News
Redesigning a Self Help Development Service Using Community Asset Approaches
The Wellbeing Project has been working in partnership with St Helens Coalition of Disabled People to review an existing self help service and to help unlock the skills and talents of individuals that make up the self help community.
In June 2010 the Wellbeing Project CIC was commissioned by St Helens Coalition of Disabled People (CDP) to carry out a review of the existing Self-Help Development Programme provided on behalf of St Helens Council and NHS Halton & St Helens.
Providing an effective, high quality Self-Help Development Programme is one way of ensuring that some of the most vulnerable people in our communities are helped to live fulfilling lives by:
- • Improving mental health outcomes
• Improving well-being
• Reducing social exclusion
Carrying out the review using Community Asset Approaches
Rather than rely solely on a deficit approach - where we set out to identify problems, needs and deficiencies, which often leave people feeling disempowered and dependent, we have in this review adopted an asset based approach to the redesign of the programme (I&DeA, 2010).
What is an asset based approach?
An asset based approach is about focusing on the assets of individuals, groups and organisations as a starting block. “By focusing on these, rather than what they don’t have - their needs - a communities ability to address those needs increases. So does the capacity to call on the support of other agencies” (I&DeA 2010).
What did an asset based approach achieve?
- We were able to engage stakeholders as ‘active participants’ in the redesign of the programme.
- It fostered a spirit of co-production and collaboration.
- It helped to identify untapped resources in the self-help groups, as well as within the wider community and partner agencies.
- It was a positive and energising experience for everyone involved.
Download the Report
You can review the full report by clicking here
For more information about this project please contact: Mark Swift, Programme Manager, Wellbeing Project CIC T: 01744 26444 M: 0787 269 0687 E: m.swift@wellbeingproject.co.uk
Reference
Improvement & Development Agency, I&DeA (2010), A glass half-full: how an asset approach can improve community health and well-being. http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/aio/18410498
About the Wellbeing Project:
The Wellbeing Project Community Interest Company was set up in 2006 in Halton and St Helens. We provide a range of community based activities for everyone who would like to improve their mental wellbeing. www.wellbeingproject.co.uk
About St Helens Coalition of Disabled People
Established in 1994, St Helens Coalition of Disabled People (CDP) is an independent, user led charitable organisation run by and for disabled people. As an organisations we are committed to valuing everyone's life skills, experience and individuality to enable positive change. www.sthelenscdp.co.uk/