Useful Links
Useful Links


In this informative resource from Zocdoc, you can find the risks and benefits of social media, as well as useful information about the ways in which we can recognise unhealthy habits around its use. The guide also provides the signs to look out for if you are concerned about someone's social media usage, plus tips for encouraging healthy online behaviours. 


Forest Holidays encourage children on the their website fifty ways to enjoy playing in the countryside. Please see 


The Creative Casa is a website created by Veronica and Keith with a love of nature, writing, knitting, poetry and verse.  For this year’s Poppy Appeal, please see www.thecreativecasa.co.uk where Creative Casa is also raising money for the Swindon Trauma Group.

Veronica has been very busy knitting poppies in relation to Veterans, animal veterans (just remember the thousands of horses killed or put down in the 1st World War) and for the peace of the world. The poppies are stunningly moving and beautiful.

Creative writing is also a big part of their website and, like knitting, is a great way to thought-stop and move from the negative to positive.  The courses that are offered in creative writing gives encouragement to a creative, practical and positive approach to writing.

As Christmas comes nearer the display of Christmas decorations or gifts look again lovely on the sight. On a photographic basis the depth of field, close up and colour highlight items well.

• Important teen body image and self-esteem topics, social media influences, and cyberbullying. 
• Advice for parents on how to talk to their teens about body image issues, setting a positive example, and looking out for warning signs of teen body dissatisfaction.
• Tips and advice on diet, healthy sleep, hygiene, exercise, and mental well-being that help contribute to developing positive body image.
• Information for seeking professional help (if needed) and links to other trusted sources.

Tax Debt and Mental Health - Debt is a basic fact of life for most people - and honestly is not much of a problem. Everything from credit cards, student loans and life - long mortgages are a day to day reality across the UK.  However there are times when debts definitely can mount up.  Debt is a key source for mental illness including stress, anxiety and depression for many people. Covid 19 is sadly a good example how people end up in debt as a consequence of the virus. As much as the government has tried to shore up UK’s economy many companies are finding it increasing difficult to keep their employees. Worries about this terrifying virus and people’s concern about visiting town centres or travelling will understandably not help.  www.riftrefunds.co.uk has a guide called Guide to Tax, Debt and Mental Health which covers for example tax debt, support available when you have got debts and what to do if debt is affecting your mental health.

Alcohol Rehab Help - This charity from San Diego USA deals with alcohol abuse and addiction, which can be contacted at alcoholrehabhelp.org.  Michelle Taylor the groups recovery advocate highlights the following:
  • We provide free resources and information to help struggling individuals and families get their lives back on track.
  • Our website does not host any form of advertising.
  • All content published on Alcohol Rehab Help is fact based and original. It is sourced from current scientific research, ensuring content is accurate, relevant, and up-to-date with current research and addiction terminology. 
PreventionConnect.org - Prevention Connect is another well informed, empathic American organisation of recovering addicts moving on from substance abuse and addiction. The organisation lets visitors to Swindon Trauma Group site understand what people need to know about this debilitating disease and was started by a group of recovering addicts wanting to make a difference to their peers.  The group has a very interesting blog page on substance abuse and addiction and what you need to know about this debilitating disease.

KnowYourDNA.com looks at DNA testing, reviews, guides and has a home health log.  This USA website highlights most of us have the benefit of knowing our parents, since the day we were born and learning more about the family is rarely a phone call away.  For at least 5 million Americans the task is not so simple. The website goes through empathically how DNA testing may be able to help track lost relatives or for those people adopted finding their natural heritage.
This website also looks at how people can be empowered to take health into their hands and have created a guide – Can a DNA test predict addiction? To help people with information on DNA tests and addiction.  Who do you think you are? Which has been broadcast by the BBC and NBC has proved very popular and has used genetic genealogy to look up ancestors relating to famous participants on their shows.

How to Work with Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This is a page on the website of NICABM (National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine) that contains an interesting video - Click here.

Addiction Group

www.AddictionGroup.org - Almost 21 million Americans have at least one addiction, yet only 10% of them receive treatment. This is why Addiction Group was founded. Addiction Group is dedicated to help individuals suffering from substance abuse and prevent new cases through credible information to as many we can reach. Every fact based piece of information is written by journalists, medical professionals. Also we have no affiliations to any rehab centres. We aren’t sponsored and display no advertisements on our website.

The Need for a Good Night’s Sleep

www.mattressadvisor.com The mission of the USA company Mattress Advisor is the help people to live their best days by finding how to have a best night’s sleep. The following links are excellent concerning advice for a good night’s sleep. To assist that the objective is to have a relaxing bedroom environment and sleeping on a comfortable mattress/bed. Learning Cognitive Behaviour techniques like thought stopping and attention switching also helps.In the UK listening to smooth classics at ten on Classic FM with renditions of beautiful classical music from around the world.


www.rehab4addiction.co.uk  offers a free helpline dedicated to helping those suffering from drug, alcohol and mental health issues in Wiltshire, England.  Rehab 4 was founded in 2011 by people who overcame drug and alcohol addiction themselves. You can contact Rehab Addiction on 0800 140 4690. This site offers comprehensive excellent information for people who need help to combat addiction from centres all over the United Kingdom

www.CassioburyCourt.com Cassiobury Court is a Drug and AlcoholRehabilitation Unit based in Watford just north west of London. Offers free help and advice for Veterans who suffer with addiction and mental health problems. Click here for details.  It has very picturesque gardens where patients can relax. There is also another treatment centre in Blackpool.

www.householdquotes.co.uk/help-for-veterans  A part of Household Quotes site. That contains an impressive amount of information on how to get help service personal on their transition back to civilian life covering housing and financial help, employment, support, and much more.

www.rehab4alcoholism.com   Alcohol Rehabilitation is a Rehab for alcoholism site which provides independent advice for those seeking Alcohol Rehabilitation. The organisation offers a variety of treatment programmes including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy throughout the United Kingdom and abroad.

http://www.rxdangers.com/  In 2013, the Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota, USA found that nearly 70 percent of Americans take at least one prescription drug each month. The majority of medications are safe for consumption, but we at Rx Dangers believe in educating the public about the thousands of prescriptions and over-the -counter medications, many of which have potential serious side effects. Our easy to navigate online database is constantly being updated with drug recall news, and provides comprehensive, unbiased information about the serious side effects, complications, and interactions of commonly prescribed drugs.

http://www.drugdangers.com/  -  USA charity developed to educate the public and lend a hand to people affected by defective drugs and medical devices.  Topical in the UK at the moment with all the news about Larium.

http://www.drugrehab.com/ - An international website resource developed to provide information and advice related to substance abuse and addiction. Has an excellent resource on PTSD and dual diagnosis

http://www.tbeswindonandwilts.co.uk/wilts.co.uk - The Business Exchange Swindon and Wiltshire. Click here for an item regarding our conference.

www.swindon1055.com - Swindon's Community Radio Station - Daring to be Different...

www.lipspeaking.co.uk - The Association of Lipspeakers (ALS) is the professional body that represents lipspeakers. A lipspeaker is a hearing person who has been professionally trained to be easy to lipread. We aim to promote lipspeaking and its good practice and encourage the further development of lipspeaking as a communication service.

www.counselling-directory.org.uk - Counselling Directory is a confidential service that encourages those in distress to seek help. The directory contains information on many different types of distress, as well as articles, news, and events.

www.NGVFA.org.uk - National Gulf Veterans and Families Association

www.L4LSwindon.co.uk - Learning for Life

www.nrah.co.uk - The British National Register of Advanced Hypnotherapists

www.wscf.org.uk - The Community Foundation for Wiltshire & Swindon

www.forcesline.org.uk - The Forcesline website

Swindon Guide Dogs - Swindon Guide Dog group facebook page (Sue Mead, a Guide Dog Owner, helps to maintain the STG website)

www.blindveterans.org.uk - Blind Veterans UK (St Dunstans) - Telephone number: (020) 7723 5021

www.BritishLegion.org.uk - Royal British Legion - Local Contact: Kerry Webster, Case Officer Somerset and Wiltshire, telephone (07551)138397, email:  KWebster@britishlegion.org.uk 
  
www.houndsforheroes.com - “Together we can” - Telephone number: (01730) 823118
(Hounds for Heroes is Drove Veterinary Hospital, Wroughton, Swindon, Wiltshire charity of the year. Please see  www.drovevets.co.uk or phone Jane Carter on (01793) 501480 )

www.ssafa.org.uk - SSAFA Forces Help - Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Telephone Number (020) 7403 8783

shvflp.webplus.net - Surrey Heath Veterans & Families – Listening Project

Tedworth House  - (01980) 844200 - Support Hub for Veterans and serving members of the Armed Services - 0900 to 1700 hrs Monday to Friday. The support hub is based in the stunning, beautiful grounds and location at the Tidworth Garrison in Wiltshire.

www.rafa.org.uk - The Royal Airforce Association - Freephone (0800)0182361

www.uk-sobs.org.uk - Survivors ofBereavement by Suicide (previously known as SOBS)
Local Swindon Branch - contact details: Jacqueline (07543)242332
Support group meets 3rd Thursday of each month
National Helpline 0900-2100 hrs daily - (0844) 5616855

www.soldierscharity.org - ABF The soldiers Charity - for soldiers for life - Local contact (01392)492650
National Helpline (0845)241 4820

Hypnotherapy Directory PTSD page - Telephone number (01276)301241 - Excellent coverage on the Invisible Injuries Post Traumatic Stress and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Forces in Mind Trust - The Forces in Mind Trust provides UK-wide support and advocacy for Service personnel, veterans and their families to make a successful transition back to civilian life. Telephone(07788)540924 

South West Veterans - The purpose of the service is to make it easier for you as a veteran, or a relative or close friend of a veteran, to get the best advice and support on your mental health.  We understand that talking about this isn’t always easy but by doing so you will be taking a step in the right direction. Telephone 0300 555 0112.  e-mail SWVeterans@awp.nhs.uk  

Quit Day: Veterans and Smoking - ending the War on Veterans Health.  The quality of life of US veterans decreases due to smoking. Quit Day and the website campaigns to end endemic smoking in the US Forces which costs £1.6 Billion annually with smoke related illnesses. Please also see the American Lung Association www.lung.org

QuitSmoking.org gives you easy access to the best resources for quitting smoking all in one place. It’s where you should look every day for the latest news as well as basic information about smoking and tobacco, especially information that will help you quit smoking.

SuperBetter.com  When game designer Jane McGonigal found herself bedridden and suicidal following a severe concussion, she had a fascinating idea for how to get better. She dove into the scientific research and created the healing game, SuperBetter. SuperBetter increases resilience - the ability to stay strong, motivated and optimistic even in the face of difficult obstacles. Playing SuperBetter makes you more capable of getting through any tough situation—and more likely to achieve the goals that matter most to you. Proven results in just 10 minutes a day. As an introduction watch the TED talk video on the SuperBetter homepage. 

https://addictionresource.com/ Addiction Resource Veterans and drug abuse - two websites on USA veterans and substance abuse.  The excellent coverage describes dual diagnosis PTSD /Substance Abuse - the treatment and support available.  

The Addiction Centre based at the East Central Boulevard, Orlando, USA helps people suffering from PTSD after self-medicating with drugs and alcohol which can lead to addiction.  The centre offers a free web information guide that connects addicts and their families with the help they need to put their lives together.

Media

Swindon Link Magazine - this local newspaper has recently published several articles featuring STG.

Killing Our Own - A documentary investigating Gulf War Illness

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