Hampshire Mental Health Housing and Support Services

1. Hampshire Mental Health Housing and Support Services • Staffordshire Adult Mental Health Social Inclusion and Recovery Service

2. What do we mean by mental health? • “A person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional wellbeing” • “….not just about the absence of mental disorder. It is a state of wellbeing in which every individual realises their potential, can cope with the usual stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to their community” • (World Health Organisation)

3. If you are in good mental health, you can:- • • Make the most of your potential • • Cope with life • • Play a full part in your family, community and amongst friends • Mental health problems range from having worries that we all experience as part of everyday life to serious, long term conditions. • The majority of people who experience mental health problems can overcome them or learn to live with them, especially if they receive help early on.

4. Our History • We are the UK’s oldest community mental health charity, founded by Rev. Henry Hawkins, the hospital chaplain at an asylum in Middlesex, in 1879. • Our founding purpose was to support women leaving asylums to find accommodation and regain a life back in the community. • Over the years we have broadened the scope of our work and played a key role in influencing best practice across the sector. • Our name has changed over the years, from The Mental After Care Association, which was our first registered company name in 1949, to Together for Mental Wellbeing, which is the name we now operate under.

5. How Decisions Are Made • Together’s Trustees set the organisation’s overall policy and direction, all of whom have expertise and experience in different areas of our work. Together’s Corporate Management Team (CMT) ensures that Together’s objectives are met efficiently. The National Service User Steering Group (NSG) at Together provides a collective service user perspective to influence and guide the strategic direction of the organisation. The NSG is made up of people who have accessed a range of different services and have varied experiences of mental distress.

6. What We Do • We offer a wide variety of support to help people deal with the personal and practical impacts of mental health issues. • We work with approximately 4,500 people every month in around 70 locations across England and our services include: • Personalised support in the community • Accommodation based support • Advocacy services, including in secure hospitals • Criminal justice services

7. Service User Involvement • Our focus on service user involvement and leadership is at the heart of our philosophy and shapes every aspect of our work. • In 2004, this approach led to the creation of our unique Service User Involvement Directorate. They develop lots of opportunities for people to get more involved in their services, as well as influencing developments across Together and the mental health sector. “It has given me a purpose and has definitely helped me regain my confidence.” “It's empowering... and it opens up opportunities”

8. Valuing Lived Experience We value people’s lived experience of mental distress and believe this makes them the experts in what works best for them. We ensure the people we support lead the way, not just in their own support but in decisions at every level about our service design and delivery. We also recognise the huge benefit of people using their own experiences to help others towards recovery, and we encourage, train and support people to become Peer Supporters.

9. Person-Centred • We focus on people’s strengths and believe everyone can and should be supported to live the life they want to lead, no matter how unwell they are or how complex their needs. • We see beyond diagnoses and value people as experts in what works best for them. People set their own goals and are in control of how we work alongside them to achieve these. “The service is really run your way. You’re helped to plan yourself out of illness and motivate yourself. It gives you control back over yourself and it really worked for me.”

11. Commissioning Staffordshire Adult Mental Health Social Inclusion and Recovery Service

12. Staffordshire Adult Mental Health Social Inclusion and Recovery Service

13. Service flow chart Across the service: access to safe space sessions for additional support, information or Peer Contact Ongoing 1:1 support and reviews with Your Way Worker

14. Geographical Coverage Central Admin base : Burton Upon Trent Regular Fixed Delivery Points: In the main urban areas where safe space sessions, structured groups and 1:1 support will take place. Geographically this will focus around Burton upon Trent, Uttoxeter, Lichfield, Burntwood and Tamworth Community Delivery: Focusing on more rural areas such as Rocester, Abbots Bromley and Fradley. Delivered on a 1;1 basis supported by Your Way Workers and Peer Supporters

16. Our Service Users Say…… • Before… I didn’t know how to cook, didn’t know how to look after myself properly, and they helped me get through that. So they’ve been really, really good, to be honest” (Service User) • “When someone has spent an awful long time being misunderstood in the mental health system, peer support is like a breath of fresh air and can be lifesaving.  (Peer2Peer Group member) • The support here is not so much about illness. It’s more a wellness-directed thing and it’s much more appropriate to me. (Service User) • I would not have had the confidence to do this without the dedication, professionalism, understanding and patience of my Together team. (Service User) • At last I feel like I’m doing something meaningful. I have responsibility and use my skills but I’m not overly stressed. I get the support I need, the environment is tailored to my needs, and I am valued. My self-esteem has improved, my sense of achievement is good, and my recovery is better.” (Service User) • All of my care, from everybody in my little circle, we are collaborative. I have a huge input into what happens to me, especially with medication and treatments and therapies and things • (Service User)

17. Any Questions? • Questions? • You can contact us at • For referrals and general enquires: • Staffordshire-yourway@together-uk.org • 01283 500 650 • Acting Team Leader: tracey-bell@together.uk.org • Acting Service Manager: Daniel-ganleys@together-uk.org