The Care Forum Meeting in Bristol March 23 rd 2011 The Care Forum Meeting in Bristol March 23 rd 2011 New Routes Community Avenues to Well Being

About The Care Forum Independent voluntary and community sector infrastructure organisation Communication, consultation and networking Partnership working Empower people to voice issues about local social and community care services Provide information and advice about health and well-being services

Some of the things we do Networks: Healthy Conversation, mental health, older people, carers services providers Newsletters, ebulletins, information Representation Well Aware Advocacy New Routes LINks for Bristol and South Glos

Background to New Routes Two-year pilot project ; GP referrals only; Keynsham area Designed to address the number of patients who go to their GP for wellbeing related issues Improve health and wellbeing by signposting local activities and resources - Well Aware Funded by B&NES council and PCT Evaluated by University of Bath Example of cross sector and preventative working

Monitoring and evaluation University of Bath evaluation (Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well Being Scale, interviews, diary data from Coordinators) Our methods with adaptation of a standardised wellbeing measure and two follow up assessments Preventative work very important but often the most difficult to evaluate Use of case studies and anecdotal evidence

Referrals About 100 referrals since October 2009 Reasons for referrals Referrals reflect the demographic of Keynsham Most have some physical health problem

Types of services referred to:

What works and what does not? Length of time a person has been in pain, isolated, immobile or depressed Transport issues Clarity of purpose of New Routes Appropriate referral? Motivation to self manage well being Stigma associated with ‘mental ill health’

Case Study - Ivy Aged 82, widowed, losing vision – though upbeat, feeling scared and alone. Changed circumstances left her feeling lost and bored. New Routes Coordinator made 2 referrals: Keynsham and Chew Valley Befrienders service: to meet or go out Vision Plus: equipment, social group with transport Coordinator now making an application to The Blind Society for holiday

Case study - Simon Aged 42, experiencing anxiety, depression Very engaging and motivated – open to wide range of options New Routes Coordinator referred: ◦ Volunteering with the Woodland Trust ◦ Supportive book group ◦ Volunteer walk leader ◦ Photography course ◦ Local history group

Hurdles Encountered

Hurdles Time constraints De-motivated clients Difficulty getting hold of clients and GPs Difficulty in obtaining feedback Transport Complexity of cases

When it works, it works because...  Cross sector working  Early intervention/prevention  Saving costs on services as part of a stepped care approach  Supports the public mental health agenda  Prescription costs for anti depressants have risen

Summary Strong and effective partnership working between statutory and voluntary sector essential to finding alternative solutions to the tremendous burden mental health issues place upon primary care Especially need to beware of attaching a medical diagnosis to socio-economic problems

Contact us See Contact Debbie or Anna, New Routes T: E: