Working with partners and with other agencies has been really beneficial it has given me more awareness and understanding of how we can move the project forward. 

 

The project began with the partners being Learn Devon, MIND, St Loyes and Exeter College.  Exeter College decided that due to the timing and the paperwork involved that they couldn’t continue at this stage.  MIND and St Loyes have been working well with us and between us we have managed to offer 20 courses (our target is 21) and engaging our target of 130 learners.  As the courses are offered to learners we have found that it is difficult to refuse entry to learners who don’t meet the mild to moderate level but could be moderate plus or do not show any score on the questionnaires. This in the second phase would be something that we would need to address. 

 

I have visited courses run by all partners and found them to be very well received with all learners actively engaged. Some have had volunteers who have ‘lived experience’ and have helped to deliver and produce the courses offered. 

The course appeared effective for learners scoring with moderately severe and severe symptoms. One learner was able to achieve full recovery on exit, with scores dropping below caseness into ‘none/minimal symptoms’ category for both PHQ9 and GAD7.  Another learner achieved statistically significant improvement in both scores at the end of the course, showing reliable improvement. Both learners were able to stay to the end of the course, showing an impressive retention rate even for learners with high number of symptoms, who are normally more likely to stop attending. 

 

Two learners indicated suicidal ideation at the start of the course, which was risk assessed by one of the tutors.  No suicidal ideation was indicated on exit questionnaires showing a positive shift towards hope and increasing confidence in managing low moods. 

 

From tutors’ observations, the participants, showing very little or no change in scores were also those who participated the least group discussions.  Learners who were able to take part in group exercises, discussions, sharing and problem solving their ongoing challenges, all showed significant shifts in scores towards recovery. 

 

It was also evident that the mid-course scores can be used productively to inform the focus of the remaining sessions, and to work more closely with learners who are not showing signs of recovery in the group sessions.  Thus tutors made a concerted effort to focus on lowering anxiety in the second half of the course, informed by the lack of change in the average GAD7 scores mid-course.  This proved to be a successful strategy. 

 

Learners showed exceptional levels of motivation and engagement throughout the 8 week period, highlighting efficacy of self-referral as the main recruitment pathway to this course. 

 

Possible improvements for this course in the future include – increase the courses’ effectiveness for lifting low mood and managing depression by changing some sessions’ materials and incorporating more assertiveness and interpersonal skills training, associated with improved outcomes for depression.  Build in strategies to deal with OCD related issues, as requested by one learner.  There may also be scope for running shorter twice weekly sessions, so that participants don’t miss out a large chunk of the course if they can’t make a particular day, and to allow for more classroom practice. 

Offer 1:1 support to the quieter learners during session exercises, and encouraging participation in the group as this is linked to higher recovery rates. 

Aim to start the course with fewer than 20 learners in a group to ensure there is enough time and space to engage learners in group discussions, associated with better outcomes. 

 

One learner has written – ‘Thank you so much for your time and support over the last few weeks.  It has been a great start to my CBT/mindfulness journey and totally life changing 1 I have made a donation to Mind in Exeter and East Devon so others can benefit as much as I have’. 

MIND have put on a course for employees of Devon and Cornwall Police and in June 16 are planning to run one for Devon and Somerset Fire Service. 

Learn Devon ran a course for The Priory staff who work in the care sector.  These learners were in a redundancy situation having worked there for a good number of years. 

I have liaised with our HR Strategy team and worked with Heidi Arnold to look how we could involve DCC as an employer to work with staff who have mild to moderate mental health problems that could benefit from these courses. 

 

Heidi put me in touch with Russ Drayton who is the Manager of Devon Link Mental Health in the Community. He also manages Recovery Devon Colleges in the South West.  Russ is employed by Devon but managed by DPT. He works closely with partners such as; MIND, Rethink, Exeter College, DoH, St Sidwells and DPT.  His breadth of work also includes; training managers of businesses in removing the stigma of mental health in the workplace and he trains trainers in suicide prevention and runs Day Centres across North Devon as a drop in centre for people with mental health problems.  

 

She has arranged a meeting with Martin White in Public Health to see how Devon County Council can embrace adult mental health awareness and wellbeing in the workplace and link in with the Learn Devon and other agencies/partners.  

 

Devon CC could also go a lot further and run adult mental health awareness training for all managers to enable them to have frank and open, supportive discussions with employees at 1-2-1s and appraisals in order to identify issues at an early stage and prevent both long term and frequent short term absences in the longer term. 

Another learner said that the GAD-7 score would be different if answering from a work perspective rather than a personal one.  They can deal with problems at work but not  at a personal level.  Personally they are indecisive and avoid problems, whilst they are at work they are the opposite.

A learner has found the course that they joined a positive experience and has now signed up to train as a counsellor.

Another said it is useful to put yourself out of your comfort zone and learn new things.  It has had a positive effect on their wellbeing and confidence. They are now considering starting their own business.

A homeless learner with poor health has now got the confidence to get a flat and look for a job.  Last we heard the flat has been secured - we will keep you posted about the job!

'Absolutely brilliant ! - I would recommend to anyone' - this learner has now signed up to learn maths, English and ICT.  She has also started a small business selling cards, jewellery and similar at craft fairs and made £85 on her first attempt.

One learner who did the foraging course has found it has stimulated him to get back in to nature - he has bought his daughter a book about foraging t and has now signed himself up to an alcohol programme for support.