The STAR Learning Centre Supporting Transitions and Recovery A project of the Urban Angel Fund for Homeless People THE POWER OF COLLABORATION National Conference on Peer Support April 27, 2016 Marleane Davidson and Samuel Gruszecki

Know Thy Neighbour STAR Learning Centre – April 2016

O utline Learning Objectives Background STAR Learning Centre Co-production Participant Perspectives Questions and discussion STAR Learning Centre – April 2016

Learning Objectives Attendees will learn about: What STAR Learning Centre Is The benefits of coproduction Methods for coproduction Participant perspectives STAR Learning Centre – April 2016

B ackground The Urban Angel Fund for Homeless People Innovation incubator for homelessness and mental health The innovation incubator’s inaugural project – the STAR Learning Centre Housing First – Now What? STAR Learning Centre – April 2016

B ackground Emergent model developing in the US and the UK Core features Students, not patients Emphasis on goal oriented/self directed recovery Peer leadership Co-production by professionals and people with lived experience Holistic approach STAR Learning Centre – April 2016

B ackground STAR is unique in its particular focus on people who are transitioning away from homelessness and/or dealing with financial challenges New ways of speaking, listening and thinking about homelessness, mental health, addictions STAR Learning Centre – April 2016

H olistic Approach to Recovery Recovery – building a meaningful and satisfying life, as defined by the individual Emphasis on self directed recovery Courses include: Health & Wellness Life Skills Vocational Skills Hobbies and Recreation Community participation and engagement STAR Learning Centre – April 2016

S TAR Values According to Members and Staff Choice –Choice and self- determination are key –Members influence the types of courses offered and set their own recovery goals Peer Driven –Peers included in decision making –An important role in guiding programming –A focus on the inclusion of peers both as employees of the program as well as members and participants themselves

S TAR Values According to Members and Staff STAR Learning Centre – April 2016 Acceptance –The importance of non- judgement and acceptance of others –Everyone should be welcome regardless of their identity Person Centered –Important to be person centered orientation –People are recognized for individual support needs NOT their challenges

S TAR Values According to Members and Staff STAR Learning Centre – April 2016 Evidence Informed –Courses should draw on established knowledge about what works for whom –Plans to implement studies in the near future to gauge benefit of STAR programming

Peer Support & Peer Leadership Staff members with lived experience, including 4 Peer Support Specialists Members deeply involved in program planning & development Transitioning from roles as members receiving peer support to those providing peer support and ultimately mutual support Informal peer support among members “ We feel, like we said, there’s that feeling of family. There’s that feeling of you know, a tight knit group. We’re very, very conscious of one another, we’re very fair when we think of the other people” STAR Learning Centre – April 2016

Who can attend STAR? Individuals who have experienced challenges around housing. Individuals who have experienced challenges around financial instability Do not have to be a client of St Michael’s Hospital No catchment area STAR Learning Centre – April 2016

Students, Members not Patients Providing recovery-oriented services through adult education, rather than through traditional health care services Courses provided in non-stigmatizing community settings Strengths based approach Currently over 300 members STAR Learning Centre – April 2016

Two Roles STAR as a Recovery College has two roles Supporting member’s recovery Supporting organizational transformation and embrace of recovery principles by bringing together clinicians and people with lived experience to co-produce, co-deliver and co-learn STAR Learning Centre – April 2016

The Importance of Collaboration and Co-Production Allows service providers and users to see one another in a different context Helps bridge the power dynamic Brings systemic change Involves providers across the healthcare spectrum (social workers, doctors, residents…etc) STAR Learning Centre – April 2016

Co-Production Programming lead by people with lived experience (peer staff and members) in conjunction with experts Peer driven and co-produced Member feedback sessions Member initiated courses STAR Learning Centre – April 2016

Co-Production Training to facilitate programming within STAR Individual Learning Plans Advisory Council Focus groups STAR Learning Centre – April 2016

Co-Producers say : Working as a co-producer with a person with lived experience helps to “ground” any theory, intervention materials in “real world” lived experience including the ability to “translate” material so it is useable for participants if it isn’t clear. It allows for the workshop to be a mutual learning “conversation” rather than a “presentation”’ Yvonne Bergmans Suicide Intervention Consultant STAR Learning Centre – April 2016

Co-Producers also say : “You get to teach with people not about people” “We are held honest and accountable to our language” “Learn from peers who are critically involved” “I learn things from them!” Anonymous STAR Learning Centre – April 2016

Courses STAR has offered since April 2014 include: Healthy Living 101 The mental, physical and spiritual you Getting the Future You Want – How to Set & Achieve Your Goals Telling your Story It’s not just gym : Physical Education that’s actually fun! Mindful or Mindfull? Finding Common Ground – the art of making friends Making $ense of your Money Walk and Talk STAR Learning Centre – April 2016

Member Developed Courses offered at STAR: The Art of a Calm Mind Motivation 101 Arts and Crafts The Joy of Pets STAR Learning Centre – April 2016

Summer Programming at STAR Facilitation level 1 and 2 Interpersonal Skills Boundary Setting Getting The Future You Want Personal Branding Mental Health First Aid (Funded by Bell Let’s Talk) WRAP Level 1 and 2 (WRAP 2 (Funded by Bell Let’s Talk) STAR Learning Centre – April 2016

Member Voices on Co-Production “ One thing is… wanting to take on a role where we help co-facilitate [classes], I think we are at a point now where there’s six or seven of us that can easily step into the role and I think what I would like to see a better thing of is us being able to sit down with staff and being able to plan courses to co-deliver.” Anonymous “I’d really like to be part of that Advisory Committee, I think a lot of us would really love to help design, I think that’s the key word is design what the program, it can be.” Anonymous STAR Learning Centre – April 2016

Member Voices on Co-Production “ One thing is… wanting to take on a role where we help co-facilitate [classes], I think we are at a point now where there’s six or seven of us that can easily step into the role and I think what I would like to see a better thing of is us being able to sit down with staff and being able to plan courses to co-deliver.” Anonymous “I’d really like to be part of that Advisory Committee, I think a lot of us would really love to help design, I think that’s the key word is design what the program, it can be.” Anonymous STAR Learning Centre – April 2016

Member Voices on Co-Production Marleanne

For more information: STAR Learning Centre – April 2016 Samuel Gruszecki star.stmichaelshospital.com STAR (7827) STAR (7827)

For more information: STAR Learning Centre – April 2016 QUESTIONS?