This  masterclass will give an update on the ImROC project which aims to help mental health services and their local partners to become more supportive of the Recovery journeys of those using them and their families.  The project began in April 2011 when sites were invited to apply to join the programme.  More than 30 sites responded which covered more than half the NHS trusts in England.  They were assessed using a combination of written applications, site visits, and interviews. Those accepted (n=29) were assigned to one of three categories: (a) Demonstration sites (n=6); (b) Pilot sites (n=6); and (c) Network sites (n=17). Each site is now expected to use the ‘Key Organisational Challenge’ framework previously developed by the project team to assess their current state of development regarding recovery-oriented practice and plan for improvement (see Shepherd, Boardman & Burns, 2010, ‘Implementing Recovery – A methodology for organisational change’, Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, London).  Each will also receive an individually tailored programme of assistance according to their needs.  The masterclass will describe the content of these programmes and progress so far.  It will be illustrated by a presentation from one of the pilot sites.

What would services look like if they focused on mental well-being as much as mental illness?

The mental health promotion service in SLaM has spent the last 6 years asking this question.  This masterclass will cover:

• An introduction to the research and evidence around mental well-being
• How we have been translating the evidence in practice for diverse communities in London
• Include a practical session for you to try out some of the tools and approaches SLaM has been testing out including the Mental Well-being Impact Assessment, http://www..apho.org.uk/resource/view.aspx?RID=70495 and DIY Happiness, www.diyhappiness.co.uk
  

• Explore the nature of practice associated with these values
• Explore the implications of these values for relationships between people providing services and people using them
• Explore the implementation of Recovery focussed values in staff-staff relationships throughout the organisation
• Consider the dilemmas presented by legal and financial constraints and ways forward in spite of these potential barriers
• Examine ways in which good practice is sustained and progressed.

The workshop will be largely interactive but examples of good practice from organisations and communities participating in the ImROC project will be used to illustrate possible developments in the implementation of Recovery focussed values.

This masterclass will explore:

• The nature of lived experience and the knowledge based that is derived from it.
• The importance of this experience and knowledge base in the development and delivery of services.
• Methods for conveying lived experience and knowledge to mental health workers and others in training.

Participants will come away with a better appreciation of user/survivor perspectives and some innovative approaches to conveying these in training and education.

Peer Support: Transforming Lives, Transforming Services.

This masterclass will challenge traditional concepts of peer support, as well as exploring the dilemma between having professional boundaries and concomitantly a clear personal approach to care.

It will look at the advantages and challenges of using personal experiences in order to validate and contribute to someone’s mental health recovery and management, as well as necessary tools for effective peer support.

Finally, it will address organisational structures needed and some of the key challenges faced when running successful peer support services whilst demonstrating potential benefits to organisations involved.

Sarah Blakemore &
Victoria Bleazard