Motherwell Cheshire CIO Impact Report 2021 by Motherwell Cheshire CIO

MOTHERWELL CHESHIRE CIO

Impact Report 2021 Encouraging, inspiring and empowering women and girls to meet the challenges in their lives in order to fulfil their potential WWW.MOTHERWELLCHESHIRECIO.COM

About our charity Our vision is that women and girls are able to meet the challenges in their lives and access support, education and advocacy whenever they need it, in order to fulfil their potential. Our mission is to encourage, inspire and empower all women and girls to improve their mental health and challenge the associated stigma. In 2020-21, every £1 spent with us resulted in £28 delivered and/or saved. The value we added was £6,273,078*. This value is split between £2,3million fiscal savings, £3.7million economic value and £0.3 million in social value. *Calculated using the figures provided within the national TOMS database and New Economy Manchester Unit Cost Database.

Our Projects Believe Inspire Mums Uniting Mums - Wellbeing Share Hub

WWW.MOTHERWELLCHESHIRECIO.COM

Believe Out of the 12 million children living in England, 400,000 (3%) are in the social care system at any one time. More than 78,000 of these are children in care. These numbers Having a child removed, is a traumatic experience for the families involved. If these grief emotions are not recognised or acknowledged they will persist and could lead to chronic unresolved grief and long-term psychological problems Marsh & Leamon, 2019

are increasing, for example Cheshire East saw a 17% increase in the numbers of cared for children between 2019 and 2020 alone. The expected net spend for 2020/21 by Cheshire East for children in care is budgeted at nearly £30. Children in the UK's poorest communities are over 10 times more likely to enter the care system than those from the wealthiest areas. Substance misuse, mental ill health, parental learning difficulties and living with a violent partner can be contributory factors. Between April 2020 and March 2021, 48 women have taken part in our Believe project, each with at least two children on average. These children may have previously been removed, or are at risk of removal.

It costs around £56k a year for local authorities to look after a child in care. Almost nine out of 10 local authorities in England overspent on children’s social care in 2018 Local Government Association (LGA)

More than 81% of these women were unemployed or unable to work, and 40% lived in the areas of the 20% highest areas of deprivation in England (IMD 2019). 76% present with anxiety 70% are living in stress 68% have depression 65% have self worth or self esteem difficulties An overwhelming 86% of these women have experienced abuse, either physical, sexual or emotional. Each woman has reported 6 types of adverse childhood experience on average.

WWW.MOTHERWELLCHESHIRECIO.COM

Breaking the cycles The number of children being taken into care stands at a 10-year high, with nine out of 10 local authorities in England overspending on children’s social care. The first cycle is that one in four mothers of newborns placed in care have multiple children removed. This cycle is fuelled because mothers are not entitled through statutory care to any professional, comprehensive support after children are removed, despite many being severely emotionally damaged. Dr Freda Gardner, a consultant clinical psychologist who assesses children and families for care proceedings, said: “It is almost impossible to believe it, but there is no specific resource for these women, either after a painful, often traumatic, loss of a child, or intervention before the next baby, to change patterns of behaviour.” Motherwell Cheshire CIO works to stop this cycle through offering traumainformed care via the Believe project. Since 2015 150 women have been offered this service. There is also a generational cycle, and a study by Nuffield Foundation found that 40% of mothers who have had a child removed, had been in foster care or children’s homes with a further 14% living in private or informal relationships away from their parents. It costs £58,664 a year to look after a child in care.

WWW.MOTHERWELLCHESHIRECIO.COM

"A brilliant experience - my self belief, my confidence and my self love have increased as a result of taking part in the Believe project" Nantwich, 2021

Believe Our project supports these women, improving their mental health, reducing anxiety and reducing isolation. The women work through a tailor-made programme building up their resilience and improving their coping mechanisms. The programme is currently undergoing an independent evaluation by the University of Chester with results to be shared shortly. On average the women score 4.6 points higher (on the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, a nationally recognised tool to measure wellbeing). We have developed and used our own scoring tool for several years, specific to this project and the issues these

"Fantastic, amazing staff. My confidence really improved by taking part in the Believe project." Winsford, 2021

women face. This 'Wellbeing Flower' tool helps to prioritise the areas of focus and then demonstrate any progress in these areas as the program continues. Healthy relationship scores increase by 1.7 points (out of 10) on average, as does the scores for having a positive support network. Skills, training and employment scores increase from 2.3 to 6.7 (out of 10) following completion of the program. The women report that they are feeling more useful and enthusiastic about the future. In total, 45 children were de-escalated from a child

"I built up my strength to be able to get through my situation and my resilience" Crewe, 2021

protection plan, and 5 children were returned from care. 21 children were prevented from being taken into care. Over 51% of the women accessed another service within our charity, such as counselling, volunteering or workshops. 100% would recommend this project to others in a similar situation.

WWW.MOTHERWELLCHESHIRECIO.COM

Sarah's story "My situation before I became involved with Motherwell was “horrible”. I didn’t know if I was coming or going, I would interact with the “wrong” people. " Sarah* had been referred to Motherwell Cheshire by social care services, having had her children removed from her care due to lifestyle choices, which involved alcohol, drugs, and her mental health and living conditions being extremely poor. "I made bad choices with partners who became violent and abusive. There were always people coming and going from my home, they would use my home to come and “doss”. I thought these people were my friends, but they were just using me and my home. All this had an impact on my children’s lives." Sarah joined the Believe programme immediately, working closely with the support worker using a tailored support package to help with her specific situation and needs. "The Believe Programme has helped my mental health and I have been able to make better life choices, this has made a big difference to my mental health and wellbeing. I have been able to change my lifestyle, due to the Believe programme and it has given me the opportunity to be a “Mum” to my child. Through working with on the project Sarah has moved into a more suitable house. She has stronger relationships, which previously she never thought could happen. "I have matured and I am able to make better choices, due to the help and support I have received whilst on the Believe Programme". *Name and image changed for purposes of anonymity

WWW.MOTHERWELLCHESHIRECIO.COM

"It was amazing! I felt so comfortable and confident with sharing things. It was supportive and I felt listened to. Definitely recommend the service to others."

Inspire

Supporting girls aged 14-18 who are experiencing mental health challenges 48% of 16-24 year olds report feeling anxious, and 27.2% of young women aged 17 to 22 were identified as having a probable mental disorder (HNS: 2020) One in five 16-24 year old women reported having selfharmed at some point in their life, and rates of selfharm amongst young women has tripled since 1993 (APMS: 2014). Those who are living in more deprived areas report higher levels of mental health problems.

WWW.MOTHERWELLCHESHIRECIO.COM

An Adolescent Mental Health report, WHO, 2020, found that adolescents with mental health conditions are in turn particularly vulnerable to social exclusion, discrimination, stigma, educational difficulties, risk-taking behaviours, physical ill-health and human rights violations.

In a 2021 survey of young people aged 1325, 67% believe that the pandemic will have a long-term negative effect on their mental health.

Inspire "Even before the Covid pandemic, we faced an epidemic of children’s mental health problems in England and a children’s mental health service that, though improving significantly, was still unable to provide the help hundreds of thousands of children required." Children's Commissioner for England, 2021. In South Cheshire and Vale Royal, referrals to children's mental health services increased by 136% between 2018-19 to 2019-20 - these figures will have continue to rise in line with the whole of the UK throughout the pandemic.

Our Inspire project works with girls in Crewe and Winsford and surrounding areas, aged 14-18. The young women can self refer, and many are referred by parents or their school/college. Our counsellors then work on a one - to one basis with them, offering between 6 to 10 personcentred counselling sessions. The young women on average have 9 different presenting issues; the most prevalent shown in the diagram below. Anxiety 85% Depression 54% Panic 61%

59 girls and young women worked with in Only 2020-21

Self Worth 71% Sleeping Difficulties 53% Stress 71%

21%

69% have self-harmed

42%

have thought about feel they are coping ending their life with their situation when they first meet with us.

WWW.MOTHERWELLCHESHIRECIO.COM

The difference we make The girls and young women who had the highest needs at the beginning of the project, reported significant improvements in relation to their self esteem, resilience and relationships. How do you feel about yourself?

+ 1.7 points

How do you feel you are coping with your situation?

+ 3.1 points

How do you feel about your current relationships?

+ 2.8 points

11 out of 12 girls felt their counsellor was always easy to talk to, and 92% would recommend this service to others.

71%

64%

Feel more able to cope with their situation

Feel more useful

74%

Feel more able to deal with problems well

78%

Thinking more clearly

75%

Feel close to people more often

More able to make up own mind about things

"It has helped me with thinking positively about myself as a person and I feel a lot more calmer after the session" 16 year old, Cheshire "I feel I can deal a lot better with problems and worries I'm facing compared to before counselling, I feel like I'm doing the right things in certain situations that previously I would worry about if I did something wrong in. " 17 year old, Cheshire "As a result of taking part in the Inspire program school got better and I felt better as a person" 14 year old, Cheshire

WWW.MOTHERWELLCHESHIRECIO.COM

Lola's story "I was referred for counselling with the inspire project from my school. The counselling took place in school and one of the pastoral team thought it would be helpful for me to talk about my situation. "I had issues with my confidence and self esteem and often felt really angry but did not like it when I felt this way. I had a good relationship with my mum and step- dad. My relationship with my real dad was not so good. Lola*, 15, felt pushed out of her relationship with her dad and felt rejected by him and not worthy of his attention and affection. She often found it hard to believe and trust people. "In the counselling I explored my relationship with my dad and learnt that it was ok for me to feel the way I was feeling. I was able to voice my feelings, emotions and thoughts. I identified I was frustrated, hurt and angry with my dad but feeling as though I was not allowed to say this because he is my dad. I learnt to see ways I could make my voice and feelings be heard. As a result Lola started to see her dad again, knowing that her thoughts, feelings and emotions were important. "I explored what my strengths were and how I could use these to help build more confidence. I also learnt what some of the triggers were when I felt angry. I learnt it was ok to be angry and what the best way was for me to let go of these feelings and emotions, in a good way without upsetting or hurting anybody else. *Name and image changed for purposes of anonymity

WWW.MOTHERWELLCHESHIRECIO.COM

Mums uniting mums - Wellbeing As per the Mental Health Foundation, 2021, there are a number of factors affecting women’s mental health. Women are more likely to be the main carer for their children than men, and may care for older or disabled relatives too. Women carers are more likely to experience anxiety and depression than other women. Women are more likely to live in poverty than men. Poverty, working mainly in the home and concerns about personal safety can all make women feel isolated. Social isolation is linked to mental health problems. Physical and sexual abuse can have a longterm impact on women’s mental health, especially if they haven’t received any support. Women are exposed to more sexual violence than men, which means more women are affected by PTSD.

Mental wellbeing underpins physical health and wellbeing at all ages. Up to 1 in 5 women develop mental health problems such as depression or anxiety during pregnancy, or in the first year after childbirth (NHS: 2021). A survey by the Royal College of Obstretricians and Gynacologists, 55% who reported experiencing mental health problems were not referred on to services or given any advice on who to contact for further help. In 2017, the North West region saw 58% having to wait more than 4 weeks to be seen after being referred for perinatal mental health problems. Mental health problems were the cause of almost a quarter of maternal deaths, with many women who died by suicide after pregnancy not having received specialist perinatal mental healthcare. It has been estimated that maternal mental health problems cost the UK £8.1billion* each year In 2014, show that from a total of 7,198 live births in East and West Cheshire, estimates show 2,902 women presented with perinatal mental health problems. Nine out of 10 people with mental health problems experience stigma. The average cost to society of one case of perinatal depression is around £74,000, of which £23,000 relates to the mother and £51,000 relates to impacts on the child* *London School of Economics and Centre for Mental Health. The costs of perinatal mental health problems. October 2014

WWW.MOTHERWELLCHESHIRECIO.COM

Our MUM Wellbeing activities 2020-21 Over 630 counselling hours were delivered in Crewe, Winsford and surrounding areas, the majority offered at zero cost to the service user (89%). In total in the year, we received more than 185 referrals to our counselling service (43% were referred by health professionals). Our successful wellbeing groups continued, adapting to the Covid restrictions during the year. Amongst the most popular activities were our walking groups, reading groups, Motherwell Cultural Connect Group and our online wellbeing programme. In total these groups met 98 times

in the year with a total of

395 attendees Our Cherry Blossom support services for women experiencing miscarriage, still birth or baby loss continued throughout the pandemic. This trauma-informed support is vital to those experiencing loss. In response to the pandemic several of our wellbeing activities were brought online, via Zoom and Facebook Groups. For example, over 160 women accessed the New Life and Me online service. We also launched a Befriending telephone service through the summer of 2020 following the first lockdowns due to Covid-19.

579 calls were made to those

experiencing loneliness, anxiety and other mental health issues. "I found going to a group every week a very comforting experience, I was made to feel welcome and safe and able to talk about things that worried me. When I started I felt very alone, I knew I couldn't be the only person finding being a mum hard but its not something many people like to admit to. Being in a safe space with women I could trust was a very liberating experience, I was able to voice my fears without judgement and together we came with solutions. I feel more confident in myself & my ability thanks to the support from the group. "

WWW.MOTHERWELLCHESHIRECIO.COM

What we achieve with our wellbeing activities Has attending this wellbeing service helped to...?

90%

100%

....feel

....learn

....manage

....build self

supported

coping

anxiety

belief

esteem

strategies 82% Strongly

88% Strongly

83% Strongly

agree

8% Slightly

12% Slightly

17% Slightly

agree

The counselling helped me to......... ...see things more clearly

96%

...understand my problems

96%

...understand myself better as a person

92%

...to start to make some changes

92%

...to feel better

85%

...to feel more confident about myself

85%

...to feel like my life is worthwhile

98%

would use our service again

88%

We supported 90 women with perinatal depression providing an economic value of £2.3m The average increase in the Wemwbs score is 6.0 points for those completing counselling

100%

would recommend the service to others

WWW.MOTHERWELLCHESHIRECIO.COM

Phoebe's story "...I had a breakdown about 20 years ago and I now suffer with my mental health. I had been working, but my physical health got worse so I had to stop. I stopped going out by myself not even into town. I found Motherwell on Facebook and I with the help of my re-enablement mental health worker, I met Debbie from Motherwell. She was lovely and I could tell she was caring and didn’t judge but then Covid happened and I didn’t keep in touch…” Unfortunately during the lockdown period, Phoebe lost her sister. However Phoebe found the strength to sign up to her first crochet workshop with the Charity. Coming to our office at Beech Drive was huge for her - a new place, with new people AND learning a new skill… this took immense courage. " I was so nervous but saw Debbie and I felt a bit better I was still very nervous but the other people were so kind. I felt safe. After that first workshop back, Phoebe felt quite emotional. She was so happy with herself for booking the workshop and coming along. Phoebe continues to come to the workshops and you can see her relax as she settles in, chatting, drinking her tea and improving week by week at crochet. She has now also booked to do a Floristry workshop, and hopes to join our wellbeing choir. “... now I am thinking of going to start the choir on a Monday night. It is still difficult to get there due to anxiety, I have to keep telling myself "I will be okay". To this day I have good days and bad days, where I don’t get out off bed at all with my mental health and my painful back but coming to these groups make me have a purpose in my life. I can’t thank you enough" *Name changed for purposes of anonymity

WWW.MOTHERWELLCHESHIRECIO.COM

"Myself and my husband both work, but that does not cover the extra food costs, heating costs, clothing costs that have come through COVID. With two rapidly growing children it has been a struggle"

Community Share Hub & Baby Bank Improving family life by relieving poverty across Crewe and Winsford

Supporting families by providing good quality new and preowned baby items and school uniforms to families in need. Promoting sustainable living by reducing the volue of items sent to landfill. Relieving period poverty by providing supplies to women and girls in need.

WWW.MOTHERWELLCHESHIRECIO.COM

Motherwell Community Share Hub Crewe and Winsford both areas with high levels of deprivation. The maps below show in red those in the top 10% of deprivation nationally. In part's of Winsford, 50% of children are living in low income families. Whether you look at the absolute or relative poverty measure, two thirds of children in poverty live in a working family. Children living around debt are five times more likely to be unhappy than children from wealthier families. More than a quarter of children from the poorest families said they had been bullied because their parents couldn't afford the cost of school (The Children's Society). Low paid jobs and zero-hour contracts mean many working families live hand to mouth. The Covid-19 crisis - loss of jobs, closure of schools, bigger bills - will have pushed even more over the edge.

75% of people living in the lowest income bracket have reported having mental health problems. Many feel a stigma associated with having mental health problems, as well as a stigma associated with being poor - this combination makes vulnerable people more isolated and less able to access services. Motherwell Cheshire does not ask for any proof of income, nor ask that people disclose their benefit or housing status. We does this to reduce the barriers for the people needing help.

WWW.MOTHERWELLCHESHIRECIO.COM

Our Community Share Hub & Baby Bank

"I am grateful for whatever I receive"

We took over the Crewe & Nantwich Uniform Exchange in

"Anything would be gratefully received... and I will make sure that any of the children's outgrown clothing is passed back to you."

August 2020. This has grown to include other items of need, such as period poverty, toiletries, school stationery, coats, baby clothes, baby equipment and baby toiletries, such as nappies and wipes. Since the relaunch of the Community Share Hub in October

"I appreciate help in this temporary situation and look forward to giving back to the community."

2020 we have secured new premises in Wistaston, Crewe which have allowed us to continue to grow to meet local demand. 506 uniforms and coats were requested by local families between August 2020 - March 2021, supporting more than 131 children. Since April 2021 the hub has been

"Thank you for what you all doing to help families! I would be grateful for anything as it will help me a lot. Thank you so much!"

able to support a further 263 children.

"Thank you so much we would be extremely grateful for any help offered."

families with children attending over 30 local schools in

"Our situation at the moment is very hard. My health condition is very poor. Your help with clothes will be very helpful for us."

The Share Hub is also growing into a place to share skills.

"I think it’s amazing what you are doing for families in the area."

Share Hub effectively and at zero price for the local

We help our local community 50% of the requests for uniform have come from families living within 1 mile of our Share Hub. We have supported Crewe and Nantwich. We provided a fiscal saving of £51,106 to the local community during the year.

We are linking up with local and regional organisations who can share skills , and we signpost to training opportunities for job seekers. In 2020-21, 98 hours of volunteer time has been donated, allowing us to run the community. A further 294 hours has been volunteered in the six months to September 2021. We have also linked up with other campaigns, such as BBC Kit Out the Nation, and Against Breast Cancer.

WWW.MOTHERWELLCHESHIRECIO.COM

Our Impact - families "My son lost his coat at school...I was shielding at the time, and my pay had been cut as a result. It was an extremely stressful time. Thank you for being so kind." ""Thank you so much, this helps so much. Teenagers are so expensive - It's really lifted her"

35% are not in work

"...the uniform is great. I feel so much better, less stressed and more prepared for school return next week. As I struggle with my anxiety, I can't express how much this has helped"

"I am a hardworking mum with two kids. My husband cares for them, but is unemployed."

YOU A huge THANK thank you to the local community who has donated 100's of items to our Pass it on Baby Bank and Community Share Hub

39% in full time or part time work

26% are unable to work, due to disability, being a carer, or student

88% of requests for uniform are made directly by the families.

"I just want to say a massive thankyou for the pram and things my daughter in laws was over the moon. Thankyou so much."

WWW.MOTHERWELLCHESHIRECIO.COM

Our Impact - volunteers "I enjoy volunteering with Motherwell as there is a real family feel with the staff and other volunteers. It has helped me to engage with my community in such a small way that makes a huge difference to those who need support. After nearly two years of our communities being isolated from each other, being part of a charity which promotes community spirit has been amazing. Coming from a large family, myself, that was reliant on government support when I was younger, the uniform hub in my hometown, was something my family relied on as a child so to be given the opportunity to give back and support people who need the assistance has been amazing. You get the opportunity to learn valuable, transferable skills, I have used these in my own life and my new job, skills such as teamwork, communication, resourcefulness, intuition, signposting and customer service skills. Motherwell is invaluable to its community and staff and volunteer team. It’s a privilege to give my time to such a worthy cause.

Amazing organisation with dedicated volunteers, which does fantastic work helping local people in need.

Amazing volunteers supporting our community! Thank you! Volunteer June 2021

Dr Kieran Mullen MP, September 2021