ISSUE 3:
voicesofstoke.org.uk
AUGUST 2015
@voicesofstoke
facebook.com/voicesofstoke
CHANGING TIMES Changing times Andy Meakin talks unintentional assumptions and systems change
Learning together FREE learning opportunities available through VOICES Mark’ Mark’s story A tale of recovery from violence, alcoholism, and mental ill-health Janette’ Janette’s story Job success through our volunteering programme Challenging media stigma Expert Citizens help to reveal The Real Benefits Street
Congratulations Guardian Volunteer of the Year Finalist Dost tha knowst? Identify local celebrities in these anagrams of their names
VOICES Fulfilling Lives: Supporting people with multiple needs in Stoke-on-Trent Funded by the National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund
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OICES is committed to promoting change in the systems that affect people with multiple needs. Too often, people with multiple needs perceive that they are excluded from the services necessary for their recovery. Systems are often premised on an assumption of rational choice. They may presume that because a customer doesn’t attend an appointment, that it was their preference to be somewhere else. Case notes may then reflect their ‘failure’ to attend the appointment. Such non-attendance may be equated with an unwillingness to engage in services or a lack of motivation. Blame inevitably attributed to the customer. What could possibly have been more important than the appointment?
Perhaps too infrequently do commissioners and services seek to understand the decisions customers make, why these may be different than is convenient for our manicured service models, and the implications for systems change. As a result, the chance to reflect on assumptions and consider other ways of working may seem distant. Listening and learning are constant activities in systems change — that run alongside doing. Systems change involves everyone. Customers. Frontline workers. Managers. Commissioners. Strategic leaders. Executives. Politicians. It occurs at the level of practice, in values, attitudes and cultures, at every layer to the board room, and in the political debating chamber. Changing systems is all our responsibilities — let’s start now. Andy Meakin Director
enquiries@voicesofstoke.org.uk Page 1
Learning together
Mark£s story
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ark’s parent’s marriage ended when he was a toddler. As a temporary measure they moved to his grandparents which was already overcrowded. Eventually, Mark’s Mum secured a flat. Their new home was in a rough area.
slip in to t bruised. The would becom Stepdad had brakes when h child, Mark fo Mark’s Mum met another partner, they ing. But, ev moved in together, and were soon married. strength to lea Mark started primary school. He found mix- Mark become ing with other children difficult and experi- away. As a te enced sustained bullying by a teacher who ing. For a wh would often hit him with the corner of a But, it wasn’t r
orty professionals from across the VOICES partnership are benefiting from a new qualification in Resource Based Therapies. The course, which is FREE to partners and approved by the British Psychological Society, is being delivered by SDS. Modules include: • Positive therapy • Motivational interviewing
You can contact Sharon for more information about the Sharon Sharman, Learning learning programme by email and Evaluation Manager at at: VOICES said, “We’ve had enquiries@voicesofstoke.org.uk • Solution focused therapy
really positive feedback. The course provides a great grounding in asset-based approaches to practice.”
Mark started d Only a few hours a week were spent with his pubs and eve Dad. Mark was never allowed to stay over dad. They sta Soon, the ma and they rarely ventured out together. again. He s The family moved to a more rural area and complete stran for a while life was good. Then things startMark’s Stepda ed to change. who needed Mark’s Mum and Stepdad would stay out they’d go abro late and things became physical. It began da. Mark felt l with rough play fights. These would be severe enough to leave bruises or bite marks. Still only 18-y came addicte These were sometimes on Mark’s throat. tablets. He Late at night, Mark would hear his Stepdad more alcohol. hitting his Mum. Sometimes, he’d see her book.
Paul Grantham, Consultant Clinical Psychologist at SDS
We want you to make suggestions for future FREE learning opportunities from the VOICES partnership.
Janette's story of volunteering at VOICES
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arly in 2014 I was introduced to VOICES while looking for volunteering opportunities. At that time, I had no idea who they were or what they were about.
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However, within minutes of a stronger all the time. The project presentation about the project be- has become well known across ginning, I knew that I wanted to be Stoke-on-Trent. part of it. Whilst at VOICES I have made new The most amazing thing about friends all of which have a story of VOICES is the genuine passion of their own. I am happy to be a part everyone to help those people of a life-changing venture. Volunfacing life’s most difficult struggles teering at VOICES has increased and challenges. No one is judged. my confidence in all aspects of my Everyone is given a chance to life. As a result, I have pursued a change and supported to access new career path and have been services that may benefit that successful in finding myself a new job supporting people with learnchange. ing disabilities.” VOICES is a big commitment from everyone involved. It’s only going If you would like to volunteer to get bigger as the eight years of with VOICES, please get in touch funding unfold. I’ve seen that the on 01782 450760 or via email links to other services are getting enquiries@voicesofstoke.org.uk
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lucinations were so severe that he barricaded himself in the house. With this, Mark’s Mum realised that she couldn't cope and they sought any help they could find. This included doctors, hypnosis, counselling, etc., but — initially — nothing worked.
the bathroom bleeding and ey’d often argue and things me chaotic. In the car, Mark’s d a tendency to slam on the he lost his temper. As a young ound all this extremely frightenventually, his Mum found the ave.
e withdrawn and shut himself eenager he took up bodybuildhile this provided some focus. really Mark’s thing.
drinking aged 16. He’d go to entually met up with his Steparted hanging around together . anipulation and abuse began ey to fund his addiction. Bareknuckle sometimes made Mark assault fighting, selling possessions, and dodgy ngers in the street. deals all featured in his efforts. ad introduced him to associates Meanwhile, Mark lost contact with his biothings ‘sorted out’. Sometimes logical father altogether because he had oad to places like Miami, Flori- moved to live abroad in the far east. like he was living the highlife. Mark’s addiction to alcohol and tablets took years old, Mark gradually be- over his whole life. Mentally and physically ed to alcohol and prescription he began to shut down. He’d been admitfound he needed more and ted to hospital for five weeks already beBut, he also needed the mon- cause of his mental health. One day, his hal-
Eventually, Mark found something that clicked for him. Day care provision, through the BAC O’Connor centre, was the start of Mark’s recovery. After three months, he graduated from the service full of selfesteem, confidence, and with a support network around him. Mark became a volunteer with RIOT and then an Expert Citizen because he wanted to help other people through what he’d learnt. Through his determination, volunteering and attending courses, Mark secured full-time employment helping other people with similar experiences to his own. Mark has been sober for four-years. He can now travel again, drive, and cope with crowds. He still manages occasional depression and anxiety. But, he’s positive about the future. Mark is not his real name.
ople power challenges media stigma
e Expert Citizens have recently featured n excellent national campaign against by Church Action on Poverty. The gn, called The Real Benefits Street, is around short films highlighting the stoeal people experiencing the benefits As the campaign states, their stories “reality that doesn't make it onto TV.”
Citizens from Stoke feature in five short n the Real Benefits Street YouTube . Jackie Cox of Church Action on Povoduced and directed the films which t people’s stories of hardship includexperiences of the benefits system.
Chair of Expert Citizens, first met up ckie towards the end February this mmediately, they recognised their muerest in tackling stigma and the opporf working together .
n of the impact that the partnership wo Expert Citizens from Stoke were
invited along with Church Action on Poverty to meet with producers of the controversial second series of the TV show Benefits Street which was shown on Channel 4 recently. One aim of the meeting was to inform the producers about the impact of the show on people experiencing multiple needs. Simon, an Expert Citizen said, “I worked fulltime for about 30-years before needing the benefits system. The process of claiming became a source of severe anxiety for me which made matters worse at an already difficult time. The constant form filling meant that I dreaded each brown envelope that dropped through my door. Even when things took months, my anxiety and patience weren’t acknowledged by the people processing my claim. There was no apology. Instead, I got an impersonal ruling letter. I hope that telling my story will help change perceptions and contribute to better services for other people in my situation.”
Kimberley telling her story
You can see all the short films, including those featuring Stoke Expert Citizens, on The Real Benefits Street website and YouTube channel. For more information contact Rachele Hine on 01782 450760.
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YOUR MANAGEMENT TEAM We are available to help you with any questions that you have about VOICES.
Andy Meakin
Director
If you want to discuss what can be done to make a positive difference for people with multiple and complex needs in Stoke-onTrent, please get in touch.
Congratulations
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his year’s shortlist for The Guardian’s prestigious Volunteer of the Year featured Darren Murinas of Stoke Expert Citizens. Darren was selected from a field of around one hundred and fifty nominations to make the shortlist of just five finalists. “It was an honour just to be nominated”, he said, “so I’m really pleased to have made the shortlist of finalists. The nomination is a credit to the work of all Stoke Expert Citizens. I’m proud to be part of it.”
Darren Murinas, Chair of Stoke Expert Citizens Group
Darren has appeared on Radio 4 and BBC Radio Stoke telling his story to help overcome stigma and stereotyping of people experiencing multiple needs. Bruno Ornelas
Sharon Sharman
Service Manager
Learning and Evaluation Manager
Andy Meakin, VOICES Project Director said, “Expert Citizens are a valued and key part of what we’re about. I’m delighted for Darren and all the Expert Citizens Among Darren’s many achieve- that their achievements and talments is being appointed to the ents are being so widely recogboard of trustees for The Lankelly- nised.” Chase Foundation.
Dost tha knowst? We love Stoke-on-Trent. It’s a fabulous City with a great heritage and huge opportunity for the future. To celebrate some of the notable sons and daughters of our marvellous city, we’ve put together a little puzzle for you. Just solve the anagrams to work out the names of these awesome local celebrities, sports people, and industrialists. Vicki Nash
Marguerite Castille
Engagement Manager
Administrator
01782 450760
The clues may help, but beware! 1. I’M THRILLED GLANCE Flying high 2. BLONDER TENANT Tells a tale or two 3. HAIL PORTLY Cra%y po'er power 4. STEALTHY WEST MAN First knight of the realm 5. JIGSAW HE WOOD DO An0-slavery campaigner
6. WAGERED BRAT MIME Po'y for 30 years 7. JOWL HUED CLAN Philanthropy for you 8. BILLOW MIRE BIAS Angel of the vale 9. AGREEING AT IT Cinderella of Staffordshire 10. WIDEN BALL IN 2015 supporter of the year
We will give a £10 shopping voucher to the first person that responds with all the correct answers. Entries must be sent to enquiries@voicesofstoke.org.uk including your name and contact details with the subject line “Dost tha knowst?” You must be the first to send ten correct answers to get the shopping voucher. Good luck!
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