1. Supporting people with Mental Health issues PARTNERSHIP WORKING Presenters: Ghulam Shabar - Senior Social Worker Iftekhar Ahmed – Senior Social Worker Erica Boyjoo – Mental Health Nurse

2. The Lye Community Project, What’s it all about?

3. What is the Lye Community Project? A place where the people of Lye and surrounding area can access help for their diverse needs. Established since 1990 Housing Citizens Advice Bureau Entitlement to benefits It’s a dignity hub Food bank Social care assessments. Safeguarding of vulnerable adults. Help for victims of domestic violence. Information, advice and guidance re: NRPF. Immigration signposting. Support with benefit issues via CAB. Signposting re: general services and support from statutory and voluntary sectors.

4. The Team The team is made up of different disciplines, that work together to meet the needs of the community. The relationships that have been built over the years between the team and community are based on mutual trust, and cultural understanding. The population of Lye is rich and diverse. This is also reflected in the number of people who have become local dignity champions for the Lye Community Dignity Hub.

5. Why did Mental Health Services integrate with the project?

6. There were a number of barriers between the Mental Health Nurse and those with mental health needs, such as: Stigma The translation of the Mental Health Nurse’s title Not knowing what to expect Language barriers Cultural beliefs surrounding mental illness No trust Ease of access The need to build bridges The need for being proactive

7. How has being based at the Project changed things? The community trust the staff at the Project, they listen to their reassurances regarding the Mental Health Nurse’s role. Therefore they are more relaxed, and more likely to express how they feel. There is less of a language barrier as there are multi lingual staff here to interpret. The assessments can be joint, so their needs can be met from a social work point of view.

8. Continued… The Mental Health Nurse being based at the Project makes it more informal, therefore much more likely to engage. Safeguarding issues, such as Domestic Abuse is dealt with swiftly. The Mental Health Nurse makes referrals to support with their mental health needs, the staff at the Project support with referrals to MARAC etc.

9. Case Study Subject A: 34 year old female who presented as depressed following the death of her husband 18 months ago. 6 year old daughter who suffers from learning disabilities. Absconded to a different area after marriage to an individual with uncertain immigration status who family felt was grooming her. Subject A’s mother attended the Lye Community Project raising concerns about her daughter’s mental health and vulnerability, and the safety of her Grandaughter. Raised as Safeguard with local police, and area to where she had absconded. Referral also made to Children’s services; locally and out of area. Requested safe and well check. Social Worker was initially able to find the address to where she had absconded to. MH Nurse was able to guide the police in what too look for in terms of her mental health.

10. Continued.. Safe and Well check was not conducted adequately, no mention of the child. We requested another safe and well check, was reported that both were safe and well, but no mention how the mother appeared in terms of her mental health. Whilst one person was on annual leave the other person could pick up the case. Although the case did not turn out as we had hoped, we are confident that we made maximum use of our knowledge, networks and expertise.

11. Examples of clients who have historically needed a mental health service, but who have been reluctant to take it up. Below are some examples of clients who have engaged. Subject A Subject B Subject C Subject D Subject E Subject F Subject G

13. Fulfilling the Government Directive Integrated Working Attending MDT meetings together at the surgeries, to meet the needs of the person.

14. Future plans for our collaborative working.. Mental health awareness days – looking at common mental health problems; depression, anxiety, stress management etc. Service promotion Promote mental health services to the Romanian Gypsy community Domestic Abuse awareness Honour Based Violence

15. Thank you for listening Any questions?

16. Contact details Lye Community Project 3 High Street Lye West Midlands DY9 8JT Email: ghulam.shabar@dudley.gov.uk iftekhar.ahmed@dudley.gov.uk erica.boyjoo@dwmh.nhs.uk Telephone number: 01384 813664