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People on the Ground Network meeting minutes

Connecting Our Communities

People on the Ground BITESIZE 9th November 2023

12:30pm until 2pm

 

Attendees

Catherine Claudius-Cole – (CYC, Local Area Coordinator) Chair

Miles Goring – MCN Network

Emma Green – JRHT

Una Healy – York Carers Centre

Elizabeth Laughton-Smith

Siobhan Moore - CYC, Local Area Coordinator

Glyn Newberry – Health Trainers

Holly Sizer – Community Links

Clare Tate – (CYC, Communities and Prevention) minutes

June Tranmer – Wellbeing in York and Your Good Health

Ellen Vipond – CYC, Local Area Coordinator

Elizabeth Webster – CYC, Family Information Service

Brenda Whittaker – CYC, Family Hubs

 

 

Introduction and welcomes

 

Catherine introduced the session. 

Everyone introduced themselves.

 

 

Guest Speakers – Elizabeth Webster, Family Information Service, CYC and Brenda Whittaker, Family Hubs, CYC

 

EW provided a overview of Family Information Service which is a free impartial service for families with children and Young People aged 0-19; or 0-25 for children with additional needs.

Cover all aspects of family life. Some of the area they cover include

Childcare:     

  • brokerage to find suitable chaildcare
  • Info on funding 15hr 2 yr olds (requires eligibility)
  • 15 hr 3-4 yr olds (universal offer)

Toddler Groups:

  • under 5s activities
  • Yor OK directory

Other Support: 

  • emotional support
  • Counselling
  • Bereavement
  • Education/training
  • Practitioners – welcome to ask theoretical questions, and also welcome to introduce families that may need support or guidance

 

Information is available in various ways:

  • Email
  • Website (York OK, Raise York)
  • Text only service
  • Social media
  • Telephone support line (M-F 10am to 4pm)
  • Outreach; if people have an event the FIS team can go out and attend, e.g. YP Opportunities Fair at York College, Job Fairs etc.

 

 

How to get in contact:

Family Information Service email: fis@york.gov.uk 

telephone: 01904 554444 (M-F 10-4pm)

text telephone: 07786 202241

Twitter/X; https://twitter.com/YorkFIS

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YorkFamilyInformationService/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yorkypsg/

 

 

 

Raise York has replaced the Yor OK.website.

https://www.raiseyork.co.uk/

EW did a quick demo of the website.

This included the directory – any group, activity or service. You can search by holiday only.

Raise York | “Activities and Services” | Childcare search

Raise York | “Activities and Services” | Activities search

Raise York | “Activities and Services” | Services search

Raise York | “Activities and Services” | What’s On

You can add your own service or activity or email FIS mailbox and they will add this on for you.

YP – live consultation at the moment. You can feedback on YP pages.

List of resources at the bottom of the homepage.

 

Family Hub Network:

  • Its important that families know where to go to get information
  • Schools on board
  • Helping to signpost people
  • Raise York website launched this week
  • Also on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram.

They are seeking feedback on the look and feel of the website.

 

Family Navigators:

2 Family Navigators in York; Brenda Whittaker and Hannah Keith.

Principle of Family Hubs:

  • A warm welcome
  • Hot drinks
  • Sofas
  • Meet and greet by Family Navigator
  • Work alongside Healthy Child Service, midwives, Explore libraries and host partners e.g. York Energy Advice
  • Recruiting parent champion volunteers
  • All children and YP in York deserve the best start and the chance to thrive.
  • Every family, child and YP should be able to access

 

Family Navigators are in the Family Hubs on the following days:

 

Hob Moor – Tuesday and Thursday 9am - 12pm

The Avenues – Wednesday 9am - 12pm

Clifton – Wednesday 9am - 12pm

 

Family Hubs: (trialled since the summer)

  • Weekly themed art/craft activities
  • Play opportunities
  • Information Officer in attendance to answer questions and signpost
  • Free tea/coffee
  • Support for families (including childcare, support to find employment, support for mental health, toddler activities, socialising children).

Family Navigators chat to people and often people don’t realise they have an issue query or problem. Getting help face-to-face and getting to people earlier. E.g. people don’t know they can access health visitor team after the child turns 2. Able to provide emotional support. Able to create relationships, build trust and provide a safe space sensitive chats. Each hub had a confidential space available.

LAC regularly attend drop-in at Hob Moor. Regular presence in the community.

These have been well received and have had some lovely feedback and stories. E.g. they were able to connect a grandparent with IT Reuse scheme to get a reconditioned laptop and get online. Also a family with 2 expelled children now have access to support despite being excluded from school. Another example of a family who were able to get the SEN support they needed during a very difficult time.

 

From today there will be a pilot in Explore libraries – connected to Stay and Play sessions.

Acomb Explore – Thursday 11-1pm

Central Explore – Thursday 11-1pm

Tang Hall Explore - Thursday 11-1pm

 

 

A Q&A session followed and the following was raised and discussed:

  • Free newsletter for both families and practitioners; to join the distribution list email FIS mailbox
  • Max Cards – free to those on the disability register
  • Family Hub drop-ins are free
  • Posters and flyers are available to advertise – contact FIS if you can help.
  • HAF at JRT can share info with participants
  • The group felt that it’s very human and doesn’t feel like a service.
  • If anyone wants more information please contact SP using the contact details above.

 

 

Networking

 

JT spoke about a session for parent carers or people with links to children; ways to help Young People or children get ill on Saturday 1-5pm.

 

 

The Chair thanked everyone for attending and brought the meeting to a close.

 

 

Date of next meeting: Tuesday 9th January 12-1:30pm

 

 

BITESIZE AGENDA:

12pm- 12.15am Introduction and welcome from Catherine Claudius-Cole (CYC, LAC)

12.15am-1pm – Including Q&A. Guest Speaker – Diana Toseland, Café Neuro

1pm – 1:30pm Networking/Discussion/Sharing Stories

 

 

 

Connecting Our Communities

People on the Ground BITESIZE 18th October 2023

10am until 11am

 

Attendees

Abigail

Cheryl Barn – student Occupation Therapist

Catherine Claudius-Cole – CYC, Local Area Coordinator Chair

Doyle Cook – Social Worker, CYC, Learning Disabilities Team

Libby Crofts - Move Mates, Move The Masses

Sarah Furness - CYC, Local Area Coordinator

Emma Green - JRHT

Jo Mahoney – Occupational Therapist CMHT

Joe Micheli - CYC, Head of Communities

Simon Pierce – North Yorkshire Sport

Pete Roberts – CYC, Local Area Coordinator

Clare Tate – (CYC, Communities and Prevention) minutes

Eleanor Tookey – St Nicks Ecotherapy

June Tranmer – Wellbeing in York and Your Good Health

Vanessa Walker - CMHT

 

 

Introduction and welcomes

 

Catherine introduced the session. 

Everyone introduced themselves.

 

 

Guest Speakers – Simon Pierce, “Get Moving” North Yorkshire Sport

 

SP provided a overview of “Get Moving” which is an Older People’s programme that has been running for 2 years. This is about getting inactive people active. Working with health professionals to develop sport, movement opportunities and physical activities with a social aspect.

 

This builds on the pre-Covid “Strong and Steady” programme which looked at falls prevention. Sessions were based in community venues such as community halls, church halls and leisure centres targeting people who have had or are at risk of having falls. There were 20 instructors for North Yorkshire area (no medical background) providing a 12 week intervention to build exercise and provide a social side. Then when Covid arrived had to provide online support and Nordic Walking for Rehab. They received Lottery fnding after Covid for this new programme.

 

After a successful 1 year pilot they are currently half way through a 3yr programme.

Get Moving:

The Get Moving – home exercise programme will support:

  • People 65+ who are vulnerable/mildly frail (as per the Rockwood frailty score attached) and as a result of lockdown / isolation have experienced a level of deconditioning that has affected their independence, ability and confidence to maintain their daily routines. People who a short intensive intervention of 2 sessions a week for 4 weeks will be able to restart an active lifestyle and reduce the need for social service involvement.
  • Relevant participants have been referred through the living well teams, health professionals, social prescribers, but also through instructor networks and contacts.
  • A resource pack is gifted to each participant to enable continued participation
  • Relevant M&E has been employed to map the impact of these sessions
  • This intervention is free to end user but has a finite number of resources so the clients need to be motivated to make those active lifestyle changes.

 

Instructor provides a home visit 2 times a week over 4 weeks to devise bespoke physical activity. All instructors are very experienced and worked on Strong and Steady. Karen is the rep for York.

 

Referrals:

Are sent to Simon first: Simon@northyorkshiresport.co.uk

If you or your colleagues have any clients you feel would benefit from this intervention please complete the attached referral form and return it to Simon and he will link the nearest instructor to the client. And please feel free to contact Simon if you have any queries around eligibility of potential clients.

 

 

  • Person deemed appropriate
  • Assigned to nearest instructor
  • Instructor contacts the person
  • Initial assessment and baseline figures, e.g. sit to stand, confidence measures e.g. going up stairs, walking outside. Wellbeing scores
  • Assess motivation of person
  • Instructor builds relationship with person
  • Basic resources, e.g. stretch band, stress ball, water bottle
  • Need to be responding to suggested exercises, chair based exercises
  • Motivational
  • Exercises increase as course goes on
  • Session 8 instructors so through monitoring and evaluation again. Wellbeing scores again.
  • Karen provides feedback at the end and then can be referred onto other suitable community based sessions, e.g. social or exercise sessions (Move Mates etc.)

 

Criteria/Frailty Scale:

Rockwood Scales – 4-5 on scale

 

 

5-10 minutes online training for using the Frailty scale in the link below:

https://rise.articulate.com/share/deb4rT02lvONbq4AfcMNRUudcd6QMts3#/

 

 

 

How to get in contact:

Simon Pierce: simon@northyorkshiresport.co.uk

07414 911218

 

 

A Q&A session followed and the following was raised and discussed:

  • Working with people with a diagnosis of dementia. Building on this.
  • Working with people with physical injuries – physio vs exercise. Exercise could be preventative and limit physio further down the line.
  • Programme being free to end user discussed as a good way for people to find out more.
  • Asking health professionals to refer to service as they are better placed to ascertain suitability for programme.
  • Referring on at the end of the course – refer to activities listed on LWY – anything that helps the person to maintain independence
  • If anyone wants more information please contact SP using the contact details above.

 

 

Networking

 

A question was asked if Move Mates are accepting referrals. LC confirmed that referrals were currently closed and that there was a backlog particularly in the Huntington/New Earswick area. Group walks were discussed and EG reached out to say she could help to advertise for more volunteers at JRHT for New Earswick area.

 

SP mentioned there was a Strong and Steady community session coming up in Acomb and would share details by email.

 

SF made a request for ideas for exercise for an 80 yr old wheelchair user. The group discussed Tai Chi which will require funding from Jan 2024 and its suitability for wheelchair users. They do seated Tai Chi – free of charge for 65+. Betty Sutherland and Richard Cilick are the contacts. Questions on whether the ge would be lowered now that Action For Elders funding withdrawn. EG to contact Betty.Other ideas included Chair based exercises at Folk Hall and Boccia.

 

 

The Chair thanked everyone for attending and brought the meeting to a close.

 

 

Date of next meeting: Wednesday 9th November 12:30-2pm

 

 

BITESIZE AGENDA:

10am- 10.15am Introduction and welcome from Catherine Claudius-Cole (CYC, LAC)

10.15am-10.40am – Including Q&A. Guest Speaker – Elizabeth Webster, CYC Family Information Service

10:40 – 11:00am Networking/Discussion/Sharing Stories

 

 

 

Connecting Our Communities

People on the Ground BITESIZE 27th September 2023

10am until 11am

 

Attendees

Marie Addy - (CYC, Local Area Coordinator)

Catherine Claudius-Cole – CYC, Local Area Coordinator Chair

Mark Debnam – (CYC, Social Worker)

Mark Green - (York in Recovery, a Lived Experience Recovery Organisation)

Anna Harrison - (CYC, Local Area Coordinator)

Sian Hodgson – (CYC, Social Worker)

Elaine Kelly – YSJ, Converge Project Coordinator

Emma McKenzie – YSJ, Converge Team Leader

Joe McKenzie – Better Connect

Siobhan Moore - (CYC, Local Area Coordinator)

Pete Roberts – (CYC, Local Area Coordinator)

Hazel Rowe - YSJ, Converge Project Coordinator

Maddy Stevenson – (CYC, Social Worker)

Clare Tate – (CYC, Communities and Prevention) minutes

Ellen Vipond - (CYC, Local Area Coordinator)

 

 

Introduction and welcomes

 

Catherine introduced the session. 

Everyone introduced themselves.

 

 

Guest Speakers – Emma McKenzie, Elaine Kelly and Hazel Rowe; Converge

 

EM provided a quick overview of Converge and the Discovery Hub which has been running for 15 years to teach courses to people 18+ who have lived experience of mental health issues. This could be any time after initial contact with GP regarding mental health concerns or depression right up to post diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Converge is partly funded by NHS and hosted by York St John’s University (YSJ).

 

Some of the courses include:

  • Creative writing
  • Music
  • Theatre
  • Sports exercise… and many more

 

EM has shared her slides below:

 

EM talked through her slides and videos which included the following main points:

Converge provides a university based experience. Knowledge exchange between uni and community. Helps to remove the stigma of mental health.

  • Courses held at YSJ, Clarence St or online
  • Full access to the university library for books, computers/internet/wi-fi
  • Provides the right environment to aspire to do better things
  • Many go on to complete university degrees
  • Many become student volunteers and ambassadors
  • Some go on to be tutors themselves and deliver the courses they attended.
  • Possible to gain both personal and professional development
  • Access to Converge is NOT time limited
  • All courses are FREE

 

Video 1 shared (link in presentation slides)

 

Five principles of Converge:

  • Students and artists: To work together as artists and students
  • A community of learners: To build a community where we learn from each other.
  • An engaged university: To engage and enhance the university and wider community.
  • Support: To provide a supportive and inclusive environment.
  • Respect: respect others, value yourself.

And above all … be ordinary, be extraordinary, be yourself.

 

Converge offshoots:

  • Converge Connected (courses delivered online/postal)
  • CERT – research
  • Emerging Voices
  • Out of Character Theatre
  • Record company
  • Links with other universities; Northumbria, Oregon and Brisbane

 

Discovery hub:

5 staff including EM, EK and HR. They provide person-centred support for people to access Converge and will signpost on if someone requires further mental health support. Also Occupational Health technical instructor who delivers practical outdoor training at Poppleton Railway Centre.

 

Video 2 shared (link in presentation slides)

 

 

 

 

How Converge is moving forward:

  • “Clinic to Campus” is in its 3rd year where trying to reach people earlier in their recovery, this might include planting seeds or start learning before they access a formal course.
  • Building effective pathways – working more closely in community environments. This includes working closely with LAC, SP, St Nicks and 30 Clarence St to tap into potential Converge students.
  • YSJ Uni – on campus courses, class numbers 5-15, 5-10 week modules, single courses to extended learning over 2 years.
  • “Converge Connected” – online lesson on Zoom OR postal learning (tutors respond by post) for people who can’t access online or not digital savvy. Independent access to online classroom. This was developed during lockdown.
  • Taster programme – delivered at 30 Clarence St, started early last year, provides single classes as a “taster” of the course, class numbers up to 10 people, 2 programmes of sessions each year.
  • “Quick-bits” – tiny tasters, online 10-20mins in length a small lesson that can be accessed at home. Paper versions available also for those not online.

 

EK talked through a variety of courses that are covered in the table within the slides

 

 

Developing pathways:

1st phase – working in communities, 1-1 introductions and bespoke learning

Moving forward – building and strengthening relationships with orgs that gain up-to-date info about Converge, providing accessible options for orgs to refer/introduce people into Converge.

 

EK also talked through the academic year and what a Converge student would experience. She shared a video (link in the presentation slides). She is happy to do joint introductions/meetings with people.

 

Referrals:

To register interest in being on the mailing list all you need to do is fill out the form on www.yorksj.ac.uk/converge  

 

To arrange access to courses you can email converge@yorksj.ac.uk

For anyone needing more bespoke support you can email discoveryhub@yorksj.ac.uk with the person’s name / address / dob / contact info and a brief explanation of what would be beneficial to help them access Converge.

 

Both Converge and the Discovery Hub are open to self referral.

 

 

 

 

 

How to get in contact:

Elaine Kelly: e.kelly@yorksj.ac.uk

07764 337116

Facebook, X (formally Twitter), Instagram and You Tube

 

 

A Q&A session followed and the following was raised and discussed:

  • What opportunities are available for people with a “dual diagnosis”. HR / EK confirmed this is not a barrier, its not about labels. They only look at a person’s interest level. If they need additional support there is the Discovery Hub. If people are not ready we can delay the course until they are ready.
  • A discussion followed about people being ready for courses. There is a “fitness to study” process for all YSJ students to determine whether it is not the right time. Can be signposted to further MH support if needed. All courses can be deferred.
  • A short discussion followed that some people know about Converge but don’t feel it is open to them or they are able to access it. Open Days were discussed as a good way for people to find out more.
  • The group also wanted to know if people needed a basic level of numeracy or literacy in order to be accepted onto a course. HR / EK confirmed this is not a barrier, EK confirms all courses have a basic level. If anyone wants more information please contact EK using the contact details above.

 

 

Networking

 

There was no time to do any networking so the Chair thanked everyone for attending and brought the meeting to a close.

 

 

Date of next meeting: Wednesday 18th October 10-11:00am

 

 

BITESIZE AGENDA:

10am- 10.15am Introduction and welcome from Catherine Claudius-Cole (CYC, LAC)

10.15am-10.40am – Including Q&A. Guest Speaker – Simon Pierce, North Yorkshire Sport  “Get Moving”

10:40 – 11:00am Networking/Discussion/Sharing Stories

 

 

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Connecting Our Communities

People on the Ground BITESIZE 2nd August 2023

10am until 11am

 

Attendees

Sarah Charlton – (CYC, Senior Local Area Coordinator) Chair

Catherine Claudius-Cole – CYC, Local Area Coordinator

Viv Fleming – JRHT Community Development Officer

Elaine Kelly – YSJ, Converge Project Coordinator

Rob Kilner – CYC, Live Well York

Nikki Lonsdale – TEWV Early Intervention in Psychosis Team, Senior Care Coordinator

Jo Mahoney – (Occupational Therapist)

Joe McKenzie – Better Connect

Siobhan Moore – CYC, Local Area Coordinator

Peter Roderick – CYC, Public Health

Erica Scott – CYC, MH Social Work Team

Holly Sizer – CYC, Early Help York Families Wellbeing Service

Clare Tate – (CYC, Communities and Prevention) minutes

June Tranmer – Wellbeing in York and Your Good Health

Ellen Vipond - CYC, Local Area Coordinator

Vicki West - (lived experience)

Emma Williams – Let’s Talk Mental Health (York Ending Stigma)

Yor Peer Support

 

 

Introduction and welcomes

 

Sarah introduced the session. 

Everyone introduced themselves.

 

 

Guest Speakers – Nikki Lonsdale and Vicki West; Psychosis

 

NL and VW recently appeared in a radio interview talking about Psychosis which CCC had listened to and invited them on the back of this interview to speak at this meeting.

 

NL provided an overview of Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) and in particular Vicki West’s personal journey. EIP get involved at a person’s first episode of psychosis and they work with people for up to 3 years. Care Coordinators help people to understand and manage their psychosis, providing a person-centred package of care for people to manage relapse of psychosis. There are different aspects of support available including:

Psychology, Psychotherapy, family therapy, return to employment support and also connecting to other practitioners and community based solutions.

 

VW provided a very personal account of her experiences. She suffered a psychosis at the start of the pandemic after a period of 6/7 years of depression. She had a lot of things on her plate including caring for her father who had lung cancer, caring for her son who has autism and her husband has ADHD. Her psychosis manifested itself as lucidity, suspicion of people, and conspiracy theories about the pandemic. She had 30+ years career as a care manager with experience in dementia and mental health and thought she would have been able to spot something in herself but that’s not how psychosis works. She was used to relying on her judgement so didn’t question the thoughts and feelings she was experiencing. Family members were extremely concerned about her and referred her to the Crisis team and EIP. She was assigned to NL to support her and she feels her recovery has been amazing and she has a lot of hope for her future.

 

VW talked through the package of support she received including psychotherapy where she explored from childhood to psychosis and was able to understand how she got to her crisis point. It seems obvious now but with so much going on in her life she wasn’t able to recognise and stop her decline. She also benefitted from psychology, return to employment support, family therapy and she was introduced to Converge. She believes joining Converge (she signed up to drama/theatre and creative writing courses) was all the difference in her recovery. She found not only tutors were fantastic but the other people with lived experience were so welcoming, kind and supportive this made all the difference in rebuilding her confidence.

 

VW used to be a confident person, she was outgoing and dabbled with amateur dramatics in the past, but had lost her confidence in the build up to her psychosis. Having support from EIP built up her confidence in a series of stages. NL was able to determine when VW was ready to take on something new and actually took the time to accompany VW to the open day at Converge. Thereafter she had to face herself to go to the weekly sessions but she had doubts which could have led to self sabotage and losing her bottle but all to her credit she pushed herself to go, stay the course and flourish. She joined the community play at Theatre Royal although she wasn’t able to perform as she caught Covid but it was an incredible experience and she would recommend people to use Converge. They have lots of different activities including stained glass, music, media, crafts and other skills. When you have psychosis you’re brain is so busy there is no room to be creative so this was a great experience.

 

VW is due to go back to work soon so she will be accessing the Return to employment support. She is very much looking for a role where she can provide Peer Support as she is anting to put her lived experience to good use and be able to support others going through psychosis or other mental health. She feels that people don’t know what is available and if people did they wouldn’t feel so alone. NL added that recovery is possible and that VW worked really hard. Its great she wants to use her lived experience for good.

 

VW explained her feelings during this time – she used to cry all the time, the pain needed to come out. NL knew when she was ready to move onto the next step. She would never have believed it was possible to recover at the start and she needed that support otherwise she would not have engaged. She felt suicidal and she now has the coping mechanisms to not panic when she has an off day. She has the coping strategies to cope with it.

 

The group were so impressed with VW’s incredible journey and wanting to help others. VW feels compelled to help others. They both briefly talked about the radio interview. You can listen to the interview in the link below. VW would be happy to be contacted by any practitioner who feels they could benefit from her lived experience. She is after all, a celebrity now!

 

 

Radio Interview: (their story is from about 15 mins in)

 

Contact information:

Vicki West - vwest567@gmail.com

 

 

 

Chair opened the floor to questions. The group were so thankful for them sharing their experiences and there were lots of great comments in the chat. The group talked about Timing or “readiness” and how this is so important, planting the seeds of possibility becomes part of a plan and then you get the sense of achievement. Being able to connect the individual’s strengths and build new ones. Giving people a university experience in the university environment can make a difference. EK shared the link to Converge’s Open Days.

 

 

Converge:

Next on campus open day drop in in between 1-4pm on Wednesday 6th September, Quad South Hall.

 

 

The group discussed how NL having the time to accompany VW to the Open Day was probably the encouragement that VW needed. Person-centred – giving her the support she needed. The group also discussed how kindness costs nothing and it’s a reminder that we can always be kind to each other.

 

VW then described in great detail what her psychosis felt like for her. She described how she felt detached from reality that she felt people were on “fast forward” or “rewind” and moving very quickly around her and she was almost out of body observing them. She did not feel part of society. These episodes were bizarre and extremely worrying and scary. She also talked at length about the ideas that were going round her head, one example was that she thought Bob Dylan was speaking to her directly through his new song and he was warning her about what was happening around her during the pandemic which was further corroborating her belief in the irrational theories she was thinking. One conspiracy theory was that she thought the Russian government was building a concentration camp at the bottom of her street as a way of getting rid of the weak members of society and she began to suspect a neighbour who worked on the drains as he would know what they were working on underground. He was acting suspiciously, and this reinforced her beliefs as she was not usually wrong about these sorts of things. She had always relied on her good judge of character in the past so there was no reason for her to not believe her thoughts and feelings this time. She thought he was going to secret meetings but when she looks back at it now the reason why he was acting strange was he was sneaking round to his friends house to have a drink during lock down, but the psychosis was telling her the worse case scenario was happening. She was living in a different reality.

 

She also described her incessant writing to try to make the connections but also to convince other people. She couldn’t understand why family members couldn’t see what she could / thought was going on. She thought it was her job to save her family and save the world. It became her mission. Her brain was over active. She also describes how she would sit in the bath for 4 hours, just sitting there doing nothing – not bathing just sitting there. She recognises that this must have been so alarming to her family. Through EIP she was able to access medication which allowed her to feel better quickly. The anxiety was crippling. She was outdoors and saw a jogger and she thought he had been sent from the Secret Service to assassinate her, she felt unsafe all the time even in her own home. 

 

She also thinks she had hallucinations there are some things she is not sure if they really happened or not, e.g. someone staring through her car window at her. She talked about very personal thoughts she had and she says she understands how some people can get to the point where they harm their own family members as she had felt at one point that if they were going to be taken over by Russians then she and her family might be better off dead. She can understand how someone might take their own and their families lives by their own hands. She had never shared this before and the group thanked her for her honesty. It was humbling to hear her talk about her feelings.

 

The group did raise about the “language of readiness” and whether the person is potentially being blamed for not being ready when actually it could be that the service isn’t right for that individual. NL confirmed that EIP use the words that the individual uses and that it is person-centred.

 

The group asked VW what could they do as practitioners to support someone when they are at their crisis point, i.e. when they are still having that internal battle of the psychosis vs them rationalising things. VW said people need to feel listened to and validation of their story and then clearly communicate your concerns. Listen to concerns and beliefs and present options, enable the individual to understand they will be safe if these options are carried out. Use terms like “How can we get you to feel safe”. When people feel safe they then have the time to reflect on their thoughts and rationalise them.

 

The group asked NL whether there were typical symptoms or causes of psychosis. NL explained these are always unique to the individual and they will have their own unique stress vulnerabilities leading to a tipping point. Medication can slow things down to give the individuals the space to rationalise. VW added for her it was a “perfect storm” but she also recognises a lack of sleep was massive factor for her. The group talked about the importance of sleep to squeeze out he excess from the brain that it doesn’t need at night.

 

 

Networking

 

The meeting ran over so there was no time for updates.

Chair thanked everyone for attending and brought the meeting to a close.

 

 

Date of next meeting: Wednesday 30th August 10-12:00pm

 

 

BITESIZE AGENDA:

10am- 10.15am Introduction and welcome from Catherine Claudius-Cole (CYC, LAC)

10.15am-10.40am – Including Q&A. Guest Speaker – Rose Kent, Accessible Arts & Media

10:40 – 11:00am Networking/Discussion/Sharing Stories

Connecting Our Communities

People on the Ground BITESIZE 5th July 2023

10am until 11am

 

Attendees

Mike Benson – (YDAS)

Lucy Baldwin - (The Retreat)

Martin Bond – (York St John’s University)

Catherine Claudius-Cole – (CYC, Local Area Coordinator) Chair

Libby Crofts - (Move Mates, Move The Masses)

Hannah Keith - (CYC, Family Navigator)

Elaine Kelly – (YSJ Converge)

Erica Scott – (CYC, MH Social Work Team)

Clare Tate – (CYC, Communities and Prevention) minutes

 

 

Introduction and welcomes

 

Catherine – introduced the session. 

Everyone introduced themselves.

 

 

Guest Speaker – YSJ Active Martin Bond; Physical health

 

MB provided an overview of YSJ Active and in particular Health Improvement Circuits (HIC). MB talked through the physical activity programme at York St John which includes community projects one of which is HICs. Projects include:

  • Super 1s cricket (under 25s)
  • Exercise after stroke (stroke survivors)
  • Health active ageng (over 55s) – this includes allotment, yoga for health
  • Exercise and weight management (6 week programme includes nutrition, 6 sessions of exercise and by the end they should be able to go to the gym by themselves)
  • Prehab (losing weight for surgery)
  • Intermittent claudication (pain in calf muscles – walk through pain)
  • Health Improvement Circuits (HIC)
  • Walking rugby – (rugby league without tackling or running)
  • ALAM – dementia or isolated, covers basic seated exercises
  • RAY – free programme of multisports
  • Fish & Chip Friday – delivered by York City Knights – for isolated, dementia, socialise and free fish n’ chips.

 

Health Improvement Circuits (HIC):

  • Ideal for beginners (although not suitable for people with certain health conditions – ask for advice if someone has heart, respiratory, diabetes or BMI issues)
  • Suitable for low to moderate physical or mental health issues
  • Mondays 1-2pm at Haxby Road Sports Centre
  • 1st session is FREE of charge (then £4 per session, or block of 10 sessions for £35).
  • Referrals – practitioners or people can self refer

 

Health Improvement Circuits Referral Form 

Health Improvement Circuits are group-based sessions for people looking to improve their health through exercise. The sessions are ideal for beginners or people with mild-to-moderate physical and/or mental health issues.

For further information, please email ysjactivereferrals@yorksj.ac.uk

 

Bookings: several ways

App

  • App for bookings is “YSJActive”
  • Register for an account

 

Website

 

Cash

Booking online is preferred but people without internet, email or credit cards can pay cash on the day.

 

 

Contact information:

Martin Bond: m.bond@yorksj.ac.uk

To refer: ysjactive@yorks.ac.uk

YSJActive: ysjactive@yorksj.ac.uk or 01904 876200

 

Martin has shared his presentation slides below:

 

 

Chair opened the floor to questions. The group asked if the HIC are advertised on LWY. MB confirmed that HIC, ALAM and 5 or 6 other projects are all on LWY.

 

The group also asked about attendance and waiting lists. MB says there are 7-8 on the book with 4-5 turning up regularly. 12 is a good number for each session. No waiting lists at present. The only project with a waiting list is Exercise After Strokes as there is a maximum of 6 people per session.

 

MB also added that all sessions (except exercise and weight loss management) run all year round apart from 2 weeks at Christmas and Bank Holidays. Exercise and Weight Loss Management is subject to 6 weekly cycles throughout the year.

 

 

Networking

 

Chair opened the floor for updates.

 

  • ES has a man in his 30s with bipolar ad autism and looking for activities. The group talked about social prescribing, LAC, Action towards inclusion and Mind project. It was suggested he could volunteer with Move Mates (1-1 walking) as they have waiting lists.
  • LB free workshop responding to difficult pregnancies or traumatic birth or loved ones that have had that experience on 17 July at 10am. Also another workshop “managing the menopause” next week on Thursday at 6pm. This has 2 speakers; an obstetrician to look at the physical aspect, and a therapist to explore mental aspects. Also coming up “resilience in Young People” which is a repeat of their self harm workshop. Contact LB at LBaldwin@theretreatyork.org.uk for further info and book on.
  • EK an update on Converge, end of academic year and they have been nominated for an award RSPH. 2 year research project growing. Offered 40 courses to over 200 students. Prospectus available from August. Next open day is 6 September 1:30-4pm. Email EK at kelly@yorksj.ac.uk. Running taster classes, bitesize learning and offer courses earlier in people’s recovery.
  • MB – Together with Young People 17 July networking event 10-1:30pm “Striving to Thriving” with guest speakers and a free lunch. Also 6 July podcast about gypsy/traveller focus on criminal justice system and in 2 weeks time the autism podcast will be released.
  • HK – overwhelmed with positive response to Family Hubs. Soft launch on 13 July and running events from September.

 

Chair thanked everyone for attending and brought the meeting to a close.

 

 

Date of next meeting: Wednesday 2nd August 10-12:00pm

 

 

BITESIZE AGENDA:

10am- 10.15am Introduction and welcome from Catherine Claudius-Cole (CYC, LAC)

10.15am-10.40am – Including Q&A. Guest Speaker – Nikki Lonsdale; Psychosis

10:40 – 11:00am Networking/Discussion/Sharing Stories

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

    

 

 

 

 

 

Connecting Our Communities

People on the Ground BITESIZE 10th May 2023

10am until 11am

 

Attendees

Lucy Baldwin - (The Retreat)

Catherine Claudius-Cole – (CYC, Local Area Coordinator) coChair

Libby Crofts - (Move Mates, Move The Masses)

Sarah Furness – (CYC, Local Area Coordinator)

Natalie Greaves (CYC, Local Area Coordinator) coChair

Mark Green - (York in Recovery, a Lived Experience Recovery Organisation)

Emma Harris - (CYC, Local Area Coordinator)

Jackie Holme – (Head of Community and Support Matters, Mental Health Matters)

Glyn Newberry – (CYC, Health Trainers)

Rob Kilner – (CYC, Live Well York)

Siobhan Moore - (CYC, Local Area Coordinator)

Clare Tate – (CYC, Communities and Prevention) minutes

June Tranmer – (Wellbeing in York)

Ellen Vipond - (CYC, Local Area Coordinator)

Emma Warren - (The Retreat)

 

 

Introduction and welcomes

 

Catherine – introduced the session. 

Everyone introduced themselves.

 

 

Guest Speaker – June Tranmer; Your Good Health York

 

JT provided an overview of Your Good Health York which currently runs on a Friday 10-5pm at the Scout Hut in Fulford. Post code is YO10 4LS.

 

Your Good Health York is part of the The People's Health Alliance, an Integrated Health Hub offering a listening ear from different perspectives, for your mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. This was brought about to provide a more accessible and integrated healthcare. There are some medically trained professionals involved and volunteers.

The service was launched in April 2023 and offers free or donation based services. People can pop in for a cup of tea and a chat with our Health Guides, share your health concerns and check out our Vision and Aims. We are planning talks, group activities, exercise classes once a week, self care workshops, as well as one to one chats with a health professional.

 

Hoping to benefit the community this is to supplement clinical offering. There is open access to your own notes and people are signposted to other organisations. We have gathered views from PAYF cafes and community centres.

 

Events include the recent “focus on food” talks which covered topics such as learn to grow your own, buy local and better, Edible York and community spaces, gyrokinesis (seated exercise) and more events are planned with a focus on pickling and preserving food.

 

Mini massages, Touch For Health (self care), Drumming, Voice work, Hypnotherapy.

 

To get in touch:

No website

Email: YourGoodHealthYork@proton.me

Phone: 07932 163602

Instagram and Twitter

 

The floor was open to Q&A

The group were interested in the reaction from GP’s. JT said only had seen the receptionist who put up the poster.

 

The group discussed about funding and suggested contacting Two Ridings for potential source of funding.

 

The group also discussed both EFT (Tapping) and “Electro Culture” and JT talked through this process of using copper wire antennae into the soil where it gathers energy from  the atmosphere and results in an increase in yield and reduces pests. Although slugs and snails will work their way back.

 

The group discussed a recent Radio 4 programme about the “Intelligence of Bees” that can be found on BBC Sounds.

 

 

Networking

 

  • NG opened the floor for updates.

 

  • Mark from York in Recovery talked about the community garden they are developing – “serenity garden”. They have an allotment off Tadcaster Road (near Pulleyn Drive). If anyone is interested contact Mark at mark@yorkinrecovery.org.uk or 07724 312084.

 

 

  • Wednesday Wellbeing

 

  • The group discussed the limited availability of no cost community venues; suggestions included SPARK offers space free to community groups, Fire Station have a community room. "Meanwhile use" seems to be the direction of things and collaboration spaces.

 

NG thanked everyone for attending and brought the meeting to a close.

 

 

 

Date of next meeting: Wednesday 7th June 10-12:00pm

 

 

AGENDA:

10am- 10.15am Introduction and welcome from Catherine Claudius-Cole / Natalie Greaves (CYC/LAC)

10.15am-10.40am – Including Q&A. Guest Speaker – Anna Brown; Lower My Drinking Update

10.40am - 10.50am Break

10.50am-11.30am Guest Speaker – Anna Brown; Brief Conversations about Alcohol *(taster training session)

11:30 – 12:00pm Networking/Discussion/Sharing Stories

 

 

* City of York Council’s Brief Conversations about Alcohol training offers you an introduction to skills and information for an approach to conversations known as ‘Alcohol Identification Brief Advice’ (or ‘IBA’ for short). This type of conversation has been shown to be effective in helping people to reduce their alcohol health risk and:

  • is brief, structured and often opportunistic
  • helps people to identify what their drinking level means in terms of health risk
  • offers brief advice to help them to reduce if relevant

 

We will cover:

  • Briefly, why conversations about alcohol are needed in York
  • Reminder of alcohol guidelines, alcohol units
  • The AUDIT questionnaire and York’s alcohol quiz and advice website, Lower My Drinking
  • An introduction to skills for effective conversations about alcohol (motivational interviewing techniques)
  • Relevant support services in York for individuals and their families

 

Please note that this particular training will not fully answer questions about how to support people with complex alcohol-related problems. However, it will increase your awareness of the specialist support available and introduce you to conversational techniques that can be useful in all sorts of contexts.

 

 

Joining Instructions:

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Connecting Our Communities 

People on the Ground 15th March 2023 

10am until 12pm 

 

Attendees 

Lucy Baldwin - (The Retreat) 

Amy Bates - (Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust) 

Mike Benson - (Changing Lives) 

Catherine Claudius-Cole – (CYC, Local Area Coordinator) co-Chair 

Sarah Furness – (CYC, Local Area Coordinator)  

Derek Gauld – (CYC, Housing Regeneration and Asset Management)  

Natalie Greaves – (CYC, Local Area Coordinator) co-Chair 

Mark Green - (York in Recovery, a Lived Experience Recovery Organisation)  

Irina Grigore 

Una Healy - (York Carers Centre) 

Wendy Kent - (Explore Libraries) 

Chris Klays - (YorMind) 

Rob Kilner - (Live Well York) 

Joe McKenzie – (Better Connect)  

Clare Tate – (CYC, Communities and Prevention) minutes  

Selene Telfer - (30 Clarence St/2 The Avenues) 

June Tranmer – (Wellbeing in York) 

Emma Warren - (The Retreat) 

 

 

Introduction and welcome from Natalie Greaves (CYC)   

 

Natalie – introduced the session.   

Everyone introduced themselves.  

 

 

Guest Speaker – Chris Klays, YorMind and Chit Chat.  

 

Chris provided an overview of YorMind and the work he is involved in with young people, and the adults around them, such as teachers and practitioners to address the lack of understanding of services available and how to access them. Its important to keep engagement whilst they are on long waiting lists. 

 

Focus: 

  1. Single point of access for young people 
  1. Information Campaign to update information and avoid a clinical approach 
  1. Share positive stories; people getting better or managing their mental health 

 

YorMind: “for young people by young people”, consultation with 380 young people through community groups and a Steering Group 6 young people and 3 young people advisers 

 

Website: www.yormind.org.uk  

Worded in the first person, friendly and approachable. 

  • What is available 
  • Safe spaces 
  • Info for young carers support 

Proactive in ensuring information is up-to-date (monthly email to providers) 

 

Chat Chit: https://chatchit.buzzsprout.com/ also accessed through Instagram – chatchitpodcast 

Chris presents a podcast as part of an anti-stigma campaign. The emphasis is on positive stories, coping mechanisms, managing your own mental health. Its informal with speakers/guests either parents talking from their perspective or practitioners explaining their services. 

 

They are also looking into the idea of a drop-in where someone can feel safe, have a chat and be shown the information on the website. 

 

Questions were presented to Chris:  

Natalie spoke about synergies with Community MH Hub. Chris talked about how young people want human connection and that a phone line would be difficult to deliver. 

 

Sarah asked about the age of audience? Although primarily 16-25yrs there is information about counselling which can be accessed from age 12, CAMHS which is younger and advice about support after school for further or higher education. Both universities feature. 

 

Una likes the synopsis of each episode and the use of humour and was interested in how many people have accessed the podcasts. Chris didn’t have any figures with him but they do have a huge spike in visitors after a schools visit. A short discussion followed about how to reach out to young people. Two avenues through pastoral staff in schools, and through youth groups. Still a stigma, young people worried about how schools and parents will react. 

 

The group asked what are common issues faced by young people which included cost of living, fear of debt/money worries, jobs/employment, neurodivergence labels e.g. ADHD and bipolar. The group discussed how labels can also be positive. Social anxieties, friendships/relationships, eating disorders, self harm were all discussed. 

 

EW mentioned that The Retreat offer autism/ADHD service and they would be happy to do a future podcast. CK can be contacted on chris.klays@yorkmind.org.uk  

 

Everyone thanked Chris and there was a short break.  

 

 

 

 

 

Guest Speaker – Mike Benson, York Young Persons Drug & Alcohol Services (YDAS).  

 

Mike provided an overview of YDAS which provides support for under 18s using elicit substances. The 4 aspects of their work are: 

  1. Harm reduction - supporting under 18s to reduce the use of elicit substances; dispelling myths about drugs/alcohol. Reduce risks, develop relationships. 
  1. Supporting 18-22 in a transitional role with the hope of preventing them going into adult drug treatment services. This is “motivational work” not counselling. Counselling should continue alongside this work.  
  1. Project 11-18 yr olds affected by parental substance misuse. There is currently very little provision for this across the UK. Eight key areas: future, how they deal with stress, coping strategies, what to do in an emergency, drugs/alcohol is way down the list. Coping strategies mirrors the advice they would receive in school, dos and don’ts regarding drugs. Demand for this service is rising. They accept referrals for anyone. Children can also self-refer but in their experience children don’t generally do this so you should always refer on their behalf. 
  1. (unofficially) go into schools to deliver drug/alcohol education. 

 

All services for residents of City of York or if they have strong connections in York e.g. live out of area but studying at York College.  

 

Group Discussion:  

The group discussed the impact of several drugs such as cannabis and ketamine, the rise in vaping and that alcohol has fallen out of fashion as you need ID to purchase whereas you can buy cannabis through chat apps such as Snapchat and get it delivered. YDAS aren’t commissioned to deal with tobacco, so they have little involvement with vaping unless its cannabis related.  

 

The group examined why young people don’t refer themselves to services and discussed the stigma, and fears of parental or police involvement. 

 

There were questions about the service. On average they work with young people for 32 weeks and their SLA is 10 days although they usually contact people within 5 days. They work with adult services but they aren’t allowed to see young people I the building which is why they all work from home. 

 

Mike also briefly mentioned a side project he is working on “Together With Young People” which looks at systems that facilitate multiple disadvantages for young people. https://twyp.org.uk/  

  1. Seeking the voice of young people  
  1. Working with professionals 
  1. Podcast 

 

You can contact Mike for more info Michael.benson@changing-lives.org.uk 

They have a Showcase Event on 27 March at York St Johns, tickets are free but must be pre-booked. 

 

 

Networking 

 

Everyone shared their social media accounts in the chat. Please can you like, follow and share to widen your reach 

https://www.facebook.com/TheRetreatClinics   https://www.instagram.com/theretreatclinics/   

https://twitter.com/ClinicsRetreat 

https://www.facebook.com/BetterConnectUK/  https://www.instagram.com/betterconnectuk/ https://twitter.com/BetterConnectUK  

https://twitter.com/livewellyork  

 

JM provided a quick overview of Better Connect and they are equipped to deal with neurodiverse issues. 

 

RK is looking to hear from practitioners who have access to and use “best practice” research in their work in order to better their outcomes for a course he is doing. Please get in touch if you have any resources to share: rob.kilner@york.gov.uk  

JM shared the following link to research commissioned by Kings College London on experiences of our project keyworkers supporting people with mental health and benefits, including best practice https://betterconnect.org.uk/our-projects/action-towards-inclusion/research-and-evaluation/  

 

SF is looking for support regarding an individual with hydrocephalus; specifically understanding the diagnosis and support living with it. Please get in touch if you can help: sarah.furness@york.gov.uk  

 

EW spoke about the free online workshops that the Retreat offer. Different topics every month. Events updated regularly. https://theretreatclinics.org.uk/events/. If anyone has any subject matter they feel would be useful for people they work with get in touch as they are always looking for new suggestions. lbaldwin@theretreatclinics.org.uk or ewarren@theretreatclinics.org.uk  

Look out for a neurodiverse one coming up soon.  

 

RK needs neurodiverse information updated on Live Well York. Some services aren’t already on there. Please get in touch if your information needs to be added. livewellyork@york.gov.uk  

 

CCC adds if anyone has any suggestions for future People on the Ground meetings to get in touch: catherine.claudius-cole@york.gov.uk  

 

EW asks if People on the Ground meetings are online only and has offered to host a face-to-face meeting in the future if people are happy to meet. 

 

CCC thanked the guests and everyone for attended and brought the meeting to a close. 

 

 

 

 

Date of next meeting: Wednesday 19th April 10-12pm 

 

AGENDA: 

10am- 10.15am Introduction and welcome from Catherine Claudius-Cole / Natalie Greaves (CYC/LAC) and Simon Daglish (CVS)  

10.15am-10.40am – Including Q&A. Guest Speaker – Elaine Kelly; Converge   

10.40am - 10.50am Break  

10.50am-11.30am Information Session/ Facilitated discussion (2nd Speaker) Converge Past Present and Future  

11.30am-12pm Networking/Discussion/Sharing Stories  

 

 

 

Joining Instructions: 

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Passcode: 006791 

 

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Connecting Our Communities

People on the Ground 21 December 2022

10am until 12pm

 

 

Introduction and welcome from Jennie Cox (CYC) and Simon Daglish (CVS) 

 

There were 8 attendees. Everyone introduced themselves.

 

Guest Speaker – Ivana Jakubkova
Sustainability Officer & Project Co-ordinator of York Energy Advice

Ivana provided an overview of York Energy Advice which is a new energy advice service for York residents providing free support to anyone who is:

  • on a low income
  • or aged 50 or over
  • or experiencing a long term physical or mental health condition or disability.

This 2-year project, funded through the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme, is a joint partnership led by St Nicks and York Community Energy, with support from Yorkshire Energy Doctor and other local partners.

The friendly team at York Energy Advice can provide free, impartial advice and support you with reducing energy bills, for example through switching your energy supplier and installing simple energy saving measures such as draught-proofing or LEDs. They can also refer you to other local support organisations that can help with other issues such as debt advice or insulation grants as well as mental health support and others.

For free advice and more information, please fill in a referral form via York Energy Advice website or call 01904 922249. 

Contact Ivana for copies of the flyer, and powerpoint slides.

Other Resources:  

Advisor training on water and energy bills (no.7) on Wed 11th January, 9am-11:30am on Zoom.

This free training with York Energy Advice will look at various ways in which you can either directly help clients reduce their water and energy bills, or refer them on for further help. You may not be ordinarily dealing with such issues but the knowledge gained from the training will extend the range of support you can give to those in need, and may prove useful to you too. More info & booking on Eventbrite.

 

 

ACTION: If you have any queries please contact Ivana at:

ivana@stnicks.org.uk

 

 

The group thanked Ivana for her overview.

 

 

Networking/Discussion/Sharing Stories 

 

The floor was open to the group and a short discussion followed about Winter Pressures and the Cost Of Living Crisis and its impact on mental health and wellbeing.

 

Please find below links to the resources discussed.

 

Turn2us website with benefits calculator to find out welfare benefits entitlements and grants/awards available:

Turn2us Benefits Calculator

 

Help for Households – breakdown of help with rising energy and cost of living costs available through national schemes: Help for Households - Get government cost of living support

 

Local help with cost of living rises – attached PDF and Live Well York Talk Money and Help with Food pages:

York Talk Money - Help with Cost of Living | Live Well York

Community Food Help | Live Well York

 

Minutes:

The Minutes for the last People On The Ground Network meeting are available in the Professional Zone on LWY. All future meeting minutes will be shared here first.

 

 

Date of next meeting: Wednesday 22 February 2023 10-12pm

 

Agenda to follow

 

 

 

Joining Instructions:

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Meeting ID: 848 8125 4703

Passcode: 006791

 

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Connecting Our Communities

People on the Ground 23 November 2022

10am until 12pm

 

 

Introduction and welcome from Jennie Cox (CYC) and Simon Daglish (CVS) 

 

Everyone introduced themselves.

 

 

Guest Speakers – Kate Helme and Savanna Thompson

Adult Social Care Transformation Team, City of York Council

 

Kate and Savanna provided an overview of Connecting our City and the Community MH Hub.

Contact Kate and Savannah for copies of the slides and the following resouces:

1. Beat Self-referral information document (Beat York Self referral Offer 2.1) this can be shared with individuals who would like more information about the programs available.

2. Beat Services referral information document (Beat York Offer AD 1.2) and support programme criteria. This can be circulated within your organisation.

We have just received details of the new landing page on the Beat website, for programs available in York.

Beat are also holding a carers course ‘Coping with Christmas’ which designed to help carers during the festive season and is now open for bookings.

We have organised two virtual meetings via zoom which will be led by members of the Beat team to share information on how to access support and allow people to find out more information/ask any questions they may have:

  • Tuesday 29th November 9.00am-10.00am

Join Zoom Meeting

Passcode: 299146

  • Thursday 1st December 16.00pm-17.00pm

Join Zoom Meeting

Passcode: 515023

 

If anyone would like to join any of the workstreams or find out more information, please signpost to Connectingourcity@york.gov.uk.

 

 

 

ACTION: If you have any queries please contact Kate and Savanna at:

connectingourcity@york.gov.uk

 

 

The group thanked Kate and Savanna for their overview.

 

 

 

Networking/Discussion/Sharing Stories 

 

The link to the podcast Jennie Cox recorded with YDRF which was mentioned in the meeting.

YDRF Podcasts - York Disability Rights Forum

Minutes for the last People On The Ground Network meeting are available in the Professional Zone on LWY. All future meeting minutes will be shared here first.

 

 

Date of next meeting: Wednesday 21 December 10-12pm

Agenda to follow

Joining Instructions:

Join Zoom Meeting 21st December

 

Meeting ID: 848 8125 4703

Passcode: 006791

 

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        +44 203 481 5240 United Kingdom

        +44 208 080 6591 United Kingdom

        +44 208 080 6592 United Kingdom

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        +44 131 460 1196 United Kingdom

 

Meeting ID: 848 8125 4703

Passcode: 006791

 

Join by Skype for Business

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Connecting Our Communities

People on the Ground 26th October 2022

10am until 12pm

 

Attendees

Natalie Collins – (Oh My Life Domestic Violence Courses)

Derek Gauld – (CYC, Housing Regeneration and Asset Management)

Jennie Cox – (CYC, Senior Local Area Coordinator)

Joe McKenzie – (Better Connect)

Jackie Holme – (York Haven)

Anna – (Mental Health Hub, Mental Health Social Worker)

Ashley Watson – (Connecting Our City, Transformation Team)

Joe Micheli – (CYC, Head of Communities)

June Tranmer – (Wellbeing in York)

Mark Green (York in Recovery, a Lived Experience Recovery Organisation)

Becky Elliott (CYC, Community Facilitator)

Simon Daglish – (York CVS)

Kian – (NHS)

Shamim Eimaan (Humber & North Yorks Care Partnership ICS, Project Support Officer)

Pete Roberts – (CYC, Local Area Coordinator)

Peter Harrison – (Lived Experience)

York Peer Support

 

Introduction and welcome from Jennie Cox (CYC) and Simon Daglish (CVS) 

 

Simon – introduced self and Anna who were both at 30 Clarence Street for the opening of the new Mental Health Hub and explained that Anna will be working out of 30 Clarence Street. In next month’s People on the Ground Meeting there will be more information about the Mental Health Hub. 

 

Everyone Introduced self via the chat on Zoom chat.

 

Guest Speaker – Pete Roberts, CYC Local Area Coordinator for Heworth walking alongside Peter Harrison.

 

Pete bought along Peter Harrison to the meeting who kindly shared his lived experience of his mental health and being admitted to hospital with psychosis and paranoia with regards to mobile phone.

 

Peter shared his life experiences that have brought him to where he is today including trauma as a child witnessing his ma being physically assaulted, hallucinations and delusions including of him committing suicide, dreams about past and future racism, drinking, gambling where he has won and lost thousands and changes in relationships with his now ex-wife.

 

 

Peter and Pete discussed the difficulties lockdown created for Peter. Peter found that exercise really helped him manage with his mental health, stating that he would walk for miles a day, telling the voices that he was calm. During lockdown Peter felt very isolated contributing to this was his paranoia with regards to phones. Pete and Peter were introduced during this time and started to meet weekly to go for walks in the local community and Peter has now found other ways to help manage how he is feeling including listening to music through headphones, painting, visiting cafes and cycling on a bike machine and doing weights. Peter now feels able to and has a smart phone and has come on to the video call today to speak about his experiences, a wonderful achievement following his thoughts about phones previously.

 

Peter spoke of having a really supportive family to help him including his two sons and his ex-wife. Peter also continues to receive support from Huntington House and MIND. Speaking of how far he has come in his recovery Peter spoke of how one of his sons wanted to go and see a Chelsea match to which they have now been to watch following Peter organising the whole trip.

 

Peter and Pete spoke about how he is very open about his mental health experiences including his hallucinations, explaining ‘I’ve still got my sense of humour’.

 

Peter spoke of how he has found the last six months difficult and discussed how he is back seeing a psychiatrist to support him through this time but also recognised the progression he has made, speaking about how previously he would have got a bus or taxi to hospital appointments but now is able to cycle to these.

 

Questions were presented to Peter:

Peter spoke of the painting he has done including one being put up in a care home.

Derek spoke of developing his art in his area and being involved with The Groves. Peter spoke of his involvement with Converge and his enjoyment of music and his support he gets through this also.

 

Jennie spoke of Tang Hall Smart also that may be a good support also. And discussed Peter’s experiences of the media’s portrayal of psychosis. Peter spoke of how he did not speak about it for a long time due to those visions from the past of how it is portrayed with ‘straight jackets’ but spoke of how more people have come out with this in the media. Peter spoke of how he engaged in all the ‘normal things’ in life such as going on holiday and working throughout his life in different professions all whilst experiencing psychosis. Challenging his hallucinations at times to help manage and control his psychosis. Pete speaks so openly and calmly about things which Pete speaks of how this is a testament to Peter as a person. 

 

Pete spoke about the value of ‘walking alongside’ others and how currently Peter does not require visits as regular now following having weekly visits at one time.

 

Everyone thanked Peter for sharing his story and invited him to stay until the end of the meeting.

 

Guest Speaker – Natalie Collins, Oh My Life Course Domestic Violence Training.

 

Natalie spoke of the work she has done to support women who experience domestic violence from men including creating the Oh My Life Training courses and Day Training for professionals.

 

Other work that Natalie has completed was a campaign against the 50 Shades of Grey book due to the domestic violence message it sends, campaigning for Women’s rights and writing a book.

 

Natalie discussed some of the content of the Oh My Life Course which includes that abusive people feel that they own their partner and what the Course helps to do is to enable women take their ownership of their life back. The course talks through their trauma both internally and externally.

 

The course is for 12 weeks and can be completed online if they have left their partner or in person if they have not. Training is led by all-female practitioners. Natalie spoke of how there is currently a high coverage of the course in Scotland and Wales.

 

Demonstrated and explained the content on the Oh My Life Discovery – Online platform for the videos used in the training which there is a subscription required for these. Natalie showed us from this platform The Cycle of Abuse and We are Superpowered Videos of which all videos are in a whiteboard format.

 

York Peer Support kindly discussed their lived experience of completing the Oh My Life Course. They spoke of how they can really see the benefit of the training both for those with lived in experiences and practitioners also. Speaking of the benefits of the training for someone who they are currently working with and how it helped them build their working connection and the individual to feel comfortable and supported by York Peer Support. Jennie who is also supporting this lady spoke of how it emphasises the importance of lived experiences and spoke of ensuring individuals are seen as valuable and not vulnerable. Please see attached LAC story of this individual.

 

Group Discussion:

 

The group discussed the importance of human relationships and that they are a basic human need and individuals not being seen as dependent on services; the impact of domestic violence on children including the resource NaPack being available to adults who were abused as children. It was discussed that it may be beneficial to have Oh My Life Courses as a resource for the Mental Health Hub also.

Discussed emotional abuse and the impacts this has and the changes in service access due to this, such as police not being involved until there is physical abuse.

Ashley kindly shared her lived experience of domestic violence, and we all celebrated the year away from her ex-partner.

 

Discussed the links with other services supporting those individuals who have experienced domestic violence such as IDAS and Kyra and the needs for support for men also.

 

Natalie, York Peer Support, and Ashley were thanked for sharing their stories.

 

 

 

Date of next meeting: Wednesday 23rd November 10-12pm

 

AGENDA:

10am- 10.15am Introduction and welcome from Jennie Cox (CYC/LAC) and Simon Daglish (CVS)

10.15am-10.40am – Including Q&A. Guest Speaker – 

10.40am - 10.50am Break

10.50am-11.30am Information Session/ Facilitated discussion (2nd Speaker)  

11.30am-12pm Networking/Discussion/Sharing Stories

Connecting Our Communities

People on the Ground 31st August 2022

10am until 12pm

 

Attendees

Jennie Cox (CYC, Senior Local Area Coordinator)

Catherine Claudius-Cole (CYC, Local Area Coordinator, Dringhouses and Woodthorpe)

Emma Harris (CYC, Local Area Coordinator, Huntington)

Peter Roberts (CYC, Local Area Coordinator, Heworth)

Marie Addy (CYC, Local Area Coordinator Acomb into Holgate)

Mark Green (York in Recovery, a Lived Experience Recovery Organisation). Project Leader for our CIC (Community Interest Company).

Rob Kilner (CYC, Live Well York)

June Tranmer (Wellbeing in York)

Shamim Eimaan (Humber & North Yorks Care Partnership ICS, Project Support Officer)

Jo Mahoney (Specialist Occupational Therapist NE Community Mental health Team for Older People)

Grianne Feeney (Student CMHT)

Wendy Kent (York Explore Libraries)

Louise Rowley (York CVS, Social Prescribing Team - ACCET Autism Community Connectors & Engagement Team)

Holly Sizer (York Families Wellbeing Service) York Families Wellbeing Service

Becky Elliott (CYC, Community Facilitator, Fulford, Fishergate, Heslington)

Elizabeth Webster (CYC, Manager, York Family Information Service and Young People Information Service)

Rebecca Robinson - carers support worker at York Carers Centre. Running the mental health carers groups as well as working within the Pathway to Recovery project.

 

 

Introduction and welcome from Jennie Cox (CYC)  

 

Attendees introduced themselves in the chat. Jennie welcomed attendees who were new to the meeting.

 

Jennie outlined the purpose and remit of the meetings. The meeting is held for anyone  with an interest in mental health and well-being and is inclusive, across all sectors/walks of life. The People on the Ground Network is designed to share knowledge and provide an opportunity to network; an opportunity for story-telling and explore the impact of systems change, increase awareness of services, joint learning and information. It is part Connecting our City Network.

 

It is a broad network and speakers are invited to contact Jennie Cox or Simon Dalgleish to book a slot to share stories and practice at future meetings. Each meeting will have a theme; today’s theme; Mental Health and Substance Use.

The Agenda for the meeting was outlined:  

 

AGENDA:

10am- 10.15am Introduction and welcome from Jennie Cox (CYC/LAC)

10.15am-10.40am – Including Q&A. Guest Speaker – Mark Green (York in Recovery)

10.40am - 10.50am Break

10.50am-11.30am Information Session/ Facilitated discussion (2nd Speaker) Michael Benson (Changing Lives York Drug and Alcohol, Services, Young People, Mental Health and Substance Abuse)

11.30am – 12pm Networking/Discussion/Sharing Stories

 

 

 

Mark Green – York in Recovery (YIR)

 

Mark outlined the history of YIR which was established in 2010. It is a peer led recovery and abstinence focussed group. Aim is to demonstrate that recovery from dependency is possible, whilst acknowledging it is difficult. The membership took a slight dip after its initial formation, but membership is now picking up. It is a CIC (Community Interest Company) receiving funding in 2021) with 5 directors and a forum of 20 active people involved in the committee. There are long term plans to establish it as a charity. Mark emphasised the fact that it was a ‘Lived Experience Recovery’ organisation and emphasised the multi-factored nature of dependency, and the strong correlation between poor mental health. Mark highlighted the difficulty in accessing mental health support alongside drug and alcohol treatment (dual diagnosis).

 

YIR is involved with around 15 different projects; some are joint partnerships with other organisations such as Changing Lives. Mark highlighted the allotment project – the allotment is on Hob moor and is a space for people to gather and sit and engage in some gardening.

 

Mark stated that WhatsApp was the main platform for communication for YIR. They hold a community chat session on Monday evening and a creative recovery session which they hoped to hold in person at some point.

 

Emma Harris asked for more details about the recovery cafes and times and locations.

 

Recovery cafes: Recovery Cafe | yorkinrecovery.com

 

Mark stated that they have an open - door policy and hope to start a new café at Acomb Garth. Jennie Cox stated that many of the LACs connect people to the Recovery Cafes and the one in the city centre and Tang Hall are a great success.

 

Rob Kilner asked about the allotment / gardening at Hob Moor. Mark stated that the allotment was taken over from Changing Lives and four people had a significant role in developing it. LACs are also involved and are able to bring citizens to the allotment. It is hoped that some of the food will be distributed at food shares (apples etc).

 

The rehabilitation programme utilise the allotment, weather permitting.

 

 

ACTION: Jennie Cox requested that information regarding Recovery Cafes and the Allotment be shared on Live Well York in the professionals zone section for the POTG Network/Connecting our City.

 

 

Jennie Cox mentioned Anna from Public Health who spoke at the meeting in June and the new alcohol self assessment tool she outlined then, updating this is now developed and live and can be accessed via Live Well York and other online forums.

 

Rob Kilner highlighted the section of Live Well York which lists the Changing Habits programme and other drug and alcohol support:

Alcohol and Wellbeing 

Help for Drugs and Alcohol use 

 

Jennie Cox continued the discussion around dual diagnosis. Stated that Dr Stephen Finlay coordinates the dual diagnosis response and shared the email of Mandy Mc Murray who organises the dual diagnosis forum:

 

MCMURRAY, Mandy (TEES, ESK AND WEAR VALLEYS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST) m.mcmurray1@nhs.net

 

 

Michael Benson – Unavailable

 

 

Discussion and Networking

Jennie Cox opened the meeting up for stories and reflection

 

EH shared the experience of trying to support a friend who was currently experiencing alcohol dependency; homelessness; background of domestic abuse and some estrangement from his children. Requested some advice on how to support the friend as there was no acknowledgement that alcohol was a problematic factor. Poor mental health was also a factor in the presentation.

 

Discussion around supporting someone whilst they are in crisis. EH queried if the Recovery Cafes would be a good idea. Mark Green encouraged this and emphasised the importance of friends and family. EH stated that previous engagement with drug and alcohol services had not been positive. Mark shared his experience of sporadic engagement with services and emphasised that York had over 30 meetings a week to support people with dependency problems; SMART, AA, NA, Recovery Cafes. Jennie Cox suggested that YDAS were very flexible and re-engagement could be encouraged. 

 

Mark Green emphasised the importance of understanding the lived experience of substance use and shared the link to the York MCN Direct Experience page which Jennie mentioned.  (The link is broken).

 

Rob Kilner suggested accessing the alcohol self-assessment tools on Live Well York:

Alcohol and Wellbeing | Live Well York

 

Jo Mahony suggested that now might not be the right time for him to access mental health support; EH role was more of sitting with and watching, offering support where possible. Jennie Cox highlighted the cycle of change and waiting for a ‘window of opportunity’ for action. Peter Roberts acknowledged that it was harder to witness friends experiencing crisis. Suggested that alcohol use might not be the best issue to address primarily; that homelessness and domestic abuse services may be more beneficial at this time and that these services can link into alcohol services. Emphasised the need to establish ‘what matters to him’ and put ‘building blocks’ around that to stabilise other factors in his life. Pick somewhere to break the cycle.

 

The estrangement from his children was discussed. Pete Roberts suggested that contact with his child could be a stabilising factor. Discussion as to whether the child’s school had been informed of the situation; parents had a volatile relationship which has impacted upon the child.

 

Elizabeth suggested that Early Help Assessment/ MASH/ contact with LAC could be beneficial.

 

Mark Green posted link with information regarding support for children 

Mark Green reiterated that he could self-refer to Blossom Street or Oak Trees.

Clinical services are provided by Spectrum for Alcohol Detoxification. The need for managed withdrawal was raised if there was evidence of alcohol dependency.

 

June Tramner stated that the Well-being service does have some experience working with addictions / restoring body to balance/ internal organs / Acknowledged costs could be a barrier. No access to funding currently. June invited EH to discuss with her the options.

 

Jennie Cox directed Emma to previous meeting minutes and June’s service and stated that the ESF (Early Support Fund) could help with a few sessions. Reiterated importance of what works for him. Might be more open to access MH services rather than alcohol services.

 

EH reflected that she had tried to encourage engagement with services.

 

Jennie Cox reminded participants of the confidential nature of meeting and highlighted how complex addictions are as a multi-factored and often long-term condition. Discussed the Multiple Complex Needs Network which had been around since 2018 with the aim to improve systems for people with MCN addiction/ homelessness/ Mental Health difficulties, based more upon the more lived experienced. Life project – lived experience network. Miles Goring – LEN – co productive network link our city – more a focus on Mental Health.

 

Pete Roberts highlighted risk reduction aspects of support.

 

 

 

Cost of Living Crisis

 

Pete Roberts asked for discussion on CLC. Jennie Cox confirmed that this is a pertinent issue for all.

 

Elizabeth mentioned the Community Hubs and Food Banks requesting that the information needs to be comprehensive and up to date. Highlighted the importance of sharing the information on different platforms as some people might not approach services for help. LACs noted a rise in people requesting assistance for the first time.

School uniform help was discussed and information can be found on City of York Council (CYC) school uniform website information.

Jennie Cox stated that CYC has appointed food officers to map out the food resources so hopefully soon we will have a more comprehensive map of resources. Jennie and Pete Roberts will attend a meeting tomorrow (01/09/22) to link to a church in Heworth who have been collected school uniform for distribution.

 

Wendy stated that there is discussion around libraries being used as warm banks; a plan that might become more formalised in long term. This also involves looking at how people can be engaged in other activities whilst there.

Jennie Cox confirmed that the issue of heat banks linking to libraries/ community hubs/ food and other support is being discussed.

Pete Roberts asked if there had been an increase in children using resources (PC) use. Wendy stated that the use of WiFi has increased. Pete Roberts asked if libraries could become more ‘homework friendly’ spaces to save on children using electric at home.

Wendy stated that she would raise this issue at a forthcoming meeting.

 

Jennie Cox reminded participants of the IT reuse scheme – IT Laptops/ internet access via the community furniture store. Reiterated rising energy prices in Oct and January set to hit £4.5k per annum will create more hardship.

 

Gov.uk website has financial support information Cost of Living Payment

 

Acknowledged that the voluntary sector will need to fill in the gaps for some people. There are a number of initiatives; The Ridings are looking at establishing a cost of living fund; residents were invited to donate Council Tax rebates. CVS are to host a broad discussion on the Cost of Living Crisis on 6th October broad discussion  – tickets via Eventbrite.

 

Pete Roberts acknowledged that businesses/ charities are also struggling and has seen an increase in young families with both parents working, needing support. These families have never accessed support before.

Jennie Cox confirmed that there will be support in the form of grants for charities. There is access to YFAS – LACs can put in applications without so much burden of proof and ESF (Early Support Fund).  

 

June Tranmer wanted to end on some more positive messages. Warm Hubs could be an opportunity for people to come together for support.

Queried if school uniforms are useful at this time with people struggling to buy them.

Jennie Cox emphasised the strength in community which was seen in the pandemic.

 

Wendy explained about the launch of the Big City Read. This is a pay what want event with the artist in residence reading a book in at library and people will be able to discuss and share stories. Tickets available on Eventbrite.

‘Reading Together – Fiona Shaw author 22nd Sept Burnholme for 10 weeks.

Reading Together at Tang Hall Explore Tickets, York | Eventbrite

Reading Together at Acomb Explore Tickets, Mon 10 Oct 2022 at 18:00 | Eventbrite

Shared Reading Tickets, Tue 6 Sep 2022 at 10:30 | Eventbrite

 

Pete Roberts mentioned that the Womens’ Centre will hold a monthly meeting to support practitioners.

 

Elizabeth requested that people remember to let York Family Information Service know about any support, groups, services you have for families, children and young people so we can share with families and practitioners – It is a free service and it's to be added to the directory and promote on the social media and website.

 

 

Close

 

Jennie Cox thanked participants and closed the meeting.

 

 

 

Date of next meeting: Wednesday 28th September 2022

Focus will be Cultural Well-Being

 

 

 

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Connecting Our Communities

People on the Ground 3 August 2022

10am until 12pm

 

Attendees

Jennie Cox (CYC, Senior Local Area Coordinator)

Simon Daglish (York CVS)

Rob Kilner (CYC, Live Well York)

June Tranmer (Wellbeing in York)

Marie Addy (CYC, Local Area Coordinator)

Martin Bond (York St John University)

Libby Crofts (Move the Masses, Move Mates Project Manager)

Shamim Eimaan (Humber & North Yorks Care Partnership ICS, Project Support Officer)

Derek Gauld (CYC, Regeneration & Housing Asset Manager)

Samantha Goddard (York St John University)

Miles Goring (York MCN Network)

Alice Hawken (CYC, Local Area Coordinator)

Una Heron (York Carer's Centre)

Penny Hutchinson (CYC, Local Area Coordinator)

Jo Mahoney (Specialist Occupational Therapist NE Community Mental health Team for Older People)

Joe McKenzie (Better Connect, Action Towards Inclusion programme manager)

Siobhan Moore (CYC, Local Area Coordinator)

Louise Rowley (York CVS, Social Prescribing Team - autistic children and young people)

Holly Sizer (York Families Wellbeing Service)

Clare Tate (CYC, Communities & Prevention)

Savannah Thompson (CYC, Community Mental Health Project Officer)

 

 

Introduction and welcome from Jennie Cox (CYC) and Simon Daglish (CVS) 

 

Everyone introduced themselves in the Chat.

 

 

Guest Speaker – Rob Kilner, Information Coordinator CYC

 

Rob provided an overview of the Live Well York website which is a cross between a community noticeboard and the Yellow Pages. It holds directories and over 80 pages of information and advice. It’s managed by CYC and 18 partner organisations.

 

Rob walked through a demonstration of the site. There are 3 main areas:

  • Information and advice
  • Directories of groups and events
  • Directories of Services and providers

There is also a Professional Zone area for practitioners which also holds all the minutes for the People on the Ground Network meetings.

 

Rob demo’d the following features

  • Information pages, these are kept up-to-date and relevant by partners
  • Easy Read pages for people with learning disabilities
  • Accessibility features for visual impairments
  • Language translation feature for non-English speakers
  • Searching the directories, activities and events using the filters of activity type, location or type of recipient
  • Creating an information booklet to share or print
  • How you can add your own listings, services or suggest changes to information pages
  • Latest news and how these can be shared to social media
  • Professional Zone – publicly accessed and where to find useful lists of residential care homes, home care providers and micro providers

 

 

ACTION: If you have any queries about the site or would like a walk through of the website and its content and features please contact Rob at: rob.kilner@york.gov.uk he can arrange for you or your team to have a demo.

Equally if you are wanting to add your group or service to the site or have any news you’d like to feature on Live Well York please get in touch.

 

 

The floor was open to questions and Rob was able to demo where to find the answer to their queries, particularly the entries for Local Area Coordinators. Rob also ran through some analytics including the most searched pages; York Talk Money

 

The group and people were really impressed with the content and usability of the website and will be sharing the resource with colleagues and individuals. It was discussed that the libraries and 30 Clarence St are available to help people to access LWY and that a Digital Inclusion Coordinator has also just been recruited.

 

The group thanked Rob for his overview.

 

 

Guest Speaker – June Tranmer, Wellbeing in York CIC

 

June presented to the group about Complementary Therapies and alternatives to medication for mental wellbeing. She talked through her personal background as a mental health nurse and the training she has undertaken such as homeopathy, kinesiology, acupuncture and the treatment of children and families. She is a member of several associations.

 

June talked through the importance of self care and the links between body, mind and spirit and the integrative approaches; holistic, looking at the whole person. Due to the long waiting lists for clinical therapies there is an opportunity for individuals to explore alternatives. June runs several “self care” courses. She has found that this can often prevent the need for medical interventions. People shared their experiences in the chat and commented that it often is cheaper and more effective than medication. To ensure people have the right support before exploring trauma and complementary therapies can be part of the holisitic care package.

 

June talked through some of the therapies she practices; including Flower Essences, Acupuncture and Kinesiology. Flower Essences include the “rescue remedy” or five flower essences which can lift people’s mood. Pain is energy that is blocked and acupuncture is the easing of the flow of blood. She uses needles, magnets and massage and uses a person-centred approach to identify the pressure points for each individual. She also practices “Touch for Health” particularly self care workshops. She explained why we instinctively massage our temples when in pain or stressed.

 

June also talked briefly through some of the other therapies, e.g. aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy, reflexology, nutritional therapy, naturopathy, EFT and more!

 

June also talked through her aspirations of a fully integrated service, free at the point of delivery with smaller community based groups that are available to listen to people. GPs would be replaced by “Health Guides” who instead of “doing to” would walk alongside and guide people through self care. "I'm keeping company with you whilst you find your own way”.

 

The group discussed how available alternative therapies were to young people and families, how they would know about what is on offer, what is suitable and how to refer themselves. Questions around referrals from clinicians as this is where families have to turn for initial help. June added that she does provide a free telephone consultation so people can decide if the therapy is suitable for them.

 

It was concluded that there needs to be more done to raise the profile and access to alternative therapies, either through links with clinicians, organisations, services and a better web presence. It would be good to see alternative therapies in people’s care plans.

 

June has shared her presentation slides

 

 

 

ACTION: Please contact June for more information -

June Tranmer, Wellbeing in York, The Raylor Centre, York, YO10 3DW; june@wellbeinginyork.org; 01904 927157, 07932 163602.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Networking/Discussion/Sharing Stories 

Simon introduced Stevie Lee the new Social Prescriber.

Jennie has enclosed the story she shared a couple of meetings ago.

 

Date of next meeting: Wednesday 31 August 10-12pm

 

AGENDA:

10am- 10.15am Introduction and welcome from Jennie Cox (CYC/LAC) and Simon Daglish (CVS)

10.15am-10.40am – Including Q&A. Guest Speaker – Mark Green (York in Recovery)

10.40am - 10.50am Break

10.50am-11.30am Information Session/ Facilitated discussion (2nd Speaker) Michael Benson (Changing Lives York Drug and Alcohol, Services, Young People, Mental Health and Substance Abuse)

11.30am-12pm Networking/Discussion/Sharing Stories

 

 

 

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Connecting Our Communities

People on the Ground July 2022

10am until 12pm

 

 

Introduction and welcome from Jennie Cox (CYC) and Simon Daglish (CVS) 

 

Everyone introduced themselves.

 

 

Guest Speaker – Joe McKenzie (ATI Programme Manager – Better Connect Limited)

 

Joe provided an overview of Action Towards Inclusion (ATI) project for York and Yorkshire which has been running since 2017 and is partly funded by the European Social Fund and match funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. Its part of a larger scale National Building Better Opportunities project aimed to provide employability support to economically inactive people, those not working and not seeking work. People typically have complex needs, debt, long-term unemployment, mental health and physical health problems. Mental health and wellbeing has been one of the most prominent issues for people accessing the project.

 

It’s a group of 30 partner organisations – all VCSE, there are 10-15 centred around York. These key worker organisations provide 1-1 support. They meet with individuals to provide CV writing and upskilling support plus there are specialist intervention providers;

  • Counselling
  • Debt advice
  • Wellbeing courses, e.g. creative arts

 

They provide a holistic approach to overcome barriers with the aim of moving people into employment or educational training as their outcomes.

 

Its completely FREE to access and there is no fixed time to access the provision – although the project is due to end in June 2023. And it works well in tandem with other support. The project has seen some great successes. They’ve had 3,000 referrals over 5 years and 1,000 have achieved their outcomes. People have gone back to employment after decades, people have started their own businesses and some have enrolled on courses. Some of the success stories can be viewed here:

Stephen and Mick's story

Fanta's story

Jo's story

 

And lots more on the channel!

 

 

There are several ways people can be referred:

  • 3rd party – straight to one of the partners
  • Self referral
  • Better Connect – passes over to partners

 

Resources:  

Better Connect - organisation page which has details on Better Connect and specifics about ATI and all their other programmes.

 

For any general inquiries or about referrals, people can contact Joe directly or they have a project email: ati@betterconnect.org.uk and if anyone calls 01423 795300 they can speak to any one of the team.

 

 

ACTION: If you have any queries please contact Joe at:

j.mckenzie@betterconnect.org.uk

 

 

The floor was open to the group and a short discussion followed about future funding for the project to extend the deadline date. There is potentially Connecting Our City funding available.

 

 

ACTION: Joe to connect with Kate and Savannah over funding.

 

 

The group thanked Joe for his overview.

 

 

Introduction to York VCSE Alliance partnership project

 

Partnership between York CVS and York Mind to develop and community approach to mental health services in York. The project is being led by Natasha Almond to shape the priorities and plans with an emphasis on the right activities and support are commissioned.

 

In this session Simon was collating examples of gaps in provision to feedback to Natasha. The group was asked to look at demands, gaps and ideas for MH provision.

 

A discussion took place about counselling and waiting lists, e.g. York St John, Mind, independent counsellors and therapists, clinical routes/NHS, private sector. People are unclear of TEWV’s referral criteria. The general consensus was around the short term nature of existing provision. 6 sessions and then you’re done.

Counselling is an expensive service to have, perhaps £40-£60ph privately. Commissioners will need to play a role in this and funding be provided to service providers to enable workers on the ground to refer people. Flexible funding required; TEWV, people asked for contribution towards counselling, early support fund. Better Connect have been able to provide or fund counselling and varied other support and been discussing making it a central theme of projects they do in the future, as it's a massive growing issue for people across the UK now.

 

Lack of free options for people on low incomes. Menfulness, York Learning, Converge. People suggested the availability of trainee counsellors. Young People’s Mind offer counselling. The Retreat run 2 adult post diagnostic autism groups from 30 Clarence Street and provide time limited counselling at the Tuke Centre which is really good. Can the hub fund counsellors or trainee psychologists? TEWV have trainee psychologists, as do Uni of York and Uni of Hull.

 

Waiting lists for CAMHS is up to 1 year for 1-1 work. Autism diagnosis can be a wait of 2-3 years. There were too many gaps to mention here.

The discussion moved to Younger People and the if the provision was stronger for YP then there would be less need in adulthood. It was felt that there was a need to define what the CAMHS offer is and isn’t in order to address the gaps.

 

A digital directory was mentioned but it would need to be honest and up-to-date about waiting lists, timeframes and costs. It was sometimes difficult to get timely updates from TEWV when things have changed.

 

A focus was on people wanting to know what THEY can do to keep themselves well. AAM have a multi-sensory experience to offer, you can email them at imuse@aamedia.org.uk. People need choice and it needs to be person-centred. The 6 week capsule is very frustrating.

 

There is infrastructure on Live Well York to have a directory facility. The Mental Health pages are available for everyone to access for information and advice. There is already an activity database on the Connecting Our City pages in the Professional Zone. There currently are only 10 entries on LWY under “counselling”. A gap is how to make this information available to people.

 

 

ACTION: Rob to link in with Natasha. Jennie to link with Natasha to discuss the development on the Mental Health Roadmap, as part of alternatives to crisis funding

 

 

A discussion continued around non-clinical interventions and alternative options, at least whilst people are on waiting lists. This included PTMF, guided learning, AAM.  Its difficult for people to get onto waiting lists due to the waiting lists to get a GP. But can link into social prescribing through the link workers.

 

 

 

Networking/Discussion/Sharing Stories 

Big City Read – Reading Together sessions in October, please can you help to promote these.

Minutes for the last People On The Ground Network meeting are available in the Professional Zone on LWY. All future meeting minutes will be shared here first.

 

 

Date of next meeting: Wednesday 3 August 10-12pm

 

Agenda to follow

 

 

 

Joining Instructions:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://city-of-york.zoom.us/j/84881254703

 

Meeting ID: 848 8125 4703

Passcode: 006791

 

One tap mobile

+442034815237,,84881254703#,,,,*006791# United Kingdom

+442034815240,,84881254703#,,,,*006791# United Kingdom

 

Dial by your location

        +44 203 481 5237 United Kingdom

        +44 203 481 5240 United Kingdom

        +44 208 080 6591 United Kingdom

        +44 208 080 6592 United Kingdom

        +44 330 088 5830 United Kingdom

        +44 131 460 1196 United Kingdom

 

Meeting ID: 848 8125 4703

Passcode: 006791

 

Join by Skype for Business

https://city-of-york.zoom.us/skype/84881254703

 

 

 

 

 

Attendees:

Co-Chair: Jennie Cox, (CYC, Senior Local Area Coordinator)

Co-Chair: Simon Daglish (York CVS)

Guest Speaker: Georgina Stokes (Qwell)

Guest Facilitator: Anna Brown (CYC, Public Health)

Alice Hawken (CYC, Local Area Coordinator)

Bianca Vartic (CYC, Community Involvement Officer)

Catherine Claudius-Cole (CYC, Local Area Coordinator)

Dario Spodane (OT, TEWV Mental Health Early Intervention & Prevention Service)

David Harvey (CYC, Mental Health Recovery Service – 30 Clarence St)

Derek Gould (CYC, Housing Regeneration Manager)

Emma Green (Joseph Rowntree Trust)

Erica Scott (CYC, Approved Mental Health)

Holly Sizer (York Families Wellbeing Service)

Joe Micheli (CYC, Head of Communities)

June Tranmer (Wellbeing in York)

Libby Crofts (Project Manager, Move The Masses)

Pete Roberts (CYC, Local Area Coordinator)

Samantha Goddard (CYC, Local Area Coordinator)

Sarah Furness (CYC, Local Area Coordinator)

Wendy Kent (Service Developer, Explore York Libraries and Archives)

 

 

  1. Introduction and welcome from Jennie Cox (CYC) and Simon Daglish (CVS)

Jennie and Simon introduced the meeting and outlined how the People on the Ground Network is going to run.

Three strands to focus on going forwards:

  • Skills sharing / training / peer supporting across sectors – whilst building positive partnership working
  • Storytelling for impact and change
  • Sharing info about what is happening in the community

 

New Format for monthly meetings:

  • In response to the survey and discussions in previous meetings
  • Inspired by Practitioners Forum and LAC Reflective Practice sessions
  • Guest Speaker and Guest Facilitator for each meeting
  • Time for networking and discussion at the end
  • Dip into meetings when you can
  • We need volunteer facilitators! Please get in touch.

 

 

ACTION: if you’d like to volunteer to speak or facilitate a session to share your skills and experience please contact Clare Tate on clare.tate@york.gov.uk

 

 

 

 

Updates:

  • Skills sharing platform on Live Well York – Rob Kilner to speak about this at June’s Meeting – We would welcome contributions
  • Regular update sessions regarding connecting our city and links to the community mental health transformation programme – contact Rachael Bolt or Kate Helme for details

 

 

  1. Guest Speaker – Georgina Stokes from Qwell – outlining their offer around mental health support.

We provide digital support via our live chat where our users can drop in for a one off chat or access booked sessions with our team of counsellors and emotional wellbeing practitioners. They have access to text based support and the chat is available 365 days of the year, 12-10pm weekdays and 6-10pm on weekends. Users then also have access to our online magazine, moderated forums, self-help tools and collections.

 

Qwell provides adults aged 18+ across York with free, safe and anonymous online mental health and wellbeing support. There are no waiting lists, no referrals and no thresholds required to access Qwell, which is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and delivered by Kooth plc, the UK’s largest digital mental health provider.

 

People can access support with a team of counsellors and emotional wellbeing practitioners 365 days of the year via live chat. Users can drop in for a one off chat or book a session in advance. The chat is available between 12-10pm weekdays and 6-10pm on weekends. The service also encourages peer to peer support via moderated discussion forums, access to an online magazine which users can contribute to, self-help tools and collections. 

 

We are able to provide...

Please find attached our Loneliness Support guide and social media images to help us raise awareness for Mental Health Awareness Week 2022. Please share on your social media channels and with your teams!

 

Social media template:

We can all feel a little lonely now and then. It's ok to reach out for support!

Find resources, podcasts and articles on Qwell or talk to others in the community with similar feelings and experiences. #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek.

Go to http://qwell.io to get started.

 

If anyone has any questions or requests feel free to email me on gstokes@kooth.com

 

A short discussion followed regarding language barrier for refugees and ways to address this. Also on using the data that Qwell collect to focus specific demographics, e.g. young males.

 

 

  1. Reflective Practice/Information Session – Alcohol advice and Brief Interventions

Guest Facilitator - Anna Brown from Public Health; for this session Anna talked through how we can all encourage health and wellbeing around alcohol use, which often goes hand in hand with mental health difficulties.

 

 

Link to Alcohol Change UK’s “Check Your Drinking:” https://alcoholchange.org.uk/alcohol-facts/interactive-tools/check-your-drinking

 

Links to services in the community:

https://www.livewellyork.co.uk/information-and-advice/health-and-wellbeing/alcohol-and-wellbeing/

https://www.livewellyork.co.uk/information-and-advice/health-and-wellbeing/help-for-drugs-and-alcohol-use/

 

 

 

  1. Networking/Discussion/AOB

 

Discussions included:

  • reasons why there is a big increase in alcohol, drugs and gambling
  • the dangers of removing people’s coping mechanisms
  • how to address the root causes
  • the changes required regarding dual diagnosis and psychological help provision for people with unresolved trauma.

 

 

Date of next meeting:

Thursday 9 June 10-12pm

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://city-of-york.zoom.us/j/84881254703

 

Meeting ID: 848 8125 4703

Passcode: 006791

 

One tap mobile

+442034815237,,84881254703#,,,,*006791# United Kingdom

+442034815240,,84881254703#,,,,*006791# United Kingdom

 

Dial by your location

        +44 203 481 5237 United Kingdom

        +44 203 481 5240 United Kingdom

        +44 208 080 6591 United Kingdom

        +44 208 080 6592 United Kingdom

        +44 330 088 5830 United Kingdom

        +44 131 460 1196 United Kingdom

 

Meeting ID: 848 8125 4703

Passcode: 006791

 

Join by Skype for Business

https://city-of-york.zoom.us/skype/84881254703

 

 

Last updated: 06/07/2022
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