The coronavirus pandemic is affecting us all in different ways.
If you’re feeling stressed, down, or struggling to cope - whether it is to do with coronavirus or not - we’re still here for you. Talk Changes can help you find ways to manage your mind and make changes, putting you back in control.
We are a confidential NHS service for adults registered with a GP in City and Hackney. We offer a wide range of tried and tested NHS talking therapies. Talking with a trained professional can help you work out how to deal with negative thoughts and feelings and learn new skills to get you back on track.
For a lot of people that we’re helping right now, Covid-19 is a significant issue in how they’re feeling. Some are worried about their health or their loved ones or living with the consequences of the virus. Others are dealing with loss or isolation. Many people are finding it hard to cope with everyone at home and all the uncertainty.
The pandemic is also affecting people’s working lives. If you’re receiving talking therapies from us, you can also get help from our specialist employment advisers. They can provide advice on looking for work, furlough, worries about returning to work, keeping skills up to date or rethinking your career if you’ve been made redundant.
We’re also still seeing lots of people for issues that aren’t related to Covid-19. For many people with common mental health problems, talking therapies are proven to be as effective as medicines. They create long-lasting positive changes so you not only feel better but stay better. We’re also continuing to work with people whose physical health problems affect their mood and motivation, helping them to cope with treatment and medication plans.
We’re still making appointments for everyone who needs them. Coronavirus means we’ve had to stop all face-to-face appointments and group sessions for the time being. Instead, all our support is available over the phone, online or through video calls.
We know that these are worrying times for everyone. If you’re finding it hard to cope, we’re still here for you.
We help people with a wide range of worries, common mental health problems and emotional difficulties.
Even though many of these problems are not unusual, they can become overwhelming, distressing and make day-to-day life a struggle.
Difficulties we can help with include:
But Talk Changes isn’t just for people who feel depressed or stressed.
For example, it is not uncommon for people with a long-term physical health problem – such as diabetes, breathing difficulties, bowel problems or back pain – to feel overwhelmed with worry and uncertainty about the future. It can be difficult to stick to treatment and medication plans. If you have an on-going illness, we can help you learn new ways to cope so you can live life to the full.
Talk Changes is for adults registered with a GP in City and Hackney. If you are under 18, talk to your GP to find the right service for you. If you are registered with a GP outside the area, find your local service
We offer a wide range of tried and tested talking therapies. These involve talking with a trained professional to help you work out how to deal with negative thoughts and feelings and make positive changes.
Talking therapies are proven to be as effective as medicines for many common mental health problems. What’s more, talking therapies create long-lasting positive changes so you not only feel better but stay better, putting you in control to get the most from life.
You can find out more about the various types of talking therapies recommended by the NHS here.
Talking therapies don’t have to be in person to be effective. We provide help over the phone, online and through video calls.
Our specialist therapists, advisers and other professionals will help you get the support that’s right for you. We will talk with you to find out what matters and what you want to achieve, and help you work towards your own goals.
The team also includes specialist employment advisers. Whether you have a job, or are trying to find one, work can have a big impact on how you feel. If you’re receiving treatment with us, we can also offer advice and practical support on applying for jobs, preparing for interviews and dealing with workplace problems.
You can get online support at a time and place to suit you through SilverCloud, proven to help people manage many common mental health issues like anxiety, stress, low mood and sleep problems.
SilverCloud can help you change the way you think and feel about things. Select a programme to suit you and work through the easy-to-use interactive modules at your own pace on your smartphone, tablet or computer.
For most of the programmes you have the option of one of our professional therapists as your supporter. They will check in with you online every couple of weeks to see how you are getting on. Some programmes can be done without support if you prefer.
Many people find SilverCloud a convenient way to get the help they need. It’s perfect for people with busy lives or who do not want to travel to appointments.
SilverCloud is available to adults registered with a GP in City & Hackney.
What happens when you register?
Following registering on the SilverCloud website, you will be contacted by a member of our team within a week to arrange a telephone assessment with a clinician. This assessment will help confirm that SilverCloud is the best form of support for you.
Anything else?
If you have any other questions about Talk Changes and how we might be able to help you, please contact us on 020 7683 4278 or email huh-tr.talkingtherapy@nhs.net.
You will not be wasting our time. Our purpose is to support people with mild to moderate problems. There is lots of evidence that early detection and treatment are important to stop problems getting worse.
Sometimes people only need a little help to learn some new ways of coping with things. We’ll help you get the support that’s right for you.
Talk Changes is available to adults who are registered with a GP in City and Hackney. If you are under 18, talk to your GP to find the right service for you.
If you are registered with a GP outside the area, find your local talking therapies service: here
Most people receive an initial telephone assessment within two weeks. It can sometimes take longer if we think it is worth waiting for an assessment with a particular specialist because they will then be able to get you started on the right treatment plan more quickly.
Your first appointment will be an initial assessment, usually carried out over the phone. We will talk with you to understand what things you want us to help you with and discuss the support we can offer. Following your initial assessment we’ll agree a treatment plan with you and book your next appointment. Sometimes we’ll know of other services that are better placed to give you the help you need and can you put you in touch with them instead.
Our opening hours are Monday-Thursday 9am-7.30pm and Friday 9am-5pm. Owing to demand, we’re not able to offer early evening appointments to everyone who wants one. As well as face-to-face appointments we also provide support over the telephone and online. We’ll work with you to develop a treatment plan that gets you the right support in the most convenient way.
Yes, we keep all information confidential. We will usually tell your GP that you are receiving our services (not the detail of what we discuss), but you can tell us not to if you wish. The only exception to confidentiality would be if we thought you were at risk of harming yourself or somebody else.
Yes. We work with advocates and interpreters so we can support people who do not speak English. If you need language support, please let us know when you first make contact with us.
Most appointments are at the Louis Freedman Centre next to St Leonard’s Hospital in Hoxton. Some appointments are held at GP surgeries across the area. However, not everyone needs face-to-face appointments as we also provide support over the telephone and online. We’ll help you get the right support in the most convenient way.
You are under no obligation to continue with a treatment plan if it is not working for you, although all the evidence shows that people who stick at it get the best results. Most people have one session of between 30 and 60 minutes each week for somewhere between four and 12 weeks.
It is important that you keep to appointment times. However, if it is absolutely unavoidable for you to cancel an appointment, please telephone us on 020 7683 4278 or email huh-tr.talkingtherapy@nhs.net as soon as possible so that we can re-arrange it. If you miss or re-schedule more than one treatment appointment we will need to discharge you from the service in order for us to see other waiting patients. See Appointments Policy for full details.
Sarah found light at the end of the tunnel through talking therapy
I’ve experienced depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember. Recently I had been feeling miserable, became isolated, and stopped interacting with friends and family and people at work.
I went to my GP when I started getting panic attacks. He suggested Talk Changes. I completed the online form and got a call back to arrange an initial telephone appointment. Read more
Employment advice sets Michael on course for his first job
After finishing my BTEC things went downhill for me. I didn’t have a job and became depressed. I thought I had nothing to offer society and felt useless and sad.
I began to withdraw, struggled with sleeping, and basically didn’t go out for a couple of years. Eventually I went to the GP who put me in touch with Talk Changes. Read more
Karen had been feeling sad and irritable
I had been feeling sad and irritable and didn’t feel optimistic about anything. I stopped seeing friends and didn’t go out or exercise any more. I was staying in and comfort eating and the negative feelings just kept building up.
I actually went to the GP for medication because I wasn’t sleeping, even though I felt exhausted all the time. She suggested Talk Changes. Read more
Talk Changes helped Judith manage her irritable bowel syndrome
I've had IBS for some time now. At one of my regular appointments at the Homerton, my doctor suggested I try Talk Changes.
I knew there was a link between IBS and stress. Flare-ups are stressful and I find myself worrying about how it is going to affect my day. And when I get stressed it often makes my symptoms worse. But I hadn’t realised that talking therapies might be able to help. Read more
Five small changes can make a big difference. These simple things have been shown to improve mental health and wellbeing.
Connect With people at home, at work, school or in your local community. Building connections with others can ease our troubles and help us see things in a different way.
Be active Walking, cycling, gardening – find an activity that suits you. Exercise can improve sleep, relieve tension, improve energy levels and help you think clearly.
Keep learning Try new things, like a cookery course or learning an instrument. Developing new skills keeps your mind active, is fun and can increase confidence.
Give Volunteer, join a community group. We all have something to offer. Giving your time can be very rewarding, boosting mood and connecting with new people.
Take notice Be curious. Savour the moment. Take time to remember the little things that make you happy.
Find out more about Five to Thrive, City and Hackney’s steps for wellbeing and mental health here.
How to look after your mental health during the Coronavirus pandemic. Talk Changes senior therapist Olivia Muir discusses tips for your wellbeing at this difficult time.
Cognitive behavioural therapy or CBT is based on the idea that thoughts, feelings, what we do and how our bodies feel are all connected. It is one of the principal therapies used by Talk Changes' therapists.
This one minute animation explains what CBT is.
Looking to improve your mental wellbeing? Poppy Jaman OBE and CEO of the City Mental Health Alliance shows you what you can achieve through the simple but powerful Five Ways to Well-being - also known as Five to Thrive.
Older people explain how talking therapies have helped them.
Workbooks for download
The easiest and quickest way to arrange a telephone assessment is to complete the online referral form. The referral form asks for some information that you may not know. Don’t worry if you can’t answer all the questions.
However, the more information you can provide, the easier it is for us to get you the right support as quickly as possible.
If you prefer, you can also email us on: huh-tr.talkingtherapy@nhs.net.
Most people receive an initial telephone assessment within two weeks. Following your initial assessment we’ll agree a treatment plan with you and book your next appointment.
A 24-hour confidential service that offers emotional support and befriending to those feeling lonely, distressed or suicidal.
Phone: 116 123 (National Free Phone Number)
or 020 7734 2800 (London)
Reverse charge calls accepted or they can call you back.
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Face-to-Face: Central London Branch – 46 Marshall Street, London, W1F 9BF
Behind Carnaby Street. Nearest tube stations are Piccadilly Circus & Oxford Circus.
Drop-in: 9am-9pm daily
Waltham Forest Branch – 663 Lea Bridge Road, London, E10 6AL
Drop-in:
Mon, Weds – 8pm-10pm
Tues, Fri, Sat – 2pm-10pm
Thurs – 5pm-10pm
Sun – 2pm-7pm
Offers and provides information and emotional support to those experiencing mental health difficulties, their families and carers.
Phone: 0300 304 7000
(Mon-Fri – 12pm-11pm, Weekends – 12pm-6pm)
Call this number if you feel your mental health is deteriorating or if you are in distress and need to contact a health professional out of office hours. Available 24-hours a day including weekends and Bank Holidays.
Phone: 020 8432 8020
The helpline is for people of any age who may have long-term psychological issues or who have had a sudden crisis such as a shock, bereavement, relationship issue, etc. They offer confidential expert advice, guidance support and referrals to other local services if needed.
As well as offering a welcome cuppa, the Crisis Cafe is a safe, supportive and therapeutic place for anyone struggling and not coping with life. It means people do not have to be alone, struggling with upsetting thoughts or worry. The Café is at Raybould Centre, next to the Homerton University Hospital site and is open from 6pm-9pm Monday to Thursday, and from midday to 4pm on Saturdays.
Phone: 07393 762366
Email: crisiscafe@elft.nhs.uk
Phone
020 7683 4278
We understand that engaging with therapy and working towards recovery can be hard work. However, if you stick with it, therapy can be extremely rewarding. We encourage all patients to attend every appointment with our service so you can get the most out of the therapy. We recognise there may be times when it will be difficult to attend appointments, however to ensure we can offer a fair service to everyone it is important to attend all of your appointments. Please remember every appointment counts.
Please do not miss your appointment (face to face, telephone or group)
Each appointment (date, time and venue) is agreed with you in advance.
There is high demand for therapy at Talk Changes and our policies need to consider those in treatment as well as those waiting.
If you are not available for any assessment then unfortunately we will need to discharge you from the service in order for us to see other waiting patients. This includes cancelling an assessment appointment at short notice (less than 2 working days’ notice). You will be able to re-refer.
Our policy on missed or cancelled treatment appointments;
If you miss or re-schedule more than one treatment appointment we will need to discharge you from the service in order for us to see other waiting patients.
If it is necessary for you to cancel an appointment e.g. due to severe illness, please telephone us on 0207 683 4278 or email huh-tr.talkingtherapy@nhs.net so that we can re-arrange your appointment.
Please do your best to inform us that you will not be able to attend by leaving an email or voicemail even out of hours. Please remember that you can only do this once in a course of treatment so make sure when booking your appointments that this is a date and time you can attend.
If your therapist needs to cancel an appointment we will give you as much notice as possible. A member of our team will contact you to discuss this and your therapist will be in contact to re-arrange the appointment. Of course, you will not lose any of your therapy appointments if this is the case.
huh-tr.talkingtherapy@nhs.net or 020 7683 4278
Talk Changes – City and Hackney IAPT Louis Freedman Building
St Leonard’s
Nuttall Street
N1 5LZ
NHS Choices nhs.uk
Patient UK patient.info/
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
PALS can provide information and support to patients and carers and will listen to your concerns, suggestion or queries. The service is available between 9am and 5pm.
0208 510 7315
07584 445 400
PALS@homerton.nhs.uk
If you require this information in large print, plain print, audio or Braille please contact the Patient Information Team on 0208 510 5302, text: 07584 445 400 or email: patientinformation@homerton.nhs.uk
Our service was created as part of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme in England. We want to offer the best possible service to patients and to do this we need to collect data about our patients and their treatments. By providing us with this information we are able to ensure that we offer you the most appropriate treatment and ensure that we are providing an effective service to all our patients.
This leaflet describes how the information helps improve patient care.
Information submitted to Homerton University Foundation NHS Trust via this web site will be used solely for the purpose for which it is collected, and will not be passed on to any other external organisation, without your permission. The purpose for which the information is collected will be made clear.
We have implemented security procedures and technical measures to protect any personal data which is kept by Homerton University Foundation NHS Trust from:
National reports offer huge service delivery benefits by checking, for example, numbers of referrals received, and time taken to access services, the type of treatments used and the outcomes of those treatments. Also, under the Equality Act 2010, the NHS has to monitor personal characteristics and check everyone has equal access to services and is not discriminated against in any way.
Further information on Data Protection issues can be found at http://www.dataprotection.gov.uk/
Find ways to get a better night’s sleep so you can be at your best.
Do you have problems with insomnia, thoughts racing or frequent waking throughout the night? If you have trouble sleeping, this free NHS workshop helps you master techniques that can help break poor sleep patterns.
Dates
Tuesday 2nd July 12.00 – 14.00
Wednesday 10th July 18.00-19.30
Thursday 18th July 18.00-19.30
Location
Dalston Library, 24-30 Dalston Lane E8 3AZ.
Book now
This workshop is available to anyone over 18 who is registered with a City and Hackney GP. Booking is essential. Email us to confirm the date and time of the workshop you would like to attend (huh-tr.talkingtherapy@nhs.net).