“Today, we worked with someone to access their GP by helping them with their GP’s online appointment booking system. This was causing them anxiety and we see part of our role at Manchester Mind as enabling communication and relationships that can put people in control of their own health.” Martin, Manchester Mind
Helping someone to access their GP is a very common activity at the start of the work of the Manchester Mind Discharge Support Community Engagement Team. This team supports the transition for people from community mental health team support to primary health. The help is personalised and asks the person what is important to them. This might not be mental health at all but could be helping a person open a bank account or supporting carer’s responsibilities.
Central to this work is listening to people, not assuming what they need, and understanding what they need right now. Manchester Mind then works through the process with someone for as long as they need.
Martin, Community Engagement Team Manager at Manchester Mind explained that, “Our aim is to provide a very personalised service that improves a person’s welfare. We have learnt a lot about providing open ended support – small steps that lead to other benefits and the person has control over that. We go through a process with someone, not for someone, and that element of control is important when people feel they don’t have much of this in their lives.”
“The benefit for Manchester Mind is that we can explore even further how we welcome and work with people, and help them to build long term resilience and relationships themselves.”
The other one to one activities happening this week alone with the Discharge Support Community Engagement Team include supporting house renovations and hoarding reduction, and supporting a person with refugee status to access clinical support via a translator.
The main feedback received by Manchester Mind is that people feel that they are being listened to.
Comments from people that Manchester Mind work with
"I am listened to, not judged, have a safe space to talk and plan ahead."
"I know I can go step by step into the future a bit better, breaking things down a bit. I know there’s somebody there to talk to and support, making things manageable."
"You’ve put me in the right direction and helped me achieve things."
