Julie wants to develop a local online directory for service users, carers and health practitioners that provides details of local projects and services, meetings and events and service user led groups and forums.

Working within Together’s Service User Involvement Directorate, Julie will develop the new website in conjunction with local people experiencing mental health problems to find out what they want from the resource. She specifically wants the directory to provide individuals with information on how to get involved in the delivery of their local services.

Julie is a former member of the Lancaster and Morecambe Mental Health Service User Forum previously run by Together. She went on to work for the charity as an Engagement and Involvement officer – running the forum and supporting local service users to be involved in the design, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of Lancaster’s mental health services. It was during this time that she came up with the idea of developing an online resource having found that information about some local projects and services was difficult to find.

World of Difference winner and Together project worker Julie said:  want to work with Together because they empower individuals who access mental health services and give them control of the support they receive. I enjoy working with them partly because their ideals closely match my own and also because they are 100 per cent committed to service user involvement. 

“Together aims to create links between individuals and groups to influence local, regional and national decisions about mental health support.  My aim is for this website to contain information that will make it easier for service users to link up with local organisations and to have a voice in the provision of local services”.

Julie will be on placement at Together for four months and you can catch up on her progress and experiences by reading her blog here

Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Health, announced the Innovation, Excellence and Strategic Development Fund awards 2013-2014 at the Innovation Expo this month. Together applied for and was awarded funds to develop innovative approaches to health and wellbeing that build and strengthen people’s choice and control over their own support.

Together will use the funds to develop a service that brings personalisation into a residential setting for individuals with ‘high-level’ support needs. These might be people experiencing mental health issues who also have additional complex needs such as substance misuse issues, learning difficulties or a history of offending. The service aims to provide these individuals – many of whom are returning to their communities from ‘out-of-area’ high and medium secure placements – a clear path of progression from 24-hour residential support to independent living.

Using a personalised approach, key elements of  the service include: an offer of peer support, psychological therapies and a ‘recovery voucher’ system whereby service users use vouchers to plan and book specific activities or time with staff to fulfil goals within their personal recovery plan. This system aims to prepare individuals to progress to the use of a personal budget when living independently.

The service is currently being piloted and will be rolled out nationally across Together’s residential projects – the DOH funding will allow 6 of these sites to be evaluated, measuring the effectiveness of the new service, in order to inform its future development. Part of the award will be used to fund a new Development Manager Post to lead and co-ordinate this process.

Liz Felton, CEO at Together said: “These vital funds will support us to develop a service that offers greater choice and control to individuals who have mental health problems and additional complex needs – a group often overlooked by both society and health and social care services.

“We want to support these individuals to increase their confidence and capacity to take control of their own mental health and wellbeing, so that they can eventually manage their lives independently in their local communities”.

Peer supporters draw on their own experiences of mental distress to help others towards better mental wellbeing, and it has been shown that genuine, meaningful peer support can help people to take huge strides towards improved mental health.

Together’s training prepares people to use their own experience of mental distress to help others through distressing times, by developing their understanding, knowledge, confidence and practical skills. Trainers use a self-reflective approach that is designed to help those on the course in their own lives as well as providing a strong foundation for helping others. Skills that are developed on the course include positive communication, coaching, goal setting, focusing on people’s strengths and asking the right questions in the right way.

The training is aimed at anyone who has experienced mental distress themselves (no matter what point they are at in their recovery) and would like to support others through their experiences. It may be particularly useful for those who are already giving support on an informal basis, and who would like to consolidate their skills through formal training.

The programme has been designed by staff and service users in Together’s Service User Involvement Directorate and is service user-led. This means that the content of the programme really focuses on what service users find helpful in peer support, and the delivery style positively embraces people’s lived experience and encourages peer support throughout the duration of the programme itself. Many of the trainers have themselves used mental health services, and all have extensive knowledge and experience of peer support.

The qualification could help those seeking a route into employment in mental health settings, or be used informally with family and friends.

The closing date for applications is 7 May 2013. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. For more information about the course, contact Angela Newton by emailing angela.newton@together-uk.org or calling 01524 62039. To book a place, email brett.sharpe@together-uk.org, call 0207 780 7364, or download an application form here.

Training days (all times are from 10.30am – 4.00pm):

Thursday 23rd May 2013       An introduction to Peer Support

Thursday 30th May                 The role of Peer Supporters

Wednesday 5th June              Positive Communication

Monday 10th June                  Sharing Our Stories

Tuesday 18th June                 Supporting Our Peers: coaching for hope

Monday 24th June                  Supporting Our Peers: coaching toolkit I

Monday 1st July                     Supporting Our Peers: coaching toolkit II

Monday 8th July                     Supporting Ourselves as Peer Supporters

Monday 29th July                   Observation recording of Peer Support

Rates for attending complete course and all course material per person:

Service User Groups / Unwaged:  £28 per session – £224 for 8 sessions

Voluntary Sector: £58 per session – £464

Statutory Sector: £88 per session – £704 for 8 sessions

We hope to secure accreditation of this training programme in 2013. You will be able to receive backdated accreditation credits if you complete, submit and pass assessed work. Accreditation will cost £100 per person.

Linda Bryant, Manager of Together’s  Criminal Justice Services, argues that thought and attention needs to be given to the distinct needs of women offenders as new commissioning bodies take on responsibility for commissioning community services.

Check out her blog piece on Independent.co.uk here

The graphic novel charts Andrew’s experience of schizophrenia over the course of 20 years – his journey through psychotic episodes, asylums, medication, encounters with the law and homelessness. Following the closure of the old asylums in 1990, Andrew began receiving support in his local community in Bexhill from Together and other organisations.  It was here he began to document his experiences, finding that assembling a narrative had a positive impact on his mental wellbeing.

What began as a selection of stick drawings on an old second-hand computer grew into a fully developed narrative comprising a set of thirty or more digital cartoons that received over 10,000 hits when published online. With the support of illustrator Øivind Hovland, editor Hannah Cordle and the The Maudsley Charity, which funded the project, Andrew developed his visual autobiography into the book it is today.

A series of key illustrations from Side Effects have been enlarged and mounted by Together and will be exhibited from 28 February to 28 March at the Together Our Space gallery.

Andrew Voyce said: “From the age of 23 to 40 I was a ’revolving door’ patient in the old NHS asylums. Strangely for me – as someone who’s never been a high rate tax payer, let alone had private health insurance or a pension – I have Mrs Thatcher to thank for closing down that pernicious mental hospital regime.

“This allowed me to develop a stable, independent life for myself in my local community where, through the support I got from Together’s services, artists, caregivers and friends, I began the telling of my story. Together supported me to find my flat where I have now been living for seven years. I have become an active member of the service user movement, and have been able to go back to study and get my MA in Social and Public policy.

“Developing a narrative describing my life in the asylums was a powerful therapeutic tool – it has probably been the key factor in my wellbeing.  How could I have ever known that those digital images I started making ten years ago would one day evolve into a book?”

Liz Felton, CEO at Together said:  “Andrew is a true inspiration – he has found catharsis through creativity and turned some very harrowing experiences into a powerful piece of work, offering hope to other mental health survivors.

“Side effects brings to light the positive changes made since the traumatic time of the asylums, as well as the stigma associated with mental illness. It also serves to remind us of all that remains to be done to support individuals with mental health issues to live the independent and fulfilling lives they deserve and are capable of.

“We are honored to have met and worked with Andrew and to have played a role in supporting him in his journey to mental wellbeing”.

You can buy a copy of Side effects at Waterstones here  or by emailing SideEffectsBook@yahoo.co.uk.

Illustrations from Side Effects are on display at The Our Space gallery: 12 Old Street, London EC1V, Open Monday – Friday 10.30am – 5pm

Despite recommendations made in the 2007 Corston report, around 13,500 women are still sent to prison each year¹. More than half of these women have severe mental illness and the same proportion will have experienced domestic violence².Their complex and multiple needs are often overlooked by criminal justice staff³, putting them at greater risk of re-offending.

Written by front-line forensic mental health practitioners from Together’s growing Women’s Court Liaison and Outreach Service, the aim of the guide is to support professionals to identify and address the needs of women offenders. It does this by giving them practical guidance on spotting potential issues, as well as the tools to refer women to specialist community-based support services that can improve their wellbeing and tackle their offending.

‘A common sense approach to working with women with health and wellbeing needs in the criminal justice system’ will be launched today by Vera Baird, Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria, at an event organised by Together and hosted by London Probation Trust. Health and criminal justice experts will meet to learn about working with women offenders and the steps they can take to ensure women have the best possible outcomes. The event includes a theatre performance that will bring the issue to life, presented by Clean Break and written and performed by graduates of the company’s education programme.

Linda Bryant, Manager of Together’s Criminal Justice services said: “Together’s experience of working with women at court and within probation is that they are less likely to draw attention to their needs, often due to depression or anxiety or fear of the repercussions.

We have to make sure we identify the health and wellbeing needs of these women – needs that are often significant factors in their offending – so that we can divert them to specialist community services equipped to support them. This must be done at the earliest possible point; before these needs escalate, before offending behaviour becomes engrained and before a revolving door cycle becomes inevitable. 

We hope that this guide offers everyone working on the criminal justice frontline – from police to the Judiciary – the practical tools needed to set women on the path to wellbeing”.

Vera Baird, QC and Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria said: “The new Together guide shows why we must focus on the distinct, complex issues affecting women within the criminal justice system.  Despite being in the small minority, their needs are often not met, especially when it comes to health and wellbeing.

“It is important that all partners come together to learn how we can address women-specific needs in the criminal justice system and to ensure that those who work on the front line have the expertise to recognise issues and just as importantly, to respond to them in a way which shows compassion.  This guide will go a long way in supporting professionals to do this.”

Mary Pilgrim, Lead on Women’s Offender  Issues, London Probation Trust said: “Together’s new ‘common sense approach to working with women’ is excellent, spelling out for us the gender-specific approach we need to take to ensure we identify the needs of women in contact with the criminal justice system and factors we need to consider for effective engagement.

“The quick reference guide to signs and symptoms of health and well-being problems is particularly welcome and we value the references to trauma experienced by many women in contact with the criminal justice system”.

Click here to download Together’s new guide A common sense approach to working with women with health and wellbeing needs in the criminal justice system

For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact, Robyn Clark, PR & Marketing officer at Together on 0207 780 7376 / 07734 870 065 or robyn-clark@together-uk.org

References:

1. Reforming Women’s Justice: reducing the imprisonment of women (November 2012).

The Prison Reform Trust. http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/Womenleaflet.pdf

2. Bromley Briefings Prison Factfile (December 2010). The Prison Reform Trust.

http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/FactfileDec10small.pdf

3. A Distinct Approach: A guide to working with women offenders. NOMS Women and Equalities Group (March 2012).

http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/publications/noms/2012/guide-working-with-women-offenders.pdf

The charity is now inviting applications for all three posts from individuals who are passionate about improving the lives of people experiencing mental health issues and who can offer support and strategic direction at the highest level of decision making.

As the charity embarks on an exciting new phase of growth, it is searching for people who share Together’s commitment to offering meaningful self-directed support and its belief in the strength of service user involvement and leadership and the power of peer support in improving mental wellbeing.

Liz Felton, CEO at Together said: 

“We would like to thank Professor Anthony Sheehan for the expertise and enthusiasm he has brought to his role as Chair, and also Erica Conway who has done an excellent job as acting Chair during Anthony’s sabbatical year. We now look forward to welcoming a new Chair to help take us through the next stage of Together’s journey.

“A sad goodbye is said to two of our trustees with lived experience of mental distress, to whom we offer huge thanks for their time and valuable perspectives on leadership and direction. We are eager to welcome two new trustees with service user experience to join the two already in post, to help us shape and direct the support we offer through their personal insight”.

To find out more about applying for either role click here:

Chair of Together Board of Trustees

Trustees with Lived Experience of Mental Distress

Thornford Park and Chadwick Lodge, residential units that are part of the Priory Group, are holding an exhibition at Together’s Our Space gallery to showcase service users’ artwork.

The UNLOCK art exhibition features a range of mixed media artwork completed by service users and demonstrates the potential of art as a mode of therapy, allowing individuals to express their feelings and release their inner creativity.

Dawn Jeffries, Director of Clinical Services at Thornford Park said: “Art is a fantastic way for our service user’s to express themselves and creatively release their inner feelings. This exhibition demonstrates one of the milestones we have achieved in promoting recovery through art among our patients. The exhibition is an excellent opportunity to showcase the great work of Thornford Park and Chadwick Lodge and has provided a unique way for our service users to work together across two secure sites and provide an opportunity for members of the public to view some great art work.”

Liz Felton, CEO at Together, said: “We are pleased to be able to offer Our Space to individuals in residential recovery at The Priory, to give them a forum within which to express themselves freely and to unlock their creative potential. People experiencing mental health problems who are in secure units and may have an offending history, are one of the most stigmatised, disenfranchised and unheard groups.

“Together wants to offer these individuals the chance to use art, which is a powerful recovery tool, as a medium to showcase their talents, so that they can be judged by their creativity rather than by their diagnoses.”

“We have supported The Priory to review and implement best practise in service user involvement across some of its services and we are keen to explore further ways of working together so that we can increase independence, choice and control for individuals experiencing severe and enduring mental distress.”

Southwark Your Way, formerly known as Castle Resource Centre, has now been transformed into a community based service that offers individuals experiencing mental health issues flexible, tailor made support to suit them.

To help reduce the stress of the switch over from a building based service to a community based one, the charity set up a ‘management council’. The council is made up of both staff and service users, with service users in the majority, so they can lead the direction of the service and how its funds are spent.

A Southwark Your way service user, making the transition to the new service said:

Before, some people were hiding away, the centre was a safe haven but they weren’t going anywhere or moving forward in their lives. The new service is more about doing it for yourself, it’s not about just sitting there and doing nothing anymore but about getting out and about, setting up your own activities and groups, getting more involved in the community and becoming more independent.”

“It is different and so there is of course some anxiety; change creates fear doesn’t it? But lots of people seem a million times better already and some want to get back into work or go back to college, so it shows that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.”

Run in partnership with Southwark Borough Council, Your Way operates from a small hub in the heart of the local community with staff offering both a drop-in service and ‘mobile’ support in cafes, libraries and other universal settings in the surrounding neighbourhood.

The overall aim of the service is to support individuals to lead their own journey to wellbeing and to reconnect with their community so that they can utilise local resources to stay well. The long term goal is to reduce individuals’ need for formal mental health services, facilitating their path to leading independent, ordinary lives. Service users can choose to get support to achieve their individual goals and aspirations, whether that be to manage their mental health better, enter education, return to work, find new hobbies, build social networks, solve housing issues or organise their finances.

Catherine McDonald, cabinet member for Health and Adult Social Care said: “Southwark Council’s vision for adult social care showed our commitment to focussing on those services that help people to stay independent, and connected within the community, for as long as possible. Southwark Your Way provides support in line with this vision and we are pleased to be able to support the outcomes they are achieving for our residents.”

Ant Oxley, Southwark Your Way Lead  at Together said: “The transformation of Castle Day Centre to Southwark Your Way has had a positive impact on both staff and service users. With the greater flexibility of staff and the increased level of support we have seen clients start to achieve their goals and not only stay well but begin to fulfil their potential in life.

A fundamental feature underlying the Your Way service is the value of peer support - people with their own personal experience of mental distress supporting others experiencing similar problems. Southwark Your Way will be offering ‘peer support’ training so that those who have experienced mental health issues can apply to become peer support workers at the project.

Ant continues: “As we continue to grow Southwark Your Way we want to facilitate service user involvement and leadership at every level of our service. We start our ‘peer support’ training course this month and we are also hiring volunteer ‘community coordinators’, who have experienced mental health problems themselves, to help build social networks and friendships and to organise group activates.

If you or someone you know has a mental health issue please get in touch, you can simply text us and we will phone you back within 24 hours, Monday-Friday.”

To contact Southwark Your Way, Call 0207 525 3477, Text ‘southwark’ and your message to 82727 or Email: southwark-yourway@together-uk.org

For further information, please contact Robyn Clark, PR & Marketing officer at Together, Tel: 0207 780 7376/07734 870 065 or Email: robyn-clark@together-uk.org

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