Comms from the Shed: interviewing diverse voices on our present and the future.

Focus on mental health: we talk to the Head of Development at Bromley, Lewisham and Greenwich MIND - about the challenges faced by an organisation who have continued delivering vital local services. Charlotte Fletcher talks about the mental health of pregnant women and teenagers during the pandemic, but also dealing with dementia and how important it is for carers to have support. We also look at the importance of the recent local, and London mayoral elections, and what BLG MIND's connection to Rita Ora's hairdresser is.

Episode Summary

We talk to Charlotte Fletcher, the Head of Development at Bromley, Lewisham and Greenwich MIND - about the challenges posed by an organisation who deliver vital local services. We cover a range of subjects, including the mental health of pregnant women, teenagers during Covid-19, and the Five Ways to Wellbeing. She tells us about dealing with dementia, having to close local support centres because of financial struggles (due to staff wages and building costs), but also how important it is for carers to have support, because they often see their loved ones deteriorate very quickly. We also look at the importance of the recent local, and London mayoral elections, and what that might mean for the provision of mental health services in the UK. Charlotte tells us how she's been able to use skills in Press, PR and Event Management - developed early in her career - to great effect now, and what BLG MIND's connection to Rita Ora's hairdresser is.

Episode Notes

Summary and themes

2mins - Supporting the mental health of pregnant women, and charting how far mental health services have come.

5mins - The mental health of teenagers during Covid-19, dementia support and 5 Ways to Wellbeing

12mins - Local council and mayoral elections - and what these might mean for the provision of services

15mins - Training housing associations and key workers such as nurses and young carers.

19mins - Career path to this point.

22mins - What is the most fulfilling part of your job?

24mins - Inspirational stories - involving pie and mash, and Rita Ora's hairdresser.

27mins - Has the pandemic made us more compassionate? Reflections on the period.

28mins30s - What has been the toughest part about delivering services during the pandemic and digital poverty locally?

30mins - Future MIND initiatives, including a new 3 year strategy to provide a diverse range of services.

34mins - Looking at the spectrum of mental health issues

36mins - How should we all keep supporting each other in the months ahead?

38mins - Home comforts, music and yoga during lockdown.

39mins30s - A quirky fact about you that we might not know?

41mins - Hopes for the future, and thoughts on the months ahead.