SUSSEX PEER SUPPORT CONFERENCE 19TH JUNE 2014 BRIGHTON
INTRODUCTION
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The aims and objectives of the day were
· To promote peer support across Sussex
· To learn about different local models of peer support
· To provide networking opportunities
· To provide opportunities to learn about different aspects of good peer support practice
· To participate, have fun and learn together
· All workshops will be peer led or co-delivered with peers
FUNDING
The event was funded by Recovery Partners, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Southdown, Together and Sussex Recovery Alliance [Brighton Mind, WELMind and Capital]. Brighton University Business School and Event Management students from the School of Sport and Service Management provided a venue and event management support for the conference. The main costs were for catering which was provided in house by Brighton University. Key features of the event were not charging fees for the day so that many peers could attend and covering travel costs for those peers travelling a distance [Recovery Partners paid this].
PROMOTION OF EVENT
Information was sent to a wide range of organisations across Sussex, primarily those providing peer support services, but also the NHS & Social Services. People/organisations were invited to run workshops and/or to set up promotional stalls/exhibitions.
INFORMATION STALLS WERE PROVIDED BY
East Sussex County Council Race Equality in Mental Health
East Sussex County Council Social Services
Mind in Brighton & Hove
Research Network Sussex Partnership NHS Trust
Southdown
The Carers Centre Brighton & Hove
WORKSHOPS AND OTHER SESSIONS
The day started with an opening session which was addressed by key speakers. The plenary session at the end of the day included feedback from the workshops and contributions from delegates.
There was a programme of workshops running throughout the day. Also throughout the day there was a parallel sub programme of peer support drop in sessions facilitated by Recovery Partners Peer Support Specialists which offered activities and support for delegates. An ongoing participatory Craftimation Factory workshop also ran throughout the day, which involved delegates participating in making a Recovery Partners banner (which was displayed in the plenary session). The stalls and exhibition areas were available to delegates throughout the day.
Workshops
· Introduction to mindfulness
· Peer support training
· Recovery College ”Reaching Minds, Changing Lives” –East Sussex
· Peer Participation: Working with the commissioners to improve services
· Peer Support and Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
· “Simon Says Psychosis!” film from a peer perspective
· Listening Skills
· Some current and International perspectives on peer support from research, practise and training
· Wellness Awareness in peer support
· Inpatient peer support: challenge and opportunity
· Peer support in Secure and Forensic Services
· Recovery College in Brighton and Hove
ATTENDANCE
· Over 96 delegates attended (including workshop facilitators)from across Sussex, 46 from East Sussex
· 8 organisations exhibited at stalls
· Most delegates and facilitators had booked online for the conference and the workshops
OUTCOMES
· Peer support across Sussex was promoted
· Local models of peer support and different aspects of good peer support practice were shared
· Networking opportunities were provided throughout the day in workshops and during lunch and coffee breaks
· People participated and enjoyed the day learning together
· Workshops were peer led or co-delivered with peers
EQUALITIES MONITORING HIGHLIGHTS
· 60 forms were returned
· Gender -33% male/67% female
· LGBT 9%
· BME 21%
· 74% considered they had a health condition including mental health
· No religion 34%/had a faith 50%
FEEDBACK AND EVALUATION
Attendees were asked to complete evaluation forms requesting feedback about different aspects of the day. 66 were completed which provided detailed feedback and ideas for future conferences
The feedback from delegates was overwhelmingly positive.
People generally commented that that it was” well organised”, “lovely friendly welcome”, “excellent venue, good spaces”, “good food”.
“Other peers were inspiring” and “it felt good to say things about when I am not well and feel its normal”. “Very exciting, inspiring, vital and necessary, warm and relaxed”. Networking with other peers and other organisations across Sussex was useful individually and people commented that they learned a lot about different ways of working, and were surprised at how many people were out there doing peer support work.
All the workshops were very positively evaluated and clearly had involved a great deal of thought and preparation by facilitators:
“Personal experiences/journeys encouraged engagement/were true to life. Gained good overview of subject matter. “
Delegates particularly said how much they had learned from the Recovery College sessions, and from the film on Psychosis.
The delegates who were able to attend the drop in sessions found them really good
“Found useful opportunities, useful information for people I support”
“I didn’t get time to use them but think they were an excellent idea. Had my anxiety levels been high I would have found the availability of the drop in extremely reassuring”
However because of the workshop structure on the day and the fact that these had been booked in advance online, a lot of people didn’t have the time to attend the drop ins.
“Would have liked more unstructured time to go to these”
The Stalls/Exhibitions were informative and well laid out and positively received
“Lots of up to date and relevant information. Great to talk to people in different sectors”
“Excellent way to get more information about the variety of services”
The Craftimation area attracted delegates, and produced a wonderful banner which was displayed during the plenary
“The craft area was lovely. What a nice idea”
The opportunity to Network with other peers was an important objective of the conference and clearly was a great success. 2 people however mentioned that they hadn’t felt able to network because of lack of confidence. 54 delegates commented positively on this opportunity, some selected comments:
“What a wealth of experience, skills, strength and commitment”
“Had a great time networking”
“Don’t feel like I have stopped talking all day! “
“Brilliant to meet other people and see how they work”
“In the break times. Good to have long breaks for networking”
“Gained good insight and was moved and inspired to go away and develop my own peer support role”
“Good to reflect and learn what is happening county wide re peer support”
Ideas for Future Events
There was a lot of support for conferences on a regular basis. The following comments reflect delegate views on the need for space for peers to get together on a regular basis, and the need for peers to spread the word about the positive benefits of peer support to local mental health professionals:
“Should definitely be regular conference to update on new projects and celebrate success of existing ones”
“More workshop opportunities facilitated by experts with lived experience. Really powerful and inspiring. Keep up all the good work.”
“Something aimed at commissioners and clinicians”.
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR A GREAT DAY!
Gill Berry
Associate
Recovery Partners
Anna Stratford
Director
Recovery Partners
Recovery Partners Ltd Company registered in England and Wales. Company Number 7539810
Registered Address: 18 Wyde Feld, Bognor Regis, West Sussex PO21 3DH
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