The Wellbeing Approach to Involvement

Angela Newton & Heather Murray

The Service User Directorate• Established in 2004• Gives people with experience of accessing services

a strong voice at local, regional and national levels• Internal and external focus• All staff within the Directorate have experienced

mental health problems and / or accessed mental health services

• Developed the Wellbeing Approach to Involvement

The Wellbeing Approach to Involvement

• Service user involvement activities enhancing individual wellbeing

• Good practice in co-production• Training and supporting service users to undertake

voluntary work in chosen areas to improve & develop services

• Helping service users to help Together to help other service users

The core principles

Based on service-user experiences ofinvolvement, the Approach was developed to:

1. add to individual wellbeing2. support local groups and communities3. be service-user led4. provide a collective perspective

Leadership Training

• Public-speaking, presentations & peer feedback

• Health and wellbeing

• Learning and working together

• Emotional literacy and wellbeing

• Self-esteem and confidence

• Legislation and policy

• Stigma and discrimination

• Media and internalised stigma and discrimination

• Equality and diversity

• Planning for the future

Heather’s involvement

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

Heather ...

Does it add to individual wellbeing?

DefinitelyIncreased self esteemIncreased confidenceHelps sense of achievement

Heather ...

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

Heather ...Is it service-user led?Leadership training is service-user ledMoney Matters – developed by people who

have used services (led by staff)Further involvement opportunities led by me –

group work / presentations / publicity One thing has led to others, increasingly led

by service users

Heather ...

Does it provide a collective perspective?Mostly provides a collective perspectiveNot just about one person’s ideas, thinking

what issues affect the majority of peoplePublicity work – my own experienceRecruitment – personal judgement about

what’s needed

Some benefits for service users

• Leadership training – confirms what already know and do, builds confidence

• Effecting all service users, not just individuals• Two way for staff and service users• Learn and take back good practice to own area and vice

versa• Problem solving• Networking• Continuity of involvement staff

In small groups, discuss the benefits and limitations of the Wellbeing Approach to Involvement for the following groups:-

service userscarers

staffcommissionersorganisations

society

How will this new knowledge influence you

after today?