Evaluation Document 2016 final3 (1)

The Stafford Centre is funded by The City Of Edinburgh Council

The Stafford Centre is a community Involving peopleresource for people with mental health in the servicesproblems, and their carers, living in the they use is at theEdinburgh area. Part of Support in Mind heart ofScotland, it provides varied group activities everything we do.and one-to-one support services. The outcomes used in thisIt has been a very busy year for the evaluation areservice. The numbers of people who have therefore thoseattended our services are higher than that peopleever, and funding continues to be a con- identified forcern in the long term. We continue to de- themselves.velop our services and this year has seenthe creation of a new carers service at the RadioStafford Centre, appropriately called‘The Stafford Centre Carers Service’.We have been working in partnership with Over 400 listenersseveral agencies across Edinburgh, andnow run a regular ‘Health Check Clinic’ at Benefits Advicethe Centre staffed by NHS nurses. Wework closely with the homeless charity 82 people seen‘Crisis’ as well as other housing agencies. in the first quar-The Centre continues to develop ties with ter of 2016mental health teams all across the city,and we continue to receive referrals fromthose teams as well as Street Work, Pe-numbra, Link Living and Bethany to namebut a few. We look forward to the future,supporting and working with service users- fighting stigma and discrimination, andpromoting dignity, equality and respect.2

Walking Group at North BerwickEvaluation DayScott and Jenny Hastings launch Boogie and Arlene visit1 in 100 campaign the Centre Planting flowers for Suicide Prevention DayAlison Dickie (SNP)visits the Centre March for World Mental Iain with Health Day Bella our therapetMusic Group having fun Welcome 3

Support in Mind Scotland seeks to supportand empower all those affected by mentalillness, including family members, carersand supporters.Support in Mind Scotland was initially partof the UK charity National SchizophreniaFellowship, set up in 1972 following a 1970article written by John Pringle in The Timesabout the dilemmas faced by the carersand families of people diagnosed withschizophrenia.In 1984 we became an independent Frances SimpsonScottish Charity, National Schizophrenia CEO, Support InFellowship (Scotland), and this is still our Mind Scotlandregistered company name. However, in2010 we changed our operating name toSupport in Mind Scotland followingrepresentations from our members whofelt that we supported people whoexperienced many conditions, of whichschizophrenia was only one.4

“I have been visiting the Stafford Centre In the firstregularly over the past year. I have been quarter of 2016giving service users advice about their we had overhousing options and supporting them to find 2300 visits toaccommodation or make their current ac- the Centre.commodation safer or more sustaina-ble. Stafford Centre users have sometimes Website visitsgone on to take part in some of Crisis’classes and activities, and it’s been great for Over 1000us to have them as members of Crisis (theNational Charity for single homeless peo-ple). There is plenty of space for one-to onemeetings, and the environment of the build-ing feels great.The Centre is warm and welcoming, with Average number ofloads going in in communal areas, lots of visits per monthgroups taking place in various parts of thebuilding, and weekly activities arranged inthe local community. The walking group is ahighlight for so many of the service users!People using the Centre often comment to 780me about how valuable the service is tothem. They describe a real lifeline - offering Social Media visitscompanionship, support, counselling, helpto find work, expert help with benefits, activi-ties, compassion and respect.And of course, the food is great!” (Martin Over 1900Barnes, Housing Coach, Crisis)5

How has the Stafford Centre helped you in your recovery?How has the Stafford Centre helped you in yourrecovery? 6

Before Joining Art Group 27.5 21 Confidence 23 Motivation 22 Physical health Mental health 25 22.5 Social Supported After Attending Art Group 48.5 48.5 Confidence 44.5 41.5 Motivation Physical health 48 39 Mental health Social Supported % Increase140% 130%120%100% 88% 92% 93% 80% 73% 76% Mental60% health Social Supported40%20%0% Confidence Motivation Physical health 7

Before Karaoke Group 13 16 Confidence 15.5 14.5 Motivation Ability 18 15 Mental health Social SupportedAfter Karaoke Group Confidence Motivation 31 33.5 Ability 33 33.5 Mental health Social 32.5 32 Supported % Increase200% 190%150%100% 131% 113% 138% 112% 50% 0% 80% 8

The Wellbeing group meets every Tuesday. The group starts with a guided meditation/breathing exercise, giving everyone time to arrive and relax into the session. Then whoever feels like talking has a 5-10 minute ‘check-in’ where we hear how they’re doing. This could be celebrating good times, as well as sharing difficulties. We asked people how they felt about the group and noted any comments that were made. “...It relieves my stress and tension and I go outdoors feeling a lot better…” “ I feel the Wellbeing group has helped me when I felt anxious…”“ Meditation at the start has been very good, andrelaxing. The group has given me an opportuni-ty to talk about how things have been going forme…” “ I like having space to reflect and review how things are…” Last year there were over 150 attendances at the Wellbeing group. 9

Before Attending Walking Group Confidence Motivation 12 13 Physical health 14 13 14.5 16.5 Mental health Social interaction Supported After Attending Walking Group 33 32 Confidence 30 35 Motivation Physical health 35.5 25.5 Mental health Social interaction Supported % Increase200% 169% 175%150%100% 146% 144% 50% 114% 0% 54% 10

Befor Attending Music group 8 7.5 Confidence 7.5 8 Motivation Physical health 10.5 8 Mental health Social interaction SupportedAfter Attending Music Group 20 19.5 20 Confidence 19 19 Motivation Physical health 19.5 Mental health Social interaction % Increase Supported200% 160% 150% 137% 153% 150%150%100% 85% 50% 0% 11

Before Joining the Radio Group 11 10 Confidence7 8.5 Motivation New skills 9.5 10.5 Mental health Social Supported After Joining the Radio Group 25 27 25 Confidence 21 26.5 Motivation New skills 24 Mental health Social % Increase Supported250% 194% 200%200% 127%150% 170% 152% 152% Social Supported100%50%0% Mental Confidence Motivation New skills health 12

Before Volunteering 12 12 Confidence 16.5 15 Motivation Physical health 13 14 Mental health Social Supported After Volunteering 29 31.5 Confidence 29 30.5 Motivation Physical health 28 28 Mental health Social % Increase Supported200% 162% 141%150% 75%100% 103% 100% 50% 38% 0% 13

Before Tai Chi Group 1.5 3 3 Confidence 3 Motivation Physical health 2.5 Mental health 4 Social Supported After Tai Chi Group 6 6 Confidence 5.5 6.5 Motivation Physical health 5.5 5.5 Mental health Social Supported350% 300%300% % Increase 83% Social Supported250%200%150% 100% 116% 120%100% 37.50% 50%0% Mental Confidence Motivation Physical health health 14

Before Wii Fit Group 6 4.5 Confidence5.5 6.5 Motivation Physical health 8.5 9.5 Mental health Social Interaction Supported After Wii Fit Group 23 19 Confidence Motivation 20 Physical health 23 Mental health Social 19 16 Supported300% 280% % Increase250%200% 150% 187% 155%150% 33%100% 90% 50% 0% 15

How has the Stafford Centre helped you in yourrecovery?How has the Stafford Centre helped you in yourrecovery? 16

Radio Stafford 103 continues to go from strengthto strength. We now have 14 DJs and have re-cently started daily breakfast shows from 10 a.m.We have also created a new website for the radio:www.radiostafford103.orgUnique listeners Countries Sessions Top Ten Countries17

The Stafford Centre works in co-production with sev-eral groups and agencies across Edinburgh. Overthe past year, we have been hosting a Veterans caféwithin the Centre—it is run by veterans and takesplace every second Wednesday with up to 40 exservicemen and women attending. For enquiries,please contact Keith McKenzie on 07764765291.We are also host to the Bi-Polar ScotlandLothian Group who hold regular groupmeetings at the Centre.We work in collaboration with NHS Scotland’sCommunity Health Inequalities Nursing team,who run a health check clinic at the Centreevery fortnight.We are also working with NHS psychologists whoare running two 6-week courses on managingdepression—’Managing Mood’. These groups arereferral only. The Carers' and Relatives' Alliance (CARA) Group is a friendly support group for anyone affect- ed by mental illness, including friends, family, part- ners and carers. The group meets to share experi- ences and make time for themselves. Members support each other, share information and learn skills to help them cope. The group is very informal and welcoming, and meets on the first Tuesday of most months at the Stafford Centre. 18

2016 has been a very busy year for the StaffordCentre’s Next Step Service, and our employabilityworker has already registered more than 100 ap-pointments and contacts with service users. Alt-hough the year has shown a slight increase in thenumber of people taking up paid employment, vol-untary work continues to be the option most fa-voured by people coming to the service. Volunteer-ing provides individuals with an opportunity to putstructure into their daily lives, discover new skillsand begin to rebuild confidence. Recognising this, avariety of volunteering opportunities have been cre-ated ‘in-house’, and our service-user volunteerscontinue to make a very valuable contribution to thesmooth running of the Centre. “With Isobel’s support, I have been able to keep going to my job because I thought the Manager would see no reason to keep me. Isobel has been there to give me a balanced way of looking at things. I find her support extremely valuable.”“I received a lot of help and support from theNext Step. I enjoy taking part it has helpedwith self confidence and motivation.” 19

The Stafford Centre benefits Advice Service isone of our busiest support services. Last quarter:Breakdown of PIP & ESA awards notified duringthe quarter:-PIP - £33241.97ESA - £84076.80DLA - £3998Tax refund £938Total - £122,254.77Additionally several enquiries were referred to other agencies, e.g.EHAP, CAB, Advice Shop, etc. We have not included phone callsto Utility Companies, DWP payment enquiries, HB / CTB enquir-ies, etc. where the outcome was primarily the provision ofinformation / advice.90 82 17 1280 570 8 1605040302010 0 20

Based at the Stafford Centre, Caring Connec-tions is our new national service for carers(family/friends) of people being treated withinForensic Mental Health Services throughoutScotland.Who are Forensic Mental Health Carers?Forensic Mental Health Carers are people of anyage who provide unpaid support for a relative orfriend who is within forensic mental health services,including people in low, medium and high securityhospitals throughout Scotland as well as in commu-nity settings with the support of Forensic CommunityMental Health Teams.Our National Forensic Carer Co-ordinator,Lorraine Keith is keen to hear from anyone whomay be interested in this service, whether a carer orservice provider.Please contact Lorraine Keith on 07951066234 [email protected] formore information, or to let Lorraine have yourthoughts on this service. 21

“Over 40 new members introduced to the Stafford Centre. “ “Over 30 professionals attended information sessions.”Hello,My name is Hanna and I am the Outreach Workerfor the Stafford Centre. Our members say that theStafford Centre is a friendly and comfortable placeto be, but we are aware that there can be barrierswhich get in the way of accessing our service. Forsome people, visiting a new place or meeting newpeople is just too big a step to consider without theright support.Sometimes it helps to meet up with me for an infor-mal chat about the Centre, what it is like and therange of activities available. We can arrange this ina place where you are already comfortable or withsomeone else that you trust. We can then talkabout how to manage coming to the Centre for avisit if you decide that you would like to join. Takingthese steps may make coming to the Centre moremanageable. I can also visit other services thathave workers who would like to know more aboutthe Stafford Centre.If you or someone you know would like to accessthe Outreach Service, please call us on 0131 5570718 or email:[email protected] 22

Most people, at some point in their lives, experiencemental health difficulties or problems, and feel theyare on their own or unable to move forward. It is of-ten hard to speak to family and friends about theseworries, and there is a need at these times to speakwith someone who will listen and understand, andaccept us as we are.The Stafford Centre offers professional 1-1 counsel-ling support to anyone over 18 years of age who hasexperience of mental health issues. 23

We work in co-production with the City Of Edinburgh CouncilDepartments of Housing a Social Work, as well as: 24