Mercian PCN Social Prescribers

13/08/2025

06/08/2025

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

MPFT’s West Midlands Specialist Gambling Harms Service exceeding referral targets
A Specialist Gambling Harms Service provided by Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) is supporting hundreds of people in the West Midlands with their recovery.

The West Midlands Gambling Harms Clinic offers specialist addiction therapy, treatment and recovery to people affected by gambling addiction and gambling problems across the region.

During 2024/25 the service was expected to receive referrals for 350-450 people, but over 650 patients were referred, or referred themselves.

In England, there are almost 1.6 million adults who gamble and may benefit from some type of treatment or support for harmful gambling, according to The Health Survey for England.

In the West Midlands, there are almost 175,000 adults who gamble that may benefit from some type of treatment or support for harmful gambling, according to the Gambling Treatment Needs Assessment for England 2024.

Reflecting on their experience of using the clinic, a service user from Stoke-on-Trent said: “From a young age I have always had an unhealthy attraction to gambling which in retrospect has always been an underlying problem in my life. On multiple occasions this addiction has exacerbated and resulted in a severe risk causing financial and mental harm to myself and those around me.

“I was stunned by the speed of the service. The team contacted me the next day and I had an appointment booked within the week to assess my issues. The structured courses helped me to recognise and prioritise the key factors in my life that both caused gambling and more importantly, would help prevent gambling in the future.

“This course helped to bring reason and logic to the forefront which, when accompanied with a personal desire to change one’s behaviour, really helped me to focus on positive change.”

Andy Ryan, West Midlands Clinic Operation Lead for the service said: “We realise that due to stigma and shame we have lots of work to do in raising awareness of gambling harms. We continue to work with partners, reaching into communities to ensure this service is accessible for everyone.

“A key role we have is to ensure timely responses and to nurture a relational approach in our support, helping to meet people’s individual needs. We are achieving this thanks to a dedicated and compassionate team, as well as insight and support from partners across the region.”

Giles Tinsley, Programme Director for Mental Health at NHS England in the Midlands, said: “Gambling addiction is a cruel mental health condition that can devastate people’s lives. Our service in the Midlands provides confidential, non-judgemental access to highly skilled clinicians who can help those affected by problematic gambling.”

The service is accepting referrals and individuals who are concerned about their gambling can refer themselves or ask a health professional to make a referral for them.

If your gambling is causing problems for you or your loved ones and you’d like to stop, further support and treatment is available.

31/07/2025

The Aldergate Medical Practice Peel Medical Practice Stonydelph Dental Practice Everyone Health - Staffordshire Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board The Hollies Medical Practice Crown Medical Practice Laurel House Surgery The Hollies Medical Practice Crown Medical Practice

🛠️ Shout Out to Men in Tamworth & Surrounding Areas! 🧠
Introducing: Steve’s Shed – A Space for Men, Made by Men.

We’re proud to launch Steve’s Shed, a new community project in the making created in partnership with Number Eight - Tamworth and the Community Together CIC Mercian PCN Social Prescribers, supporting Men’s Mental Health in our area.

❤️ Named in honour of a much-loved local man, Steve, whose generous donation helped make this possible, Steve’s Shed is more than just a workshop – it’s a lifeline.

📣 Are you good with your hands? Into woodwork, repairs, upcycling, or restoring old furniture?
This is your chance to get involved in something that truly matters.

🔧 What’s it all about?
At Steve’s Shed, men will:
✔️ Connect with others in a relaxed, purposeful environment
✔️ Work on real community projects – restoring furniture, helping furnish homes for those in need
✔️ Build skills, confidence, and friendships
✔️ Help provide low-cost furniture for local families and generate income to sustain and grow the project

🧠 Why it matters:

Su***de is the leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK

1 in 8 men in the UK experience a mental health problem

Many suffer in silence, disconnected and under-supported
Men’s Sheds have proven across the UK to significantly boost wellbeing, reduce isolation, and improve mental health through shared purpose, conversation, and craft.

👀 We want YOU to come see what it’s all about!
📅 Join us for the Open Day at Steve’s Shed – [see poster for date, time & location]

Let’s build something meaningful together.
Let’s build hope. 💙

***dePrevention

25/07/2025

🌟 More Great News from Community Together CIC! 🌟

We’re incredibly proud to share that we’ve also been awarded the Investors in People – Standard Accreditation! 🙌

This means the principles and practices that support our people are not only in place—but everyone across our organisation understands how to use them to make work better, fairer, and more fulfilling.

At Community Together CIC, we truly believe that the success of our organisation begins and ends with people. When we create a positive, purposeful environment for our team, we don’t just improve the workplace—we contribute to a stronger, healthier, and happier society.

A heartfelt thank you to our entire team for living our values every day. This is your achievement! 💛

25/07/2025

🎉 Exciting News from Community Together CIC! 🎉

We’re absolutely thrilled to announce that Community Together CIC has officially been awarded the Investors in People – We Invest in People WELLBEING accreditation! 🏆

This recognition means the world to us. It shows that not only do we have the right principles in place when it comes to looking after our team, but we also have a strong wellbeing strategy that supports our staff and volunteers to feel valued, supported, and empowered every day.

At Community Together, we believe that the wellbeing of our people is at the heart of everything we do—because we can only deliver for our communities when we take care of each other.

A massive thank you to our amazing team for making this possible. Your passion, resilience, and kindness are what make our organisation what it is. 💙

23/07/2025

18/07/2025

The Aldergate Medical Practice Peel Medical Practice Stonydelph Dental Practice Everyone Health - Staffordshire Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board The Hollies Medical Practice Crown Medical Practice Laurel House Surgery

17/07/2025

17/07/2025

The Aldergate Medical Practice Peel Medical Practice The Aldergate Medical Practice Everyone Health - Staffordshire Stonydelph Dental Practice Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board The Hollies Medical Practice Crown Medical Practice Laurel House Surgery