RCOMH Partner - developing partners
Who we are
Developing partners (dp) was founded in March 2007 by people who
have all had (and for some continue to have) mental health needs at
some stage in their life.
“Perhaps the most important benefit the
third sector and social enterprise organisations in particular, can
bring is a stronger voice both for the users of services and the
staff that deliver them.” Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for
Health (Social Enterprise in Primary and Community Care, Sept
2006)
What we do and why
developing partners main aim is employment for
all its members. We do not use capital letters in our name to show
solidarity with people at the bottom of the social hierarchy.
developing partners aims to undertake
research, evaluation, training and project development in
collaboration and equal partnership with people who have
experienced social exclusion, in all its forms.
Through personal and professional development,
members are facilitated and supported to undertake their own
research and / or projects and to develop training drawn directly
from their lived experience.
Members of dp, work within in a person
centred, holistic paradigm through the adoption of
unconditional positive regard for the person
coupled with a community psychology approach through experiential
learning and bottom up approaches in order to ensure that their
work reflects the needs of people of the people with whom they are
working.
Members are facilitated and supported to
discover their skills and capabilities through the development of
their critical thinking and experiential learning in research,
training and project development / management, plus a range of
associated skills such as counselling, information technology and
human rights.
The Recovery Model is used to inform the
supervision process maintaining the focus on the person’s strengths
and abilities.
dp is currently building its website and
associated discussion forum.
Web address now in operation:
http://www.developingpartners.org.uk/
Work currently being undertaken collaboratively
Open Up Media Campaign:
Development of experiential Human Rights training to be delivered
to members of socially excluded groups, the voluntary and
community sector and Public and Private Services.
We are working with a theatre
group, Playback Theatre Company, who specialise in experiential
Theatre Workshops to develop a production and workshops that can
deliver experiential human rights training to members of the
Community. We are doing this in partnership with people who have
experienced social exclusion.
Development and Implementation of the
Regional Strategy for Employment for people with mental
health needs: In collaboration with Govt North East, CSIP
/ NIMHE, Public Health.
Following on from the production
of a regional service user consultation report members of dp
presented the report at 3 local conferences held to direct and
implement the strategy and were able to extend personal invitations
to participate in this process to every person who took part in the
consultation process in Durham, Stockton and Newcastle (approx 37
people) all of whom had long term mental health needs.
We are now looking at potential
research proposals in this in conjunction with the research Centre
in Occupational Mental Health based at the University of York St
John of which we are a partner.
We were one of the organisations
who contributed to Dame Carol Black's Review of Employment
published in May 2008.
Mental Health First Aid:
NIMHE / CSIP extended invitations to members of dp to undertake
MHFA training.
Two of our members are now
accredited Mental Health First Aid Trainers.
We are delivering taster Sessions
for MHFA and are in the process of delivering MHFA training across
the North East of England.
Increasing Access to Psychological
Therapies: In partnership with the University of Teesside,
the TEWV NHS Trust, CSIP / NIMHE and the Dept of Health. As part of
this project we have developed Mental Health Awareness Training for
Small and Medium Enterprises in Stockton.
We have also been asked by one of
the employers to work with them to support them in developing their
Business Case for submission to their Board in order to make the
case for a Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy to be enacted across
their organisation as a whole.
Socially Inclusive Community
Garden: We are working with Middlesbrough Borough Council,
Bridge and Groundwork to develop a funding application to the Big
Lottery Fund to establish a community garden in Middlesbrough which
can be accessed by anyone who experiences social exclusion. We are
currently engaged in the public consultation in relation to this
project.
We have been granted permission to
use a plot of land in Albert Park in Middlesbrough in which to
develop the garden. The name Djembe has been suggested as this
African word means “Everyone gather together”.
Green and Clean Youth Project in
Cameroon: We are consulting and working with members of
the community in Cameroon to develop a plan of action in order to
inform the development of a funding proposal to the Dept for
International Development.
SUSTN: in conjunction with
and as members of the Service User and Survivor Trainers Network
(National) dp aims to promote and encourage the development of paid
roles for its members.
Training currently in development for staff
across all public and third sector services:
- Mental Health Awareness Raising
for Employers
- Women’s Mental Health
- Communication skills and
processes
- Diversity and Equality
- Participatory Action
Research
- Mental Health First Aid
- Experiential Human Rights
Training
- Experiential Equality and
Disability Training