POD Journeys to recovery

Journeys to Recovery

www.coventry.gov.uk 1

the pod - journeys to recovery

The Recovery Journey The stories in this publication demonstrate the journey Coventry City Council has taken to transform service delivery in Adult Mental Health (Provider Services) in order to realise the objectives of the national personalisation agenda.

The Pod enables people to take control and responsibility for their personal recovery journey.

People develop their own understanding of what recovery feels like. Everyone’s definition of recovery will be different.

Many of the people in this publication have been supported by Adult Mental Health for decades and their relationship with this service pre-dates it being called the Pod.

The Pod believe a person’s recovery map is as unique as their finger print. Some of the places on the map continue to present challenges but they have a choice of routes and destinations. The Pod has simply played the role of social broker and catalyst.

Some accessed the service when it was an industrial therapy unit or more recently when it focused on therapy groups. The service had become a primary focus in their life. It was where they came to feel safe.

For them any change to their service provision was potentially destabilising.

Others who tell their story in the publication had only been supported by Adult Mental Health for a matter of months. Their perceptions and expectations of the Pod were very different. For them, accessing a service was potentially stigmatising and disabling. We had to be able to prove to them that the Pod’s approach is outward facing and recovery focused and that they direct their journey.

Although each person’s history (and journey) is unique the approach adopted by the team at the Pod and the partners we collaborate with has been consistent and singular in that it has been personalised and outcome focussed.

The Pod aims to respect and reflect people’s aspirations. To generate these outcomes we have forged innovative partnerships with a range of organisations and experts and brokered relationships with a rich mix of universal services. The stories in this publication highlight the importance of making these connections and the impact and outcomes that are achievable through collaboration and co-production.

Although it is possible to draw a process map of people’s route into the service it certainly would not be possible to draw a process map of their exit from the service. This is because the destinations on the map, as evidenced in the stories, will be as unique as the individual whose journey they mark.

A lesson we have all learnt over the last three years is that personalisation is not a formula or a process, it’s a value and a right.

Christine Eade Manager, the Pod

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What is the Pod?

The Pod is a Coventry City Council resource for people that are striving to improve their mental health. To access support from the Pod people need to meet Local Authority Adult Social Care criteria and to be supported by secondary mental health services.

People are directed to the Pod by the Community Mental Health Teams because they want to improve their mental wellbeing and achieve outcomes which will promote their recovery and inclusion.

What values underpin the service?

The service focuses on the recovery model and believes: • That people have capacity to develop personal resilience and to manage their mental health and wellbeing • Accessing support from the Pod is a step on the individual’s recovery journey and not the end destination • That people have the right to be included and the right to regain their place in community and access universal opportunities (to include training, education and employment)

• That people should be encouraged to access Direct Payments where this will enable them to achieve their outcomes • That people have the right to autonomy and to take positive risks

The Pod understands that although recovery can occur, symptoms may re–occur as mental health can fluctuate therefore the service believes: • Everyone’s recovery journey is unique and that the support we offer or broker should be personalised and responsive • That we need to have robust relationships with partner organisations so we can build foundations and broker sustainable outcomes • Our approach needs to optimise connectivity and build people’s social support networks • That people should know how, who and where they can access support from • That professional support should be personalised; proportionate and timely

• That people should be able to exercise choice and control and opportunities should be explored to optimise choice and control • That people have the right to design and manage their own package of support and that to facilitate this advice, informational and support should available

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“This is probably the only place I know that I feel relaxed coming into on my own. If you are looking for a chat people are friendly but also you can be left alone to read a book or just to collect your thoughts.”

Revive Café customer

Situated at the centre of the Pod, it is not just the location that makes Revive Café the heart of the building.

Revive Café is open to the public and a great space to eat, meet and connect with new people and opportunities. It has built up a reputation for quality and healthy food and snacks from a menu which changes on a daily basis.

The dedicated Revive Café team prepare all food served by hand each day offering a wide variety of choice that will whet the appetite.

The vibrant venue creates a relaxed atmosphere that, coupled with affordable prices, keeps bringing people back.

24 people have had a placement at Revive Café as part of their recovery journey.

Revive also hosts the highly successful Revive Your Evening.

There are many ingredients that make the Revive Café so popular – but don’t take our word for it.

Come along and see for yourself.

Here is what some of our customers said: “It has a friendly and relaxed atmosphere – it is the reason I come back.”

“The food is great. It is all made here and is healthy.

The menu changes a lot meaning that you never get bored eating the same thing.”

“It is not pretentious. Everyone talks to everyone and I’ve never felt self aware or conscious when I come here. I can be myself.”

“I like it so much that I’ve brought my friends along.

They like it too.”

“It looks modern but it’s comfortable too. The prices are realistic too.”

Telephone 024 7678 6680 or visit www.coventry.gov.uk/revivecafe for more information.

“The best thing I can say about it is that I come back every week – so it obviously is doing something right!”

Revive Café customer 4

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collaborations @ the pod

Partner experience “The Health Development Service supports organisations and groups to tackle health inequalities across Coventry.

participants have also gone on to make remarkable strides in their personal life with individuals engaging in work and study initiatives.

“The team has a long-standing working relationship with the Pod. Through this service, we have had the opportunity to work with Mental Health service users who no doubt also face various health inequalities.

“People supported by the Pod have also benefited from health professionals and clinicians giving specialised sessions at the Pod, such as cancer awareness, stop smoking, diabetes awareness, chiropody to name but a few. The Pod has made it easier for health promotion messages to filter out within the Mental Health community as service users are identified and engaged along with their carers to ensure that the message is heard by all. It is always a pleasure working with people who have a can do attitude, and that would encompass all the team at the Pod.”

“Because of Christine’s dynamic approach and advocacy for people supported by the Pod, we have had varied and successful projects to include healthy walks; gardening projects; use of martial arts as a means of physical activity; and vehicle to increase confidence.

“The successes of the first martial arts programme for men was phenomenal. Of the six participants that completed the entire 12 week course, all lost weight, lowered their BMI, lowered their blood glucose and cholesterol levels and blood pressure readings. The

Elley Scott, Health Development Officer, Coventry City Council

Partner experience “Acua is part of Coventry University and provided workplace learning programmes. We have used the Pod to deliver a Social Brokerage Programme to Coventry City Council.

“The Pod is a great venue to use. The environment is bright and modern. Its atmosphere is ideal for facilitating learning with good facilities such as a very reasonably priced café providing meals and snacks.”

Christina Palmer from Acua, a corporate trading subsidiary of Coventry University

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“The Pod has made it easier for health promotion messages to filter out within the Mental Health community as service users are targeted along with their carers to ensure that the message is heard by all.””

Elley Scott, Coventry City Council

Case Study The Pod in collaboration with Actively Influencing Mental Health Services (AIMHS) and Textile Artist Sam Webb, invited women involved in mental health services to participate in the Stitched Together Banner Making Project.

The project was part funded through an Adult Learning week grant from NIACE. The aim of the Stitched Together project was to create a large textile banner as used by both Women’s Suffragette movement and Trade Unions.

The banner was created using the themes of self advocacy; equality, justice, human rights and personalisation. Sam Webb commented: “As the Stitched Together project progressed we all as women grew in strength - we became fearless.”

The Stitched Together Banner currently hangs in Revive Café but there is the intention for the makers to march with the banner at events to include World Mental Health Day, Positive Images festival and International Women’s Week.

The women involved in making the banner have now, with support from the Pod, set up an independent Women’s Support Group called WELCOME which is funded through a collective Direct Payment. The constitution for the group was largely created by the women as a consequence of the debate and conversations the Stitched Together project facilitated.

“The Pod has a unique and innovative approach to mental health and supporting people’s recovery journeys.

“The staff at the Pod work with great urgency and a real care for those service users they are supporting to ensure their recovery is specific to them, and offer them endless opportunities and choice through many of the partnerships they have formed.

“Through the partnership with the Pod we have formed some great work and achieved many brilliant outcomes.”

Groundwork West Midlands

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in house apprenticeships

Case Study Mother-of-three Joan is in no doubt that the apprenticeship she is working on has helped her turn her life around.

Less than 18 months ago she was suffering from depression where she questioned the point of doing anything and spent most of her day either in bed, or lying on the sofa watching television.

“I had no self-esteem, did not see any real future so really did not see the point. It is dangerous as everything soon spirals out of control and you get in a real rut. It’s horrible.”

After finishing a 12 week programme with the Willow View Day Hospital, Joan was referred to the Pod earlier this year and has never looked back.

“The effect has been amazing – not just at work but in my private life as well. I am a carer for my brother and it has made a real difference.

The EVOLVE Apprentices scheme is a pioneering Coventry City Council inter – directorate pilot project funded by the Strategic Health Authority.

It draws on the expertise in the Pod team, the Employment Support Service (TESS) a dedicated mental health team in City Services and Development and the Entry to Employment Team in Customer and Workforce Services. The EVOLVE project is unique because it enables people supported by secondary mental health services who often find it hard to gain employment, to access apprenceships. The apprenticeships, aimed at people over the age of 24, are part time, allowing the apprentice to focus on other aspects of their recovery journey.

My family are amazed at the difference.”

Through training provider Coventry Warwickshire Training, Joan is working towards a national diploma in catering working in the busy Revive Café at the Pod and she has come on leaps and bounds.

“I remember when I started I was scared of doing anything – frightened of doing things for the fear of doing anything wrong. I was worried about doing toasties for fear of burning things!

“It is strange as you get more confidence, you relax and you do not really think twice about it which is a huge difference from a year or so ago when you would think and analyse everything.

“You have something to get up for in the morning, you do well and people seem to trust you more and you get even more confidence. Suddenly it is spiralling again but in a good way.”

Commissioner experience Roger Painter, Project Manager of the Regional Employment Support Programme, believes the scheme has been instrumental in changing people’s lives in a really positive way.

He said: “Too many people with mental health problems, are considered by themselves and others, to be “unemployable”, and this concept needs to be challenged.

“The apprenticeship route into employment has proved a unique and innovative way for people who had previously spent years in high cost mental health services, to have new opportunities and improved lifestyles.

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“Having met some of the people involved, their journey is both moving and inspiring. The outcomes for individuals are significant, and the costs involved far lower than traditional forms of ‘treatment and support.’

“What is more, people are able to make a contribution to the community and society within which they live.

The support and commitment from staff involved in this project has been fantastic, and hopefully this type of initiative can become a key element in an improved service for people with mental health problems in the future.”

Case Study On his journey back from suffering with his illness in his 40s, Augustus found it tough trying to get a job.

“When I was ready, there was very little about. If it was not for the Pod I do not think I would have got anywhere.

I used to come along to use the library here which was great as it got me out, it gave me somewhere meaningful to go.

“I’ve always enjoyed cooking and fancied working in a kitchen, so I volunteered to work in the kitchen at the Pod, in Revive Café. I started off only doing a few hours at a time but the routine it gave me really helped. I also really enjoyed doing it.

“Then last year an opportunity came up for an apprenticeship here. It was a great opportunity so I thought I’d go for it. I had to go for an interview which was nerve-racking but I got support which helped me a lot.

“With a bit of help and advice I got through the interview and got the apprenticeship and I have not looked back. It is a great place to work but since I’ve started things have got a lot busier. It is good that the café is so busy but the workload has increased so much since I started as a volunteer!

“I really enjoy doing what I’m doing and the apprenticeship is a great way learning skills I need.

I’m really grateful for the opportunity and I hope it is going to help me in the future.

“Of course you never know what is going to happen, but I hope that the experience here will help me find a full time job at the end of my apprenticeship. This opportunity has made a real difference to me.” the pod - journeys to recovery

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equality impacts

The equality impact assessment and gap analysis completed in 2009 presented a powerful evidenced based argument and steer for change.

“The transformation of the old service delivered through Lamb Street to the Pod has had a significant impact on raising the aspirations of people accessing its services.”

Dean Atkinson, TESS

The Pod is now tackling the impact that institutionalisation has had in people and continues to serve those people well, in conjunction with providing a service that supports people’s transtions and journey to recovery.

The Pod has forged robust relationships and partnerships with a rich mix of universal services, inter-directorate colleagues and experts to support the building and brokerage of meaningful and sustainable personalised outcomes.

Partner experience The Employment Support Service (TESS) is part of Coventry City Council’s wider Jobs Team. TESS specialises in providing a wide range of employment and training support to adults and young people with severe and enduring mental health difficulties, learning disabilities, physical and sensory impairments and autism/aspergers.

The Centre for Mental Health has recently invited the service to become a Centre of Excellence for Individual Placement and Support, an evidence based approach to supporting people recovering from mental ill health into work.

TESS has been working in partnership with the Pod since its redesign and launch. We have an office in the service and our two mental health employment advisors work incredibly closely with the Pod’s team. The transformation of the old service delivered through Lamb Street to the Pod has had a significant impact on raising the aspirations of people accessing its services; from being very inward facing the new service focuses on making real connections to the ‘outside world’ and supporting people to develop richer lives. This most definitely includes supporting

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people towards exploring their employment aspirations.

Working in partnership with the Pod means that we are able to focus our efforts on employment, working with employers and providing essential pre and post employment support as part of a wider holistic approach. We have collaborated with the Pod on a number of projects including the Evolve Apprenticeship Project and have looked to showcase the approach developed locally and internationally through regional events and as part of a wider European Project hosting visitors from employment services in Sweden.

Dean Atkinson, from Coventry City Council’s The Employment Support Service (TESS)

Statistics In 2012 we have had an average of 180 people active on the books at any one time with around 10 referrals in process and up to 30 people managing their support via the Pod Pass Card.

At peak periods we have had up to 220 people on the books which represent a 107% increase in the number of people we were working with in 2009 with no requirement for additional budget.

BME community Of the 180 people currently supported 23 (12.7%) have described themselves as being from BME groups, a percentage increase of 69% from 2009.

Young People Of the 180 people currently supported 33 (18.3%) are under the age of 25. Two of them are under the age of 18 and are making the transition from CAMHS. Overall this is a transformational increase of 395% from 2009.

Transition In 2009 the majority of people were supported by the service for 5 years or more. Now, many positively move through the service in 6 months or less.

Professional Team The organisational structure has been completely

transformed. The Pod now has a team of Development Workers. All are qualified as Social Brokers via a qualification we developed with Acua, a corporate trading subsidiary of Coventry University. This enables a truely personalised approach that responds to people’s assets and aspirations.

Over 40% of the professional team have expertise gained through lived experience of using mental health services.

Employment Over the last 2 years the Pod has referred 45 people to TESS. This represents 27% of the people they have worked with in this period. Of those 45 people, 12 have secured an employment outcome.

TESS run a mental health employment networking meeting at the Pod. 515 people have accessed support through the network in the past two years.

3 people supported by TESS have attended the outward bound course residential funded through the Pod’s partnership project called Sports for Change achieving stretched outcomes.

TESS have directed 9 people to placements with Grow or Revive, the trading arms of the Pod.

photograph by Asha Eade-Green

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Case Study Looking back on the last 13 years of his potential working life, Robert feels there have been a lot of wasted opportunities.

After being diagnosed with schizophrenia and depression at 22, he slipped into a cycle of either living on his own or with relatives across the country.

But he felt he was getting nothing from these and feeling there was little point – which was heightened if there was a problem in his personal life – it resulted in two attempts to take his own life.

GROW Enterprise is one of the training and trading arms of the Pod. Grow Enterprise provides placement opportunities for up to 15 people who have been referred to the Pod. Grow Enterprise aims to both provide a professional gardening service in the Coventry area and plant the seeds for future employment. Getting involved in Grow Enterprise is an integral part of a person’s personal recovery journey.

The Grow Enterprise team, which includes apprentices, Robin and Robert, has recently branched out and has undertaken paving, fencing and other hard landscaping work.

Grow Enterprise has already made a demonstrable difference to people’s lives, giving them value as well as professional and vocational skills.

For more information contact: 024 7678 6686 grow.enterprise@coventry.gov.uk www.coventry.gov.uk/grow

“I just did not have a sense of any self belonging and looking back it was such a waste – the effect it had on me and those around me.

“I accessed services in different cities and counties but none of them seemed to help. They were not what I needed and did hot help me – not in the long term anyway.

“For the first time I had a social worker, called Danielle, who is brilliant and she referred me to the Pod in May 2011 and things have changed for me unbelievably.”

Robert is now studying to achieve a Level Two Diploma in 12 months that would normally take two years to complete working with Warwickshire College.

“This definitely works for me, as gradually, for the first time for years, I have my motivation back and things make sense.

“When I started, getting out of bed was still a challenge and occasionally I’d receive calls from the centre to make sure I got in on time.

“Now that has changed and people remark that I am one of the first to arrive and that is all about enjoying what I do, seeing the possibility of a future and seeing the point of it all.”

A further feel good factor for Robert has been the fact that the apprenticeship has helped him move off benefits and Jobs Seekers Allowance as he now receives tax credits instead.

“It may seem a small step to some people, but to me and others like me that is a huge step forward and achievement.” Robert said.

“There is something really good about thinking I am out of the JSA and benefits cycle and is just one of the many good things that all add up and make a real difference to your life.

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Case Study The Grow project has given Robin a new lease of life.

At the age of 18, he was diagnosed as suffering from manic depression leading to what he now feels has been eight wasted years of his professional life.

He remembered: “I could not hold a job down as there seemed no point, no opportunities to progress, so why bother?”

“Grow has really been a lifeline to me as before I seemed to be on a merry-go-round of crappy jobs with no prospects and I could just not stick them.

“From when my illness started that was pretty much the next eight years of my life but everything changed when I was referred to the Pod over a year ago.”

Rob was offered the chance to take part in a gardening group which appealed as it has always been something he had been interested in.

Robin said: “It is something that I have really liked to do as I always find that being active is good for me – it seems to lessen the depression.

“I was really enjoying the work and it was suggested to me to apply for the apprenticeship, which I did.”

As part of the apprenticeship Robin is working with Warwickshire College to achieve a Level Two Diploma that would normally take two years to complete in 12 months.

“I have learnt so many new skills from it and I am really enjoying it. I am off benefits and receiving tax credits which make me feel better as when you are in the benefits trap it is hard to get out of it.

“I feel that I have more independence and I am now looking around for my own place to live, as at the moment I live in supported accommodation.

“To say that is amazing when I consider where I was a year or so ago, but that is the difference this has made to me.

“I am taking everything one step at a time but for the first time in a long time I see a future and a purpose to what I am doing and I see possibilities what I could do with my future.” the pod - journeys to recovery

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recovery @ the pod

“I’ve had clinical depression since my mid teens. For better or worse I grew up in a violent and abusive environment. Nevertheless I managed to make a career for myself primarily as a social worker with Coventry for thirteen years and latterly as an officer for a professional body. However, since 2002 I’ve had a series of major breakdowns which by 2010, left me pretty much at rock bottom.

“I came to the Revive Café in 2011 as a volunteer with the support of my CPN and TESS and found myself in an environment that accepted me for the person I am, rather than the person I had been.

“The people at the Pod and Revive asked me what they could do with me rather than for me. They talked with me rather than to or at me. I was able to build up my self-confidence and my skills. I’ve developed friendships which are fast and firm and rediscovered my faith in people. After a brief successful period of employment as a catering assistant at a primary school I was lucky enough to be asked to come back to the Revive Café as a paid employee by Paul Elson, the chef.

“Since returning, I have continued to admire the work that the team at the Pod put into enabling people with mental illness to achieve.

“From my own standpoint, this is primarily down to the quality of leadership. At a not too distant time in my past I felt I had lost everything, I even attempted to take my own life, in a serious and premeditated manner. Luckily I have the physical constitution of an ox and as my two loving sons would say possibly the intelligence of one as well!

“In all seriousness, being a part of Revive and the Pod has helped me to sustain a lengthy period of recovery and crucially hope for the future.”

Paul, Revive Café Coordinator

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pea pod collective

For nearly two years the Pod has worked closely with Taylor Johns Music and Arts Centre - a not for profit arts space and music venue that provides a range of arts services to the community.

Through this collaboration people supported by the Pod have been able to engage in a variety of artistic activities based heavily around Taylor Johns music tuition program.

Partner experience Andy Whitehead from Taylor Johns said an initial partnership with the Pod has led to bigger things.

“There have been many highly positive outcomes for both the organisations and the participants and now, through funding from the BIG Lottery/Awards For All, they have established the PEA Pod Project. This enables a growing number of people supported by the Pod to engage in creative activity and effectively shape the way the project is run through regular workshops and steering group sessions.

“Now, after receiving the funding, the PEA Pod is able to allow many more people the opportunity to engage with the project so that they can develop existing skills or explore their own potential by trying new things. This approach in conjunction with personal funding through the Direct Payments scheme means that people supported by the Pod can effectively take control of the way that their own recovery process is shaped.”

Case study The first collaboration came through the case of David who expressed a desire to learn to play the drums.

followed a similar course and been awarded funding for a range of activities. One participant and now a key member of the PEA Pod steering group is Adam.

He had previously considered the fact that he is partially sighted as a barrier to this but his story effectively illustrates that, through bringing together the right resources with a positive approach, many perceived barriers may be removed.

Adam is a highly accomplished pianist who has had funding through Direct Payments for a series of music composition workshops. Through these he is able to hone his compositional technique and expand his ability to express himself through music. Since becoming involved with the project Adam has given several public performances including a training event for NHS staff at which he also gave a presentation outlining his background, history and his experiences through the project. He describes his experience of the project:

After a series of taster sessions delivered by a professional tutor, sourced by Taylor Johns, David then went on to successfully apply for funding through the Direct Payments scheme which enabled him to receive a whole series of drum lessons. After reporting the highly positive effects of this activity, David then featured in a video playing drums with some local musicians. This video was used to illustrate what may be achieved through this approach and was screened at a personalisation event at Coventry Transport Museum.

Since David’s pilot case there have been many more successful collaborations and many more people have

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“Coming from a technical background i.e. as a software engineer, being a member of the PEA Pod Collective has enabled me to learn to communicate on a more creative and artistic level, as well as motivating me to develop my musical interests, including composing.”

photograph by Matthew Lister

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external apprenticeships

“There is very much a ‘can do’ attitude here which is what attracted me and convinced me to take part.”

Tony Pillage, Way of the Spiritual Warrior

Associate experience Tony Pillage who runs Way of the Spiritual Warrior, Longford, Coventry, started to work with the Pod just over a year ago.

“I have been using martial arts to work with disengaged youngsters and young men mainly because football and martial arts are the two main things people of this age like to do.

“Even though I have worked with so many people over the years I was actually quite nervous when I started working with people with mental health issues.

That was purely about my perception built up over the years which looking back at it was really ignorance.

“I started running a short course at the Pod in Lamb Street in May last year and the experience I got from it was not what I expected at all. Never mind the 12 people in the class I learnt a lot – it really educated

Case Study

Although he did not realise it at the time, not so long ago Dave Burton’s life was spiralling out of control.

Sectioned more than 10 times and hearing voices in his head, his life seemed at times to be a rollercoaster with more ups than downs that include an attempt to take his own life.

“My life pretty much was in and out of different institutions. It is scary to think of the place that was but the turnaround over the last year or so has been amazing. I’d accessed so many services in the past but as soon as I was referred to the Pod everything started to change.

“The difference coming to the Pod is that you are not told what you have to do, you are listened to and they help you achieve your aims. It sounds an obvious thing to say but that is not the way it always is.

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me. What struck me was how responsive they all were and, without any intervention from me, how the stronger ones looked out for the weaker members of the group.

“Another important ingredient is the way people work here, the system if you like, that is very different. I’ve experienced some places where there are barriers, where the red tape gets in the way of the outcomes if you like of the people attending.

“There is very much a ‘can do’ attitude here which is what attracted me and convinced me to take part.

It makes a real difference – not just for me but those who come along to the Pod. One of the group I work with has started as an apprentice at the Way of the Spiritual Warrior – something that I never intended when I agreed to start the course.”

“I joined a number of different groups the Pod offer and one of them was the martial arts course. It was great and I really enjoyed it. The discipline it teaches really helped but every one of us in the group got something out of it.

“It made such a difference that I started going to the ‘dogo’ outside of the classes and I haven’t looked back.

In the fist six months I made such progress that has changed my life so much I can now look back and see how low I actually was. That is a major achievement in itself.

“As well as an instructor Tony has become my friend and I can’t stress the difference the opportunity Tony and the Pod have given me. The opportunity of an apprenticeship came up with Tony and I was lucky enough to get it.

“I know I still have a long way to go in my journey but the progress I have made is great and for the first time in years, I am actually looking to the future with confidence.”

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consult and learn

“I don’t think we would have got such good, honest, relaxed responses without the help of the VOX Poppers.”

Edd Tillen, Project Lead for Every Voice Counts

Training in filming and developing interviewing skills has enabled people supported by this service to Vox Pop, equipping them with a creative way to evidence baseline positions and evaluate outcomes.

Their skills were utilised at Coventry’s city wide personalisation event held at the Coventry Transport Museum in February 2011, at a three day residential in Malvern, Worcestershire and also as part of a documentary commissioned by Coventry and Warwickshire partnership Trust, Equal Partners.

Local filmmakers include Revive Your Evening at the Pod as one of their regular showcase venues for their work, connecting people to the power of film and business and creative opportunities.

“Being part of a team and a community event, made it special.

I managed to go in by myself. Usually I don’t like crowds.”

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Partner experience During an afternoon of filming at the Pod, the VOX Pops team helped Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Partnership Trust to create a film called Every Voice Counts.

The film focussed on people being able to give their feedback and opinions about the services they’d received.

Edd Tillen, the Project Lead for Every Voice Counts, said: “The team were really able to empathise with the interviewees, and put them at ease. I was really surprised with just how professional they were, and what a great job they did.

“I don’t think we would have got such good, honest, relaxed responses without the help of the VOX Poppers. The film has now been very well received throughout the Trust, and the powerful messages are being used to help staff understand the service users’ point of view.”

“I enjoyed asking people if they wanted to be interviewed. I’ve seen people do that in town. I’ve never had a chance to do that. I never thought I would.”

Partner experience Film making – the great conspiracy Robert Altman once said that filmmaking is a chance to live many lifetimes. This is undoubtedly a sound endorsement that alludes not only to the craft and the subject matter of each film, but to the lives and times that revolve around them.

For my money, cinema is the most powerful, expressive and enduring art form, a medium which summons nearly all of our creative and sensory powers.

Expressing yourself through film is an incredible process. It is highly creative and collaborative, One minute you are discussing what colour a prop needs to be, and the next you are sitting in a studio pondering the music with a composer. Film and film making can also be very healing. It is a way of solidifying memories and manifesting personal experiences.

Have you ever been moved to the point of tears by a film? They say that when you watch a film your brain

photograph by Andy Borg

cannot make the distinction between what is real and what is make believe. Of course, on some level, we know the nature of what we are watching. We know that it has been carefully assembled, to manipulate us in to feeling a certain way and yet still, we experience an emotional response, which is just as precious as anything else you might feel. Never feel ashamed or embarrassed by this. No matter what kind of story you set out to make, be it a comedy, drama or documentary, no matter the time or space, the trick is to be truthful, not necessarily entirely, perhaps just in some small way and the beautiful outcome of your honesty, the biggest reward for your vision, is the connection you make with other people.

We all know how it is done, which is why for me at least, film making is the greatest conspiracy.

Brian Harley Film maker and VOX Pops trainer

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your evening

Every month a Revive your Evening is held at the Pod in Revive Café. It is an open mic session that is compered by Angryfish (a disability activist, gold medallist paralympic swimmer, artist and poet.)

It is a chance for people to show off their artistic talents in the fields of music and poetry or even film, as local film makers often have their work screened.

I have commissioned lots of community cafés (and visited even more) - this is the best model I’ve ever seen - Revive your Evening has both attracted new customers and showcased so much talent. I am going to arrange for representatives from our community cafés to come and visit it.

Public Health and Food Policy Manager, May 2011

The event has built up quite a following with around 40 people attending each month. It certainly demonstrates there is some real talent at the Pod!

Associate experience If ever you wanted to monitor the change in people’s confidence and capacity to engage with others, and to operate socially and work creatively, and provide them with a platform to express who they are through creative thinking and co-production then start thinking about how to organise a regular performance event.

Measuring the incredibly positive impact participating in the Revive Your Evening Open Mic sessions have had on members of the Pod at Lamb Street, is stella.

Having been involved from the earliest creative thinking events through to the latest Revive Your Evening in May 2012, I have witnessed the re-birth of a whole community.

From lost souls to creative artists from shrinking violets to flamboyancy, revival is the very essence of the evening. Poets, musicians, creative readers, and audience alike buzz with collective anticipation

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for the performances to come, and with each new performer, eager to please their experiential peers, to demonstrate the journey they have travelled is reaching a positive destination, each performer is greeted with a shared euphoria and pride with the shared recognition of both the growth in their friends and the quality of them and their engaging performances.

When I began compering the evenings I cajoled and rallied members to participate in the smallest of ways, now I am required to keep the party in control, and ensure that everyone who wants to perform has time to perform as the audiences get larger and more members become artists and performers and give from each to inspire their compatriots to join them in their genesis.

Robin Surgeoner AKA Angryfish

WELCOME TO THE POD PALACE OF CREATIVITY UNIQUE PEOPLE WITH INDIVIDUALITY THAT’S THE WAY POD ALL DAY POP IN POP OUT SAY HI SAY HEY OPPORTUNITIES MIXED QUALITIES STAFF TREAT VISITORS RESPECTABLLY THAT’S THE WAY POD ALL DAY POP IN POP OUT SAY HI SAY HEY TALENTS PASSIONS GIFTS SKILLS ACTIVITY DAYS WITH A HIGH THRILL THE AIM OF POD TO FULLY DEVELOP YOU AND MAKE THOSE PASSIONS EXPLODE THROUGH N THROUGH HERE AT POD WE EMBRACE ALL YOU ARE TO DEVELOP YOUR TALENTS AND TAKE YOU FAR ACHIEVE BELIEVE AIM FOR THE SKY JOURNEY ON FLY FLY FLY.

"Stacey delivers a frenetic poetry experience, bringing her own brand of multi-storey creative writing, read over live music, she energises the audience with a staccato performance with a sense of urgency, with an infection that grabs even the most reclusive listener." Angryfish

WRITERS DIRECTORS GUITARISTS DRUMMERS POETS STORY MAKERS

SUPPORT WORKERS COOKS FITNESS

INSTRUCTORS

SAXOPHONE

YOUTH WORKERS SOCIAL

WORKERS.

OPEN MIC NIGHTS

ACTIVITY DAYS

FOOD SECTOR SPORTS CLASSES

ENTER THE POD WITH AN OPEN EYE SO IN LIFE YOU CAN FLY

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sports for change

“It has been quite refreshing working with the Pod on this project as the approach that they take is creative, always thinking outside the box and pushing boundaries...”

Amanda Swan, Groundwork West Midlands

For more than two years Groundwork West Midlands and the Pod have been working together in partnership enabling about 120 service users to access sports and leisure activities and begin the journey of reintegration back into the community.

The two partners came together to work on a programme called Sports for Change. The programme involved a new and innovative way of working which both partners embraced. Sports for Change enabled a Community Project Officer from Groundwork to work

directly with the Pod in receiving referrals onto the programme.

This involved developing a different approach to re-engaging people supported by the Pod into the communities through a sport or physical activity of their choice in which they are interested. The approaches ranged from 1:1, for example supporting individuals accessing the gym or a badminton club; and group work either at the Pod or out in the community, such as martial arts and walking groups.

Partner experience Amanda Swan from Groundwork said the partnership working has opened many doors of opportunity for service users.

She said: “It has also given both organisations to branch out, try new things and work in a different way.

The partnership has required development workers to work closely with the Community Project Officer at Groundwork West Midlands and often with urgency, to achieve results and support people effectively.

“It has been quite refreshing working with the Pod on this project as the approach that they take is creative, always thinking outside the box and pushing boundaries, which can sometimes be challenging, but always results in the best outcomes for those we are

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working with. The partnership has been beneficial for Groundwork as it has given us access to a different client base, offered substantial support in working with this group of people and included training opportunities.

“Through this project we have also formed many other partnerships with clubs and organisations to strengthen the offer that we have, such as the Health Development Team at Coventry City Council and The Way of the Spiritual Warriors who are a specialist martial arts club in Coventry.”

“One of the reasons the Pod works so well is that 40 percent of the Pod team have expertise through experience of using secondary mental health services. It does make a difference.”

“Transforming the service how it works - the impact it has on people has been an absolute pleasure for me.”

Sports for Change programme participant

Sports for Change programme participant

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allotments @ the pod

“You can really see people come on and develop and such a relative simple activity cannot be underestimated in the difference it can make.”

Chris Leech, programme co-ordinator for Groundwork

The Pod’s allotment project is a bridge in to community allotment schemes, one of which is the successful Back to my Roots partnership programme run by Groundwork West Midlands, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and Garden Organic that is funded by the Big Lottery Fund’s Local Food Programme.

Case Study Gary has been living with his paranoid schizophrenia for more than 20 years.

For much of that time his condition was dealt with by strong medication and he remembers spending most of his time at home with his parents.

The Pod has been working with Groundwork to establish the scheme in the Hillfields area of Coventry, just over a mile from the city centre.

It has only been since he was referred to the Pod that he has been able to try and experience things he never thought possible.

It offers an introduction for people interested in growing their own food, teaching skills such as composting, soil health, growing from seed, crop problems, fruit growing and crop rotation as well as general health and safety.

“I have not necessarily got a keen interest in some of the things but it is great to try things out. I’ve been swimming, played badminton and taken part in media and photography workshops.

Partner experience Chris Leech, programme co-ordinator for Groundwork, said the link-up with the Pod was an example of the organisation’s partnership working.

He said: “The programme is well established at four other sties across the city and when this partnership was suggested, we were happy to help out.

“The programme offers a general introduction into growing your own food and is very much about making it a good experience.

“People often want to grow their own food but do not know how to do it. They are often amazed at how easy it is and get a great deal of satisfaction from it.

“You can really see people come on and develop and such a relative simple activity cannot be underestimated in the difference it can make.”

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“It has been very varied and different and I’ve enjoyed them all in different ways. I like trying things.

I volunteered to take part in coming to the allotments here as I’ve never done anything like it before and thought I’d give it a go.

“I have found over the years that the best thing to help my condition is to keep my mind active. When it’s not is when I hear voices. Doing things certainly helps. I’m enjoying the allotment project and I’m looking forward to growing things.”

“We are growing some more unusual varieties and look forward to seeing the produce adding a local and fresh flavour to the Revive Café menu. ” Sarah Laughton, Development Worker at the Pod

“I have found over the years that the best thing to help my condition is to keep my mind active.�

Gary, allotment volunteer

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well now Well Founded Ltd (WFL) is a social enterprise that emerged from an NHS background to offer nonclinical responses to tackling health inequalities.

We work in communities, often with partner organisations, to innovate and improve equality of access to opportunity and services, especially for disadvantaged or higher risk groups. Our approach is underpinned by a compassionate-mind philosophy that advocates respect for everybody, regardless of people’s health, fitness, weight, health behaviours or other protected diversity characteristics such as age and ethnicity. This means we offer a safe alternative for people who may be reluctant to engage with other providers because they feel judged or devalued.

Partner experience Lucy Aphramor PhD RD, Director, of Well Founded Ltd said Well Now was helping users develop a healthy relationship with food.

“As well as improvements in self-care, participants typically talk about how much more confident they feel which in turn promotes inclusion and opportunity for peer support.

“The partnership with the Pod has been great for each other as it has been a catalyst for incredible but sustainable change outcomes for people using the programme.”

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Case Study - My journey back to living “I am a 56 year old, mother-of-three who has a history of clinical depression that have resulted in several voluntary hospital admissions.

“I was referred to Lamb Street twice and each time I got better and better. At my first referral I developed a good relationship with staff and completed the Confidence and Assertiveness courses. I then become stronger and motivated enough to apply for voluntary work myself with Walsgrave Hospital and was successful in getting this position.

“Before taking up this position I went away on holiday came back depressed, had a re-lapse and was re-admitted back into the Caludon Centre for one week.

“My second referral to the Pod saw us meeting meet up mainly in the community café in Bell Green, TJ Hughes and the Belgrade theatre in the city centre.

Meeting up in the community was lovely and I liked the choice I was given, instead of being told where to go, I decided and staff agreed. The atmosphere at the Pod is very warm and inviting I always feel

welcomed, relaxed and positive because staff encourages me to be myself and stay positive.

“The Pod introduced me to the Well Now project.

We all meet in the café and decide where to go for our walks in the community. I really enjoy the walks with Well Now and members of the public. We all communicate and interact with different fellow members in the group.

“I feel a lot stronger and am now able to get on with my life. I still have little blips mainly in the mornings and have to tell myself, “come on think positive thoughts” this relaxes me and gives me the encouragement I need to get on with and do what I had planned previously. When I hold on to negative thoughts these bring me down and I go back to that horrible hole, like in the ground and need a ladder to get myself out.

“Pass Card has made so much of a difference in allowing me to contact the Pod when I need to. I realise I can contact my CPN but choose to use one of my Pass Card credits with the Pod.” the pod - journeys to recovery

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create @ the pod

Case Study - Excerpts from Adam’s Story In 1990, after leaving University, I became employed with a company in Surrey involved in the Ariane 4 Flight Program. The Ariane 4 rocket was a part of the European Space Program and was a launcher capable of carrying satellite payloads into orbit. I was employed as a Programmer in this project.

It all started in the summer of ’97, in my seventh year of employment. I became convinced people at work were talking about me behind my back.

It gradually progressed until I thought complete strangers were colluding against me in some way.

At the time I did not realise I was ill - I felt these were very real experiences and chose not to respond as I hoped they would eventually go away. It would have been beneficial to me at this time if one of my work

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colleagues had picked up that I was experiencing problems and tried to help me in some way. However I kept myself to myself and my behaviour did not change noticeably so this internal turmoil was not detectable in any way. Generally speaking, it is not discernible to outsiders that an individual has schizophrenia - unlike a lot of other diseases, there are no physical signs. Behaviour will not usually seem outwardly unusual but this often belies the inner anguish experienced which prevents people from living a normal life.

My symptoms started while I was in the process of searching for a new job. I was interviewed by a firm involved with Aircraft Flight Simulators in Crawley which eventually employed me in the autumn of ‘97. photograph by Atma Singh

It may have been the stress and angst of changing jobs, finding new accommodation, making new friends and so on which exacerbated my problems. I soon felt that my every move was being monitored and that my new flat was bugged. I tried to continue as normal under these circumstances, continuing with work and my hobbies. However, everything reached a head in the beginning of ’98 after I had been with the company for about two months. I decided to tell my parents and the police about my beliefs and that I would be getting some anti-surveillance professionals to search my flat. This eventually I did do but I was not satisfied with their finding that my flat was bug free and so I took it upon myself to search for them myself. This involved scraping away paint, dismantling electrical equipment and suspiciously examining all the fixtures and furnishings within the flat. By this stage my parents had joined me in Crawley and insisted I see the local GP which took a lot of persuading as I still perceived my beliefs as real. The local GP referred me to a Psychiatrist at Crawley hospital, who diagnosed paranoid psychosis and prescribed anti-psychotic drugs.

Case Study - Kerri’s Story One participant and now a key member of the PEA Pod steering group is Kerri.

I have always written poetry for as long as I remember. I think I began to take it seriously about the age of 17. This year has been a turbulent ride, having a book published and what that means to me.

No longer in solitude, writing for a public.

I have always tried to keep my poetry as something separate and aside my mental illness, but those at the Pod have an understanding of mental illness.

Through a successful application from the Direct Payment Scheme and an award from The PEA Pod Collective, I have been able to publish a book, ‘I Could Be Dreaming.’ I am so lucky to have this gift, and the people at the Pod, encourage me to share it with others. I am so proud to be a published poet.

After I was dismissed from my job at Crawley, I returned to Coventry where I made a rapid recovery and within a year, I had found a new job at Marconi Communications. However around 2000 my symptoms returned which is when I was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. For the moment my condition has stabilised.

With the help of the Lamb Street Service, otherwise known as the Pod, I have received a direct payment from the council to fund musical composition lessons.

I was also able to purchase music software for my computer to help me score my compositions. I spent some time researching the content and cost of lessons from various music tutors based in Coventry, during the course of which the Pod put me in contact with Taylor John’s in the Canal Basin which provides a resource for people interested in musical pursuits.

The Pod made me aware of a particular individual at Taylor John’s who provides specifically the sort of composition lessons I was interested in - so this partnership between the Pod and Taylor John’s was of particular benefit to me.

I also sometimes play the piano at Revive Your Evening sessions which take place about once a month at the Revive Café in the Pod. I tell my full story as part of the Snapshot Collective training.

photograph by Atma Singh

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snapshot collective

“Snap shot was fantastic. When one of the trainers read out her poem about her experience I was a little emotional. It made me understand mental health in a less technical way.

It was inspirational and the Pod is doing a fantastic job in supporting and encouraging.

Keep up the good work.�

Snapshot Training is designed and delivered by people that have lived experience of using mental health services.

to make this happen. It aims to reduce negative perceptions of mental health and promote further learning.

The 90 minute training offers an insight in to individuals’ personal stories; their journey to recovery.

Art pieces and poems produced by members of the Snapshot Collective, are used to enrich these stories during presentation. The training focuses on creating more inclusive services and developing simple steps

Snapshot has reached over 500 people targeted at those working in library services, community centres, community sports facilities, social housing and anyone commissioned to provide social care in the city. The training is available through the Social Care Development Centre.

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“I thought the people who shared their stories gave us a really good insight in to what it is really like to live with mental ill health.”

“It was very moving and educational listening to them and the confidence they showed in opening up to us all.”

“I had always perceived people that suffer from Schizophrenia as violent, aggressive, and always hearing voices and having hallucinations. But after hearing Adam’s personal journey to recovery my perceptions are changed.”

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impact of the pod

My Brother “I knew how important these classes have been to him, because he has spoken about them with excitement and respect, because he has shown me (i.e.worn) the shirt he was given for his positive contribution/progress and has grown two inches in the process and because he has come alive again. He really has come alive again. My heart has been nearly been bursting with delight and relief at witnessing this after all the dark dark times.

“He feels valued and respected there and inspired. I’m not someone prone to exaggeration, but the Pod has done/is doing the equivalent of successful CPR on my brother.

“I wasn’t expecting to be so inspired myself with the visit and to learn such useful and up until that point, unfamiliar stuff. But I was.

Peer Auditor experience “Christine and the staffing team at the Pod work across a number of services and directorates – some very innovative work continues to be carried out which involves both statutory and voluntary sector providers working in partnership.

“Working with Christine has increased our networking opportunities and has allowed us to reach more service users which has helped us to support a greater number of people in positive way.”

Andrew Collis, Service Manager, Coventry AIMHS

“No wonder the class, the Pod is having such an impact.

“Before I sign off I also want to congratulate all concerned not just for the atmosphere created in the class but for the whole environment. Everything says “we value you, you are important”. A warm reception, clean, colourful, good coffee, affordable prices in the café, pictures and words about the place that make you feel (made me feel) good. He insisted on showing me around after, “This is the art room, this is the library where we have computers and can print stuff off, this is our café, let me get you a coffee”. He was proud to show me round, to be part of the place. And what a great name, “the Pod”. Love it.

“Thanks a million. Doesn’t even touch on it.”

Mary

Associate experience Over the last 3 years the Pod has received a contribution from Jo Knight, who co-ordinates Adult Learners’ Week in the Midlands for The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), to enable us to deliver a rich and relevant Adult Learners’ Week Programme each May. This year the programme included workshops on ‘Time Banking’ in preparation for the development of a Community Time Bank at the Pod.

enable people experiencing mental ill health to take more control of their recovery journey through a Direct Payment. About 100 people have engaged in the programme, a large percentage of which have gone on to apply for a Direct Payment. Jo Knight says: “It is very important to achieve a diverse range of events delivered throughout the region during the campaign week and I am always pleased to support the Pod when possible.”

The Pod are also accredited to deliver the Is it for Me training programme developed by NIACE. This bespoke training programme aims to inspire and

NIACE (The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education)

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Practitioner perspective “I work as a Social Worker within the Community Mental Health Team and have been in post for the past 11 years.

I am delighted to be invited to have a presence within this publication highlighting the positive work carried out at the Pod. I have been privileged to be part of the journeys towards recovery that have been made possible for those people linking in with the Pod. The principles espoused are in harmony with many of my social work values which include participation, inclusion, individuality and ownership. The Pod is a fantastic resource that has supported many people to achieve positive outcomes.

Working with Robert gave me a true appreciation of the types and range of interventions available.

Robert has been really committed to the process and has embraced all the support with excellent outcomes for him.

photograph by Atma Singh

The service is innovative and inspiring in its approach to supporting recovery for people experiencing mental health issues. It is truly inclusive and promotes confidence, skill development and creativity. It is a safe space that is warm and welcoming.

The team are both dynamic and expert in sourcing and networking. This has in my view been the central component to making the project successful in meeting individual needs. Additionally, the project is responsive to supporting people achieve recovery in a humanistic way, but also in tandem with more formal mental health service provision. I highly value being able to work with clients linking in with the Pod since it brings richness and vibrancy to people’s experience of recovery.

Danielle

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1a Lamb Street, Coventry CV1 4AE Telephone: 024 7678 6680

12/06/2667

If you need this information in another format or language, please contact: Christine Eade Telephone: 024 7678 6688 e-mail: christine.eade@coventry.gov.uk