The Quarterly Newsletter
Issue 6 | April - June 2017
Aimed at GPs and health clinicians
Supporting people to become more involved, connected and active in their communities
Supporting and nurturing peer support with people living with long term conditions Peer support is people power! It happens when people come together to share skills or to discuss their experience of an important issue, illness or health condition or by giving each other emotional support. Peer support offers many benefits for people and not just for people living with a long term condition. Benefits can include:
Space for people to support each other, share stories and experiences An opportunity to make new friends An opportunity to help others Regular ongoing social interaction
The NHS Five Year Forward View highlights the importance of encouraging self-management for people with specific conditions and enabling peer support. Some of the aims and outcomes of Dudley borough’s new Multi-Speciality Community Provider (MCP) will be to support individual independence, reduce isolation, help people to get better connected into their communities and enable people to better self-manage their long term condition/s. Healthwatch Dudley’s ‘People’s Network’ event held in May provided the opportunity to listen to some truly inspirational peer groups. The packed event focused on local groups who are supporting each other in Dudley borough and sharing some of the benefits of peer support. Air Time was one example shared. ‘Airtime’ is a weekly peer support group for people in the local community with respiratory conditions including COPD, a disease that can lower self-esteem, reduce mobility and negatively affect quality of life. Providing a safe caring environment for people to meet and learn from others in similar situations, control their symptoms and take part in enjoyable activities, enables them to feel a greater sense of belonging. Air Time Takes place every Thursday, 1-3pm at DY1 building, Stafford Street, Dudley.
Inside this issue: Page 1: Peer support Page 2&3 Peoples’ stories Page 4: About Integrated Plus
Above, a member of Air Time enjoying decorating planters made by Guy who runs wood work activities at Gather Dudley.
A member of Airtime told us about how restrictive his life was before he started to attend the group, he said, “Getting out and attending Airtime has made me able to come off medication for anxiety.” There are already a great selection of peer-led activities taking place across the borough but there are opportunities to enhance peer networks further. Going forward Dudley CVS and Healthwatch Dudley will be working with people and a range of organisations to develop new peer-led activities and gather lots of great information about the value of local peer networks in line for the MCP. For more information contact: Kate Green on 01384 573381. More information from the ‘People’s Network’ event can be found via this link: http://www.dudleycvs.org.uk/images/stories/Documents/T he_Echo_May-June_Digitalopt.pdf
Published By Integrated Plus Main Office: Dudley CVS, 7 Albion Street, Brierley Hill DY5 3EE Tel: 01384 573381 Website: www.dudleycvs.org.uk | Twitter: @intplusDudley | Blog: integratedplusblog.com Integrated Plus is delivered by Dudley CVS and funded by Dudley Clinical Commissioning Group Dudley CVS is a registered charity (number 517766) and a registered company limited by guarantee (number 1998105)
Peoples’ stories
nected into s to reduce hi Barry connected into social of isolation a Mr X helped to resolve debt n activities to reduce his
issues
feelings of isolation and depression
ice man, served X had a long career in the building trade and was having in a loving r 25 years. Barry has s relationship with his partner of 15 years. Unfortunately, X’s including Diab etes and red. He was referred to partner passed away very suddenly in 2016. Around this time, feeling isolated and dep X also lost another family member and was havingfelt to deal said he ‘worthles Barry is an ex-service man, having served in both the Army in with the bereavement of two people very close to him. Shortlyhis Barry was lack of and Navy for over 25 years. Barry has several long term s after inability to drive anym this, X was diagnosed with osteoporosis, and was signed g under my health wif e’s feet conditions, including Diabetes and Arthritis and he is offfelt work. Since then, X’s household bills spiralled out of this was causing
also visually impaired. He was referred to Integrated Plus by control, as he had only been receiving Statutory Sick Pay and his GP duethe to him feeling isolatedLocali and depressed. Barry had his partner had previously managed all of the household Nick Tromans, no friends and said he felt ‘worthless.’ A particular escote and Lye, Barry ad finances. ored.’ This was ea frustration felt by Barry not was his lack of independence and s av elled the world and ex X wasto. referred to IntegratedNick Plus by his GP, and he started mobility due to his inability to drive anymore. Barry said he t suggested to working withSo a Locality Linkcial Officer. The Officer supported X n’s Get Togethers felt he was “getting under my wife’s feet being at home all o to access him to meet a Gateway Appointment at Citizens Advice, so that the time” andother he felt this was causing a strain pe on their iness and isolation. X could receive help in managing his finances and debts. relationship. Get Togethers has been Citizens Advice carried out a benefit check, to ensure that X r and co nsistent numbe When Barry met Nick Tromans, the Locality Linkbet Officer for all the benefits he wasay entitled to. Citizens y was receiving Mond morning Stourbridge, Wollescote and Lye, Barry admitted to Nick he nd 70 men in total have Advice were also able to liaise with his creditors, to arrange a a pool table, darts bo was ‘lonely and bored.’ This was not easy for a proud expayment plan. All in all, with the help of Citizens Advice, X has Lo ts of activiti es take soldier, who had travelled the world and experienced hostile been able to organise his council tax, housing benefit, bank, ng s, get cooking, p bread making sessio situations, to admit to. Nick suggested to Barry to consider electric and gas debts and is now making contributions to as well attend ed and en attending The Men’s Social Get Togethers’ at Christ Church these, which he isnon able to afford. nd -judgemental in Lye is to enable torespecte him to meet other people who are also ered and this nd mo rning activitie Around the ay time that X’s partner passed away, X had also experiencing loneliness and isolation. nd skills and lead on s received a parking ticket. Due to the other issues taking ple, one regular attend The Men’s Social Get Togethers has been a major success priority at the time, thiscurries remained unpaid, and was starting to king with others. story with a regular and consistent number of about twenty develop into a substantial amount of debt. The Officer ding the Monday activi men visiting every Monday morning between 10 lar am and the creditors whom the debt lay with, and s approached no wwithbecome a regu who he looks forward 1pm. So far, around 70 men in total have attended. There asked whether anything could be done, due to the i end ships have are refreshments, a develop pool table, darts board, cards, games extenuating circumstances. They agreed that X would be able h his new friend s outsid and newspapers. Lots of activities take place including, and in so cial situation s. to complete and return a form and they would then consider breakfast mornings, get cooking, pool and darts the situation. A Linkaware Support Worker helped X to complete not of any activit competitions and bread making sessions. s Last year a said the friendship h the form. Unfortunately, they refused to take into account the floor and given m e so Christmas Lunch was well attended and enjoyed by the men. extenuating wife circumstances, and directed the Link Support y’s commented tha Ahad supportive and non-judgemental and mp act i t has oncamaraderie him Worker to the Local Authority. The Support Worker contacted atmosphere is fostered and this is respected by the men who Dudley Council and after many long conversations and attend. At the Monday morning activities, men also share emails, they agreed to waive the debt, providing the original their knowledge and skills and lead on sharing these with parking ticket fee was paid within 2 weeks. X went down to others. For example, one regular attender has shared his the council and paid the original charge, which he was able knowledge of cooking curries with others. to afford, and the matter has now been closed. X commented
usDudley saying that this was a ‘massive weight off his shoulders’ and said that he finally feels that ‘things are moving forward’ for him. Due to X’s diagnosis of osteoporosis, he is unable to go back to his previous job in the building trade. However, X was successful in applying for a handy person’s role in a nearby shopping centre. He is due to start work full time, and is looking forward to being around customers, and being in a better position financially. X has also been spending time with old friends, and is now in a much more positive place. X has said that he “can’t thank the Integrated Plus team enough”, and that he feels a “huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders”.
Barry began attending the Monday activities supported by his wife and he has now become a regular attendee. He has made new friends who he looks forward to spending time with others. His friendships have developed further and he now meets up with his new friends outside of the Monday activities at home and in social situations. Barry said he was not aware of any activities like this in his local area and he said the friendships he has made have “lifted me off the floor and given me something to look forward to”. Barry’s wife commented that she is also happy with the positive impact it has had on him.
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Peoples’ stories
social is and
A client’s journey
d in the Client X wasboth referred to Integrated Plus by Dudley Talking ClientArmy X was becoming more stable on medication and several long term Therapy Service. During the initial assessment, client X was abstaining from alcohol use. Other issues were disclosed to Arthritis and he is very anxious and consumed two large glasses of vodka. The the Link Officer in regards to the reasons for the alcohol Integrated Plus by prclient essed. had discussed their alcohol dependency Barry and expressed consumption so a referral was made to Summit House with ss.’ A p articular concerns relating to the high levels of anxiety they were a view to client X receiving specific support. ndep end ence and experiencing. Client XBarry disclosed drinking around two more. said he A referral was also made to Supporting People to obtain a b eing at ho me all bottles of vodka a day and only left the house to buy a strain on their support worker to help client X build confidence. Client X
alcohol. The client was very distressed and upset by what responded fantastically well to the support. Over time the was happening and also concerned about running out of ity Link Officer for client started attending regular support groups at Summit money from savings. dmitted to Nick he House. Healthwatch Dudley also met with client X at home sy for a proud exxperienced Client X had always worked until two years ago when their hostile to capture the client’s experiences of local services. o Barry to co nsider high pressure job got too much to bear. Client X resigned s’ at Chri st Church and planned to take some time out before seeking further eople who are also “This has really got me back into mixing with people employment but the alcohol consumption became chaotic. again and took me out of my old lifestyle. Before this I n Client a major success X was concerned that when the savings ran out there couldn’t leave the house due to anxiety. At that time I er wouldof be no money about to purchase10 alcohol. Client X was alsotwenty tween am and could have quite easily ended it all. Between Integrated fearful of seizuresnd and potentially life threatening e atte ed. There Plus and Summit house it has pretty much saved my life. ard, cards, games withdrawal symptoms. e pl ace including, The three principles group was like a penny dropping – pool and darts the past can’t hurt me because it’s done and dusted. It’s The Link Officer offered helped the client to access the rightyear ons. Last a been a real game changer for me services. The Link Officer helped client X the apply for njoyed by men.and Summit house has camaraderie and offered everything I needed under one roof”. Employment Support Allowance as client X was not in a fit ed by the men who state to be seeking work at that time. As the client was very es, men also share (Client X) wit h sharing anxious and not comfortable talking these on the phone the Link d er has shared his officer liaised with the practice to get the relevant “Client X was assessed at Summit House and presented . supporting documentation. Client X was awarded the as suffering with severe anxiety. Client X informed the ities supported by benefit soon after. guidance worker that due to social isolation the client r attendee. He has
to spending time would find it difficult to engage in group work. What a An appointment was made for client X to be triaged at aand p ed further he difference four months makes. I really feel that the de of the Monday alcohol support service based in Brierley Hill the following . services at Summit House have met client X’s holistic
week but client x had concerns that he had to attend three
needs. Client X ishis now a popular person at Summit ties like in to four appointments before being ablethis to access their he has made have House and is very focused on their recovery and future”. detox programme and that the service was located atto the omething look at she is also other side of the borough. We contacted surrounding drug happy (Pamela Holloway – Summit House) m. and alcohol services to see if they could help but they could not support the client due to client X paying council tax to Dudley MBC. In the mean time we were able to provide the client with a food parcel and toiletries as the client had very little in the house. Client X tried to attend his initial appointment at the alcohol service based in Brierley Hill but had problems with the train ride which ended up being a very distressing situation. Following this and against advice the client decided to selfdetox over a weekend and was prepared to go into hospital if required. Client X saw the weekend through and got through the worst of the withdrawal symptoms. The Link Officer helped client X to liaise with the practice to get medication prescribed for anxiety.
Client X has started facilitating a Three Principles group at a residential rehabilitation service in Birmingham and is scheduled to deliver another in the city shortly. The client has engaged in training courses and is looking forward to starting a substance misuse course in the coming weeks. Client X has come so far in such a short amount of time and in their own words the client ‘just can’t believe it’. Client X is hoping to secure employment in a similar field in the near future as the client has found an area that they are truly passionate about and committed to. Everyone would like to wish client X the very best for the future and feel confident that the client will meet their goals and aspirations in good time.
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About Integrated Plus Integrated Plus is delivered by Dudley CVS as part of the Dudley Borough’s new care model. Integrated Plus works with people aged 16 and over who frequently visit their GP and people who at high risk of hospital admission. The difference we aim to make
Help people become more active and involved in their own communities Ensure people are accessing services appropriate to their needs and that they are entitled to Improve people’s mental health and wellbeing Support people to make a difference to their own communities e.g. through volunteering and peer support Enable the voluntary and community sector to play an active role in integrated care Reduce pressure on health services by supporting people to become less reliant on medical practices thus saving money Ensure social inclusion of clients is taken into consideration at 46 multi-disciplinary team meetings (held at each GP surgery)
Integrated Plus is funded by Dudley Clinical Commissioning Group.
The clients in the stories included in this publication have given permission to share their stories. Every attempt has been made to accurately reflect their story.
Meet the team Kate Green Integrated Plus Manager Dudley CVS, 7 Albion Street, Brierley Hill, DY5 3EE Tel: 01384 573381 buildingblocks@dudleycvs.org.uk
Sue Bloomer | Locality Link Officer Halesowen and Quarry Bank sue@dudleycvs.org.uk 07989 478567 sue.bloomer@nhs.net
Jason Griffiths | Locality Link Officer Sedgley, Coseley and Gornal jason@dudleycvs.org.uk 07866 020431 Jason.griffiths1@nhs.net
Nick Tromans | Locality Link Officer Stourbridge, Wollescote and Lye nick@dudleycvs.org.uk 07866 020436 nick.tromans@nhs.net
Terry Gee | Locality Link Officer Dudley and Netherton terry@dudleycvs.org.uk 07866 020340 terry.gee@nhs.net
Wendy Bains | Locality Link Officer Kingswinford, Amblecote and Brierley Hill wendy@dudleycvs.org.uk 07866 020509 wendy.bains@nhs.net
Georgia Davis | Link Support Worker georgia.davis@dudleycvs.org.uk Tel: 07866 020509 (interim Link Officer for KAB locality)
Aiesha Parker | Link Support Worker aiesha@dudleycvs.org.uk Tel: 07508 307528 (interim Link Officer for KAB locality)
Rebecca Cullis | Link Support Worker rebecca@dudleycvs.org.uk Tel: 07398 350844
Gary Hastie | Link Support Worker gary@dudleycvs.org.uk Tel: 07398 350846
Lorraine Hipkiss | Link Support Worker lorraine@dudleycvs.org.uk Tel: 07398 350847
Abdullah Mohamed | Interim Link Support Worker abdullah@dudleycvs.org.uk Tel: 07508 307498