Mental Health Programme
Started in 2008, the Mental Health programme is largely focused on providing positive activities for adults with mental health issues. With 1 in 4 people expected to have a period of mental illness within their lifetime, CACT recognised that sporting, leisure, social, art and cultural based activities can play a huge role in a young person’s recovery process.
Currently CACT provides varied activity programmes for both Kent and Medway NHS Social Care and Partnership Trust and Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust. Both programmes focus on engaging clients in activity programmes ranging from sports through to the arts. This work has been recognised with the Kent nomination for the Regional “Best of Health” Awards in 2008 and has been featured on a Department of Health DVD of best practice. The Oxleas project was then crowned with “The Partnership Project of the Year Award” in 2014. CACT has also signed a pledge with the mental health charity ‘Time to Change’ which gained recognition within the football hierarchy.
In the last 2 years, CACT also ran educational programmes and residential trips for young people on the mental health projects that were at an advanced stage of their recovery. 40 attendees took part in the education programme that provided them with a city and guilds qualification in employability and customer service.
Early Intervention in Psychosis
In September 2019, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust confirmed an additional new three years of funding for the Early Intervention in Psychosis programme CACT runs on its behalf. CACT also runs an Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) programme in East & West Kent in partnership with Kent County Council and Kent & Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust. From April 2020, the project in Kent has been funded by Live Well Kent/Porchlight.
For more information about the programme, email Terry Peart, CACT's Disability & Mental Health Coordinator.
Up & At ‘Em
Run in partnership with Oxleas, the Up & At ‘Em project for over 65s with a mental health diagnosis was piloted in 2017. It is designed to reduce social isolation and enhance participants’ physical health and mental wellbeing through activities within the community.
Up & At ‘Em won a national accolade in July 2019, winning the Community/Primary Mental Health Services for Older People with Functional Mental Health Issues award at the Positive Practice Older People’s Mental Health & Dementia Awards.
Previously, Up & At ‘Em was Highly Commended at the awards in both 2017 and 2018.
John, an Up & At 'Em participant said: "I love it, I feel so much better after I've been along each week, it really lifts me and I can't thank these people enough!"
Kent Wellbeing Activity Project
CACT launched the Kent Wellbeing Activity Project in April 2024.
This project, which is funded by Livewell Kent, aims to support the mental wellbeing of young people aged 16-25 through providing them with a safe space to take part in fun, free activities.
These activities vary from horse-riding and theatre trips to visiting the zoo and allow the young people taking part to make new friends and socialise.
Full details of the Kent Wellbeing Activity Project’s timetable can be seen below. To sign up or enquire, contact terry.peart@cact.org.uk.
