OCD Week 20th-26th February 2012

This February, OCD Action will be running its 3rd OCD Week to raise awareness of OCD amongst the general public.

In 2010,  our first OCD Week, we were able to reach over 3million people via the media and countless more through 20 local events. OCD Week 2011 was an even bigger success, our media work reached over 6million people and we were able to double the number of local awareness events.

For OCD Week 2012 we have set some ambitious targets. This year we not only want to reach more people than ever before but we also want to make sure that our important message is heard by people that we don’t always reach such as people from minority communities.

The success of OCD Week has always relied on your help – so do please get involved.

How to get involved

We are  looking for people to step forward and help make OCD Week 2012 a great success. In particular we need:

• Media Talkers – are you willing to share their story with the media
• Awareness volunteers – Can you help to raise awareness in your community
• Fundraisers – Can you help us to raise the funds we need to provide vital services

Sign up now to register and receive further information.

What’s your story?

Personal stories are perhaps one of the best ways to show the real affects of living with OCD. They can inspire others, help people to understand the disorder and combat the isolation that is so often felt.

OCD Action is now looking for people who can share their story, whether it is a tale of triumph over adversity or of an ongoing struggle – you can help others to feel that they are not alone.

OCD Action’s advocacy service is unique. Our Advocacy Manager and team of volunteers have helped people to access treatment, secure housing, stay in employment and turn their lives around. To read our recent outcomes report please click here. Advocacy Achievements

The great news is that, thanks to the support of Comic Relief, this vital service is set to expand. Over the next year, the Charity will be recruiting and training new teams of volunteers as well as an additional member of staff to provide face to face support to more people than ever before.

For more information about our advocacy service and how it can help you please click here

OCD Action National Conference 2011

Saturday 26th November,

LSE, New Academic Building, Lincoln’s Inn, London WC2A 3LJ

OCD Action is proud to announce it’s National Conference 2011. This year we are dealing with some of the big questions that are often asked by our members, helpline callers and service users. We have put together an excellent programme that will not only educate and inform but also give you a chance to meet other affected by OCD and even have some fun. Full programme available here.

Morning Sessions – Choose from

Q&A Panels

A chance to put your questions to our panel of experts in two Q & A sessions.

Lunchtime activities

Get active fundraising … volunteering for OCD Action … Drama workshop … Forum meet up … Support group get together … research centre … have your say … and more

Afternoon Sessions – Choose from

AGM  4.15pm -5pm

OCD Action’s AGM will follow the National Conference. This is an opportunity to hear how OCD Action has progressed over the last year and the Charity’s plans for the future. This is also your chance to meet the OCD Action team and ask any questions you may have about our work. All are welcome to attend although only OCD Action Members are entitled to vote on resolutions.

OCD Action conferences sell out, please book now to guarantee your place and take advantage of an earlybird discount.

OCD effects everybody differently at what might be a mountain for one person can be a mole hill for another. But for everybody, getting better is about challenging yourself and winning small precious victories against the OCD bully.

So what have you been able to do today…? Have you been able to get out for the first time in ages, have you managed to do your CBT task or cut down on a ritual. whatever you success please share it with us all. Inspire us and feel proud.

OCD Action’s “OCD At School” project is up and running.

OCD Action, with the support of the Maudsley Hospital and The City Bridge Trust, has brought together educators, parents and young people with OCD to develop the OCD At School project. This project aims to bring awareness of OCD into the school environment, helping educators to spot the signs of OCD and to provide support to pupils with the disorder.

As part of this project,

• A network of parent volunteers will be visiting schools to meet with special educational needs co-ordinators, school nurses and counselors.
• We will be making our OCD At School resource pack available to school, parents and young people with OCD.
• The “OCD At School” website will provide information and a chance for young people, parents and educational professionals to share thoughts and ideas online.
• A training day for educational professionals will be held (September 2011)
• A meet up day for young people and their parents will be organised (Summer 2011)

The Project is managed by OCD Action with the help of a volunteer committee of young people, parents and educators.

OCD Superheroes needed

Be part of the OCD Action team for the Superhero 5K run on  Sunday 15th May – Regent’s Park, London

Over 1,000 superheroes are expected to take part in this fantastic new fundraising challenge. No previous experience is required for the event and with a bit of training the 5km distance should easily be within your capabilities. The spirit of the event is ‘taking part’ not ‘winning’ so you can run, jog or walk – you decide!…..Oh yes – bring your super heroes costume.

For more information, please contact the OCD Action office.

Have your say

OCD Action’s stakeholder event and AGM on Tuesday 3rd May is your chance to help shape the future of OCD Action. We want to hear your views on what the Charity should be focusing on in the coming year, what  our targets should be and how we can help even more people affected by OCD.

The stakeholder event is for anybody who wants to see OCD Action continue to grow and develop. All participants are also welcome to attend the Annual General Meeting, however only members of the Charity will be eligible to vote.

Tell me More

MIC, 81-103 Euston Street, London, NW1 2EZ

6pm – 8.30pm on Tuesday 3rd May

The event will take place in central London and will be free to attend. From April, we will be setting up online discussion forums so even if you cannot make the day; you can still make sure that your voice is heard.

Full details, agenda and venue information will be posted on our website and sent to all members in March. For now please keep the date in your diary.

OCD Week 2011 has been the biggest ever thanks to our amazing volunteers up and down the country who have shared their story with the media, spread our awareness material and put on local events.

We have spoken out with one clear voice and let the country know that OCD is a severe and debilitating disorder but one that can be treated successfully.

We have seen a massive increase in the number of people using our website and calling our Helpline, especially from people who have been struggling for years and who now feel ready to take the first steps towards getting help.

Over the next week will will load up media clips and cuttings as well as some of your own photos. But for now, all the team at OCD Action would like to say a huge THANK YOU to all who have taken part.

OCD Action is once again running OCD Week and this time we are aiming to make even more noise. The focus of OCD Week will be on raising awareness of OCD amongst the general public. During the last OCD Week we were able to support 20 local awareness events up and down the country, in 2011 we want to double this. Not only that but we are also aiming for more media coverage, more fundraising activity and more people joining the supportive and vibrant OCD Community.

Click here for more details…