THE BETH JOHNSON FOUNDATION Registered Charity: Volunteering for Health Project Final Report

Transcription

1 THE BETH JOHNSON FOUNDATION Registered Charity: Volunteering for Health Project Final Report

2 Volunteering for Health Project Final report Introduction The Volunteering for Health project was funded through Volunteering England as part of the Department of Health s Opportunities for Volunteering Scheme aimed at extending volunteer involvement. The project aimed to engage with people aged 45 and over, living in Stoke-on-Trent and experiencing difficulties with their mental health. The project supported individuals to build self-confidence, capacity, identity and engagement by involvement in voluntary work. Ranges of volunteering opportunities across various organisations were sourced by the coordinator with a particular emphasis on providing opportunities within Health and Social Care. The project was a three year funded project and had targets of recruiting 20 individuals per year and supporting them into voluntary placements as well as recruiting and training 10 mentors. Engagement The majority of volunteers have been recruited to the project by the co-ordinator whilst attending community events; this by far has been the best way of reaching this client group. Others have been referred to the project via outside organisations e.g. mental health services and external projects which weren t appropriate for the demanding needs or requirements of the individuals. Another route into the project was through existing projects within the Foundation, that were unable to provide the individual support that on many occasions was needed. Self referral was also another route into the project. Promotional materials were designed for the project. These included a leaflet and Pull-up-Banner which had real life pictures of some of the project volunteers on them. Recruitment for the project targeted areas that have the highest levels of unemployment and deprivation within the city. Leaflets were distributed to Community Centres, Residents and Housing Associations, Market places, Day Centres, Health Centres and GP surgeries, Job Centres, Libraries and other Voluntary Sector Organisations. Recruitment took place with the co-ordinator attending on average 4 promotional events per month. These were at various locations and events, including Open Days at the hospitals, Day Centres and Mental Health Resource Centres. The project was also represented at City Council events e.g. Respect Week, Consultation Events and Jobs/Training Fairs. The project co-ordinator worked in

3 close partnership with the Foundation s Mid-Life Project, attending Health Check events. This proved an ideal way of engagement with members of the public. In addition the co-ordinator was able to facilitate at the Health Check events. On occasions some of the project volunteers also went on to assist at Health Check events volunteering with the Mid-Life Team. The co-ordinator attended many meetings and quarterly forums including V.I.O.F - Volunteer Involving Organisation Forum, hosted by the Volunteer Centre Stoke-on-Trent V.I.S.S. - Volunteering in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Forum for Volunteer managers S.C.I.O Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Consortium of Infrastructure Organisations Network of Voluntary Sector and Community Sector Organisations The Involvement Forum - Combined HealthCare Volunteer recruitment and placement The majority of volunteers were individually recruited by the co-ordinator through promotional events and networking. Others were referred to the project via external organisations e.g. mental health services and external projects which weren t appropriate for the demanding needs or requirements of the individuals. Also other projects within the Foundation have referred their project members to this project. A total of 43 community members were recruited onto the project, all have taken part in an induction period and received support to access placements, complete CRB checks, and help with transport or travel expenses. More than 50% of the volunteers have been involved in a variety of placements within Health and Social Care settings. Impact Assessment questionnaires indicate that project volunteers as well as service users report an improvement in their health and wellbeing as a result of being involved with the project. Placements for the volunteers have been numerous throughout North Staffs Combined Healthcare including the Pamper Trolley, Delivery of Gentle Exercise Active in Age and assisting in the cafe within the acute mental health hospital. Placements have also been sourced by the co-ordinator within Day Centres, WRVS Outreach Centres, Community Groups, MIND, North Staffs Carers Association and many more. Levels of support Once volunteers were inducted onto the project and a placement found for them it became apparent that many were going to require a substantial amount of extra support. This support given to individuals was solely by the co-ordinator either in person, one-to-one meetings or group meetings and support via telephone or . The co-ordinator also offered support with personal issues that have had an impact on the level of commitment from the volunteer.

4 Mentor training Mentor training materials were developed and 8 project volunteers expressed an interest in becoming a project mentor. Once trained we found that the mentors needed even more support from the project co-ordinator in their development than was originally anticipated possibly due to the nature of the client group. Support Group The project Support Group met quarterly and all of the project volunteers and mentors were invited. The theme of the group meetings was informal and an opportunity to meet other project members and it soon became apparent that informal mentor Buddying was taking place. At one of the group meetings we also held a session on Coping Skills, facilitated by a counsellor. A relaxation session was also offered and that session proved to be most enjoyable as participants felt very relaxed and able to repeat what they had learnt at home. Most of all the sessions were informal and opportunity to exchange volunteering or training stories. It was evident from the final Support Group meeting in March that many people did not see that this was the end of the project for them. They have not only swapped addresses but also telephone numbers, and are now regularly using the social network site and Facebooking each other and are strongly considering meeting up together where they can support one and other. Monitoring and Evaluation Reports Monthly, quarterly and annual reports were produced for the Foundation, along with six-monthly monitoring Project Progress Report (PPR) for Volunteering England. Information for the PPR took a considerable amount of time to collate as all active volunteers had to be contacted for information regarding their placement, hours of voluntary work and the number of service users benefiting from the volunteer in placement. The target for service users on the project was 300. We have achieved well over the target but as we do not have direct contact with service users we have had to rely on numbers provided by our volunteers and placement organisation. Our estimate for the number of service users benefiting from the project is approximately 1678 (PPR March 09). The total number of accumulated hours spent volunteering for all of the volunteers is 2856 hours which is equivalent to 382 working days (the average working year is 235 days) - so this is actually equates to an incredible 1 ½ years of full time work!

5 Impact Monitoring The co-ordinator also had to complete a series of monitoring questionnaires throughout the term of the project. These included Introductory and Impact questionnaires for volunteers, staff and service users. Information from these questionnaires has been used to write the evaluation report for Volunteering England. Of those questionnaires completed all of those that were returned were positive and the scoring system for the questionnaire was through a traffic light system and no red lights were highlighted. Qualitative evidence also demonstrates that many clients feel the project is hugely beneficial in helping them achieve different and sometimes challenging goals. A sense of achievement, it also boosts your confidence and the help is immeasurable. It is also enjoyable Volunteer Impact assessment 2007 Supports me, increased my confidence and helping with my own health Volunteer Impact Assessment months ago I never thought I would be even attempting to do voluntary work. It has increased my confidence, I never thought I would be able to sit in front of a camera and be interviewed for a training video. I have met some like minded friends and I feel safe and comfortable at all times. Volunteer Impact assessment 2009 Steering Group The project Steering Group met quarterly. Membership of the group consisted of the Project Co-ordinator, the Mid-Life Team Leader, 7 volunteers from the project and external membership provided by Voluntary Services Co-ordinator North Staffs Combined Healthcare, Adult Mental Health Services Stoke-on-Trent, and Age Concern. Minutes from this meeting were taken by one of the project volunteers, enabling them to gain confidence and to undertake a little more responsibility. Successes There have been many successes throughout the three years of the project. All of the volunteers have given up their time to volunteer as they believed it was of benefit to them not only physically but mentally. Some volunteers took up many different placements frequently and found that was ideal for them whilst other individuals felt supported enough to dip in and out of volunteering when the time was right for them. The co-ordinator also sourced training which was offered to all volunteers.

6 13 project volunteers attended the four week Active in Age Training Programme, gaining certification 2 volunteers completed the Falls Prevention Training programme, gaining certification 19 volunteers attended the Heartstart UK training programme 3 volunteers were involved in a Storytelling project All volunteers who were in placement within Combined Health Care were entitled to any appropriate training and development, as paid staff are. All went through an induction, were given an occupational health check and vaccinations that were not up to date. They took part in infection control training, data protection and MAPA (Management Actual and Potential Aggression) training if appropriate. 2 volunteers attended CV writing skills Volunteers have also been involved in a variety of reference groups, including the Department of Health Mid-Life Life Check and The Red Foundation who were consulting, as part of the National Support Service Programme, on the future of volunteering. Following on from the Mid-Life Life Check reference group 4 of the project volunteers went on to star in a promotional DVD produced by the Dept of Health to be used as a training aid for NHS staff. Some of the volunteers have also worked with Keele University students as interviewees for their research All volunteers have been included in Volunteers Week Celebrations 2007 and 2008 where events were held to celebrate all of their achievements. The first event was held at the Foundation. An afternoon of Tea and Cakes was organised by the co-ordinator, and each volunteer received a certificate and small gift in recognition of all the hard work and hours they had given. The second event in 2008 was held in partnership with the volunteer centre and other volunteer involving organisations (V.I.O.F) within Stoke-on-Trent. This was a large event which ran throughout the afternoon and early evening. The theme was to celebrate volunteering and networking. This was a social event with catering, entertainment, displays, workshops and prizes all provided free of charge for the volunteers throughout the city. Both events were very positive for all involved. 3 Volunteers along with the co-ordinator held a pampering session on World Mental Health Day 10 th October 2008 at the Local Acute Mental Health Hospital. Hand Massage was on offer for patients, staff and members of the general public Three volunteers went on to find full time employment and 1 into part time work. Reflection and Learning The co-ordinator has worked in partnership with other projects at the Foundation in particular the Mid-Life project and Fit for Life project, both of these projects for

7 access to members of the public through Health Check Events. For referral between the two projects where appropriate and for placement for some of the project volunteers, e.g. assisting at Health Checks. The Health Improvement project has provided the Active in Age and Falls Prevention training, and ongoing support to the volunteers who have completed this training with newsletters and group meetings. The co-ordinator has also worked in partnership with the Volunteer Co-ordinator at Combined Healthcare as this has proved the only route into Health placements. Throughout the life of the project the project members have required a lot of support from the Co-ordinator and have dipped in and out of volunteering due to personal circumstances including physical and emotional health (including stress and anxiety), family commitments, interference from the job centres (fear of their benefits being stopped),and losses of many kinds. There are particular challenges of working with this client group and a lot of time has been spent by the co-ordinator in supporting the volunteers. This has been consistent even to the end of the project when a celebration event was planned and fears and anxieties stopped people from attending. I do think that the project has been a very worthwhile piece of work to be involved with. I am sure that all of the people involved in the project have also felt the benefit, with increased confidence, making new friends, training opportunities and sometime just being involved. I have found all of the staff at Beth Johnson very friendly and helpful. They always seemed pleased to see you and made everyone feel welcome. I felt as though I could trust people there with anything confidential. Even travel problems to other hospitals was provided, as I don t drive. You were never left to sort things out yourself. You were always supported. Nothing was ever too much for Jane and her staff to help you. I am looking forward to my next project/voluntary work with the Beth Johnson Foundation. I ever hear of anyone who is interested in doing voluntary work, I will certainly recommend this organisation. I have found this project, very interesting and enjoyable. It was something that I had an interest in beforehand. Would like to be involved within this area, in the future. I would like to say Many Thanks for all it has given me, as a person. - Volunteer Impact Assessment 2009 Jane Snape Volunteering for Health Project Co-ordinator March 2009