The Kirklees Advocacy Service have now published their annual report for 2014-2015. You can see highlights, including some fantastic feedback from service users, below, or you can download the complete report.
2014-2015 has been a busy and exciting year for Touchstone in Kirklees. Whilst we have continued to deliver the community mental health advocacy service that we began back in April 2011, we have also now integrated the new Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) service into our existing team. We have taken on new staff, embarked on specialised training and increased our service activity by almost 300%.
The service took 367 new referrals in 2014-2015 and worked with 495 cases overall.
We have worked with 170 IMHA clients, helping them to understand their rights, discuss their treatment and work towards their discharge.
Service user feedback:
“I’ll never forget how you helped me today. You really understood why I was struggling to speak and you helped me to open up. I’ll be able to use that when it happens again in the future – thank you so very much”.
“There’s no way I could have got to where I am without your help.”
“I really found the service and advocate helpful, supportive and professional, he made me realise my voice is important and helped me stand up for my rights and made me feel confident and treated me with such respect. Thank you!! He got me through a difficult stage.”
“It was so good to talk to someone who had no agenda about my situation.”
“The service I received was wonderful, the Touchstone worker really listened and valued my opinions my views and overall helped me achieve my desired goal. He gave me the confidence and ability to believe in myself because he listened to what I wanted and treated me with respect, made me feel like I was worth something. I would recommend this service to anyone who needs advocacy representation. Thank you for your help.”
“You really know what you’re talking about, you’ve helped me so much, I’m not sure how I would have managed my ward rounds without you.”
“No improvement needed! Best service I have come in contact with!”
“I am so grateful for your help, people only really listen to me when you are here.”
Outcomes:
Service users reported improvements in the following areas:
- Social Networks: 8.3% improvement
- Housing: 22% improvement
- Physical Health: 21% improvement
- Education and Training: 11% improvement
- Self/Peer Advocacy: 23% improvement
- Confidence: 19% improvement
- Speak Up For Myself: 25% improvement
- Mental Wellbeing: 21% improvement
- Community Participation: 15% improvement
- Support Services: 17% improvement
