Widening Support for People with Mental Health Problems in Lincolnshire:
The Managed Care and Shine Mental Health Support Networks
October 2012
The Managed Care Network
The Network and the Mental Illness Prevention Fund
The Managed Care Network is funded by the Mental Illness Prevention Fund. The Fund has been established by Lincolnshire County Council and is managed by Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. It helps people who have already experienced mental health problems, or who are having their first experience of mental illness. Unlike Personal Budgets, people will not need to be eligible under Social Care Eligibility Criteria. This scheme will be reviewed in March 2013.
The Managed Care Network can be described as a co-ordinated, managed and integrated network of groups and organisations providing preventative support and services to people who have experience of mental health issues. These organisations have close operational and developmental links with each other to help people prevent, manage and recover from mental illness in order to enjoy the best quality of life as they possibly can.
The first wave of investment attracted 68 applications totalling £1.197m for £200k of available funding. Work has begun on a second wave of funding.
Investment Plan
The Investment Plan for the first Wave of investments has now been completed. Wave 1 investments total £345,000. This figure includes a pre-commitment of Wave 2 funding of £145,000. This allows a greater number of projects to get underway. Funding for a total of 33 projects has been wholly or partially approved. Investment in this number of projects has been achieved through phased and partial funding, and by asking applicants to collaborate on some projects.
The Investment Plan includes:
• 33 projects which will involve at least 64 groups and organisations,
• 30 separate groups & organisations will manage the investment,
• 22 contracts over £1,000 and 11 small grants under £1000 have been awarded,
• 12 of the projects are county wide,
• 10 projects include an aim to establish, develop & support local groups (thus increasing both the number of beneficiaries and the geographic spread of projects),
The initial estimate of the number of people who will be helped is 1,750 although it is expected that this number will increase through the ten projects which aim to develop local support groups.
Types of Project
There are currently 20 different types of project within the Managed Care Network: 1. Local social & friendship group support & development (fillings gaps)
2. Peer advocacy & support group development 3. Mentoring
4. Sports coaching 5. Telecare pilot
6. Formal & informal learning, skills and qualifications 7. Woodland activities
8. User-lead social enterprise development
9. Supported service user volunteering and community participation 10. Horticulture
11. Support for homeless people and rough sleepers 12. Web-based information & networking
13. Micro-commissioning pilot for people who are not eligible for Personal Budgets 14. Parental mental health
15. Tranquil Garden
16. Raising Awareness (Personality Disorder, and Samaritans) 17. Centre-based vocational activity and support
18. ‘Floating’ community support
19. Lifestyle, activity and employment for young adults experiencing psychosis 20. County-wide and local network support and development
Network Development Programme
To maximise the value of Mental Illness Prevention Fund investments, a Development Programme is being established to work jointly on eight projects. These are:
• Local Network and Pathway Development;
With an emphasis on reaching sparsely resourced areas, as well disadvantaged and excluded people, this programme will include small group development and support, and making links to local NHS mental health teams,
• Prevention vs Eligibility for Social Care;
This work will define the “Prevention Offer”, distinguishing the help and support available for people who are, and who are not, eligible for Adult Social Care under the revised criteria,
• Impact Assessment;
Social & Financial Return on Investment: Using action research and meaningful measures to monitor contracted outcomes and make the case for sustaining investment beyond 2013,
• Staff and Volunteer Support and Development;
Bespoke training
• Managed Care Network Members’ Mentoring Scheme;
Skills sharing across groups and organisations
• Commissioning and Business Models to Increase Sustainability;
Including income generation and cost minimisation/sharing, inward investment
• MCN Members’ Safeguarding Programme;
Promoting the safety of vulnerable people
• Joint and Collaborative Projects;
The first joint project is “Supporting Homeless People & Rough Sleepers with Mental Health Problems”
The Shine Mental Health Support Network
The SHINE Mental Health Support Network has been established as an independent, unincorporated association of groups and organisations interested in supporting people with mental health problems and their carers. SHINE is not a single organisation; it is a network of people, groups, organisations and businesses that share this common interest.
Mission
• To facilitate the best quality of life for people with mental health problems in Lincolnshire.
Vision
• That all people suffering mental ill health and their carers should have access to the best support to meet their individual needs.
Values
• Society disables people with mental illness by failing to adapt or respond to their special needs,
• Most people are capable of recovery from mental illness and can lead high quality, fulfilling and purposeful lives,
• People should be treated as individuals celebrating their diversity,
• People with lived experience of mental illness can provide valuable insight and support to others,
• People and organisations working together co-operatively can add value to the work of each.
Objectives
• To connect people with the services and support that will most effectively need their needs and enhance their lives
• To connect service and support providers with each other to enhance efficiency and effectiveness
• To secure and support the most effective use of resources
• To promote positive mental health and combat social stigma for all
Membership and governance
Membership of the SHINE Network currently stands at over 200 individuals, groups and organisations. An annual general meeting held on 11 July 2012 elected a Steering Group to oversee the SHINE implementation plan.
The Mental Illness Prevention Fund has invested in a part-time administrative post for the Shine network.
Making a difference
The Shine Steering group is developing a programme of activities. These currently include:
• Lincs SHINE
An online resource in the form of a simple searchable directory of people and organisations that can offer support to people with mental health issues.
• Shine Ambassadors
People who take an active part in promoting the network and linking communities back to the Steering Group. Recruitment began July 2012.
• The Lincolnshire Mental Health Newsletter
A quarterly publication which welcomes contributions from all members, especially those with lived experience of mental health problems. This publication already has a circulation of over 600.
• Inward Investment
Working together to increase the amount of funding that is available in Lincolnshire to promote good mental health and recovery from mental illness.
