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Changing Futures Stoke-on-Trent: The first 12 months in review

Watch the short video below: Strategic Manager Gemma Finn gives us a brief run down of the highlights from the first 12 months of the Changing Futures programme in Stoke-on-Trent.

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Case co-ordination

Since inception of the Changing Futures programme, there have been a total of 146 introductions received for case co-ordination. This analysis of this data reveals that of the introductions received:

  • 89 are male,
  • 55 are female,
  • 2 would prefer not to say;

There are currently 68 individuals supported by the case co-ordination team. As the information presented overleaf details, within this cohort, there is a larger proportion who are male, which corresponds with the overall introduction data, from a ratio perspective. Both mental health and substance use are predominant themes within the cohort, with 96% experiencing issues with drugs or alcohol, closely followed by 94% experiencing poor mental health. From a criminality perspective, 84% of those on caseload have experience of the criminal justice system, 79% a history of homelessness and 25% a survivor of domestic abuse.

 

Welfare benefits

To date, since commencement of the programme, this team have supported individuals and case co-ordinators to enable financial gains, for individuals amounting to £38,895. The fundamental roles of the CAB team in upskilling case co-ordinators have enabled advocacy and interpretation of legislation, to conclude with positive outcomes for individuals on the programme.

 

Personal Budgets

The provision of a personal budget continues to be a valuable resource in facilitating access and sustainability for our customers. Some examples of the things this has been used for so far are;

  • Temporary accommodation
  • Mobile telephones
  • Taxis
  • Clothing
  • Food
  • Items for use of time (colouring books and pens, X box, TV, radio)
  • Accommodation cleaning service
  • Waste removal
  • Storage boxes
  • Extra support through care provision, whilst care and support assessments are in process

 

Community Recovery Co-Ordinator Impact

The value of lived experience and aiding recovery has been evident in enabling customers to feel empowered to lead their journey with positivity. Since inception of the programme, the recovery co-ordinators have worked alongside 22 individuals to encourage integration into the community recovery environment. Intensive work has been undertaken to work towards ensuring customers are not isolated.

 

Volunteering

84 referrals for volunteers were received into Emmaus over the past 12 months.

Individuals stepping out of their comfort zone and developing new skills, getting involved in and helping contribute to their community.

 

Insight Academy & Workforce Development

Since launching 12 months ago, the Insight Academy has delivered over 90 training sessions to 1219 professionals across the city! A further 86 training sessions are scheduled for the coming year, with more to be arranged in addition to this.

Training sessions have been either co-designed and/or delivered by those with lived experienced, shaping how we upskill the sector on significant areas, by those who have lived it, reflecting the acknowledgement of co-production focus in the city. A number of agencies have delivered training, such as Staffordshire Police, Steven Talbot, North Staffs Mind, Lifeworks, CAB, Savanna, Claire Ritchie, Glow, KFX, Combined Healthcare, and Disability Solutions.

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Max Gibson
Author