There are two reports on mental health day support for your consideration, each summarising the views of Liverpool service users who took part in focus groups and workshops October - December 2010.
The exercise, co-ordinated by the Mental Health Making it Happen board, was conducted in order to elicit service users’ views and help ensure that they are made central to plans to modernise mental health day support in Liverpool.
Though we have tried to be inclusive, the reports do not constitute the final word on day support, but rather the opening of discussions about the design a comprehensive system of mental health day support and care in Liverpool which focuses on recovery and social inclusion.
Both reports will inform the development of proposals for formal consultation on day during May – July 2011.
The “Liverpool Have Your Say” report was prepared by a locally based mental health charity called Together for Mental Health with a track record of service user-led research and consultation.
The “Inspiration” report summarises women’s views, and was collated by the What Women Want Group.
Interviews and groups were co-facilitated by service users, and the responses were analysed by service user volunteers. A total of 22 workshops and focus groups took place, attended by nearly 200 mental health service users, at different locations across the City.
One focus group was conducted in Chinese and there were four women-only events attended by more than 60 women, including one with parents and one with BME women and Irish Travellers. The youngest participant was 25 and the oldest was 74. Some service users did not wish to attend a group and 11 people returned questionnaires instead.
Some consistent messages have emerged from these consultations, as follows:
- The safety, security and support offered by current services is appreciated, in particular those elements which focus on peer support, trying out new activities and providing a place of respite from the pressures of the “outside world”.
- Service users also want access to a more flexible and personalised model of care, with a focus on recovery and offering a springboard into an ordinary, less segregated life.
- There are some groups, in particular, people from BME communities, women and young people, who do not have equitable access to current provision, and they need to be directly involved in developing accessible services.
- There is a need for women only resource that can address women’s mental health needs within the broader context of their health and well-being
- Services need to work in partnership with other services and organisations that support service users and their families and carers
- Activities / opportunities – provide affordable, wide ranging and innovative activities and opportunities available based on the individual needs and expectations of service users.
- More work is needed to overcome barriers – including physical environment, geographical location and financial costs
- Quality of service provision - future mental health day services must be able to demonstrate their impact on people’s recovery by measuring improvements from the point of view of service users in their lives
- Family and Carer support and involvement - consider the involvement of families and carers and young carers and support their needs where appropriate. Service users should determine who is their carer and how they should be involved.
If you are a service user or care and you want to get involved contact Liverpool Mental Health Consortium on 0151 707 8799.
For more information on Liverpool’s plans for mental health day support contact Ann Williams Ann.Williams@liverpool.gov.uk