Latest news with #WaveneyMind
BBC News
06-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS counsellors threaten to strike over pay
NHS mental health workers are voting on if they should go on strike in a row about Unison union claims 20 of its members are being paid trainee rates, despite being fully said the counsellors, who work for the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, were owed thousands of and Waveney Mind, which employs the counsellors, said hourly rates were set following an evaluation by an independent external body. A Unison vote on whether to take industrial action closes on 17 union's eastern regional organiser, Cameron Matthews, said: "These counsellors provide essential support to people going through serious mental health issues across Norfolk and Suffolk."But Mind has been taking advantage of their commitment to patients, paying them thousands of pounds a year less than they deserve."After months of talks, the staff have understandably had enough and decided the only way to change Mind's stance is to vote for industrial action." Unison said the row began last year when the counsellors, who were on band six of the NHS Agenda for Change salary scale, asked to go up a pay claimed "no progress" was made during and Waveney Mind insisted it wanted to work collaboratively with all parties involved to find a "productive and appropriate solution".A spokesperson said: "We began to deliver the NHS Talking Therapies service on 1 September 2024."We have had the role in question evaluated by an independent external body, which advised us that the counsellors' pay grade is correct."We are in ongoing talks with UNISON, ACAS and staff representatives and are committed to resolving this situation through open and honest dialogue with all parties."Norfolk and Waveney Mind said it would meet on 14 March to discuss the ongoing situation. Follow East of England news on X, Instagram and Facebook: BBC Norfolk or BBC Suffolk.
BBC News
12-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Norfolk coastal erosion victims offered mental health care
A new mental health initiative to support households at "significant" risk of coastal erosion has been launched by a Sustain Coastal project, which is run by Norfolk and Waveney Mind, said it will offer activities and therapy to those feeling anxious, angry or "overwhelming grief".The charity said it will focus offering its services in the villages of Happisburgh and Trimingham in Norfolk, where there is a high risk of further project is thought to be the first of its kind in the UK. According to a Norfolk County Council report, which was published last year, Norfolk has part of the fastest eroding coastline in North West is estimated that without action, the north Norfolk coastline could lose about 1,030 residential and commercial properties by government said climate change increases the risk of coastal erosion. Ruth Taylor, the social development manager at Norfolk and Waveney Mind, said: "We are aware that people in these communities feel very strong emotions about the subject of coastal change and the impacts of policy decisions around sea defences."These feelings are complex and interconnected, and they include anxiety, significant levels of anger, despair and depression, and overwhelming grief related to the threat of (or actual) loss of home, income, community networks and cultural assets."Other emotions include feelings of apathy and also powerlessness. Some individuals most directly affected may be experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD] and what can be called 'Pre-TSD' in anticipation of the changes that are coming."Over the coming months, the Sustain Coastal project aims to work with communities to create a bespoke range of support activities and are likely to include monthly walk and talk groups, drop-in wellbeing sessions and one-to-one support meetings for those most at risk of losing their property."In this bespoke project we will include a greater focus on managing trauma, adapting to change, grief tending activities and strengthening community connections," Ms Taylor added. Norfolk and Waveney Mind said it had already run successful pilot activities in Sheringham and new project is funded by the Environment Agency, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Coastwise Coastal Transition Fund in partnership with North Norfolk District is also supported by the Climate Psychology Alliance.A launch event, which is open to all affected residents, is will be held at St Mary's church rooms in Happisburgh from 18:00 GMT on Wednesday. A similar event will be held at the Pilgrim Shelter in Trimingham from 17:30 on 17 February. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
