People need People People need to be needed

People need People & People need to be needed

About United Welsh • • Medium sized Landlord Largest provider of Supported Housing in Wales Thrive – is our supported housing brand 30 schemes for older people Extra Care/Sheltered Community Link Team Connect Project Wellbeing 4 U Project

What we used to do…. . • Pre-occupied with the social constructs of HB and SP • Deficit-based thinking. • Not invite reflections from people that use and work in our services. • Decommissioned services. • Disgruntled customers • Disgruntled staff

Deficit Thinking • Dominant model • Services designed to fix problems • Top down (I haven’t got a clue) • Separates individuals from communities

The picture now…. . • • Strengths-based thinking/doing More satisfied staff More satisfied customers The challenges/risks/skills/fears/knowledge – Providers – Commissioners – People that use our services • Approach and tools to support SBT/Measuring success • Our journey to date –feedback!

How we are changing things Toolkits (but not checklists) • Validated tool • Measurement of mental wellbeing among people aged 13 to 74 • Can measure distance travelled for individual and projects + other specific measures

‘Independence’ • Misused • In reality - often means isolation • It’s ok to need others – We just need to help with getting the balance right!

We don’t promote independence anymore 2 principles • People need People • People need to be needed “Individuals who are socially isolated are between 2 and 5 times more likely to die prematurely than those with strong social ties”

The real challenges (purpose & relationships) “I’m bored” “I’ve got nothing to get up for” “My habits are harmful” “I don’t like or believe in myself” “I can’t see a way forward”

WHAT MATTERS? ALL ABOUT ME There’s a hole in my life PURPOSE AND RELATIONSHIPS GOOD LIFE POSSIBILITIES

Possibilities Thinking Possible reasons for involving others Possible ways to gain buy-in Possible implications and risk Possible obstacles Possible tasks and things to do Possible ways of overcoming obstacles Possible ways to communicate the goals to others Possible resources required Possible people to involve Possible assumptions and self-imposed restrictions

How we are changing. • On a journey – not there yet. • Everyone has likes/dislikes/things they are interested in and good at. • These are strengths – dwell on them/not ‘deficits’. • Co-create opportunities to find new relationships and purpose. • Identifying strengths will mean sharing a little bit about ourselves. Our journey is relationship-based.

Challenges • • • Undoing the past and what we know Having different conversations Using different language Expectations from those accessing our help Can it work with everyone Removing safety blankets Permission and boundaries Compliance with funders Understanding from commissioners Time – this isn't a quick win Taking other teams with you on the journey