Branching Out is a programme run by the Forestry Commission in Scotland for mental health service users which aims to encourage people to use woodland spaces, undertake conservation activities and learn basic wilderness survival skills. The outdoor therapy programme helps to improve confidence levels and self-esteem and encourage better mental wellbeing. Originally a six month pilot, Branching Out now has 20 groups operating across Scotland. To date the initiative has transformed the lives of 500 people with mental health issues. An additional programme has now been developed in partnership with healthcare organisations to train those with potential as future leaders. In a short case study one man describes how he has benefited from the programme.
(Original abstract)
Branching Out is a programme run by the Forestry Commission in Scotland for mental health service users which aims to encourage people to use woodland spaces, undertake conservation activities and learn basic wilderness survival skills. The outdoor therapy programme helps to improve confidence levels and self-esteem and encourage better mental wellbeing. Originally a six month pilot, Branching Out now has 20 groups operating across Scotland. To date the initiative has transformed the lives of 500 people with mental health issues. An additional programme has now been developed in partnership with healthcare organisations to train those with potential as future leaders. In a short case study one man describes how he has benefited from the programme.
(Original abstract)
Subject terms:
mental health problems, self-esteem, environment, therapy and treatment, ecotherapy;
Learning Disability Today, December 2012, pp.24-26.
Publisher:
Pavilion
Place of publication:
Hove
This paper details findings from a Central England People First (CEPF) project into the state of self-advocacy today. CEPF has always had the philosophy that members run the organisation and paid staff are there to help, not lead. The research consisted of visits to eight self-advocacy organisations in England and Scotland in 2012, and was primarily concerned with how a management team can be run to make sure the members with learning disabilities remain in charge while being able to get quality advice when necessary. The best organisations used a board of trustees to oversee the staff. Managing paid staff was a crucial issue for self-advocacy organisations; this was an area where members really needed good support, and help from outside the organisation was vital.
This paper details findings from a Central England People First (CEPF) project into the state of self-advocacy today. CEPF has always had the philosophy that members run the organisation and paid staff are there to help, not lead. The research consisted of visits to eight self-advocacy organisations in England and Scotland in 2012, and was primarily concerned with how a management team can be run to make sure the members with learning disabilities remain in charge while being able to get quality advice when necessary. The best organisations used a board of trustees to oversee the staff. Managing paid staff was a crucial issue for self-advocacy organisations; this was an area where members really needed good support, and help from outside the organisation was vital.
Routine outcome measurement (ROM) refers to the planned, systematic measurement and recording of clearly defined variables using specified and robust measures. Data collected as part of ROM can be used to map progress, provide feedback to service users, and help clinicians to monitor the impact of their interventions. ROM can also enable services to monitor their effectiveness, plan future developments, and provide evidence of cost efficiency. This article describes how the Scottish mental health charity Penumbra is embedding ROM in its everyday work and the effect it is having. Penumbra has developed a tool, the Individual Recovery Outcomes Counter (i-ROC) which measures recovery on a 1-6 Likert scale across 12 indicators. Once completed, service user’s i-ROC scores are displayed on a spidergram which can be used to track changes over time. I-ROC has been extensively trialled by Penumbra over the past 4 years, and staff and service users have demonstrated their confidence in and liking for the tool. Further work is in place to formally assess its psychometric properties.
Routine outcome measurement (ROM) refers to the planned, systematic measurement and recording of clearly defined variables using specified and robust measures. Data collected as part of ROM can be used to map progress, provide feedback to service users, and help clinicians to monitor the impact of their interventions. ROM can also enable services to monitor their effectiveness, plan future developments, and provide evidence of cost efficiency. This article describes how the Scottish mental health charity Penumbra is embedding ROM in its everyday work and the effect it is having. Penumbra has developed a tool, the Individual Recovery Outcomes Counter (i-ROC) which measures recovery on a 1-6 Likert scale across 12 indicators. Once completed, service user’s i-ROC scores are displayed on a spidergram which can be used to track changes over time. I-ROC has been extensively trialled by Penumbra over the past 4 years, and staff and service users have demonstrated their confidence in and liking for the tool. Further work is in place to formally assess its psychometric properties.
Subject terms:
instruments, mental health care, outcomes, recovery approach;
The setting up and funding of the Dates-n-mates, a dating and friendship agency run by and for people with a learning disability is described. It operates as a project of C-Change for Inclusion, a Glasgow based supported living organisation and charity that provides creative person-centred services for people with learning disabilities and mental health issues.
The setting up and funding of the Dates-n-mates, a dating and friendship agency run by and for people with a learning disability is described. It operates as a project of C-Change for Inclusion, a Glasgow based supported living organisation and charity that provides creative person-centred services for people with learning disabilities and mental health issues.
Learning Disability Today, 10(8), October 2010, pp.35-37.
Publisher:
Pavilion
Place of publication:
Hove
Supported employment is a common route to work for people with learning disabilities. In theory, it involves careful job assessment to match individual’s strengths and wishes to potential jobs. This article provides an overview of a study which examined the impact of moving into supported employment on the quality of life and emotional well-being of people with learning disabilities. The 49 participants were recruited from 24 supported employment schemes in Scotland. They worked between 3 and 38 hours a week, with an average of 16 hours. Their jobs were mainly entry level posts in retail, catering, office/administration, factory and domestic work. A number of self-report measures were completed to examine whether there were any changes to the participants’ mental health, social lives, and quality of life when they started work. In addition, the participants took part in 2 semi-structured interviews; the first when they started supported employment and the second 9 months later. The results of the self-report measures showed no changes of note at follow-up. However, the semi-structured interviews provided insight into the participants’ perceptions of work and how their views about employment changed. The article concludes that there was little evidence of people with learning disabilities in work experiencing increased social interaction either within or outside of the work setting. Struggles with work can also raise people’s awareness of the limits of their abilities.
Supported employment is a common route to work for people with learning disabilities. In theory, it involves careful job assessment to match individual’s strengths and wishes to potential jobs. This article provides an overview of a study which examined the impact of moving into supported employment on the quality of life and emotional well-being of people with learning disabilities. The 49 participants were recruited from 24 supported employment schemes in Scotland. They worked between 3 and 38 hours a week, with an average of 16 hours. Their jobs were mainly entry level posts in retail, catering, office/administration, factory and domestic work. A number of self-report measures were completed to examine whether there were any changes to the participants’ mental health, social lives, and quality of life when they started work. In addition, the participants took part in 2 semi-structured interviews; the first when they started supported employment and the second 9 months later. The results of the self-report measures showed no changes of note at follow-up. However, the semi-structured interviews provided insight into the participants’ perceptions of work and how their views about employment changed. The article concludes that there was little evidence of people with learning disabilities in work experiencing increased social interaction either within or outside of the work setting. Struggles with work can also raise people’s awareness of the limits of their abilities.
Subject terms:
interpersonal relationships, learning disabilities, quality of life, social inclusion, supported employment;
The updated Mental Health Directory is a repository of information relating to mental health services and services for those with learning disabilities in the UK. Developed to meet the needs of commissioners and practitioners it provides the essential contact details for referral, transfer or discharge and puts the user directly in touch with psychiatrists, clinics and mental health community teams. The Directory has been formatted to match the current NHS structures in different parts of the UK. Names, email and telephone contact details for key mental health community services across the UK are provided, indexed by Trust and locality. The services covered include: commissioners of mental health services; trust senior managers; residential acute services; rehabilitation, outreach and intervention services; criminal justice, prison and secure services; counselling and psychology services; addiction services; services for the elderly; and child and adolescent mental health services, including child protection nurses.
The updated Mental Health Directory is a repository of information relating to mental health services and services for those with learning disabilities in the UK. Developed to meet the needs of commissioners and practitioners it provides the essential contact details for referral, transfer or discharge and puts the user directly in touch with psychiatrists, clinics and mental health community teams. The Directory has been formatted to match the current NHS structures in different parts of the UK. Names, email and telephone contact details for key mental health community services across the UK are provided, indexed by Trust and locality. The services covered include: commissioners of mental health services; trust senior managers; residential acute services; rehabilitation, outreach and intervention services; criminal justice, prison and secure services; counselling and psychology services; addiction services; services for the elderly; and child and adolescent mental health services, including child protection nurses.
Subject terms:
mental health services, mental health trusts;
Location(s):
England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, United Kingdom, Wales
This article describes the production of a toolkit, entitled ‘Much More than a Label’, written by people with personality disorders to be used as a collaborative tool by staff with service users. This resource is the result of a 6 month consultation by the Consultation and Advocacy Promotion Service with staff and service users. The consultation looked at service users’ experience of personality disorder, their experience of services, and about attitudes to them. Consultation with staff included investigating their understanding of personality disorders, their approach, what works well, anything that would influence their working in the area, and what they would like to see in a resource written by service users. The consultation revealed negative attitudes, lack of training and problems accessing services, but also highlighted good practice and positive experiences. The resulting toolkit is over 250 pages long and has mind maps and word clouds, as well as artwork and creative writing to illustrate resources. It includes a reflective section, and quotes from service users. The toolkit will be launched alongside the personality disorder integrated care pathways (ICPs).
This article describes the production of a toolkit, entitled ‘Much More than a Label’, written by people with personality disorders to be used as a collaborative tool by staff with service users. This resource is the result of a 6 month consultation by the Consultation and Advocacy Promotion Service with staff and service users. The consultation looked at service users’ experience of personality disorder, their experience of services, and about attitudes to them. Consultation with staff included investigating their understanding of personality disorders, their approach, what works well, anything that would influence their working in the area, and what they would like to see in a resource written by service users. The consultation revealed negative attitudes, lack of training and problems accessing services, but also highlighted good practice and positive experiences. The resulting toolkit is over 250 pages long and has mind maps and word clouds, as well as artwork and creative writing to illustrate resources. It includes a reflective section, and quotes from service users. The toolkit will be launched alongside the personality disorder integrated care pathways (ICPs).
Subject terms:
mental health services, personality disorders, staff, training materials, user participation, user views, care pathways;
Learning Disability Today, 10(6), July 2010, pp.14-16.
Publisher:
Pavilion
Place of publication:
Hove
It is conservatively estimated that over 55,000 adults with learning disabilities in England, Scotland and Wales have one or more children. This does not include undiagnosed difficulties that may not come to the attention of services. Research evidence suggests that families where one or both parents have learning disabilities face many problems bringing up their own children, often living in unsatisfactory housing in poor neighbourhoods where they are harassed, exploited or excluded. They may lack access to the information about parenting and childcare that they need, in understandable formats. This article outlines the stories of two sets of parents about the support they received via the “Working Together with Parents Network” project. Key points for services were found to include the importance of early intervention and individually tailored support. Practical service support included professionals’ beliefs in the parents’ abilities, positive and constructive support, multiagency support, and addressing issues such as housing, and low self-esteem.
It is conservatively estimated that over 55,000 adults with learning disabilities in England, Scotland and Wales have one or more children. This does not include undiagnosed difficulties that may not come to the attention of services. Research evidence suggests that families where one or both parents have learning disabilities face many problems bringing up their own children, often living in unsatisfactory housing in poor neighbourhoods where they are harassed, exploited or excluded. They may lack access to the information about parenting and childcare that they need, in understandable formats. This article outlines the stories of two sets of parents about the support they received via the “Working Together with Parents Network” project. Key points for services were found to include the importance of early intervention and individually tailored support. Practical service support included professionals’ beliefs in the parents’ abilities, positive and constructive support, multiagency support, and addressing issues such as housing, and low self-esteem.
Subject terms:
parenting, parents with learning disabilities, self-esteem, social exclusion, access to information, access to services, family support;
Learning Disability Today, 10(5), June 2010, pp.30-31.
Publisher:
Pavilion
Place of publication:
Hove
Border Links is a social enterprise limited company designed to promote social inclusion by enabling adults with learning disabilities to contribute to the community while developing skills as part of a trading enterprise. It was set up in January 2006 with small grants from DEFRA and the Leader Gold Fund. Initially a community club with just two members there are now 36 adults involved at four clubs; three in Northumberland and one in Scotland. The vegetable basket scheme is a key part of the day service programme and delivers fresh produce to around 70 homes near the Northumberland sites. Group members are involved in all aspects of the project from selecting, ordering and weighing to packing and delivering the produce. The benefits and skill development for clients and advantages for the wider community are discussed. Border Links is self-sustaining, clients are referred by care managers, schools, Connexions and other agencies and funding comes from local authorities and direct or personal payments. The organisers believe what makes them special is that they work with clients within a local and small groups context.
Border Links is a social enterprise limited company designed to promote social inclusion by enabling adults with learning disabilities to contribute to the community while developing skills as part of a trading enterprise. It was set up in January 2006 with small grants from DEFRA and the Leader Gold Fund. Initially a community club with just two members there are now 36 adults involved at four clubs; three in Northumberland and one in Scotland. The vegetable basket scheme is a key part of the day service programme and delivers fresh produce to around 70 homes near the Northumberland sites. Group members are involved in all aspects of the project from selecting, ordering and weighing to packing and delivering the produce. The benefits and skill development for clients and advantages for the wider community are discussed. Border Links is self-sustaining, clients are referred by care managers, schools, Connexions and other agencies and funding comes from local authorities and direct or personal payments. The organisers believe what makes them special is that they work with clients within a local and small groups context.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, leisure activities, social inclusion, day centres, day services;
This article describes a pioneer scheme of peer supporter workers where people with experience of mental illness were employed and trained to support other people in their recovery. Commissioned by the Scottish government and carried out by the Scottish Development for Mental Health and the Scottish Recovery Network, the trial ran from January 2008 for 18 months in 5 health boards across Scotland. Peer support workers were employed as part of the mental health team in a variety of inpatient and community based settings. The peer support workers all worked on a one-to-one basis talking with service users. An evaluation of the impact of the peer supporter’s role on service users and on peer support workers themselves, as well as assessing the way the system was implemented was carried out by the universities of Stirling and Edinburgh. The trial showed that using their own experiences peer support workers were able to break down barriers between service users and their teams, articulating what the users needed and explaining to the team what they thought would help. Although the evaluation highlighted some challenges, including team relationships, confidentiality and information sharing, it also highlighted the key skills that only someone with a history of mental illness could bring.
This article describes a pioneer scheme of peer supporter workers where people with experience of mental illness were employed and trained to support other people in their recovery. Commissioned by the Scottish government and carried out by the Scottish Development for Mental Health and the Scottish Recovery Network, the trial ran from January 2008 for 18 months in 5 health boards across Scotland. Peer support workers were employed as part of the mental health team in a variety of inpatient and community based settings. The peer support workers all worked on a one-to-one basis talking with service users. An evaluation of the impact of the peer supporter’s role on service users and on peer support workers themselves, as well as assessing the way the system was implemented was carried out by the universities of Stirling and Edinburgh. The trial showed that using their own experiences peer support workers were able to break down barriers between service users and their teams, articulating what the users needed and explaining to the team what they thought would help. Although the evaluation highlighted some challenges, including team relationships, confidentiality and information sharing, it also highlighted the key skills that only someone with a history of mental illness could bring.
Subject terms:
mental health care, mental health problems, mentoring, peer groups, staff-user relationships, care workers, evaluation, peer support, support workers;