About us
PSC Southwest is a regional branch of PSC based in Devon with attendees coming from Cornwall to Bristol. We are hoping a Bristol/Bath branch will soon be set up that will be more accessible for those in the further regions of the area.
We welcome all attendees interested in community psychology and promoting the work and values of PSC. Our main attendees are a range of clinical psychologists at all levels of their careers (assistant, trainee, qualified and retired!) who work across the NHS, private and third sectors, benefits workers, Citizens Advice workers, researchers, social workers and other interested peoples.
We tend to meet every other month in Newton Abbot in Devon from 6:15-8pm. Please email us on psychologychangesouthwest@gmail.com for exact location. We would love to see you there.
Our projects
The Benefits Project:
Our main project is the benefits project, which we set up in January 2017 to support people with disabilities and/or mental health difficulties going through the benefits system. The project has three strands:
1) A clinic offering free assessments and medical evidence reports for use in benefits assessments, and attendance at PIP/ESA assessments and tribunals.
2) Education and support for benefits workers through training and reflective practice around various mental health difficulties and disabilities
3) Activism through campaigning, networking, research, liaising and communicating with other health and social care professionals, politicians and local government around the injustices and inequalities within the benefits system that has such a significant impact on people and communities well-being. As part of this we have produced guidance on how to write good letters of support for people applying for PIP/ESA.
PSC Southwest is a regional branch of PSC based in Devon with attendees coming from Cornwall to Bristol. We are hoping a Bristol/Bath branch will soon be set up that will be more accessible for those in the further regions of the area.
We welcome all attendees interested in community psychology and promoting the work and values of PSC. Our main attendees are a range of clinical psychologists at all levels of their careers (assistant, trainee, qualified and retired!) who work across the NHS, private and third sectors, benefits workers, Citizens Advice workers, researchers, social workers and other interested peoples.
We tend to meet every other month in Newton Abbot in Devon from 6:15-8pm. Please email us on psychologychangesouthwest@gmail.com for exact location. We would love to see you there.
Our projects
The Benefits Project:
Our main project is the benefits project, which we set up in January 2017 to support people with disabilities and/or mental health difficulties going through the benefits system. The project has three strands:
1) A clinic offering free assessments and medical evidence reports for use in benefits assessments, and attendance at PIP/ESA assessments and tribunals.
2) Education and support for benefits workers through training and reflective practice around various mental health difficulties and disabilities
3) Activism through campaigning, networking, research, liaising and communicating with other health and social care professionals, politicians and local government around the injustices and inequalities within the benefits system that has such a significant impact on people and communities well-being. As part of this we have produced guidance on how to write good letters of support for people applying for PIP/ESA.
| wcp_guidance_on_supporting_letters_pip___esa.pdf |
Research and placements:
We have strong links with Plymouth University to provide Community Psychology placements for Trainee Clinical Psychologists looking to expand their experience of and contribute to Community Psychology. Trainees contribute to the running of our branch through offering training, consultation and reflective practice sessions, benefits clinics under supervision, research and service evaluations. This involves both direct work and more systemic and activism based work. We feel privileged that we have trainees currently completing their doctoral thesis' with us around the impact the benefits system is having on people's mental health and well-being.
Supporting wider community psychology networks and action:
We liaise closely with other branches of PSC to contribute to sharing PSC values, ideas and publications and work collectively to challenge unhelpful dominant narratives through engaging with wider social justice campaigns, collective action and policy reviews. We aim to build connections with other local charities, action groups and campaigns to support community development and shared knowledge with the belief that healthy and equal communities produce healthier and happier individuals.
Get in touch
Please get in touch with us via email on: psychologychangesouthwest@gmail.com for information about joining us, attending our meetings, for training requests, support from us with your project/campaign and information about the benefits project and how to set one up or support people through the process.
We have strong links with Plymouth University to provide Community Psychology placements for Trainee Clinical Psychologists looking to expand their experience of and contribute to Community Psychology. Trainees contribute to the running of our branch through offering training, consultation and reflective practice sessions, benefits clinics under supervision, research and service evaluations. This involves both direct work and more systemic and activism based work. We feel privileged that we have trainees currently completing their doctoral thesis' with us around the impact the benefits system is having on people's mental health and well-being.
Supporting wider community psychology networks and action:
We liaise closely with other branches of PSC to contribute to sharing PSC values, ideas and publications and work collectively to challenge unhelpful dominant narratives through engaging with wider social justice campaigns, collective action and policy reviews. We aim to build connections with other local charities, action groups and campaigns to support community development and shared knowledge with the belief that healthy and equal communities produce healthier and happier individuals.
Get in touch
Please get in touch with us via email on: psychologychangesouthwest@gmail.com for information about joining us, attending our meetings, for training requests, support from us with your project/campaign and information about the benefits project and how to set one up or support people through the process.
