Transforming lives through Kindness, Belief and Hope
Welcome to our April Newsletter.
Welcome to our April newsletter. The clocks have gone forward, the evenings are getting lighter, and spring is just around the corner. We would like to wish everyone a Happy Easter. For those fasting for Ramadan, Ramadan Mubarak.
Easter Closure 2023
Please remember that our offices are shut Thursday 6 – Monday 10 April, and normal services resuming on Tuesday 11 April.
March was a busy month for all our projects at Pecan and we have plenty of activities to get involved in coming up. Read on to find out more…
One important campaign we are launching in April is called ‘Slipping through the cracks’. The campaign aims to raise awareness of difficulties faced by women with a personality disorder (PD) diagnosis in accessing the correct support and help that they need. In our featured article Cat Millar, Women’s Service Manager, explains more about what a ‘Personality Disorder’ is, how the very name of the disorder is stigmatising and how this affects women trying to access support. We hope to influence big changes with this campaign. So please do read the article, share it and of course share our campaign when it launches.
Fundraising Update
This month we are one of the four charities that have been chosen by HOCHTIEF-MURPHY Joint Venture to support.
HOCHTIEF-MURPHY are working on the new National Grid electricity tunnels, and we popped over to take a tour and meet the team. They have a big focus on the mental and physical wellbeing of their staff and their programme of support really shows how companies can look after the people who work for them. There was a real synergy between Pecan’s values and those expressed by the staff we met there and so we are delighted to be one of their chosen charities for 2023.
Ford Ride London takes place on Sunday 28 May, and we have a Team! Holy Rollers from St. Barnabas will be supporting Pecan. A separate newsletter will be shared with further details on how to support them via their donation page and about turning up on 28 May to give them support.
London Bridge Collection took place on Wednesday 29 March, thank you so much to the volunteers from Boyer who did a fantastic job. We raised £747. Our next collection is on Wednesday 19 April, please do contact fundraising@pecan.org.uk if you would like to volunteer at this or any future dates.
Main Feature | Women's Service
Slipping through the cracks
This month our main feature is written by Cat Millar, Women’s Service Manager. Cat and her team wanted to raise awareness on borderline personality disorder (BPD), as ‘The RCP* estimates that at least one person in 20 are currently living with a personality disorder, and 75% of those diagnosed with BPD are women.’
*Royal College of Psychiatrists
What is Borderline Personality Disorder/Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder?
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) lists ten types of personality disorder, all with slightly different diagnostic criteria. However, one of the most diagnosed personality disorders is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), also sometimes called Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD).
Why is raising awareness so important?
Individuals with BPD/EUPD often experience consistent and intense negative emotions, and struggle with their personal relationships. BP/EUPD can have a severely negative effect on the lives of those it affects, and it is very difficult to treat. However, despite its complexity and the severe impact it has on individuals’ lives, it has been called the ‘Cinderella Diagnosis’ as there is such little funding dedicated to the condition.
‘Personality Disorders are highly stigmatised, particularly as their very name suggests a problem with an individual’s own personality…’
At the Women’s Service, we have found that many women living with personality disorder diagnoses struggle to obtain the support they need to move forward with their lives and live happily.
- BPD and EUPD often coincide with symptoms of anxiety and depression, and yet a personality disorder diagnosis is an exclusion criteria for talking therapies, as it is seen as ‘too severe’ for this treatment.
- Research has also shown that there are strong links between BPD and substance use as a coping mechanism; currently substance use is another exclusion criteria for talking therapies. However, unless a woman is in crisis and/or a danger to herself or others, her low mood is often not seen as severe enough for a more serious intervention.
This leads to women slipping through the cracks in mental health provision, meaning they can only ever get so much better before they end up in crisis once more.
What can be done for those living with borderline personality disorder?
We believe there are three main approaches that can provide support to those living with BPD/EUPD:
- Preventative Interventions: Provide less severe interventions for those living with a diagnosis whilst they are only experiencing milder symptoms.
- Recognising the Impact of Trauma: Mental health practitioners should take a holistic view of individuals living with a personality disorder and consider ways to address and heal trauma as part of medical interventions.
- Prioritising Research, Including Within Criminal Justice Policy: Whilst we encourage the NHS to undertake more research into this under-explored condition, we also see research as vital to Criminal Justice policy in the UK. According to the Office for National Statistics, 70-80% of those in prison are living with a personality disorder, making the condition a criminal justice issue as well as simply one of mental health
These are just three key areas our campaign will focus on. We will continue to update our newsletters, website and social media with more information and actions you can take throughout the campaign. If you would like to know more please contact kathleen.costello@pecan.org.uk our Women’s Mental Health Advocate.
New to Women’s Service:
Beginner’s Embroidery with Alyssa:
In-person relaxing beginner’s embroidery class with Alyssa in her first-ever workshop. This will be on Thursdays at the Peckham Hub from 6 April 2023, 2.30pm-3.30pm
Regular Events | Peckham Hub
- Tuesday and Thursday: 10.30am-12.30pm, coffee morning drop-ins. Crafts, chat, tea, coffee, pastries, biscuits.
- Tuesday: Comedy With Kym: 11.30am-1pm, in person.
- Wednesdays: Wellbeing with Alex 2pm-3pm, online.
- Thursday: Movement with Lisa: Relaxing movement class with Lisa: 12-12.45pm, in person.
PECAN PROJECTS
Food Services
Southwark Foodbank
Above: Team Boyers and Southwark Foodbank Team, Victor and Mark
Southwark Foodbank Bucket Collection at London Bridge | 29 March
A big thank you to the Team at Boyer for joining our Southwark Foodbank Team and Head of Services at our London Bridge Bucket Collection.
The next collection: Wednesday 19 April, 7am-10am at London Bridge. Contact fundraising@pecan.org.uk if you would like to volunteer at this or any future dates.
Foodbank Stock-take
April 2023 | Urgently Required Items
The warehouse is very low in stock of the following items:
Easter Closures at Southwark Foodbank and Pecan
*Southwark Foodbank RE-OPENS on Tuesday 11 April 2023 and Foodbank session at Peckham Methodist Church, 1-3pm (for those with a referral)
Easter Closure at Pecan and its services:
Pecan, Southwark Foodbank*, Together and Women’s Service will be closed for Easter on:
Thursday 6 April 2023 (Maundy Thursday), Friday 7 April 2023 (Good Friday) and Monday 10 April 2023 (Easter Monday). Services will resume on Tuesday 11 April 2023.
Peckham Pantry will be closed from Friday 7 April 2023 (Good Friday) to Monday 10 April 2023 (Easter Monday). The Pantry re-opens on Tuesday 11 April 2023.
Peckham Pantry
We’re excited to set up a new Peckham Pantry Steering Group. All ambassadors and members are welcome to join. The steering group will help the Peckham Pantry team make decisions about how the pantry delivers its service. We want to hear your ideas about how we approach the community element of our pantry!
We will be meeting on Tuesday 18 April, 9.30-10.30am at Pecan, 121a Peckham High Street, SE15 5SE. Please RSVP to Flora on 07929 999 006 to let us know you’re coming.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Community
Together at Pecan
Become a Together member and join us for our:
- Discussion Group | In person: Tuesdays from 11.30am-12.30pm at Pecan Together Space | Online: Thursdays from 3:30pm. Usually 40 minutes long.
- Free Creative Writing Workshop | Taster session 5 May, prior to 6-week workshop that will run for six weeks from 12 May to 16 June, from 10.30am- 12.30pm
Venue: Pecan, 121a Peckham High Street, SE15 5SE - Oyster Days | Last Friday of the month | Friday 28 April, Visit to Thames River Police Museum.
- Techie Tea Party | Get help with your device or getting online | Register here: May 4 Techie Tea Party
Venue: Pecan Together Space.
- Together Café | Monday and Tuesday 1-3pm
Venue: Pecan Together Space.
Quarterly Together Newsletter | Includes recipes, useful information, and wellbeing activities. Download Together Spring 2023 Newsletter
To join please email: together@pecan.org.uk
Employment Surgeries
To access our FREE Employment Service, please register with us by emailing: welcome@pecan.org.uk
Link: www.pecan.org.uk/employment-support
Vacancies
Community events and useful links
- Easter Activities for children | Southwark
- Kids Eat Free at Easter | kiddoadventures.com
- All Saints Peckham | Information on Easter Services (in-person and online) and events. www.allsaintspeckham.org.uk
- Easter Table Sale | Saturday 8 April, from 1.30-4.30pm | The Green Nunhead Community Centre, 5 Nunhead Green SE15 3QQ
- Cosy Craft Fridays – 1st and 3rd Friday of the month | 2pmBrixton Library, SW2 1JQ. Explore and learn crafts old and new in a welcoming atmosphere. Cosy Craft Leaflet
- Eid in the Square | Saturday 29 April 2023 | 12pm – 6pm
The Mayor of London’s free, annual festival in Trafalgar Square to celebrate the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.
www.london.gov.uk/events/eid-square-2023 - National Maritime Museum | The World Reimagined outdoor art display. www.rmg.co.uk
- Mudlarking: Treasure from the Thames | Selected dates across April | 9:00am to 5:00pm. Free exhibition at Southwark Cathedral showcasing intriguing objects found on the Thames’ shores. https://cathedral.southwark.anglican.org/whats-on/
- Dickens in Southwark Guided Walk | Tuesday 11 April | 11:00am
Guided walk round Southwark, hosted by Southwark Cathedral, exploring the places that inspired some of Charles Dickens’ novels.
Website: cathedral.southwark
Book here: eventbrite.co.uk/e/dickens-in-southwark-guided-walk-tickets Free exhibition: We will still be here/Will we still be here | Installation at Unit 6 of Aylesham Shopping Centre by artist Simon the Last, featuring a series of illuminated shop signs displayed in a shop window.
Address: Aylesham Centre, Rye Lane, SE15 5EW
Website: www.southwark.gov.uk/events-culture-and-heritage
Dates: 20 March – 16 April | Opening times: Monday to Saturday 7am-10 pm, Sunday 10am-4 pm.
