The Wellbeing Approach to Involvement Angela Newton Heather

The Wellbeing Approach to Involvement Angela Newton & Heather Murray

The Service User Directorate • Established in 2004 • Gives people with experience of accessing services a strong voice at local, regional and national levels • Internal and external focus • All staff within the Directorate have experienced mental health problems and / or accessed mental health services • Developed the Wellbeing Approach to Involvement

The Wellbeing Approach to Involvement • Service user involvement activities enhancing individual wellbeing • Good practice in co-production • Training and supporting service users to undertake voluntary work in chosen areas to improve & develop services • Helping service users to help Together to help other service users

The core principles Based on service-user experiences of involvement, the Approach was developed to: 1. add to individual wellbeing 2. support local groups and communities 3. be service-user led 4. provide a collective perspective

The Key Elements • Role Descriptions • Individual Portfolios • Equality of Access • Leadership Training

Leadership Training • Public-speaking, presentations & peer feedback • Health and wellbeing • Learning and working together • Emotional literacy and wellbeing • Self-esteem and confidence • Legislation and policy • Stigma and discrimination • Media and internalised stigma and discrimination • Equality and diversity • Planning for the future

Heather’s involvement • Leadership Training Summer 2007 • Specialist financial literacy training • Regional Steering Group • National Steering Group • Delivery of training, workshops & presentations • Recruitment & Selection • Personalisation Event • Mental Capacity Act Events

Heather. . . Does it add to individual wellbeing? üDefinitely üIncreased self esteem üIncreased confidence üHelps sense of achievement

Heather. . . Has it supported local groups & communities? ü Together services not local to where I live ü Influence local services though through knowledge and skills I bring back ü Mental Capacity Act ü Financial Literacy ü Sharing good and bad practice locally

Heather. . . Is it service-user led? ü Leadership training is service-user led ü Money Matters – developed by people who have used services (led by staff) ü Further involvement opportunities led by me – group work / presentations / publicity ü One thing has led to others, increasingly led by service users

Heather. . . Does it provide a collective perspective? ü Mostly provides a collective perspective ü Not just about one person’s ideas, thinking what issues affect the majority of people ü Publicity work – my own experience ü Recruitment – personal judgement about what’s needed

Some benefits for service users • Leadership training – confirms what already know and do, builds confidence • Effecting all service users, not just individuals • Two way for staff and service users • Learn and take back good practice to own area and vice versa • Problem solving • Networking • Continuity of involvement staff

In small groups, discuss the benefits and limitations of the Wellbeing Approach to Involvement for the following groups: service users carers staff commissioners organisations society

How will this new knowledge influence you after today?