Stage 2 of the Self Advocacy Skills Training Programme is now running, as from Autumn 2011 – with thanks to new funders Lloyds TSB Foundations and Alan & Babette Sainsbury Charitable Fund.

Click here for an explanation of mental health advocacy

Over the summer the Stage 1 curriculum and materials were further consolidated so that we have a Modular programme that can be commissioned for delivery, or bespoke short course or one-off workshops considered. With thanks to Natasha who worked with us. Please contact phil@cooltanarts.org.uk for more details.

The initial workshop programme delivery started in February 2010, and to date over 50 people have taken part in 2 or more training module topics, and have been directly involved in the design of the training.

How was the training project arrived at?

The original funding bid was been compiled drawing on potential participants experience and knowledge and requests for practical skills training. For example, the bid was discussed at local user forums attended by local service users and user-led groups such as Southwark User Council. Service users developed a survey with Cambridge House Advocacy services and conducted 24 interviews with people attending Community Mental Health Teams, voluntary sector resource centres and CoolTan Arts.

Then, 4 discussion meetings were facilitated in September/October 2009 and then in 2010 more detailed participant meetings looked at the course design and practicalities of delivering the training.

What’s offered in the courses?

• One to one learning support tutorials can be provided to enable implementation of new skills in everyday lives.
• Modules (such as housing, finance, speaking up, complaints) to be finalised when individuals who apply identify their precise needs.
• Sessions do not have to be completed consecutively; an individual may pick some modules from the first group of modules and some from the next.
• Trainees will be supported to assess own needs on induction and decide which subjects are important to them. Applicants can take between two and all of the modules depending on need, confidence and capacity to cope with training.
• Certificates will be awarded. We are actively exploring externally accredited awards for the course.

Training topics identified by survey include:
Non-verbal communication / body language; health (43%), benefits (52%) and housing (48%). 30% of people originally surveyed had advocacy needs in retail, 39% in finance & 35% in service access. 83% did not know their rights in MH Law, including Community Treatment Orders, Services and Care situations.

However, topics – or additional ones – will be determined by participants, as the course will aim to be genuinely participant-led.

How it works:
The project will also offer a module on using new skills to help others, e.g. peer advocacy, enabling the project to have wider reaching effects.

In order to maintain, use and develop new found skills and confidence, support will be available at the end of each person’s time with the project to access further opportunities such as volunteering, training and employment.

Why participate? – achievements:
CoolTan uses the Open College Network nationally recognised RARPA system – Recognising and Recording Progress and Achievements. This non-externally accredited system will help log achievements of each person, and provide a quality measure of the training. It assists participants measure increases in confidence and skills, for example:

• Reported and observe increase in advocacy skills in settings that the individual found challenging.
• Achieving goals through using new found skills.
• Accessing services, support, opportunities such as education & volunteering, benefits advice, financial services, mainstream facilities which previously were reported by individual as difficult to access.
• Reduced stigma and changing attitudes towards peoples’ right to be heard, and mental health generally, in those who users have contact with and in those who view podcasts.

Additional courses/workshops/support we’re always seeking to provide if possible/commissioned/funded:

• Assertiveness skills
• Self-esteem
• Personal financial literacy with Self-directed Support and Personalisation option
• Experienced volunteer trainers and facilitators are with the Self-advocacy project for peer learning and support group and individual skills work including RARPA and confidence building.
• Advice and information hub – also Personalisation awareness
• Mental Health Act specific short workshop series’

To ensure we reach as many people as possible, please do pass this information on to anyone you know who might be interested in being involved or might like further details.

And for more details and updates, please drop into CoolTan Arts, phone, email or write to CoolTan Arts and ask for:

Phil Ruthen, Advocacy Training Coordinator
tel: 020 7701 2696
email: phil@cooltanarts.org.uk or  info@cooltanarts.org.uk

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