Burton and District Mind have now concluded our NHS funded service for Older Adult Outreach, led by Alzhiemers Society. The service ran from August 2023 to 31 October 2024.
The service was to connect with older adults (50+) who are experiencing mental health problems and/or memory problems from marginalised communities:
• Black, Asian or Eastern European
• Refugees and Asylum Seekers
• LGBTQIA+
• People affected by substance misuse
• People on probation
We really can’t understate just how important the Outreach Team has been to Burton and District Mind and to people with mental health problems. Since the service started in August 2023, the three Outreach Workers have met with 6,023 people including potential participants, carers, members of the public, and professions. This has included 947 people from Black and Ethnic Minority groups, 67 people who identify as LGBTQIA+, and 72 people affected by signs and symptoms of dementia. This equates to 99 people a week on average.
They have also directly helped 16 people with some really complex needs that had just been missed by traditional services delivered in the traditional ways. The feedback and case studies have been wonderful to hear and read!
“Thank you for checking in on me, you’ve been amazing, I can’t thank you enough. The difference you have made to me and my son has been amazing.”
“I just wanted to send this in recognition of your support after being referral. I was very low due to my husband’s passing been together 28 years. Danny, Outreach Worker, has been visiting me, telephone and texting me if only to touch base making sure I’m ok. Danny encouraged me to keep going forward with wellbeing plans and keep asking if things not working out for the extra support I needed on and off. Thank you to Danny for all your support and supportive encouraging words during my continuing period of grief, isolation and ill health.”
Both of the above participants quoted, together with two others, are now being supporting by Intergrated Mental Health Teams within the NHS, whilst six other people have been introduce to other mental health services to help them further.
The service has also added so much value to Development and Sustainability – new ways to engage with audience who we have historically found hard to attract to our services, connections and networks which we will continue to use, and most importantly, an understanding and empathy around the increased mental health needs and complexity that belonging those audiences can bring.
Other successes have included:
• Food giveway from our office at Burton on Trent, in partnership with Holland & Barrett.
• 3 visits and event held at Burton Mosques.
• Partnerships with Alzheimer's Society and Burton Pride.
• Key communication with Major of Burton, Sherrif of Staffordshire, Police and Crime Commissioner.
• 2 radio interviews.
• Our logo and adverts on beer mats - which actually helped people to find our services.
"Our leaders are very sad to see the support go and have noted the difference on their community that the Outreach Worker presence has had." - Uttoxeter Community Group
We wish the team members all the very best in the future – you will be missed!
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