January 2010 NO LABEL REQUIRED The Magazine For RF Service Users - Issue Number 6 - January 2010 Richmond Fellowship Service User Magazine www.richmondfellowship.org.uk nlr@richmondfellowship.org.uk Tel: 020 7697 3317
Welcome to the January 2010 edition of No Label Required! Inside we have an interview with former boxing heavyweight champion of the world, Frank Bruno, several new features and articles on our 50 th anniversary celebrations around the country since our public launch in October. Don t forget, this magazine is for you. Send us your stories, artwork, interests, in fact anything that you think people will be interested in. Contents RF ON THE 4 TH PLINTH 3 WHEN CLIFF MET FRANK 4 TALKING DEPRESSION 6 LAUNCH RECEPTION AT THE BALTIC 7 POWERFUL PERFORMANCES 8 DISAPPOINTMENT INTO CELEBRATION 9 A MAGICAL EVENING AMONGST THE REEDS 9 DOUBLE CELEBRATION 10 OUTSIDE IN 11 OUT AND ABOUT IN LIVERPOOL 12 SCOUSE RECIPE 14 HOROSCOPES 15 FILM REVIEWS 16 RECIPES FOR UNDER A TENNER 17 RF S REBRAND PRAISED 18 IN MY HUMBLE OPINION 20 Attention Thames! 15 th April 2010 is Service User day Prepare for a fun filled day with lots of activities, workshops, some performances and a free lunch! More detailed information will be coming soon, but for now, please note: Thursday 15 th April 2010 10am until 5pm Friends House, 173 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BJ We are looking for as much involvement as possible, so if you have any queries or would like to get involved, please contact Nellie at Head Office on: 020 7697 3324 or email: nellie.guttman@richmondfellowship.org.uk Rt Hon. Andy Burnham MP, Secretary of State for Health and Labour MP for Leigh, opening RF s landmark Service Reuben s Court and Leigh Community Resettlement Service on 4th September 2009. 2
RF on the 4 th plinth Last summer, sculptor Antony Gormley invited the people of the UK to help create an astonishing living monument - to occupy the empty Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square in London, a space normally reserved for statues of Kings and Generals. They will become an image of themselves, and a representation of the whole of humanity. Every hour, 24 hours a day, for 100 days without a break, a different person will make the Plinth their own. Those selected (by random draws) can use their time on the plinth as they like. One & Other has been open to anyone and everyone from any corner of the UK, 16 or over, living or staying in the UK. You can see what s happening live at www.oneandother.co.uk., and you can look up previous plinthers hours which are available in full on the website everything they do and say is recorded. Rebeka Lord (left), an employment advisor who works at RF Redhill and is also an artist had a place for one hour on the 4th plinth in Trafalgar Square on Friday 28th August. She was equipped with RF balloons and invited people from RF as well as friends to be there. It felt as if it was over very quickly. It was very peaceful up there, you re lost up there in your own world. Although I usually feel embarrassed to be the centre of attention, I m very glad I did it. My motivation? Don t know really didn t think I would get on it when I signed up but I m glad I did so few people have had the chance to be up there. I loved one hilarious moment when I threw down a few of the paper images and two girls were running after it in the wind screeching with laughter. Rebeka Lord on the 4 th Plinth Daphne Ingham s (right) hour of fame at 4am on Saturday 10 th October on the 4th plinth in Trafalgar Square was an inspiring and powerful performance. To everyones delight, 10th October was also World Mental Health Day. She weaved together RF, recovery and the challenges and rewards of open air swimming seamlessly, and to the delight of the crowd delivered her swimming exploits wearing a one-piece costume, swimming cap and goggles! Daphne Ingham in Trafalgar Square Thank you all for your messages of support which Daphne read out from the plinth. 3
WHEN CLIFF MET FRANK Cliff Hollingbery travelled to London to meet Frank Bruno and to ask questions about how his life has been affected by Mental Illness. He was spending lots of money, going walk about in the middle of the night and directing the traffic in the road outside his house. His eldest daughter Nicola had been saying for some time that she thought something was wrong with her Dad, she had questioned the changes in his behaviour. She had been staying with Frank after his marriage had broken down because she was so worried about him. One morning in September 2003, Frank had become upset and angry at his home, the Police were called and he was sectioned and taken to Goodmayes Hospital for treatment. It took quite a few police to get Frank to the hospital and he had to be heavily sedated. Frank Bruno chatting with Service Users The first thing I noticed, as Frank entered the room, was his size, he is even bigger than he appears on the TV, this may sound like a strange thing to say, but you don t really get an idea of someone s size from the television! He was smiling and laughing, his laugh is very deep and hearing it just made me laugh. He seemed happy and confident as he sat down in front of us. I remember thinking, that s Frank Bruno! I asked Frank about when he first became unwell; he explained that things had been going wrong for him since losing his World Title to Mike Tyson in 1996. I decided to retire from boxing soon after losing in Las Vegas, but didn t know what I was going to do next. I found it very hard not being in the ring, I d been boxing for 14 years. 1998 his family persuaded him to see a psychiatrist, one minute I was up, the next minute I was down, he was diagnosed with manic depression (now called Bipolar), although it wasn t until September 2003 that he was taken in to hospital. Frank spoke about being afraid, not understanding what Bipolar meant. He started working as a DJ, traveling all over the country, he used his work to stop his mind thinking, he was trying to burn himself out. Although he was acting in pantomimes, appearing on TV shows and DJ-ing, he had somehow lost his way. He had stopped working out, wasn t eating properly, people were shocked at how thin he d got. Frank admitted that he was having problems, he d been acting strangely for quite some time. Frank went on to talk about his time in hospital. He said that he was happy there and knew that he was in the right place. He wanted help and he wanted to understand exactly what his illness was. He spoke about how well he had been treated by all the Staff, he wishes that he could visit them to thank them properly for all they did for him, but he still finds it too upsetting to go back. I could see that Frank found it difficult to talk about his illness. I asked Frank about his motivation when he was in hospital. My main motivation was and still is my kids. Cliff Hollingbery Did You Know? Media coverage of Frank Bruno's problems raised controversy, the principal accusations were gross intrusion and insensitivity. Particular criticism was aimed at The Sun, whose headline in the first editions the next day read "Bonkers Bruno Locked Up". Second editions retracted the headline and attempted to portray a more sympathetic attitude towards Bruno and mental health in general. As an attempt at atonement, the paper established a charity fund for the victims of mental illness, although some mental health charities (including the RF) condemned The Sun's latter action that day as being grossly cynical in the light of the former. 4
NEW RF BRAND? It makes you think, I can make it Service User Most of my life I ve been told what to do: In reform school, on the building site, in the gym, on the stage. But in the hospital at Goodmayes, they asked what I wanted to do 5
TALKING DEPRESSION Lynne Firmager This type of depression is usually referred to as endogenous that is without any obvious causes, as opposed to reactive which results from unhappy life events such as bereavement or any other traumatic experiences. 85% of people who experience a depressive episode will do so again in the future. There is some evidence that depression may have a genetic influence, meaning vulnerability can be inherited. Treatment is usually antidepressants, psychotherapy or cognitive behavioural therapy, all of which can produce significant relief. (My GP)...was marvellous and at last, after a lifetime of covering up and struggling on, I got the specialist help I needed. We all get the blues sometimes but depression as a diagnosis is something quite different. The clinically depressed will typically have been experiencing symptoms for weeks, months and even in some cases years. Sufferers report being lethargic, Many GP s surgeries also employ community psychiatric nurses to provide support through the therapeutic process. This can be very helpful while one finds oneself on long waiting lists for therapy or just to have a listening ear. They can also help you to find local support groups and organisations. I ended up sleeping a lot, hiding curled up under the covers on bad days or hiding away in a chair in a corner of my bedroom, unable to face even my house, doing just the necessities and in fact, not wanting to go on. disinterested or unable to find pleasure in anything. Many experience a significant increase or decrease in appetite and lose or gain weight. Women are two or three times more likely to suffer depression than men. Depression is a debilitating illness, it wrecks lives, I can feel the onset of a new episode before it arrives; I become confused, the mind goes fuzzy and all motivation drifts away. Neil Seany-Smith, Poole. (My CPN)...was unbelievable. She visited me, listened to my despair and to tons and tons of negativity. Then I didn t feel alone. Over the weeks she supported me, prodded me into action and helped me build up my confidence. Then she put me in touch with Richmond Fellowship. The good news is that with proper treatment four out of five patients improve with time. A major depressive episode is characterised by a persistently sad or anxious or empty mood, feelings of hopelessness and pessimism, and a loss of emotional expression. Sleep disturbance and/or insomnia are common, as are early morning waking and a lack of energy. Some people experience problems concentrating or remembering things and making decisions while others find themselves unusually restless or irritable. I ended up sleeping a lot, hiding curled up under the covers on bad days or hiding away in a chair in a corner of my bedroom, unable to face even my house, doing just the necessities and in fact, not wanting to go on. Anonymous, Wiltshire. In some cases patients initially present themselves to their GP complaining of physical problems such as headaches or other chronic pains that do not respond to treatment. The most serious symptom of depression is frequent thoughts of suicide and/or suicide attempts. 6
Launch Reception at the baltic North East reception at the Baltic Centre, Gateshead, 20 th October 1 in 4 exhibit NEW RF BRAND? It says I m alive and kicking! Service User Our formal launch reception was held at the stunning Baltic Centre in Gateshead Quays. Attended by Service Users, Staff, local commissioners and dignitaries including the Mayor of Sunderland and his wife, the evening was a great success. Stephanie de la Haye, a recently appointed Board member, spoke on behalf of the Board and read out a selection of the hundreds of messages of congratulation we have received for our 50 th. The event featured an exhibit 1 in 4 inspired by Antony Gormley s Field. This comprised 360 clay figures, 1 in 4 of which were painted blue to symbolise the number of people who will experience mental health problems at some point in their lives. The exhibit, which was created by Service Users, is now on a grand tour of our other receptions around the country. A special thank you to Carole Hall and her Staff who worked so hard, and made the venue look wonderful on the night with our new marketing and display materials. Mark Thorp 7
PowerfuL performances The 2nd October 2009 saw a very special event held at the Unity Theatre in Liverpool to celebrate 50 years of Richmond Fellowship and to coincide with World Mental Health Day. The event was introduced by ex-brookside actress Eithne Brown (aka Chrissy Rogers), and was attended by Service Users, Staff, Maggie Hysel and various other invited dignitaries. In all there were approximately 150 people in attendance. The main highlight of the day was a very powerful 35 minute play called Branded which explored the impact of a variety of mental health problems and the stigma which surrounds them. The play was written by our very own Tracy Aston from Liverpool DISH following interviews and workshops with Service Users and discussions with Staff. Four of our Service Users journeys were read during the play by actors. They provided great insight into what it is like to live with a mental health problem and highlighted the distances people had travelled in recovering their lives and effectively managing their problems. Service Users involved in the play felt that all the issues they had wished to see explored had been included and effectively woven together. The play itself told the stories of five different people and how they had been labelled with various terms. The first was Billy who had been diagnosed with bi-polar affective disorder at the age of twenty and suffered the effects of stigma from Staff on the psychiatric ward. Second up was Joe; after losing his jobs, first from Liverpool docks and later when MFI closed down, he went on to suffer bouts of depression for many years. Next we had Sue who was diagnosed with schizophrenia following years of mental domestic abuse. Sue has since become a Support Worker, despite previously being stigmatised by an employer. Louise, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse was diagnosed with schizoid affective disorder at the age of eighteen and is now fighting to keep her baby. The final story to be told, was that of Mary, who had her baby taken away from her when she became pregnant outside of marriage in Ireland, which led to her developing schizophrenia. This last story was for me the most powerful of them all and I am sure there were more than a few members of the audience who shed a tear or two after this performance. The young actors who performed were fantastic and very convincing in their portrayals of each person. Overall the play was was extremely powerful and certainly got the message across about stigma and its effects on people with mental health problems. When the play was finished there was a performance by local percussion troupe BeatLife which included Service Users and Staff. All percussionists wore a specially made t-shirt bearing the words BeatLife Beat Stigma. This was then followed by a buffet where our Chief Executive, Maggie Hysel, launched the new Richmond Fellowship logo with a toast of champagne and the slicing of a specially made 50 th Anniversary cake. Chris Crellin BeatLife, Service Users & Staff 8
DisapPointment into celebration Reception for Service Users in the Winter Marquee, Home House, London on 10 th November. In typical RF style we managed to turn a disappointment into a celebration! This reception was due to be attended by Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP, Secretary of State for Health, to be presented with RF s giant Birthday card and cut a birthday cake. As he was due to arrive, Maggie Hysel received a call from his office to tell her he was on a 3-line whip to vote. So John Gatward, our Chair and Maggie stood in for the Minister, were presented with the card full of messages from Services all around the country and cut the cake with Service Users. Everyone present signed another giant Birthday card as a record of the evening. Members of the Service Users Panel and No Label Required Editorial Board who attended thoroughly enjoyed the evening, and the opportunity to mix informally with RF s Board. And you ll be glad to hear the Minister has rearranged another meeting with us! 50 th birthday card presentation NEW RF BRAND? It says hope, yeah! ES Client By Mark Thorp a magical evening amongst the reeds Suffolk Reception at Snape Maltings on the 3rd December We hosted our Suffolk reception in the beautiful setting of the Aldeburgh Music Festival in early December, for Service Users, Staff, local commissioners and dignitaries. There were feature artworks by Service Users, a pianist, the 1 in 4 exhibit was on display and BeatLife who travelled down with Liverpool Service Users joined with Suffolk Service Users and Staff to play their very distinctive music. The famous Snape Maltings Reed Beds and Barbara Hepworth s sculpture were dramatically illuminated for the evening. The event was very well attended, with an even mix of RF Staff, Service Users, RF Board Members and local dignitaries. BeatLife got everyone dancing and clapping, the atmosphere was lively and the Service Users artwork was admired by everyone. A great event, and great to see everyone mixing together, chatting, laughing and clapping! Liverpool and Suffolk performing together A big thanks to Julie Mayhew, her Staff and to all involved with the organisation of the Suffolk reception. 9
Didn t we do well? DOUBLE CELEBRATION Queens Park and The Old Moat Horticultural Services in Surrey, hosted two very special events in one week. NVQ Presentation On Wednesday 2nd December, Nigel Goldie a Non-Executive Director of Richmond Fellowship very kindly agreed to present certificates to seven of the people attending the Service who, following a year of intensive portfolio and practical work, have attained their NVQ level 1 in Horticulture. The presentation was followed by a buffet lunch which, judging by the rapid way the food disappeared was greatly appreciated by all those who attended. Congratulations goes to all those who achieved their award. Richmond Fellowship 50 th Anniversary Saturday 5 th December was a day that all Staff and Clients at The Old Moat Garden Centre had decided to celebrate Richmond Fellowships 50 th anniversary. To publicise the day, local radio ran a feature and an article was run in the local paper. We also delivered 2,000 flyers by hand and post to The Mayor, councillors and other dignitaries as well as local schools and members of the public living close by, inviting them to join us at The Moat for a mulled fruit punch, mince pies and to purchase their Christmas tree and receive a 10% discount on the tree. We had at least 240 customers visit the Garden Centre. Each person was given an RF bag or pen and this gave us the opportunity to talk about Richmond Fellowship and the ethos behind the Service. Everyone without exception who was approached were very appreciative of the Service that Queens Park and The Old Moat provided on behalf of Richmond Fellowship within the community. Our sales for the day were a record (which we have since broken) of 2,918 and contributed to us selling out of Xmas Trees by the 14th December (another record broken). My thanks for the day have to go to the Staff and Service Users who gave up their time to work on that Saturday. I think without exception a great day was had by all. Queens Park and The Old Moat Service Users NEW RF BRAND? For me, it says the future can be brighter and hopeful Service User 10
Outside In Exhibition, Pallant House, Chichester Howard Patterson at Outside In exhibition The term outsider art is often used to describe art produced outside of the mainstream professional art world, by people with little or no formal training in the subject and/or those marginalised by disability or mental health problems. These artists, despite the talent evident in their work, rarely have the opportunity to exhibit in the traditional setting of a professional gallery. Ed Berry In 2006 Pallant House Gallery in Chichester set up the Outside In project. Each year artists are invited to submit their work for consideration for inclusion in the yearly Outside In exhibition, which is held at the gallery each summer. It also offers a series of awards to the contributors including the chance to have a residency or solo show at the gallery. Some of the pieces of work are also up for sale. In its first year the competition was open to artists in Sussex and included around a hundred artists. This year it was expanded to cover the whole of the south east and the gallery received over 800 entries. Some of those entries came from artists from Richmond Fellowship s Art Matters Service in Earlswood, Surrey. Four artists from Art Matters had their work accepted into the exhibition and some also sold. Two trips to view the show were arranged for Service Users which were thoroughly enjoyed. The gallery produced a companion booklet to accompany the show in which each artwork was reproduced and the artists given the opportunity to write a few lines about their work and why they feel themselves to be marginalised artists. One of the Art Matters artists included in the show also has some of his work hanging in reception at Richmond Fellowship head office. David MacKenzie-Dewhirst, creative lead at Art Matters said how delighted the Service was that so many of its Service Users had work included in the exhibition and how much Service Users were looking forward to entering work next year. Lynne Firmager 11
Out and About in Liverpool As part of a new regular series, each issue we will be bringing you the delights of a different area around the country. This issue I want to introduce you to Liverpool. OH NO! It s just going to be about the Beatles and football! I can hear you all shouting. True, they do both play a large part in the heritage of Liverpool, but there is so much more to the area than that and I hope after reading this you will agree with me. If you are looking for a great night out, a peaceful walk through shaded woodland, a cruise on the river or wish to see some of the best architecture in the world then Liverpool has it. There are more listed buildings, museums and galleries in Liverpool than any other city in the UK except London. Where better to start our journey of discovery than from one of the most iconic waterfronts in the world? The Pier Head is dominated by a trio of buildings - the Royal Liver Building, with its iconic Liver Birds perched atop, is probably the most famous of the Three Graces, the other two of which are the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building. These buildings stand as a testament to the great wealth in the city during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Built in a variety of architectural styles, they are recognised as being the symbol of Maritime Liverpool, and are regarded by many as contributing to one of the most impressive waterfronts in the world. The whole docklands area, which includes the Three Graces and Albert Dock, has been given UNESCO World Heritage Site status. One of the best ways to view the waterfront is by taking a cruise on one of the famous Mersey ferries which Gerry Marsden sang about. Opened by Prince Albert in 1846, the Albert Dock includes the largest group of Grade 1 listed buildings in the UK. In recent years the Albert Dock has been transformed into a major tourist attraction and is home to award winning visitor attractions such as Tate Liverpool, BugWorld Experience, Yellow Duck Tours, The Beatles Story, Shiverpool Ghost Tours, The Merseyside Maritime Museum and the new International Slavery Museum. As well as having two football teams Liverpool is one of the few cities to have two cathedrals, the Anglican and the Metropolitan, which are linked by the appropriately named Hope Street. The Anglican Cathedral, which was constructed between 1904 and 1978, is the largest Cathedral in Britain and the fifth largest in the world. The Roman Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral was constructed between 1962 and 1967 and is known locally as Paddy s Wigwam. The commercial district is centred around the Castle Street, Dale Street and Old Hall Street areas of the city, with many of the area s roads still following their medieval layout. The oldest building in the area is the Grade 1 listed Liverpool Town Hall, which is located at the top of Castle Street and dates from 1754. Often regarded as the city s finest piece of Georgian architecture, the building is noted as one of the most extravagantly decorated civic buildings anywhere in Britain. Also on Castle Street is the Grade I listed Bank of England Building, constructed between 1845-1848, as one of only three provincial branches of the national bank. Amongst the other noted buildings in the area are the Tower Buildings, Albion House, the Municipal Buildings and Oriel Chambers which are considered to be one of the earliest Modernist style buildings ever built. The area around William Brown Street is referred to as the city s Cultural Quarter, owing to the presence of numerous civic buildings, including the William Brown Library, Walker Art Gallery, Picton Reading Rooms and World Museum Liverpool. The area is dominated by neo-classical architecture, of which the most prominent, St George s Hall, is widely regarded as the best example of a neo-classical building anywhere in 12
Europe. A Grade I listed building, it was constructed between 1840 and 1855 to serve a variety of civic functions in the city and its doors are inscribed with S.P.Q.L. (Latin senatus populusque Liverpudliensis), meaning the senate and people of Liverpool. William Brown Street is also home to numerous public monuments and sculptures, including Wellington s Column and the Steble Fountain. Many others are located around the area, particularly in St John s Gardens, which were specifically developed for this purpose. A short walk away from here you will find the National Conservation Centre which showcases the work which the conservators do for the museums with exhibitions and hands on demonstrations. For contemporary art there are a number of galleries throughout the city. Probably the best known is The Bluecoat which is the oldest building in Liverpool city centre and the oldest arts venue of its kind in the UK. Other venues include of the theatres around the city. The Everyman, which is situated between the two NEW RF BRAND? It makes me feel positive, hopeful and full of energy Service User cathedrals, concentrates on world premiers of new plays by Liverpool writers and actors. The Liverpool Playhouse is one of the oldest rep theatres in the country. The Unity theatre provides a mix of drama, dance, comedy, music and art. There are various other fringe theatre groups throughout the city. The largest venue is the Echo Arena which has played host to some of the biggest names and events in entertainment since it opened. Music plays a very big part in the culture of Liverpool and is so much more than just The Beatles even though the main tourist attractions are geared up to tie in with the Fab Four. Liverpool is officially the UK s Capital of Pop. Music plays a very big part in the culture of Liverpool and is so much more than just The Beatles even though the main tourist attractions are geared up to tie in with the Fab Four. Liverpool is officially the UK s Capital of Pop. FACT (The Foundation for Art and Creative Technology), the Open Eye photographic gallery, The Blackie in Chinatown, and on Rodney Street, Mr Hardman s Home Photographic Studio, the former home and business of acclaimed photographer Edward Chambre Hardman between 1948-1988 which contains his studio, darkroom, living quarters and exhibitions of his work. One of the more unusual attractions to visit is the Williamson Tunnels which consist of a labyrinth of tunnels in the Edge Hill area which were built under the direction of the eccentric businessman Joseph Williamson between the early 1800s and 1840, for no reason other than to give employment to local men. Part of the labyrinth of tunnels has been opened to the public as a heritage centre. The Liverpool Empire is probably the best known This is reflected in the huge amount of venues that host live music, you can find live muse music any time of the day or night in Liverpool s bars and clubs. These clubs have been the training ground for many top artists including the likes of Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Echo And The Bunnymen, Space, The Coral, Atomic Kitten and, of course, The Beatles. Every August sees the hosting of the Matthew Street festival which attracts thousand of visitors to see and listen to all the fantastic bands that come to play throughout the weekend. But it s not just pop music that we excel at, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra is world-renowned, and offers an outstanding programme of classical music at its beautiful art-deco hall. You can also see world music, folk, blues and high-quality pop acts there. Chris Crellin 13
Scouse recipe A pot of Scouse slow cooking Of course no visit to Liverpool would be complete without trying a bowl of the local delicacy, Scouse is one of those great traditions that goes back years to the days when Liverpool was a bustling sea port. Scouse is a lamb stew that has been handed down between generations of Liverpudlians. The word comes from Lobscouse, a stew eaten by sailors in Northern Europe that became popular in ports like Liverpool. Over the centuries, the dish has become so intertwined with Liverpool that the local accent and dialect have come to be known as Scouse. Meanwhile, natives of the city are referred to as Scousers. Cheap to Make Traditionally, Scouse was made using leftovers from a joint of meat from the start of the week. But it s now perfectly acceptable to use fresh ingredients, as with the recipe below. It s still a cost-effective recipe, as one pan of Scouse will go a long way. The dish can be refrigerated, re-heated and even added to, providing more than just one meal. The dish can be served immediately. However, it usually has more flavour after it has been stored in the fridge overnight and reheated. Traditionally, scouse is served with pickled beetroot or red cabbage, and white bread and butter. Chris Crellin History Scouse was brought to Liverpool by Northern European sailors, it was originally called Labskause. This was finally shortened to Skause and over time the spelling changed to the version we have today, Scouse. The people who ate Scouse were all generally sailors and their families and eventually all sailors within Liverpool were referred to as Scousers. Time has now taken its turn and everyone from the region of Liverpool is known as a Scouser. Scouse holds a place in the heart of most Liverpudlians as the taste of their hometown and is still regularly eaten today by a great number of families, including my own. There are records showing that it was also served to the inmates of the Birkenhead workhouse way back in 1864. The recipe was much simpler then than today s refined version but was predominantly the same staple ingredients - meat, vegetables and potatoes. Scouse can be ready made and kept for up to 2 days. Keep it covered in a refrigerator and reheat in a saucepan. Most people prefer the added depth of flavour that reheating adds. Blind Scouse was a variation on the above recipe and was eaten by the poorer people as it was cheaper to make because it did not contain meat. Variations The vegetarian option is known as blind scouse. This is achieved by merely omitting the meat from the recipe. There is no definitive scouse recipe. It varies between households, but I hope you like my version of it. The dish can also be made with beef. NEW RF BRAND? When I was ill, I didn t want to live. Sparky reminds me of passion for life ES Client INGREDIENTS Serves 4-6 people Half a Pound of Stewing Steak Half a Pound of Lambs Breast A Large Onion 1lb of Carrots 5lb of Potatoes 2 Oxo Cubes 2 Teaspoons of Vegetable Oil Worcester Sauce Salt and Pepper Water HOW TO COOK Takes 4 hours of slow cooking Cut the meat into large cubes and fry in the vegetable oil until lightly browned all over. You may wish to add some Worcester Sauce at this point for added flavour. Transfer the meat to a large saucepan and add the onion that should have been chopped into large chunks. Follow this by chopping the carrot into slices and place this on the meat. Peel and then finely dice 1lb of the potatoes and place on top of the carrots. Fill the pan with cold water until it is half full. Break up the Oxo cubes and sprinkle into the water. Add salt and pepper for seasoning. Let the pan simmer gently, stirring occasionally. The large pieces of onion will start to break up and the potato will become soft and will make the final sauce thick. Simmer for a total of two hours, then add the remaining potatoes that should have been peeled and roughly chopped, along with a few splashes of Worcester Sauce. Then simmer for another two hours. Serve piping hot with red cabbage, beetroot, pickled onions and crusty bread. 14
Horoscopes CAPRICORN Hit it all you want, but the lift will take as long as it will take no matter how forcefully you press the button. Hair can be red. Hair can be blue. You have some hair. And I have some too. Hilarity may ensue this week if you decide to hire a clown on Thursday night. AQUARIUS Your footsteps will seem louder today as you break in new shoes. Write lots of letters today and you ll appreciate the finer art of stamp licking. If some things start to appear impossible, it may be time to invent robots. Find some candles, tonight will be filled with darkness. PISCES A hairy back may trouble you this week, especially if it s not your hairy back that s in question. All the best plans go awry, so please make sure you re ready for any surprises. Changing your lifestyle and underwear are always a good start. Act daft today, help people close to you smile, and feel the healing power of laughter. ARIES You can t star in your own television show if you ve got no talent. Just something to keep in mind - no particular reference to you. The word Wobble might mean something to you today that it simply hasn t meant before. Getting more money may improve your financial situation. Avoid smashing into other vehicles when driving today. TAURUS Use toothpaste and a brush for cleaner teeth. Using words may help you communicate your thoughts. Emitting socially unacceptable noises could spoil an intimate moment. The ability to become invisible could prove useful. GEMINI Apply suntan lotion when lying motionless on the beach for more than eight hours. Don t leave your money lying around where bad people can steal it. Eating food may supply much-needed nutrients. A job could provide a useful source of income. VIRGO Don t trust strangers who offer to take your money and double it. Regular breathing may help provide oxygen to the brain. Using the steering wheel while driving will help get you where you want to go. It s going to be one of those days, I really, really apologise. LEO Life will throw many things at you over the coming months, including a book-shelf which you probably should have ensured was fixed more firmly to the wall. Pants, socks, t-shirts, sweaters. These are all parts of your wardrobe. CANCER Chasing cats and dogs around the streets after midnight is probably not the best way to endear yourself to new neighbours. Potato salesmen may call today and leave you a spud on your doorstep. Dancing around like a fairy is a great way to lose weight and strengthen those legs. Most of the things you re doing are going well, so there s no need to give up now. LIBRA The crystal ball which I sometimes use for divining fortunes for those like yourself... is smashed beyond repair. I can see bits of your future, and they look bloody. But I can t tell whether it s your blood. Actually, it might not be blood at all, but a red sock. I m not sure. SAGITARIUS SCORPIO Think of a number. Now times that number by eighteen. I can confidently predict that your number does not rhyme with Golfing Umbrella. You have recently received some equipment for which there was a manual. Please give this manual a quick read so as to avoid problems later. Images that appear on your eyeballs are an aftereffect of going out on the razzle for 4 nights running. You may be better off taking charge of your own laundry today for reasons that the stars do not make clear. The night may feel like a safe time to parade naked through the local streets, however, you may find there are some that oppose your freedom. The Editorial Board 15
Chris Crellin UP, UP and away! Film reviews This month I thought I would bring you a review of a couple of the films which I have been to see recently. They are both 3D animations which I watched with my 11 year old son. Title: Up Starring: Ed Asner Release date: 15th Feb 2010 SRP: 19.99 (DVD) 23.99/ 26.99 (BD) The first one is Up which is a comedy-adventure film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. This is the tenth film from Pixar and the studio s first to be presented in Disney Digital 3-D. The film centres around a grumpy old man named Carl Fredricksen and a young boy named Russell who fly to South America in a floating house suspended from helium balloons. The story starts when young Carl Fredrickson meets a girl named Ellie. They both dream of going to a Lost Land in South America. 70 years later, Ellie has died. Carl remembers the promise he made to her. Then, when he inadvertently hits a construction worker, he is forced to go to a retirement home. But before they can take him, he and his house fly away. However he has a stowaway aboard. An eight year old boy named Russell, who is trying to get an assisting the elderly badge. After a storm throws them around for a while, they find themselves landing on a great plateau across a large ravine facing Paradise Falls. Together, they embark on an adventure where they encounter talking dogs, an evil villain and a rare bird named Kevin. Visually, this is a treat and while I was sceptical about the use of 3D to begin with, it is built into the story so seamlessly that it really is worth the effort to seek it out. At the same time, I can t help feeling the 2D version could be even better because the 3D glasses had the effect of dimming the picture. The use of colour in the film is especially noteworthy, with various palettes used according to mood, character and phase of the story. Character voicing and music are also spot on. Up is truly a film for all ages. This film is hilarious. Without a doubt the funniest film that Pixar has ever made, each and every character in Up provides their own bit of humour. Dug the dog is especially hilarious every single time that he opens his mouth, and yet still proves to be a key part of this emotional roller coaster ride. This isn t slapstick humour, although there are some lovely visual gags, but deeper, more thoughtful. At times Up is even touching and poignant. The movie also does a terrific job at making you feel a sense of wonder, and you just buy into the adventure of these two characters. I love Up. Go see it now, as my review just can t do it justice. Not only is it extremely entertaining, but also hilarious and beautifully told throughout. To quote John Campea of TheMovieBlog.com, The only negative thing I have to say about this movie is that it ended. Title: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Starring: Anna Faris Release date: 25th Jan 2010 SRP: 19.99 (DVD) 22.99 (BD) My second choice is Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, which is loosely based on the children s book of the same name by Judi Barrett and Ron Barrett which illustrates a world where giant pancakes and pasta fall from the sky as a scientist tries to solve 16
world hunger. However, things go terribly wrong when excess amounts of food overload cities and towns. Described as the most delicious event since macaroni met cheese, the film focuses on a town where food falls from the sky like rain. Flint Lockwood is a young enthusiastic inventor who had always wanted to invent something awesome ever since he was young. He started to make inventions such as Spray-On Shoes formula (which are unable to be removed, leaving his feet stuck in them permanently), hair unbalder and walking televisions. However, people only laughed or picked on Flint, but he did not give up. Due to the rest of the world realizing that sardines are Super Gross, people in Swallow Falls are forced to eat the sardines which they used to export. Flint invents a machine that can make water molecules form into food, and that is when the problems really begin. Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs is visually inventive and has some neat running gags. But its characterisations are a little disappointing: Flint is a particularly uninspiring protagonist. This was much better than expected. It was creative, extremely fun, and paid reference to everything from Independence Day to The Twilight Zone. There are countless laugh-out-loud moments that will appeal to both adults and children alike. The animation and visual style of the film isn t up to the stunning beauty of the latest Pixar offerings but it certainly shows a similar level of ingeniousness, creativity and originality. Really, you need the heart and mind of a child for this, but if you can summon those up, you will be impressed. Great family film, great film to see with your friends, great film to see by yourself, great film all together. Highly recommended. The food gags go down a treat. recipes for under a tenner Three Italian Vegetarian Courses For Under 10? Impress your mates! It CAN be done... Tomato Soup with Basil You will need; 1 & 1/2 lb of tomatoes, chopped 1 medium onion, chopped 1 and 1/2 tbsp of olive oil 1 clove of garlic, crushed (or more if you love garlic!) 2 tsp of chopped fresh basil 10 floz vegetable stock Salt and pepper to season Heat the olive oil and brown the onions, add garlic, basil and tomatoes, then add the vegetable stock, simmer for 25 minutes, sieve or blend, then serve with more chopped fresh basil as garnish. Chocolate Mousse You will need; 8oz plain dessert chocolate 4 eggs, separate yolks & whites 3 tbsp of rum or brandy Place a glass basin over a pan of simmering water and break the chocolate into small pieces and place in the bowl. Stir until smoothly melted and remove from heat. Beat the egg yolks and add to the chocolate mixture. Leave to cool for 20 minutes. Beat the egg whites until they make soft peaks and fold it into the chocolate mixture along with the tablespoon of rum or brandy. Spoon into dishes, cover with cling film and chill for 2 hours. If this is all too much trouble... You will need; 1 telephone 1 takeaway menu Pasta with Roasted Sweet Pepper Sauce You will need; 1 lb pasta spirals or quills 2 lb sweet red, yellow and orange peppers 1 medium onion, chopped 2 tomatoes chopped 1 tbs of fresh chopped basil 4 tbsp of olive oil 1 clove garlic, crushed Salt and pepper to season Chop the peppers into strips of approximately an inch wide, lay skin side up and put under a very hot grill until the skin begins to blister. It will then be easy to remove the skins, which can be bitter. Heat the olive oil and add the crushed garlic, onion, tomatoes and basil, cover and cook gently for 5 minutes. Add the peppers and cook for a further 10 minutes, turning up the heat for the last few minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook the pasta following packet directions, drain and stir in the pepper sauce. Serve with grated parmesan and chopped fresh parsley. Lynne Firmager 17
RF s rebrand praised We were delighted to be featured in Third Sector Magazine s At Work section under Communications Brand Report. We are reproducing the full article with kind permission from Third Sector Magazine. Case study: the Richmond Fellowship By Kate Youde, Third Sector, 8 December 2009 The mental health charity rebranded this year to mark its 50 th anniversary. What did our expert think? Healthy Rebrand radiates positivity The Richmond Fellowship is one of the voluntary sector's largest specialist providers of mental health care, working with more than 6,000 people. Dutch theology student Elly Jansen founded the organisation in 1959, when she invited Long Grove Hospital patients to live with her in the community in Richmond, Surrey. Today, 850 Staff members provide more than 100 Services in housing, care, employment and community support across the UK. The charity recruited the communications consultancy Firesong Consulting to carry out a complete rebrand to mark its 50 th anniversary this year and better reflect its broad range of Services. Work also began on a new website. The Richmond Fellowship unveiled the results in October to mark World Mental Health Day. The approach Firesong Consulting conducted a 'brand audit' in May, looking at the Richmond Fellowship now and where it was heading. The consultancy held workshops across England with 52 members of Staff and Service Users, and interviewed commissioners, GPs and the charity's board members. The results, which indicated that the recovery journey of Service Users was at the heart of the Richmond Fellowship's ethos, were used to develop 30 ideas for a new identity. The proposals The top two ideas were then subjected to 'Reality Checks'. Firesong Consulting held workshops with 43 Staff members and Service Users, organised focus groups with Employment Services Staff and Clients, spoke to commissioners and the charity's board and conducted a written consultation with Clients of employment and job-retention Services....an accessible identity that will help raise awaren The new RF promotional t-shirts are the height of fashion! 18
Out of 108 people interviewed, 84 endorsed the new logo of a red 'dude' standing with his arms raised and emanating sparks, which symbolise hope. It was designed to bring to life the charity's strapline, "Making Recovery Reality", which was introduced in 2006. The rejected logo had a more corporate feel. EXPERT VIEW David Jenkinson, Creative director, Interbrand These bold, colourful, Keith Haring-inspired graphics use an iconic 1980s style to create a friendly approach to a weighty issue. The predominantly primary colour palette, playful characters and strong humanised font create an accessible identity that will help raise awareness of a subject that is all too often misunderstood. The effect The charity says the logo's focus on the positive aspects of mental health encourages Service Users to behave in a more upbeat way. It also reflects its new mission statement: "We encourage, support and challenge people with mental health problems on their recovery journey." The organisation has adopted a corresponding change in attitude at its weekly feedback sessions, concentrating on positive rather than negative developments. Firesong Consulting also removed jargon in brochures and leaflets to match the streamlined brand identity. Whether the brief was to evolve the illustrated people from the old identity or not, the bold lines, vivid colours and expressive figures carry strong messages of life and go beyond the industry norms of photographs of smiley, happy people on the road to recovery. It would be interesting to know what effect the rebrand actually has in terms of awareness, but a funky range of t-shirts you can actually see people wearing with pride is a good start. SCORE Creativity: 4 Delivery: 4 TOTAL: 8 out of 10 ess of a subject that is all too often misunderstood. 19
In my humble opinion At the risk of sounding like an old crank, despite being only thirty, what on earth has happened to good manners these days? People seem to zoom about perpetually in a tearing hurry, so concerned with what they are doing that they forget that there are such things as other humans. Woe betide those not in a hurry, for they shall be trampled underfoot. This need for speed also manifests itself in a willingness to allow those with manners to stand aside to let others by or hold doors open for seemingly infinite periods of time. Perhaps they presume there are people employed specifically to hold the door open for them? One need not note that we door holders are not rewarded with a thank you. A lot of people hate shopping, and we all want to get in and out of the supermarket in as little time as possible, but do people really need to attempt to run one another down with their trolleys? There is a secret totalitarian part of me that believes a shopping trolley driving competency test should be mandatory. I can t be the only person to have been whacked in the heels with one of these for not shopping fast enough for the person behind. Beware also of the person ahead of you, who is liable to stop suddenly, swing their cart around and knock you flat because in their universe there is only them, and the likelihood of another person being behind them is so remote it hasn t even crossed their mind. So please people! Remember you exist in a populated universe, let the person holding the door open for the last sixteen people go and take a turn yourself, be spatially aware while piloting shopping trolleys and for heaven s sake say PLEASE and THANK YOU occasionally. Lynne Firmager Meet the Editorial Board Cliff Hollingbery - Ex Service User Fenland Cliff is from Elm near Wisbech. He has been a member of the Editorial Board for over 2 years and is a member of the national panel. Sarah Parker - From Cambridge and a student at Cambridge Regional College studying Art & Design. Sarah has three children two of which have just finished university, the other is about to start sixth form. Chris Crellin - Service User with Newsham Drive, Liverpool. Chris has lived with Mental Health Problems for over 20 years. Actively Involved in Service User Involvement. A single father with an eleven year old son. Working on a website for Service Users. Barbara Taylor - Ex Service User of Tower House, Chester. Now living in her own flat with floating support, she feels her recovery is all down to the RF. Lynne Firmager - Service User from Redhill Art Matters in Horley. She works part time & is saving up to do her Masters Degree in art. Calling all RF Service Users Do you have any news or views about Richmond Fellowship events you have been involved in? Why not send us your artwork, or anything else you think may be of interest or help to No Label Required readers. Please send them by post to: The Editorial Board, No Label Required, Richmond Fellowship, 80 Holloway Road, London, N7 8JG or email: nlr@richmondfellowship.org.uk Don t forget to include your name and the name of your service! Thanks, The Editorial Board. The views expressed in this Magazine are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Richmond Fellowship organisation. 20