As Personal Development Coordinator Sammy, prepares to leave Opportunity Nottingham for a new role, she reflects on ending relationships and the impact this can have… As I prepare to leave the project, I’ve started to end relationships with Beneficiaries (service users). This can be a very difficult process, and I’m establishing more and more each day just how challenging it is for Beneficiaries when professionals come in and out of their lives. So often the individual’s we work with may have personality issues and attachment issues, and as a consequence they may … [Read more...]
Co-production: Working Together Every Time
Co-production has become somewhat of a corporate buzzword of late, skating dangerously close to tokenistic territory. But when applied properly, for the right reasons, co-production is the best way to provide effective support services for the most vulnerable people in our local communities. Across the country, along with 11 other Big Lottery-funded Fulfilling Lives Programmes we are working to create system change and improve services for people with multiple and complex needs, through co-production. From 2nd - 6th July 2018, we are all celebrating the third … [Read more...]
House of Lords Visit
Opportunity Nottingham Beneficiary Ambassador Rob Eagle, along with some of our Expert Citizens recently contributed to a report titled People Powered Recovery. The report was written based on research by Turning Point; and the call for evidence came from the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Complex Needs & Dual Diagnosis. Rob was invited to the launch of the report... As I approached the Palace of Westminster I felt mixed emotions. I was intrigued to soak up some history, and to witness the report launch taking place in the House of Lords Committee Room … [Read more...]
Mark’s Journey
“If it hadn’t been for Opportunity Nottingham, I wouldn’t be here today. They helped me address my mental health issues.” Mark joined the Opportunity Nottingham project at the very beginning and has been a Beneficiary for over three years. He has experienced issues with substance misuse including excessive alcohol consumption, illegal drugs use and butane gas. Prior to accessing the project, if Mark had an issue which affected him emotionally (such as a bereavement), he would increase his use of substances in order to cope. This in turn, would have a very damaging … [Read more...]
A Different Approach
Jill* has been engaging with Opportunity Nottingham since 2014. Whilst this engagement has been important in developing trust with a service, and also developing a meaningful relationship with her Personal Development Coordinator, she has not progressed in relation to the issues stemming from her multiple needs. Her NDT scores have remained in the high 30’s and her Homelessness Outcomes Star scores have remained low. However, since being referred to the Primary Care Mental Health Service (PCMHS), important changes have occurred that illustrate the vital role the … [Read more...]