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Using Appreciative Inquiry to promote choice for older people and their carers
- Authors:
- SEEBOHM Patience, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 14(4), November 2010, pp.13-21.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article describes how an ‘Appreciative Inquiry’ approach was used in south London to enhance the levels of choice that older adults with dementia or mental health problems and their carers have in relation to the care and support they receive. During this project, a wide range of participants across the borough of Lewisham took part in conversations about making the choices that matter most to them. This article tells the story of this project, its background, the Appreciative Inquiry approach, and what was learnt. The Appreciate Inquiry approach comprises 4 stages: discovery; dream; design; and delivery. In the discovery stage, over 60 people with different roles and backgrounds shared stories in appreciative interviews. The Design Group read all these stories and drew out their common and different themes. On 9 July 2010, 120 people including managers, practitioners, carers, and service users met to share more discovery stories and to convey their visions of the best possible future for older people and their carers, building on what works. Later, the Design Group drew up on action plan for taking the work forward. Through looking at successful stories about making real choice in Lewisham, the project provided information about the conditions that support choice, including the importance of good relationships, building trust, making time, giving and receiving encouragement, and support.