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We are a Lewisham NHS service for people age 18-65 with distressing, unusual beliefs. Sometimes the word 'psychosis' is used to describe these experiences. We are interested in the individual's viewpoint of what is happening and will use the language that makes the most sense to them.

We work with people for up to 3 years after their first distressing unusual experience.

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Your care coordinator is the first port of call if you have questions about your treatment. They can also refer you for support from other professionals or organisations.

They meet with you at least once a month, or more regularly if you are struggling at the moment.

You should be able to reach your care coordinator via their mobile, 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday.

If your care coordiantor is on holiday, not working that day, or unwell, you can contact 'Duty' which is available every day, 9am-5pm, 020 3228 9300. You can also use this number if you're not sure who your care coordinator is, or how to reach them.

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We are 'multi-disciplinary team' with people from different professional backgrounds working together to support you:

Care Coordinators (who are registered Community Psychatric Nurses or Social Workers) meet regularly with you to co-ordinate your care

Doctors (Psychiatrists, which means a medical doctor who specialises in mental health) and Physical Health Specialist

Psychologists (Clinical Psychologists, Cognitive Behavioural Therapists, and Assistant and Trainee Psychologists) who provide talking therapies

Family Intervention Therapists

Employment Specialists (also known as IPS, supporting you with back to work)

Occupational Therapists and Support Worker (helping you getting involved in activities in the community, with your activities of daily living or if you need support with physical disability)

Education & Benefits Worker (helping you with your benefits and with access to education)

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Lewisham Early Intervention

59 Cordwell Road, London, SE13 5QY,  020 3228 9300

We are a 9am-5pm service, but outside of these times you can call:

NHS 111 (option 2)

Solidarity in a Crisis:

Peer Support service 0300 123 1922

Open Mon-Fri 6pm-Midnight, Sat-Sun 12-Midnight

Please note the SLaM 24 hour crisis line has now moved to NHS 111.

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Benefits Support

We run a clinic to support people applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

📧 Email Melanie, our Occupational Therapist for more information melanie.towers@slam.nhs.uk, or speak with your care coordinator.

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There are many different kinds of medications which can support you with your mental health.

For more information you can speak to your doctor at your next medical review, or also look at the resources attached.

More information about:

Antipsychotics

Antidepressants

Leaflets for every medication type, in 1-page, 2-page or Easy Read format: here

Challenges with taking medication: Video

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Friends & Family (Carer's) Support Group

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Friends & Family (Carer's) Support Group

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We run a monthly Family & Friends (Carer's) Peer Support Group on the 2nd Monday of every month, 12pm-2pm, online via Microsoft Teams.

Here is a video about the group.

Ask at reception or your loved one's care coordinator to be added to the mailing list.

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Carer's Support Group Poster Final Draft_page-0001

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Friends and Family and Clients often have questions about confidentiality.

How is my information stored?

We take brief notes in sessions and store them on our secure online system, ePJS. They are only viewed by other health professionals on a need-to-know basis. We would only share with outside agencies if we are seriously concerned about your safety, or the safety of other people.

What about confidentiality and my family, loved ones?

As loved one of someone who is with our team, you are able to provide us with information but we are not always about to provide you with information about your loved one's care unless they have given us permission.

More information: Confidentiality and Carers

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Within our team we have employment specialists who can help you with:

Looking for paid work

Support whilst you're in work

Supporting you to laise with your employer about your mental health

WorkWell Information

To be referred for work support (also known as Individual Placement Support, or IPS) speak to your care coordinator.

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'Imago' is the organisation in Lewisham which facilitates Carer's Assessments. If you are looking after a loved one you have a right to a Carer's Assessment under the Care Act.

More information about unpaid carer support in Lewisham: Lewisham Unpaid Carer Welcome Pack

Includes information about Carer's Card, free counselling support, benefits and financial support for unpaid carers, carer breaks and respite care, emergency care and more.

Friends and Family (Carers) are also eligible to access all the courses for free at the Recovery College.

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Imago Unpaid Carers Support Service Lewisham 2025

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Learning More about Mental Health - Recovery College

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Learning More about Mental Health - Recovery College

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Intense mental health experiences can lead people to want to learn more about their own mental health.

Have a look at the Recovery College, which offers free, in-person and online courses. Many courses are run by people with lived experience of mental health issues.

View the timetable and enrol online here:

www.slamrecoverycollege.co.uk

Some example of courses:

Emotional First-Aid Kit

Creativity and Wellbeing

Courses for Carers (Friends & Family)

Comedy School Courses

Writing for Self-Expression

Understanding Psychosis

Managing my Mood

Taking Control of My Psychosis Medication

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SLaM Recovery College | Hope | Control | Opportunity

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What are listening meetings?

Listening meetings support clients and their loved ones with important conversations. They have an open agenda (1.5 hours) and are facilitated by 2 family intervention therapists.

See attached for more information.

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Different Therapy Options for LEIS Clients

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Different Therapy Options for LEIS Clients

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At Lewisham Early Intervention, all clients are offered the option of taking part in individual psychology sessions.

Please see attached for more info.

If you would like to find out more, please speak to your care coordinator.

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The NHS and mental health care can be full of acronyms, here are a few you might come accross!

LEIS - Lewisham Early Intervention Service

CBT - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

IPS - Individual Placement Support (our back-to-work support service)

SLaM - South London and Maudsley NHS Trust (The NHS Mental Health Trust / Organisation that covers South London)

CPN - Community Psychiatric Nurse

CTO - Community Treatment Order

CMHT - Community Mental Health Team

HTT - Home Treatment Team

PCMHT - Primary Community Mental Health Team

AMHP – Approved Mental Health Professional

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We'd love to hear your feedback about how we can improve.

People under our service can give us feedback using this link

Patient Experience Survey (smartsurvey.co.uk)

Families of those using our service can give us feedback using this link

Carer Experience Survey (smartsurvey.co.uk)

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There are many free activites in the Lewisham community for our clients if you are interested in taking part. Beginners welcome.

🪴Sydenham Gardens - Gardening, Arts and Crafts

⚽Football Group - Fridays at Millwall. Trevor Wyer runs the group.

☀️SUN Project (Service User Network) peer support group for people with complex emotional needs

🎭Comedy School at the Recovery College - Intro to Comedy Writing, Improvisation

☕Coffee & Chats - Front Room at St Lukes Downham - board games, crafts, free tea and coffee - open Monday, Tuesday and Friday 9.30am-2.30pm.

& many more!

Speak to your Care Coordinator or Yas yasmin.begum@slam.nhs.uk 0785 868 6432 if you are interested in taking part. Someone can come with you for your first session so you're not attending alone.

Yas can also work with you to find out what you're interested in and support you with attending.

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You may have heard the term 'psychosis' before but many people have questions about what it is and what it means for them.

Some people have different interpretations and we are interested in the language that makes most sense for you.

This information leaflet can provide helpful information about the term.

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A nice opportunity to walk and talk for an hour each Wednesday morning, then grab a coffee.

Google Maps location for the starting point:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/rgbpREqVLrMA4WXS9

For further details or any questions, please contact:

Mel 07725642221 or Melanie.Towers@slam.nhs.uk

Yasmin 07858686432 or Yasmin.Begum1@slam.nhs.uk

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Learn to make delicious homemade meals, each Friday at 11am. The group runs for 6 weeks and there's a waiting list - please contact your care coordinator to join the list or contact Mel on 07725642221 Melanie.Towers@slam.nhs.uk

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We offer regular in-house physical health checkups with our lovely Physical Health Practitioner Tracey Mcintosh. They include:

Blood tests

Blood pressure checks

Advice about healthy lifestyle

To book in with Tracey, please contact Tracey.McIntosh@slam.nhs.uk or book directly through this link.

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Some of our clients use cannabis and would like support with using less or stopping, which can be challenging.

If this sounds like something you might be interested in, have a look at this clinic which offers personalised, flexible and non-judgemental support with this, including 1:1 help.

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Housing

Whilst we aren't housing specialists, your care coordinator can support you if you are experiencing housing challenges.

Call Lewisham Council Housing Number: 0808 178 0939 for advice.

Food Banks

Register with the Trussell Trust to access food bank vouchers and find out where to collect. You can also call National Citizens Advice Freephone Helpline on 0808 208 2138 or Advice Lewisham (0800 231 5453).

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Come and explore creativity in a calm, welcoming space. We’ll be trying out a variety of activities like mindfulness art, clay modelling, painting, drawing, scrapbooking, printmaking, and more.

You don’t need any experience or artistic skill, just a willingness to try something new, and enjoy the process. Whether you want to learn new techniques or simply take time for yourself, the art club is a safe and supportive place to create at your own pace.

Contact your care coordinator for further information or email the team : earlyinterventionteam-lewisham@slam.nhs.uk

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Support with physical health and wellbeing

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Support with physical health and wellbeing

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We run a group to support people to look after their physical health and well-being. Topics include food, exercise, sleep, relaxation and medication.