairs have been donated, the piano was
bought from the Sue
Ryder charity shop a
few doors away (and
they gave us a 33%
discount!) and the grandfather clock was another donation that weve been saving for a
while as we knew it would look just right in this
new space.

Despite being so suited to the dcor, all of

the items of furniture are actually for sale and
the plan is to continually bring in new items
both for decoration and stock. If there is
something that we really love we may have to
put a high price tag on it so that it doesnt get
sold too quickly! comments Baruch Coutts,
the project manager responsible for this incredible transformation. There is also a retail
space in Head Room where well be selling top
end vintage and designer second-hand goods.
Now that our shop has been turned into this
fantastic caf many of our other donations are
now being sold on eBay which weve found to
be more profitable and also teaches our volunteers a range of transferable skills like photography and e-commerce.
The slogan for Head Room is Sip, Shop,
Share. Its a bit of a tongue-twister, no really
just try saying it out loud, but it encompasses
the ethos behind the idea:
Sip a coffee,
Shop from the vintage retail space,
Share your thoughts... in the breakout space
or with a member of Jamis expert staff.
Visit: www.headroomcafe.org

www.jewishnews.co.uk

1 September 2016 The Jewish News

J3

www.headroomcafe.org

J4

The Jewish News 1 September 2016

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jami SUPPLEMENT

PEER POWER
Jamis Peer Support Workers draw on their own lived experience with mental
illness to offer support to the charitys many clients. Debbie Lightman meets
two valued members of the team

ith one in four of us likely to suffer

from a mental illness in any given
year, the UKs statutory mental health
services are in high demand. But while medication and therapy can be extremely effective,
Jami compliments the clinical approach with a
path to recovery, that turns the medical model
of doctor and patient on its head.
Jami employs peer support workers, whose
unique strength is having personally experienced mental health issues. They receive ongoing training, qualifying them to listen to
your problems and help you identify your
goals, enabling you to achieve them at your
own pace. But more than that, having themselves climbed out of the darkest depths of
mental illness and sustained good health,
they are offering a genuine ray of hope, that
life can and will get better.
Mental illness can be incredibly isolating.
But as two of Jamis peer support workers
share their journeys, its clear that no one has
to fight alone

Andrews story
Andrew, a former Jami service user,
has spent two years providing peer
support at Jamis Edgware hub.
I was working in marketing and advertising, in
denial that I was depressed, when I suffered a
breakdown. I had self-esteem issues, OCD,

body image problems and agoraphobia. I was

given therapy and took medication, but despite this, I didnt work for several years, as I
couldnt leave the house. If youd have seen my
mental pain as physical pain, youd have
rushed me to hospital, but its the invisible illness and my family felt helpless.
Eventually I visited a Jami centre. The open
door policy with their were here for you mentality, gave me a sanctuary to breathe. This
triggered me to practise mindfulness, which
was key to my recovery, as it altered my reaction to negative thoughts.
Because Jami didnt pressurise me to reach
unattainable goals, I started to do other things.
I got involved with their newsletter and posters

Because Jami didnt

pressurise me to
reach unattainable
goals, I started to do
other things

Andrew, Peer Support Worker: Talking openly

creates trust

and became a volunteer. I even went out to

work again, before landing the peer support
role.
Its refreshing to combine clinical treatment
with something more informal and humanised.
When I talk openly about my experience, it cre-

ates a level of trust, which encourages people

to open up. You cant push someone whos
struggling, so I only suggest options, such as a
referral to one of our occupational therapists,
social workers, or employment team. I dont put
a timeframe on progress
I meet clients outside the centre and
metaphorically hold their hand as we face their
fears. Seeing people progress from being unable to leave the house, to volunteering or
studying or socialising, is very rewarding.
I also run activity-based social groups such
as the Lad Lounge, for 18 to 35 year-old men
and coffee groups for older clients. In a public
environment, people forget their problems,
make friends and learn to laugh again, which
inspires them to move on with their lives.
People think a peer support worker could
have a breakdown at any time, but if youve
gone through hell and come out the other side,
youve got resilience. In a way, depression is the
best thing thats happened to me, because Ive
been forced to fend for survival. Now I can face
pretty much anything.

what I was going through. The meetings offered a supportive space to try and make sense
of a state of mind thats so difficult to describe
and I could give and receive support. I only
wish Id heard about this earlier.
Ive struggled with difficult episodes since
childhood. There have been times when Ive
been unable to get out of bed, which has
meant Ive been forced to rethink my career
more than once.
However, my role at Jami has led to some
of the most rewarding and creative work Ive

Daniels story
Peer support worker Daniel has been
based at Jamis Finchley hub for
nearly two years.
I first heard about peer support work, when I
dragged myself to a peer led support group,
run by the organisation, Depression Alliance.
It was a powerful experience, because for the
first time, I was among people who understood

ever done. Reflecting on my own mental

health, has taught me so much about compassion, respect and resilience.
Im in the process of setting up a depression group at Jami. I also run a discussion
group and a sharing circle, where clients lead
mindfulness exercises and I encourage people
to take part in the planning or to co-facilitate.
In addition, I have a caseload of clients who I
work with on a one-to-one basis. Its a collaborative process I work with, rather than on,
someone.
Ive witnessed some amazing developments
in my clients. For some, thats been expressing
themselves in a group, others have pursued
voluntary work, employment or education. One
client, whod been asked to leave several NHS
mental health services, has managed to create
great relationships with other clients and staff,
becoming an inspiring and proactive member
of our community.
Peer support work is a two-way process. It
involves developing a positive view of yourself,
as well as cultivating a relationship with others.
Recovery is never linear. Its only through learning to value our experiences, that we can grow
and develop increasingly meaningful lives.

www.jewishnews.co.uk

1 September 2016 The Jewish News

J5

www.jamiuk.org

TAKE AWAY

KNOWLEDGE
Student life should be a positive experience, but for some it can be
overwhelming. Jamis Recovery Education Manager, Philippa Carr, advises
Debbie Lightman on supporting our children at university

ver the next few weeks, thousands of

Jewish parents across the country
will be overloading their cars with
boxes, bags and bedding and depositing its
contents, together with their 18-year-old, at
university. But despite having familiarised
our offspring with the washing machine,
packed enough teabags to last until graduation and warned them of the dangers of twofor-one cocktails on an empty stomach, its
impossible to shake the fear that our baby
wont cope without us.

in touch with friends too, so they can share anxieties with each other.
Also, discuss how they plan to communicate
with you, she continues, and how often you
can expect to hear from them. They might prefer a family WhatsApp group, emails or texts to
calls, so prepare to negotiate, but remind them
you need to know theyre safe.
Fast forward a few weeks and if were becoming increasingly concerned for our childs wellbeing, we may feel compelled to intervene. But
are we being neurotic? Do they just need a
sympathetic ear? Or have we noticed a real
change in our childs personality, thats left us
fretting about their state of mind?
With depression worryingly common among
students, Philippa describes some of the
signs and symptoms, alongside other issues
to look out for:
Self-isolation - Avoiding people and shying
away from opportunities that theyd usually relish.
Unexplained aches and pains or tiredness
Psychosomatic symptoms and sleep disturbances or an enduring lethargy that isnt satisfied by adequate rest and nutrition.

Philippa Carr, Recovery Education Officer

Philippa Carr, who runs Jamis Head Room programme of mental health education for the
community agrees that being miles from
home, surrounded by new people, while managing their studies, finances and social life, can
be tough.
Its a demanding time, because it symbolises the true transition from child to adulthood, explains Philippa, who, alongside her
team, runs mental health workshops in schools.
At 18, there are rising levels of dopamine in
the brain which can influence behaviour, which
might appear impulsive. That, coupled with difficult life events, can make them feel vulnerable
and insecure.
However, Philippa insists we remind ourselves that our children are capable individuals
and to start the year with confidence. In preparation, there are a few conversations worth instigating now.
Always let your children know youre there
if they want to talk, but you wont pry into their
lives, says Philippa. Encourage them to keep

Feeling flat Often described as being stuck

in a glass jar, they can see whats happening
outside, but feel numb and unable to interact.

One pattern of mental illness can be self-isolation

spiral.
As a first step, Philippa recommends casually
asking our children how theyre settling in to
university.
Start with gentle fact finding, she suggests. Never say Im worried, because that
communicates our own anxieties and theyll
back off. If theyre not coping, try and get de-

Fluctuating Moods - Switching from excitable

to extremely low, in succession, over several
weeks.
Anxiety Worries dominating their thoughts.
Overly anxious about loved ones, or unpleasant
ruminations about something happening to
them or others.
Changes in memory or concentration - Unable to focus or concentrate and increasingly
forgetful. Everyday tasks feel like huge mountains.
Illogical perceptions - In severe cases, unusual beliefs emerge. Feeling vulnerable, believing the world is against them.
Our kids can get caught up in their own anxieties, explains Philippa. One of the patterns
of mental illness, is that they isolate themselves, because they havent got the emotional
resource to deal with the world, which makes
them less able to get help. Its a downward

tails. If their feelings are unrelenting and they

feel like the world is demanding too much, they
should contact their GP to access further help.
We may also want to ensure theyre socialising, as relationships with others are crucial to
improving mental health.
Encourage social networks, with people
who share an interest, pleads Philippa. We
are social beings and its so important to find
people whom we like and who appreciate us.

Applaud them for getting involved, even if its

not the Jewish Society!
If were still struggling to get through to our
child, we should take heart that universities are
offering an increasing level of support on campus. They can seek help themselves from designated tutors, professional counsellors and
GPs. Theres also Nightline, where callers can
speak in confidence to trained students. Or
they can visit the university chaplain, wholl be
experienced at engaging with young people.
Equally, we can point them in the direction of a
friend or relative, to whom they can relate.
In addition, we can speak to a member of the
team at Jami, who can arrange an assessment
or offer information on where to turn. They can
also support parents caring for students experiencing mental health difficulties.
The good thing for this generation, reassures Philippa, is that young people are more
predisposed to talking about their mental wellbeing. Its become acceptable to seek professional support, whether thats counselling or
CBT or a course of anti-depressants. Mental illness has a massive spectrum from mild to severe, but wherever it impacts on your child, the
help is there.
For more information on looking after your
childrens mental well-being, Jami will be
holding a Family Resilience Conference on
Sunday 19 March 2017

J6

The Jewish News 1 September 2016

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jami SUPPLEMENT

On course
for recovery
Learning with Jamis
Head Room programme
Learning continues to be at the heart of Jamis Head Room programme. The Head Room team
provide seminars and events to educate the whole community about mental health and wellbeing.
Alongside this we run a range of courses to support people on their recovery or personal
development journey. We run our events at community venues, in the new Head Room Caf and
in our centres, reaching out and engaging people like you. A selection of our courses and events
from our new prospectus are detailed below.

Seminars and
Community
Conversations
Our Seminars and Community Conversations cover subjects
related to mental health and wellbeing. Our house learning style
is interactive, providing opportunities both to listen and to join in
the dialogue. We encourage participation, but we also believe in
good management, so as with all our Head Room events, you will
be in safe hands whatever the subject under discussion.
Who are these for? Everyone! All you need is to be interested in
the subject and happy to join in the conversation.

Mind the Gap Our Expectations

& the Impact of Jewish Guilt
Pressure and expectation affect us all in every stage of life.
Sometimes these expectations motivate us, sometimes they
feel oppressive and stiing. What if we dont have certain
things in our lives that we feel we should have or be where
were meant to be? Unrealistic expectations can have
a detrimental impact on our sense of self-worth and selfcondence. This community conversation session will look
at the impact of expectations on yourself, your relationships
and your relationship with your community.
Thursday 15th December 2016, 5.00 - 7.00pm, Gants Hill
Cost: 5 including light refreshments

Self-Harm in Young People: What Can We Do?

According to a study by Young Minds, 1 in 12 young people and children are thought to self-harm.
CAMHS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services) has seen a huge spike in referrals for selfharm in the last few years with no sign of change. Why are young people turning to self-harm and what
can parents, teachers, friends and youth workers do about it?
Join us for this community conversation that seeks to debunk the misunderstanding around self-harm
and attempt to engage the community in a frank yet supportive conversation.
Tuesday 27th September 2016, 5.00 - 7.00pm, Golders Green
Cost: 10 including a drink and cake from our selection
Thursday 29th September 2016, 5.00 - 7.00pm, Gants Hill
Cost: 5 including light refreshments

My Daughter has a Mental Health Problem: A Conversation for Carers

When we are caring for a son, daughter, sibling or other close relative with a mental health problem we
can feel isolated and fearful for their future. Will we be able to let go, ever? We might feel we cannot bring
up the issue in polite company and that our friends and family will shun us if we do.
We might not consider ourselves to be an ofcial carer if they are adults and no longer live with us, but the
denition of a carer is someone who is involved with the person affected whether they live with them or
not. If you can identify with these issues wed love to have your company for this important conversation.
Tuesday 6th December 2016, 5.00 - 7.00pm, Golders Green
Cost: 10 including a drink and cake from our selection

www.jewishnews.co.uk

1 September 2016 The Jewish News

J7

www.jamiuk.org

Recovery
Education
at Head Room
Recovery education provides opportunities for the sharing of
experience and thoughts and uses a variety of activities to bring
the subjects to life. These courses are facilitated by mental health
professionals/educators and peer trainers with lived experience
of mental health problems. You will be working in groups of up
to 10 people in a safe space to explore the issues and themes
under discussion.
Who are these courses for? People who identify with having
lived experience of mental illness or distress including stress
related issues and experiences.
Cost: No charge for people who are currently getting support
from our mental health service or 20 per 6 week course.

The Only Constant in Life is Change

Heraclitus, the ancient Greek philosopher, framed this great truth a long time ago, yet for many of us change
and transition are still the toughest challenges we face. Many of us dont like change, it unsettles us, and
makes us feel vulnerable. We fear we might not regain our equilibrium after the change or transition. For
some of us depression and anxiety rear up when change is on the horizon. Yet if we cant escape change
how can we learn to live with it?
On this course, we will be exploring our feelings about change and transition and creating our own personal
strategy to manage change, one step at a time. Come along and help us to cope with the challenge of
change that we all face at some point in our lives.
Wednesday 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th November 2016 and 7th December 2016
2.00 - 3.30pm, Edgware

Enhance my Condence; Increase my Assertion

Self-condent people have qualities that everyone admires yet so many people struggle to nd them. Sadly, this can be a vicious
circle: people who lack self-condence can nd it difcult to become or feel successful. Assertive individuals are able to get their
point across without upsetting others, or becoming upset themselves. Everyone acts in passive and aggressive ways from time
to time and such ways of responding often result from a lack of self-condence.
The good news is that self-condence and assertion really can be learnt and built on. If you need some support to develop your
own condence and assertiveness skills, its well worth the effort join us to start this journey in our small group environment
and lets boost our wellbeing together!
Thursday 20th and 27th April 2017, and 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th May 2017
2.15 - 3.45pm, Gants Hill

Mind and
Body Spa
These courses and events are for people who want to improve
the management of the stresses and strains in their life. These
evening courses run in a variety of venues. The activities and
discussions are designed to skill you up and provide a reective
space in a supportive environment in a group of about 12 people.

Introduction to Mindfulness

Whos it for? Would you enjoy taking part in a group of people of

all ages, from across the Jewish community? Are you interested
in Mindfulness and would like to dip your toe in the water rather
than plunge straight in? Then this could be for you.

I learnt a lot of ideas

about how to help
myself

Mindfulness has received huge attention in the media and seems to be becoming the go-to solution to
help us live in the stressful and demanding 21st century world. Where does it come from? Whats it
all about? Is it for you? This course will introduce you to this phenomenon and enable you to sample
some accessible mindfulness techniques so you can make an informed choice about whether you feel
mindfulness is a practice that might be helpful for you.
Wednesday 18th and 25th January and 1st and 8th February 2017
11.00am - 1.00pm, St Johns Wood
Cost: 45

To book any of our courses or events, please complete and return the form overleaf.
To receive a full copy of our prospectus or for further information, please call Emma on 020 8458 2223
or email headroom@jamiuk.org.
Visit www.jamiuk.org to find out more about Jami or to view the full prospectus online.

J8

The Jewish News 1 September 2016

www.jewishnews.co.uk

Jami SUPPLEMENT

www.jamiuk.org

Family
Resilience
Conference
19 March 2017
10.00am 4.00pm
North London location
Cost*
35 for an individual
50 for a couple
5 for 14-18 year olds

Has family life entered a crisis in the 21st Century? Can we strengthen our family
units to withstand the outside stresses and internal conicts?
Our families are under huge pressure to deliver the lifestyle our children see and hear about from social media,
TV and magazines. Alongside consumerism, for our children theres the added pressure of academic achievement,
looking right and conforming to social expectations. Hows our family wellbeing in the midst of this pressure and
stress? Are you rock solid or do you feel like youre being weighed down?

To book or nd out more,

email headroom@jamiuk.org
or call Emma on 020 8458 2223

Come and hear from our expert speakers and special guests including Dr. Nikki Teper as seen on TVs Born
Naughty and Jonny Benjamin, campaigner and lmmaker. We have special places for teens aged 14 plus who will
be working with Jonny in our youth stream at the conference.

* Concessions available

jamiuk.org | 020 8458 2223 |

@JamiPeople |

JAMIMentalHealth

Registered Charity 1003345. A Company Limited by Guarantee 2618170.

Head Room Booking form

is form is not a referral form for our support services. If you need to access Jamis mental health support
or carers services please call our Duty Team on 020 8458 2223
Start date:

Course / Seminar name:

Yes / No

Do you require an invoice?

Course location:

If you require an invoice, please supply name of person to

be invoiced and their contact details here.

Payment details**
Payment by: Visa

Course cost:

Mastercard

Amex

Card no: 



Start date:

Personal information
Title:

Forenames:

Surname:

/


Mobile number:

Address:

Home telephone:

Postcode:

Email:

Expiry date: /


3/4 digit security no.

Name on card:

** If paying on the day please bring your payment to the course by cash or cheque when you aend. Cheques should
be made payable to Jami. Receipts can be obtained at payment.

Signature
Date of birth:

Cheque enclosed**

Date

Emergency Contact details

By giving us your email address and phone number you consent to us keeping you updated about Jamis activities. Your data will
be kept condential and secure in the Jami database in accordance with the 1998 Data Protection Act and will not be passed
onto any third parties. If you no longer wish to receive any communications from Jami, please email us at headroom@jamiuk.org

Fees
Information seminars and recovery course charges do not apply to individuals currently using Jamis mental
health support services (For more information about concessions available, please contact us)

Information seminars

Recovery courses

Mind and Body Spa

Self-paying individuals 20
Voluntary sector sta 20
Statutory sector sta 35
Mental Health First Aid: 55

Individuals not currently using our

mental health support services
pay 20 per 6 week course
Sleep College 8

Stress, Bad Hair Days, and nding

my Mojo: 60
Introduction to Mindfulness: 45

If a fee applies to you, please complete the information below:

Are you a self-paying individual?

Yes / No

Is your organisation paying for you?

Yes / No

Contact 1

Contact 2

Name:

Name:

Relationship (e.g. Partner, Key Worker etc.):

Relationship (e.g. Partner, Key Worker etc.):

Phone number:

Phone number:

Email:

Email:

Your feedback
How did you hear about Jami?

Word of mouth
Leaet
Email
Social media
A Professional encouraged me
to come along

Recommendation
Other (please specify):

Please return to: Jami Head Room, Martin B Cohen Centre for Wellbeing, Gould Way, Deansbrook Road, Edgware HA8 9GL

How best would you describe yourself?

(please tick all that apply to you)

I would like to learn more for

I use Jami services

I use other mental health

my personal development

I would like to learn more for

services e.g. NHS, Mind etc.

my professional development
I am a carer

I am a Jami volunteer
I am from the Jami sta team
I am a mental health

I have friends/family aected

by mental illness

Email: headroom@jamiuk.org

professional

Telephone: 020 8458 2223