We would love to have comments, thoughts and ideas on the developing
10 Essentials that are emerging from the learning of the work in Oldham
Ten Lessons learnt for Embedding Life Story Work into
Practice :
First and Foremost "embedding
into practice" is transitive- it
takes time and is an ongoing process. It is about relationships, good
will, and TIME. Our process
started in 2003.
1) Link with
Carer/ user champion and listen
The
starting place was
listening to a carer Ken Holt and what he and his wife needed and what
they had
done.
2) Establish
a
multiagency network across as many areas as possible
The next step was establishing
a multiagency network of key people which could not only make some
decisions
but "get things done". A multiagency steering group was set up
Over time, different
members have come and gone but a
consistent group of three to four people have held it together between
the ebbs
and flows
3) Consult
and
listen to wider carers and stakeholders.
Consulting with
carers was a
crucial part. Three sessions over one year ( April, June and October
2004) were
held. The feedback was resounding that staff training was a key element.
It was
no good people coming with life stories if staff were not using them.
4) Publicity -
get leadership buy in - sharing "good news" stories in the local press
Ken used his links with the
local press and leaders to have a piece with the Director of social
services
coming to first event and at any other major event.
5) Establish a
joint training programme including carers in the delivery of training
6) Evaluate
the training programme
Evaluate the training - not
just "satisfaction" but do people go on and complete life stories? Our
research
suggests that 50% of people go on to complete and average of 3 life
stories. It
is not higher as some of the people coming on the training are managers
who we
want there to give leadership to this. So far over 300 people have been
trained
- 150 go on to complete 3 = estimate of 450 life stories)
7) Use any
local "political" influence e.g. with Overview and Scrutiny.
By carers linking in to
local councillors and with Dementia being a key objective - Overview and
scrutiny strongly recommended this to be implemented in Oldham
8) Feed into
any strategic initiatives you can.
Different
members of the group were involved in writing the PCT's older people's
mental
health strategy. Life Story was part of the action plan for this.
9) Link with
the "personalisation" work going on in your area
Putting the person at the
centre of their care is essential part of the strategic direction of
health and
social care.
10)Link with
National Network - who can signpost you to other resources.
We hope that by accessing
some of the resources in this report/ website - you will be able to have
some
tools to begin or continue to embed this into your area
Learning
Points
Much has been learnt and is still being learnt.
Firstly, there is the importance of
listening to carers.
This is an ongoing process that needs the commitment of a core group of
people
to keep it going. Working together
across statutory and voluntary sector has been a vital ingredient in
creating
an identity and raising the profile of the work. Rather than people
working in
isolation the steering group has been able to harness some resources and
raise
the profile of positive work with this client group in Oldham. In terms
of
outcomes life story is a key objective for the local
council, is a key action in the most recent older people's mental health
strategy for Oldham and is on the recommendations of the health overview
and
scrutiny committee. It is embedded into business plans and service
development
plans. Care Managers now ask for life stories to assist in care
planning. It
demonstrates the power of what can be achieved from bottom up ideas when
people
work together and remains a privilege to be a part of.
Comments
Received:
-
Ron Greenham (13th March 2010) As a volunteer I have seen some 10/12 L.H. Books also heard of several Dementia suffers having problems both in hospital and Care homes that would have been over come by a page in their Life history book that stated their personal LIKES & DISLIKES such as no sugar in tea. It is proposed that we have a recomended standard page that could be used.
Marian Moore (12th March 2010) Calling Oldham. Thank you so much. As a story teller with a life-long passion, as an older person 'doing philosophy' with the OU, and as a service user involved in Shift's national anti-stigma movement, I am entranced by this new development and your 10 helpful steps. Look out World Mental Health Day 2010. I think we've got a theme with endless possibilities - in the Life Story movement. Thank you. Marian