Getting the support you need
Getting the care and support that is right for you or for someone you care about is very important. It happens for most of us at some point in our lives, and for some people is a big part of their day-to-day living.
What we're doing
We’ve been working on this ever since Outside the Box began in 2004.
We support local groups and national peer support groups to get going when there isn’t the group they need in their area or for people in their situation, and we help groups adapt to changing circumstances
We help people shape the sorts of support and care that is available – including local support that works for everyone in the community and all types of care services.
We help people develop information and advice projects, often based on people sharing their experiences and what they have found helpful as another type of peer support.
We work alongside people to develop ways for them and others to make choices and find the groups that give people information and advice to get the support they want.
There is legislation to give people rights and choices, but it doesn’t always work that way in practice. We work with people and with groups to enable them to influence the policy and practice for local areas and nationally.
The impact it's having so far
Thousands of people are getting support through community groups and care services that we’ve helped to develop.
Individual people are using the experience and suggestions of other people in similar situations to make life easier and get the support that is right for them and their families. Resources are being shared all over the UK and reaching other countries too.
Our resources have been used by people who provide services – professionals in health, social work and social care and by staff and volunteers in voluntary and community groups – to help them improve the support they give to people.
Here are some examples:
Happiness Habits looked at how older people see good mental health and wellbeing, and what helps people be and stay well. The project was based in Scottish Borders but the resources have been used by people in lots of places. It’s used by people for themselves, community groups for their members and local people, and by people who provide services to build up the wellbeing aspects of what they do.
We’re Here Too made more opportunities for older people who had very little influence to have their say, and raised awareness about the contribution of people living in care homes and other settings that can be forgotten by the wider community
BIEN (the Brain Injury Experience Network) shared the experiences of people living with the consequences of a brain injury and their tips on day-to-day living, to make life better for other people and their families.
Shared Strengths raised awareness about the ways adults sometimes use self-harm as a way to cope. The project influenced policy and practice in Scotland as more professionals understood people’s circumstances and the care that was right for them.
Over the Fence is an on-line resource for people who are looking for support for themselves or someone they care about, especially when they are new to this and not sure where or how to start or even what questions to ask.
Support Choices began as an advice and information project for people living in Highland Perthshire. It is now an independent voluntary organisation, helping people make choices and get the support they need.
Resources
Summary: Understanding the potential of community and peer support around alcohol for older people
Minority Ethnic Mental Health Project – Report Summary in Urdu
Recovery and BME communities in Edinburgh – Celebrating Friendship and Diversity
Recovery and BME communities in Edinburgh – Finding strength from within
Recovery and BME communities in Edinburgh – Sharing routes to recovery
Recovery and people from the Black and ethnic minority communities – Project Report
Recovery and people from the Black and ethnic minority communities – What Recovery Means
Getting your head around brain injury: What we did next
Participation and older people: Empower, Involve, Include
Building Community Based Support with Older People
Home from Hospital booklet
Priority issues for user-led providers
A Guide To Asking Your MSP or Councillor – and other people – for support
Support Choices – booklet
Setting Up Friendship Groups
Older People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing: What older people are saying
Older People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing: Summary
