Conference Poster: East Renfrewshire

The text of this poster reads:

Stories of Change

Voice: Families First— Tackling Loneliness Together Programme

Discovery

Our universal service Family First analysed data and observations and this highlighted an increase in referrals relating to loneliness and isolation among ethnic minority families.

Journey

Peer Support Parents identified and group established within local community, a mixture of different nationalities and first languages.

Early sessions focused on sharing experiences of loneliness and strategies to overcome it and this shaped the content of the programme.

Change

New walking group initiative developed within local community. Some parents highlighted interest in learning more about play and developed a bespoke ‘Let’s Play’ programme.

I have learned the importance of sharing our stories and how it makes you feel less lonely and more included.

Family: Healthier Minds

Discovery

The multi-agency Healthier Minds Service provides mental and emotional wellbeing support for children, young people and their families.

One young person’s story: Experienced domestic abuse, homelessness and significant loss in a short period; parents’ divorce, transition to nonbinary and Autism diagnosis. They are not able to function in a mainstream classroom environment or any group setting and state ‘I feel I lose out on a lot of opportunities’.

Journey

‘This represents me and my transition, last Winter, to non-binary. I transitioned in Spring ‘It shows me transitioning from Winter to Spring, and the person in the middle is me. It represents who I was, the person I lost. And, who I am now.’

Change

‘This makes me feel warm and happy’. Young person is now safe and has more resilience to manage the many changes in their life. They have made decisions about gender identity and working towards partaking in some classroom activities.

Care: Aberlour and HSCP Housing Project

Discovery

Identified need for change came from care experienced young people (CEYP) telling us the support for transitioning to independent living did not meet their needs.

Journey

Relationships between the Project Coordinator and CEYP flourished as the coordinator attended activities to bring awareness to the project. The creation of The Good Childhood Board brought together Housing, Social Work, Aberlour, and CEYP to work towards a common cause: improve the service provided to care leavers when moving on.

Change

After a year of in depth research and analysis, the coordinator presented 9 recommendations that would make the most difference based on what CEYP and the local authority had expressed:

It needs to be about the individual, not just the collective.

I didn’t know what was happening to me.

Just wanted a place to call my own, call home.

Hampers have been designed by CEYP to act ‘as a housewarming present we wouldn’t be getting from our families’ with essentials, cosy things, and a welcome home card.

Many CEYP had little information regarding the moving on process, resulting in feelings of anxiety.

CEYP and Departments are currently co-designing pre-tenancy and tenancy handbooks, detailing the steps of the process and important information.

People: Intensive Family Support Team (IFST)

Discovery

The IFST identified vulnerable young girls who have experienced lots of change and loss. A girls group was established to offer a space for them to be free but also to feel held and create opportunity for self-directed play and discussion in a nurturing environment.

Journey

Season for Growth programme:

Summer time- the group formed relationships through activities. Autumn time- used art to help with emotions and to feel calm.

Winter time- baking, art and decorating a Christmas tree brought a sense of togetherness.

Change

An image of a poster which reads “How would you describe girls group?” beside the words “relaxed,” “amazing,” “fun,” “happy” and “exciting.”

Scaffolding: Children 1st - Learn Well Service

Discovery

The Learn Well Service supports young people with Emotionally Based School Absence. Through joint working between East Renfrewshire Council and Children 1st, young people have been able to participate in impactful peer groupwork as well as 1-1 sessions. One groupwork example was our Dungeons and Dragons group, which was formed based on the interests of our young people.

Journey

One young person hadn’t attended school for a prolonged period due to additional support needs, social anxiety and adverse childhood experiences.

Initially, they were only able to communicate non-verbally or through noises during the sessions. Due to their social anxiety in group situations, they relied heavily on staff support to communicate or answer a question.

Change

Towards the end of the Dungeons and Dragons group, the young person was able to contribute through conversation without support, and had made friends.

The parent of the young person said the ‘Dungeons and Dragons Group had helped the young person to make more progress than working with mental health professionals’.