16 March 2010

The Wellbeing Approach to Involvement & PersonalisationElina Stamou & Angela Newton Service User Involvement Directorate

Overview

Personalisation: key principles

Wellbeing Approach to Involvement

• what it is• what it achieves• how • applications in personalisation context• what do service users think about it?

Personalisation – Key Principles

everyone can lead positive lives experts by experience in focus choice and control in wellbeing journeyperson centred approach independent livingself directed support & varied portfolio of servicesco-production & cultural change

Wellbeing Approach to Involvement What It Is

user led whole systems method & programme supports service users’ journey to wellbeing training, volunteering opportunities & employmentperson centred support & peer support good practice in service user involvementdeveloped by service users & Together in 2004 in service users words: “[it is] what sets Together

apart from other organisations, Together really do it in a meaningful way”. 

Wellbeing Approach to Involvement What It Achieves

Service Usersself-confidence, inspiration, motivation, aspirations, skills, choice &

control to lead own lives and wellbeing journey experience in meaningful roles improved relationships, social life, social networkspeer support and positive peer role models reduced dependence on mental health services

 

 

Wellbeing Approach to Involvement What It Achieves

Service Users

influence policy and practice, and lead the personalisation agenda:

outreach for awareness & understanding

influence & co-production in pilots

design, delivery, evaluation of services

increase self directed support take up improves wellbeing

Communityeffective user involvement, healthy dialogue

and partnership working → wider/meaningful engagement → relevant, effective services → healthy communities

tailored to individual needs, removes barriers & engages disengaged people → facilitates social inclusion → happy citizens of all backgrounds

supports personalisation agenda value for money & broader economic benefits

Wellbeing Approach to Involvement What It Achieves

Wellbeing Approach to Involvement How It Is Achieved

WAI Principles

everyone with experience of mental distress can lead positive lives

respecting and working with people as people, not their diagnosis

talking about mental health Vs illness focusing on strengths and potential lived experience leads the wellbeing journey equality and diversity

Wellbeing Approach to Involvement How It Is Achieved

WAI Programmedeveloped organically by service users & Together user led, flexible & responsive to service users

needs: choose options, pace & direction of journeymeaningful engagement in responsible rolesa personalisation model service in itselfpeer support & co-production: working together,

mutual respect/benefits/accountability, users lead. 2000 service users since 2005

What Do Service Users Think?

People active in personalisation through WAI

“I’ve been using services since I was 18, then moved into Together’s supported accommodation. I received training and started volunteering. Working alongside people in similar situations made me feel less alone. Being involved with Together has helped me gain the confidence to move on with my life and look forward rather than backwards.

I now live in my own flat. I receive direct payments and choose to stay with SUID & Together”.

 

What Do Service Users Think?

“After completing the leadership training and some other courses I went on to represent service users at Together’s National Steering Group, which directly influences how the organisation operates [including in relation to personalisation].

It gave me purpose and has helped me regain my confidence. I feel like it’s OK to be exactly who you are here so you don’t have to wear a mask. I’ve suggested the programme to a few people from my local area. It’s been great to see them grow through it.”

What Do Service Users Think?

“After I left the hospital, following my breakdown, I spent years in hostels. I met some frightening people, others into drugs. I didn’t socialise and so lost contact with things a bit.

Then I found out about Together and four years later I have a great portfolio of training and work experience [including delivering presentations on direct payments and personalisation]. Before, when things went wrong I would hide away, now my motto is ‘get knocked down, get back up again.”

 

Questions & Answers

Wellbeing Approach to Involvement In Short

experts by experience in focus & leading flexibility, range of options, choice and control confidence, skills and opportunities to influence

personalisation policy and practice person centred support & peer support inclusive: all backgrounds & experiencesequal partnerships & co-production led by

service users it works!

Contact Us!

Angela Newton

Deputy Director,

Service User Involvement Directorate

angela-newton@together-uk.org

07739 506 583 / 01524 62039

Elina Stamou

Peer Support Development Manager

0207 780 7358/075 9096 1353

elina-stamou@together-uk.org

www.together-uk.org