MIDAS

MIDAS
Mental Illness Diagnosed Agency Service

• Access to paid or voluntary work.

• Where free really means FREE! :)

• An embryonic organisation run by service users for service users.

• Part time employment agency service for those with a mental illness.

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Mental Health
Survival Guide

Way2Work

Submit your
details via
Guestbook

A high number of people with mental health conditions aspire to work, but often feel that employers have little awareness and understanding of their situation. For some, an alternative to trying to compete directly in the job market is to become self-employed.

You will find information about self-employment in the booklet P/SE/1 "Thinking of Working for Yourself", which you can get free from any tax office. If you're thinking about becoming self-employed, call the revenue helpline on 08459 15 45 15 and ask for a free copy of their "Business Support" literature which also outlines the basis of national insurance contributions or visit www.hmrc.gov.uk Be advised that if you become self-employed you are responsible for contacting the Inland Revenue regarding your income tax. Your local tax office will assist you.

In some ways getting part time work is more difficult than finding full time employment. The idea is that customers and those offering a service can meet here at this web site. I am based in Hertfordshire UK but you are welcome to submit your details from wherever you live. This initiative may develop into a work exchange scheme. Advice of errors, broken links or any persistent dysfunctional operation of this web site welcome.

Information that I receive will be displayed in the text boxes opposite. I have already entered some details to demonstrate the scheme.

All expressions in this communication are personal opinions of the author and do not represent a commitment. Best wishes, Bob Houlston.

Skills Offered:

• Amateur web site designer offers free service in return for voluntary donation to charity. Contact Bob Houlston in St Albans via Guestbook link opposite. To view an example of my work visit URL: http://clix.to/lithium

• Access a vast range of information with regard to work with a mental health issue by entering "employment" into the search box utility at www.mind.org.uk

• Rock 'n' Roll drumming tuition from an experienced percussionist. Andrew in St Albans Mob: 07950 598 072.

• Guitar tutor. £20 per hour. Beginners welcome. Bob Houlston in St Albans Tel: 01727 851809. More information via URL: http://clix.to/tips

• Your entry could be here. Submit your details via Guestbook link opposite. Be sure to visit again soon for latest updates.

Work Offered:

• www.firstdirect.com want customers. When you apply for a Bank Account online and transfer your salary/income, they will add £50 to your account. Bob Houlston says: "I know, from personal experience, that this is a nice little earner." :)

• NIACE - National Institute for Continuing Adult Education are compiling a book about mental health matters. They want to gather material for the book from a mental health survivor background. What they are looking for is poems, short stories, personal experiences, anecdotes, paintings, drawings, photographs - anything that tells the story of our relationship with mental distress. Anyone whose work is chosen will receive £50 and a copy of the book. More information via Roy Birch Tel: 0207 281 4654 E-mail: royb@survivorspoetry.org.uk Website: www.survivorspoetry.com

• Hertfordshire Partnership Trust has ambitious plans for service user involvement. They are looking for knowledgeable and enthusiastic Service users to create a Service User's Council that will help Hertfordshire Partnership Trust develop NHS mental health services that are more service user focused. Payment of £10 per hour is offered. More information via Jo Burnham, Service User and Carer Involvement Lead, Mental Health Services, Hertfordshire Partnership Trust, 99 Waverley Road, St Albans, Herts AL3 5TL Tel: 01727 897761. E-mail: Joanne.Burnham@HPT.nhs.uk

• Some NHS and independent daycentres and training centres that require minor work done will sometimes offer it to clients. Be prepared that payment may be in the form of supermarket vouchers usually worth about £5 per hour. Bob Houlston says: "Another nice little earner." :)

• Your entry could be here. Submit your details via Guestbook link opposite. Be sure to visit again soon for latest updates.

News:

• The recent New Deal for Disabled People scheme allows most people on all types of state welfare benefits to earn at least £20 per week. If you are in any doubt whatsoever with regard to your own situation then contact the Benefit Enquiry Line on Freephone: 0800 882200.

• Why aren't you working? - Mental patients who anticipated a lifelong retirement on benefits should think again. The Government has deemed an 80% target for employment by 2008. Incapacity and Income Support components are to be abolished and replaced with ESA - Employment and Support Allowance. Despite any previous diagnosis it will be incumbent on the claimant to prove: "Not fit for work." For significant updates watch this space.

• If you are currently getting benefits as incapable of work or receiving disability living allowance and you are considering doing any work, even permitted or voluntary work, get advice from an advice agency before doing anything else. Even a small amount of paid or unpaid work can affect a finding that you are incapable of work and may affect your Disability Living Allowance.

• Your entry could be here. Submit your details via Guestbook link opposite. Be sure to visit again soon for latest updates.