Author: Sofija Opacic
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Only connect
Covid threw up a lot of issues – our reliance on digital technology (DT) being one huge one. Now that’s fine, if you happen to have the equipment, language, confidence and motivation to understand DT – but some people simply don’t (at the moment). That’s a real shame – for all of us as a…
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How you can help mental health carers
A blog to mark Carers Week 2017 I’m a carer. An unpaid mental health carer. And a mental health carer campaigner. It’s not all of me, but it’s a very important part of how I’ve chosen to be. I’m proud that I care. It’s easy to become apologetic and lose self-confidence when you tell someone…
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Co-production: sniffing out the fakes
Co-production means many things to many people. For me, REAL100% co-production means developing ideas and putting them into action collaboratively – experts by profession (eg drs, psychiatrists, researchers etc) and experts by experience (eg people who use services, carers) working together from start to finish. Whether it’s a training programme, a publication, an infographic (a…
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Force Field Analysis explained: on the back of three envelopes
Hi – This is the first of a short series on how to use popular models to create change that lasts. We’re going to start with Force Field Analysis. Imagine a boat. Certain forces will make the water rise (the driving or positive forces) and others (resisting/negative forces) will make it fall taking the…
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Role descriptors: a great tool to get carers involved in your work
Do you have a bit of a challenge getting mental health carers involved in your work? Perhaps they’re not joining the group you’ve set up and you’d really like to hear about their “lived experience” and the many “insights” they’ve picked up along the rocky road that is called “care”. Well, you’re in the right…
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How to help someone who is suicidal
In honour of World Suicide Prevention Day: 10 September 2017 Spent last weekend creating a brand new Suicide Prevention infographic with a couple of friends (Mike, an illustrator; and Dan a word-smith) in honour of World Suicide Prevention Day on 10th Sept 2017. Together we wanted to create something powerful that people could engage with…
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How you can help mental health carers
A blog to mark Carers Week 2017 I’m a carer. An unpaid mental health carer. And an active mental health carer campaigner. It’s not all of me, but it’s a very important part of how I’ve chosen to be. I’m proud that I care. It’s very easy for us – unpaid carers – to become…
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How to create a powerful press release
What do you think makes an effective press release so that your story gets picked up by your local press? Over 70% of local press coverage is taken directly form press releases so it’s really important you get it right. It really pays to prepare a powerful press release that makes journalists’ lives easier. GENERAL…
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The power of optimism
“What matters most is that we learn from living.” (Doris Lessing) Have you noticed how much easier life is when you’re optimistic? That dark cloud lifts. The birds start singing. Fell into one of those sinking “Is it worth it?” moments mid-week about a new campaign group I’d recently set up. Challenges seemed to be…
Creative Public Affairs 