Oxfordshire Mind were absolutely delighted to welcome Nicola Blackwood MP to our TalkingSpace Plus office in early December.
Since she was first elected in 2010, Nicola has been heavily involved with supporting the most vulnerable people of Oxford. Not only is Nicola known for her national campaign against child sexual exploitation, Childhood Lost, but is also well aware of the increasing need for mental health services in her constituency. Her visit to TalkingSpace Plus was a wonderful opportunity to show her the ways in which talking therapies can be a real lifeline to those struggling with their mental health. Formed as a partnership of three organisations, Oxfordshire Mind, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and Principal Medical Limited (PML), TalkingSpace Plus offers a stepped approach to those suffering from mild and moderate anxiety and depression.
As well as a tour of the office, Nicola spent some time with one of our Lead Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners, Tara Butcher (pictured). Tara gave Nicola an overview of the importance of the work we do with our service users, and also discussed how it would not be possible without the close-working relationships between the different organisations involved. Sharing a vision for a cohesive and accessible service, we hope to only improve on this in 2017.
To find out more about Nicola and the campaigns close to her heart, you can visit her website here. If you are experiencing anxiety and/or depression and would like to access the TalkingSpace Plus services, call our Information Line on 01865 247788 or email info@oxfordshiremind.org.uk.