Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Inspiring Women: Empowering Communities
Project Evaluation Report 2011-2015
This report is prepared by
Jonny Wineberg
Consultant for Not-for-profit Organisations, Community Futures Trust CIC
and
Ayesha Arif
Director, Bury Asian Women’s Centre
1
Inspiring Women: Empowering Communities
Project Evaluation Report 2011-2015
Contents
Page Introduction 2
Methodology 3
Findings
Overall Satisfaction and Involvement in Planning 4
Mental Health and Confidence 5
Living Healthier Lifestyle 8
Having More Diverse Opportunities 8
Ability to Make Positive Life Choices 9
Stronger Community links 11
Improving the Environment 12
Skills 14
Case Studies 17
Recommendations 20
2
BAWC EVALUATION REPORT 2015
Introduction This evaluation looks at the achievements of BAWC over the last four years as a key provider of services to women in Bury. During this period the Centre was funded by the Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Communities programme for its Inspiring Women: Empowering Communities project. The project’s aim was for women to have improved health, living environment, real choice for their future and a great quality of life. Project activities included:
• An independent advice service providing information, guidance and support to women on any issue affecting them. This particularly targeted, but not exclusively, women from minority ethnic backgrounds. Issues addressed included housing, welfare rights, legal matters, school selection, health care, domestic abuse, asylum seeker status and relationships.
• Two, 26 week Level 1 English language courses annually enabling women to access new opportunities.
• One-to-one support sessions for women experiencing mental health and parenting issues to raise self-esteem and cope with problems they encounter. Main issues addressed included benefits, debt, housing, dealing with utilities, shopping disputes, school places, accessing further education, mental health and dementia.
• Group support for women experiencing specific issues. Groups were set up for Mental Health, Parenting, Women's Health, Dementia, Cancer and Wellbeing
• Weekly cookery and exercise groups that helped raise self-esteem and improve healthy living.
• Two 6 week well-being courses annually to help women be confident in their health and beauty regimens.
• Community clean-up programmes encouraging families to work together to improve the local environment. These were run in conjunction with local schools and community groups across Bury.
• An annual volunteer training course and other training sessions for volunteers, which gave them one-to-one and group work skills, ideas for good practice and the confidence and ability to get involved in Local Area Partnerships. 83 volunteers were engaged with BAWC over the last 4 years.
• A sharing conference in the final year to inform partner agencies and the wider community of the success of our work, good practice identified and celebrate women’s achievements.
• Design of a large, diamond shaped leaflet, which was distributed across the area, promoting our activities.
3
Methodology The main evaluation tools were questionnaires conducted each year with participants in the activities. In the final year, this was carried out more extensively than previous years, designed to capture more people’s input. Additionally, one-to-one interviews and consultation events were held each year to give an opportunity for users to provide additional qualitative information to add to the understanding of beneficiaries’ views of activities and outcomes for them.
We were clear that the questionnaires could be completed either by each woman themselves or by interview, the latter being appropriate where there were literacy issues.
The measures in the main annual evaluation gave quantitative measures of change in:
• self-confidence • mental health • ability to make positive choices
about their life • having more diverse
opportunities
• caring more about improving their environment
• having stronger community links • skills in English, cooking and for
healthy living • living healthier lifestyles
Quantitative questions asked for a rating on a 0 – 10 scale, with two point intervals shown (i.e. 0,2,4,6,8,10). Satisfaction in these areas was measured by a score of 6 or above. This method also gave us the opportunity to identify an average and to see the spread of scores. We included comparative questions to identify views before and after involvement to give a measure of change.
Qualitative questions asked about the best parts of activities, what would increase their involvement with the provision and ideas for other activities. Other comments were also invited.
It is important to note that, year on year, many new women were accessing the project, particularly through courses, the advice service, cookery and exercise sessions. Many then went on to access one-to-one or group support and get involved as volunteers. This is a key issue in analysing the findings, with over half the women accessing the project for less than a year. Whilst they clearly benefit, be it through gaining English skills, solving a specific, practical problem or feeling more empowered, this also means that they do not attend over a longer period to benefit further. This is addressed further in the recommendations.
Analysis of all the evaluations is presented below along with recommendations for BAWC going forward.
BAWC’s Sharing Conference June 2015. Left - Staff and volunteers with the Lord Mayor & Consort. Right - partners and users.
4
FINDINGS Over the last four years, over 2,000 women accessed the different activities and services within the Inspiring Women: Empowering Communities project. Nearly all these women received advice on issues that affect them and most accessed more than one activity. In addition, over 100 men received advice and another 80 were involved in family clean-ups, along with over 100 children. The evaluation reflects the outcomes achieved for the Inspiring Women: Empowering Communities project.
OVERALL SATISFACTION
The general question regarding satisfaction with the activities/services provided by the project was asked in all evaluations except those for clean-ups. The 93% satisfaction level is very good but it is the almost 84% giving a satisfaction rating of 8 or 10 that really stands out. Whilst there is still room for improvement, this result endorses the general ethos and approach of the project and should give confidence for continued delivery of similar services and activities.
Percentage Positive 93.0% Average Rating 8.49
INVOLVEMENT IN PLANNING AND DELIVERY
Over 93% of women reported opportunities to help plan and deliver activities or services, which was a fundamental part of the projects design. Indeed, 75 women went on to take up specific volunteer roles within the project, receiving training and support. However, this question was not asked of those involved in receiving advice or one-to-one support
Another 8 men also became volunteers.
0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
0 2 4 6 8 10
0.00 2.004.99
9.24
33.83
49.94
pe
rce
nta
ge
rating
Satisfaction with Activities/Services Provided
5
Percentage Reporting Opportunity 93.1% Average Rating 8.52 Whilst there is a healthy response here, there is more to be made of this through offering more users the chance to become more involved with owning individual projects and further developing them to a more advanced level. This could be undertaken with ESOL, Exercise, Cookery and other areas and could help sustain involvement as well as produce users with increased capabilities to take on volunteer roles.
MENTAL HEALTH AND CONFIDENCE
One-to-one and group support were key to improving the mental health of project beneficiaries. However, all activities contributed to this in some part and especially to increasing the confidence of women, many of whom were at a very low ebb. There were two measures of improvement in mental health used. One question asked if involvement of the project had improved self-esteem and another if it had improved well-being. The latter had an impressive 96% giving a positive rating whilst nearly 92% reported improved self-esteem. The average ratings being below 8 shows room to improve on delivery, particularly in offering more opportunity for more women to lead their own activities.
Percentage Positive 91.7% Average Rating 7.46
0.00
20.00
40.00
60.00
0 2 4 6 8 10
0.00 0.006.88
13.02
27.52
52.58
pe
rce
nta
ge
rating
Opportunity to be Involved with Planning and
Delivering Activities/Services
0.00
20.00
40.00
60.00
0 2 4 6 8 10
0.00 1.047.25
29.88
41.45
20.38
pe
rce
nta
ge
rating
Involvement with Project Improved Self-Esteem
6
Percentage Positive 96.0% Average Rating 7.86 The change in confidence is one of the most impressive outcomes from the project. A remarkable 99% of those reporting a lack of confidence before accessing the project (score of 6 or below) reported being confident after accessing the project (score of 8 or 10). Behind this result are a myriad of factors including the amazing feedback from the mental health group where only one person rated their confidence as high as 6 before the project whereas after, only one person rated their confidence as low as 8!
Significant improvements in confidence were reported across the project activities. For the Exercise Groups, average confidence rose from 3.01 to 9.78; for the Cooking Groups, from 7.24 to 9.67 and for the ESOL Groups, from 7.17 to 9.51. BAWC should use these results to promote their work to potential users and funders.
Before Now Percentage Confident 48.7% 99.4% Average Rating 5.83 9.72 The two most significant pieces of work that built confidence were the mental health group work and exercise. Comments from the mental health work were particularly strong:
• There is a big need to do mental health group. We want BAWC to provide these groups.
0.00
20.00
40.00
60.00
0 2 4 6 8 10
0.00 0.004.00
26.35
42.12
27.53
pe
rce
nta
ge
rating
Involvement with Project Improved Well-being
0.00
20.00
40.00
60.00
80.00
100.00
0 2 4 6 8 10
11.09 8.16 10.46
21.55
45.82
2.930.00 0.00 0.00 0.63
12.76
86.61
pe
rce
nta
ge
rating
Confidence Before and After Accessing Project
before
now
7
• I am happy to say to carry on these activities. • Mental health services are good we want to carry on these sessions, was a
useful session. • Learned to treat self with care and acknowledge self-belief and faith. • I can take positives out of sitauations.
The mental health group work should be expanded and be a priority piece of work moving forward. The latter is incredibly exciting as it shows that improvements in physical health also impact on people’s emotional health. As well as sharing this finding widely, it should also act as a spur for researchers to look more at this correlation and BAWC should consider designing a wider well-being programme to combine the exercise and group sessions for maximum benefit for users.
LIVING HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES
The Cooking and Exercise programmes were evaluated as to the impact they had on people living healthier lifestyles. There was an overwhelmingly positive response, with all but a handful of users reporting living healthier. There is no doubt that these programmes were very successful but the opportunity for users to take this further should be explored, with advanced cooking and exercise groups a possibility.
Additionally, BAWC should explore the possibility of developing a group of ‘Health Champions’ who can take promote the healthy living messages from the project to their peers and encourage more to get involved.
Exercise Sessions took place in three different venues across Bury with dozens of women learning how to stay healthy
8
Percentage Positive 99.2% Average Rating 8.00
HAVING MORE DIVERSE OPPORTUNITIES The perception of different opportunities from involvement in the project was clearly reported by the vast majority of users. This is certainly an outcome to be used in promoting future work. It would also be useful to explore additional avenues for opportunity with partner agencies to ensure a wider offer of activities are available to users. A simple directory of opportunities could be produced that would be of mutual benefit to all partners. More advanced would be a searchable on-line directory of opportunities, organised by type, location and when running, which is something to explore in the longer term with Bury Third Sector Development Agency.
Percentage Positive 98.7% Average Rating 8.05 No specific comments were invited regarding diversity of opportunities but many users wanted to continue activities and look at other opportunities available:
• I want to continue my involvement and spend time with other ladies. • I want to continue being taught in a safe environment.
0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
0 2 4 6 8 10
0.00 0.00 0.82
31.56
40.16
27.46
pe
rce
nta
ge
rating
Project Involvement Led to Living Healthier Lifestyle
0.00
20.00
40.00
60.00
0 2 4 6 8 10
0.00 0.00 1.27
17.72
58.23
22.78
pe
rce
nta
ge
rating
Involvement Helped have more Diverse
Opportunities in Life
9
• I don’t want to retreat back into the ‘comfortableness’ of not leaving home. • I want to be given more advanced opportunities. • I am happy. I want to go to more classes.
ABILITY TO MAKE POSITIVE LIFE CHOICES
Almost 96% of women reported improved ability to make positive life choices through their involvement with the project. This was over 99% for those using advice services but was, unsurprisingly, lower for those participating in exercise groups. Again, this is something to use in promoting the service. The case studies from users reinforce this outcome and spell out the positive impact on people’s lives.
Percentage Positive 95.9% Average Rating 8.51 The change made to women’s lives is highlighted by the additional evaluation measure introduced for 2014-15 that asked about their ability to make positive life choices before and after accessing the project. An exceptional 94.6% of the 95.5% who reported that they lacked ability to make positive life choices before getting support, reported positive ability after. Indeed, even those that did not report in the positive domain after, all reported increased ability. Even with this result, there is clearly room for improvement as most women are giving ratings of 8 rather than 10. This may be due to the top rating being described as ‘totally’ able. The range of issues being dealt with were outlined at the Sharing Event in June 2015:
• Welfare Benefit advice - Benefit check and entitlement; Form filling; Reporting change of circumstances
• Debt - Dealing with external agencies; Filling in forms i.e. Financial statements; Signposting & Referrals; Dealing with Debt – Step change, Money Advice Service, CAB
• Housing - Apply for Housing; Rent arrears; Dealing with landlords • Consumer - Dealing with utility companies; Sales of Goods issues • Education - School applications and appeals; Accessing FE Courses; Funding • Any Other Issue Raised
0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
1 2 3 4 5 6
0.00 0.253.87
11.61
38.70
45.57
pe
rce
nta
ge
rating
Involvement with Project Improved Ability to make
Positive Life Choices
10
It is very important that the methodology behind the advice service is fully written up and shared as widely as possible as evidence of good practice. The particular factors that should be emphasised are:
• The importance of using volunteers to undertake triage, enabling a larger volume of cases
• Strong, two-way referral links with partner agencies • Bi-lingual support with Urdu and Punjabi speakers • Flexibility in solution finding • Helping complete forms • Advocating on client’s behalf with a range of agencies including utility
companies, housing providers, schools and creditors • Specific help with debt and partnering with other specialist providers.
Before Now Percentage Positive 4.5% 94.8% Average Rating 2.73 7.47 Further reinforcement of the difference made to people’s lives comes from the qualitative comments about the advice service. Most talk about being “helped” in various ways, with increasing awareness and resolution of problems a common theme. The comments below are representative of the many that came in:
• Helped me to find out entitlement and signposted me to agencies that could support and help me.
• Helped reduce my overpayment deductions from benefit. • Helped me to find out entitlement and apply for. Very nice and helpful. • Made aware of banking facilities and services available to me. • I became more aware of the benefits and my rights. • The information I was given empowered me to take the next step to apply for
benefit. • Filled in form. Helped me to get housing. • Helped me sort out my gas/electric situation, very helpful. • Have been awarded PIP and ESA with the help of adviser. • Helped me to understand options. • Received help for my credit payments. • Helped reduced payments for energy debt.
0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
70.00
0 2 4 6 8 10
4.48
59.70
31.34
3.730.75 0.000.00 0.00
5.19
23.70
63.70
7.41
pe
rce
nta
ge
rating
Ability to make Positive Life Choices Before and
After Accessing Project
before
now
11
STRONGER COMMUNITY LINKS
The Community Clean-ups had three questions on strengthening community relationships and three on improving the environment. The former asked whether participants felt that they now have stronger links with their community and whether involvement with their family had helped them work together better. Both responses showed over 90% reporting in the positive domain, with the vast majority, over 80%, scoring 8 or 10. This is extremely encouraging and indicates the imperative for organising community activities outside the normal venue for programmes. However, the change measure showed even more strongly this outcome, with over 99% of participants reporting a strong link with the community after clean ups and the average rating rising to an impressive 9.48. BAWC should explore what other activities could be undertaken to further improve both community and family cohesion. Other beautification projects could be part of this and opportunities such as Volunteers Week at the beginning of June could be utilised for such activities.
Clean up with children and families from Holy Trinity School, one of 5 clean ups in the final year of the project
Percentage Positive 93.6% Average Rating 8.48
0.00
20.00
40.00
60.00
0 2 4 6 8 10
0.00 2.13 4.27
13.11
28.35
52.13
pe
rce
nta
ge
rating
Involvement Strengthened Links with Community
12
Percentage Positive 95.7% Average Rating 8.33
Before Now Percentage Positive 96.0% 99.1% Average Rating 8.75 9.48 Comments from children involved reinforced the positive experience. Many talked about working together (and several enjoyed the fruit and cakes!):
• The best part was when we went all together and worked as a team. • The clean-up makes me feel special, helping the local area. • The best part was everyone getting along.
IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT With over 96% of those involved reporting that the project had helped improve the environment, and over 85% giving ratings of 8 or 10, the clean ups can certainly be viewed as a success. However, it is the improvement in attitude towards improving the environment that shows the potential long-term effect. Almost 95% of participants
0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
0 2 4 6 8 10
0.00 0.613.66
13.41
43.2939.02
pe
rce
nta
ge
rating
Involvement Helped Work Together
Better with Family
0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
70.00
80.00
0 2 4 6 8 10
0.00 0.613.36
12.23
25.69
58.10
0.00 0.30 0.613.96
15.24
79.88
pe
rce
nta
ge
rating
Strength of Links with Community Before and After
Involvement with Clean Ups
before
now
13
reported that their involvement had led to them caring more about the environment with 99% indicating a positive view after their involvement. The potential for other environmental initiatives should be explored and further consultation should be undertaken with local people as to what projects they may like to see undertaken in the future.
Percentage Positive 96.7% Average Rating 8.23
Percentage Positive 94.8% Average Rating 8.62
0.00
20.00
40.00
60.00
0 2 4 6 8 10
0.00 0.30 3.05
11.28
55.49
29.88
pe
rce
nta
ge
rating
Project Helped Improve Local Environment
0.00
20.00
40.00
60.00
0 2 4 6 8 10
0.00 0.614.57
11.59
29.57
53.66
pe
rce
nta
ge
rating
Involvement led to Caring More
About Improving Environment
14
Before Now Percentage Positive 94.8% 99.1% Average Rating 8.09 9.14 SKILLS For those involved in the English, Well-being, Cooking, and Exercise courses, there were specific question on how these had helped improve their skills. 98% of those involved in English courses reported good skill improvement and this is backed up by many generous comments about the courses. It is clear that there is huge value placed on such courses by those involved and a clear belief that this will enable them to improve their lives. BAWC should continue to look to identify funding to put on such courses but should also consider other approaches to improve English skills, with volunteer led English speaking groups or book reading clubs.
Percentage Positive 98.2% Average Rating 8.19
0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
70.00
0 2 4 6 8 10
0.00 0.914.27
12.50
53.96
28.35
0.00 0.30 0.615.18
29.57
64.33
pe
rce
nta
ge
rating
Care About Improving Environment Before and After
Involvement with Clean Ups
before
now
0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
0 2 4 6 8 10
0.00 0.00 1.85
18.52
48.15
31.48
pe
rce
nta
ge
rating
Relevant Courses Helped Improve English Skills
15
Whilst 93% of respondents reported that courses had helped to improve their cooking, fitness or healthy living skills, the lower positive ratings are of concern. There is some variation for the different courses, but all have a similar average. BAWC should look closely at providers for courses and ensure that they are more clearly outcome focused with improving ability, rather than just knowledge, to the fore.
Percentage Positive 93.2% Average Rating 7.64
The diverse courses were hugely popular throughout the project with women feeling comfortable in the single gender settings
0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
0 2 4 6 8 10
0.00 0.00
6.85
25.00
47.26
20.89
pe
rce
nta
ge
rating
Relevant Courses Helped Improve Cooking, Fitness
or Healthy Living Skills
16
Comments on the ESOL classes were particularly positive: • I want to continue the opportunity to have my English corrected in a positive
environment. • More confidence to speak with English people. • My confidence has increased along with my English. • I am more able to speak in groups with more self-confidence. • I can participate in the group and share ideas. • I am going to Bury College to finish Teacher Assistant course. • I feel more confident because my English is improved. The course is hilarious! • I start classes no good but finish good. I read with my little boy and speak
English with my children. Training that clearly did work well was that for volunteers. Whilst 100% of volunteers were confident in their abilities before the training, the rise in average rating from 7.35 to 9.31 is exceptional, with 100% giving ratings of 8 or 10 after training. This is clearly an area that should be pursues as BAWC develops. Both volunteering opportunities internal to BAWC and with external agencies should be encouraged. The possibility of a volunteering co-ordinator to support and develop volunteers and help match them with opportunities should be explored.
Before Now Percentage Confident 100% 100% Average Rating 7.35 9.31 Most volunteers talked about both the skills and confidence they had gained and wanted to take their success further:
• I want to become independent and build on current skills. • I learn a variety of new skills and was able to network and deal with external
agencies regarding International Women’s Day. • I was able to recruit new volunteers and confidently talk to potential volunteers
about services and the centre. • I want to continue working in a group situation in and out of class by volunteering. • I will put myself forward for more volunteering duties. • I will continue helping the community to give something back. • I will help with events and interpret for clients. • I will help further in the office environment and want the chance to continue
being supported by BAWC by volunteering.
0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
70.00
0 2 4 6 8 10
0.00 0.00 0.00
34.55
63.64
1.820.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
34.55
65.45
pe
rce
nta
ge
rating
Confidence Before and After Volunteer Training & Support
before
now
17
CASE STUDIES
The case studies here are a small sample giving the flavour of how people have been helped through the project, particularly through the Advice Service but through other aspects also. All names have been changed to protect identities.
Advice Case Study 1
Maram is a single parent with 3 dependent children. She has recently split up with her partner and has been given a notice to vacate the rented property she is living in.
The implications of a section 21 notice were explained to Maram. She was referred to Bury Law Centre and in the meantime helped to make a council housing application.
We worked with Maram to make bids on properties and also accompanied her to an appointment with the housing association as her English was not good. She was in receipt of JSA due to her medical condition which included depression and anxiety. We assisted the client in applying for Employment Support Allowance.
Maram accepted a property and needed help and assistance changing energy providers and informing various government departments of her change of address.
Maram stated that her health had improved since getting help from BAWC as she was sleeping better now.
Outcome: successful housing application Income Gene rated – ESA £3764.80
Advice Case Study 2
Disability Living Allowance - review
Bibi is already in receipt of DLA for mobility high rate indefinitely and lower rate for personal care indefinitely.
Bibi’s health has deteriorated and Iram contacted the DWP to request a review.
On receipt of claim form client had help filling in the form and was subsequently awarded High Rate personal care till Oct 2017 as well as the high rate mobility indefinitely.
High rate mobility - £56.75 High Rate Care - £81.30
Bibi was very pleased with the result as she needed extra help with her personal care and was relying on her husband more and more. Informed Bibi that her husband would be entitled to Carer’s Allowance and helped her fill in the form.
Bibi’s husband was awarded Carers Allowance - £61.35 a week
Income generated – DLA: £7,178.60; Carers Allowance: £3,190.20
Total Income generated: £10,368.00
Advice Case Study 3
Akram is a 59 year old male with various medical conditions. These include diabetes, joint and shoulder problems as well as back pain and arthritis. Akram has limited ability to speak English and came to the BAWC for help.
Akram is claiming ESA and has had his decision to be put in the ESA support group rejected. The advisor at BAWC sent a mandatory reconsideration request to DWP in September 2014. For the decision to be reconsidered on the basis that Akram is
18
awaiting surgery for his shoulder and is in considerable pain and is on strong medication which leaves him lethargic, depressed and he suffers from dizziness and mood swings.
Akram received a reply in Oct 2014 informing that the decision had not been reconsidered and he would be put in the Work- Related Activity Group. He wanted to appeal this decision. The advisor filled in the SSCS1 form which is used to appeal against a decision of the Department for Works and Pension. This included a letter from his doctor confirming Akram’s health had deteriorated.
Akram received a letter on the 08/01/2015 from HM Courts & Tribunal Service asking him whether he would like to settle the appeal as the decision maker (DWP) had said they had settled the case with him. The advisor contacted DWP asking whether a decision had been reached and why he wasn’t informed. DWP had reconsidered their decision in favour of Akram and he has been put in to the Support Group for ESA from the 21/11/2014 for 18 months. This ends in 16/04/2016 when he will be asked for another medical to reassess his health.
ESA before appeal £142.45
ESA after appeal – £171.80 per week
Income generated for 18 months £12,369.60
Akram also received help completing a PIP form and has been awarded Personal Independence Payment for the Daily Living Component for £53.00 a week from the 06/12/2014 – Apr 2017
Income generated - £5,300.00
Advice Case Study 4
Clients are Portuguese nationals (of Pakistani origin) who have moved to the UK to settle with their children.
The husband is working and they live in rented accommodation. They had already applied for child benefit and need help with paperwork they have received from HMRC regarding their claim. They had paperwork for additional information that is required from them. They were helped to fill in the forms and informed of the evidence that was required to be sent with the forms.
Both were in receipt of both Child Tax credit and Child Benefit. They were helped to make an application for tax credits.
Clients were very thankful of the help that was provided to them by the Advice Service as English was not their first language and found visiting the Bury Asian Women’s Centre easier and were able to get information and guidance in their own language. Also, having just recently moved to the UK, they were not aware of procedures and services available.
The wife was referred to the BAWC Health worker for classes and courses and she attended several Health & Wellbeing classes.
Advice Case Study 5
Shahid moved to the UK from Spain to settle with his children. His wife and youngest child still reside in Pakistan and he is living in the UK with his elder 3 children ages 18, 16 and 14 years of age.
Shahid needed information, advice and guidance on how to register his children for school, set up bank accounts etc.
19
We helped Shahid and his children with:
• Setting up a bank account online • Making applications for child benefit, tax credits, job seekers allowance,
housing benefit and council tax support • Attending habitual residence test appointment at the jobcentre • Dealing with correspondence relating to applications and other issues • Dealing with schools appeals • College applications
The family were very happy with the help received and Shahid still comes for information, advice and support.
Healthy Cooking Case Study
Anita was very conscious of the importance of staying at a healthy weight. Through attending the Healthy Cooking classes she was able to make find healthy alternatives for her lifestyle. Making small changes to her diet was the healthiest and most achievable way to lose weight. Anita made changes in her cooking oil, from sunflower oil to extra virgin olive oil, as well as using low sodium salt.
Anita now understands how to interpret food labelling, the part that it plays in a healthy diet and how this affects her. She is conscious of calories, fats and carbohydrates. She has begun to use more organic produce and a range of supplements.
Through attending healthy eating and exercise sessions, Anita has improved her own diet as well as the diet of her family. One resulting has been Anita’s healthy weight loss, dropping two dress sizes.
Mental Health Case Study
Tahara had severe mental health problems due to which she had her children taken into care and was having marital problems.
Tahara had no form of support other than that she had sought from her doctor. On coming to BAWC she participated in the Mental Focus Group which proved to be gateway to accessing services with other organisations
Tahara’s first referral was to the IAPTS team with whom we worked closely to support her. She was also referred to the Mosses Centre to participate in many group sessions which have allowed her to build on her confidence.
She became an occasional volunteer at BAWC and was able to facilitate some Healthy Eating Cooking Classes.
Due to the support she received at BAWC, Tahara referred her daughter to volunteer with BAWC who again went onto secure employment elsewhere.
Tahara has gone from being secluded and introverted to actively being part of the community, volunteering at BAWC as well as at Oxfam. She is regularly attending her support sessions with all agencies involved with her and has contact with children who are still in care.
ESOL Case Study
Hira began as a student attending ESOL classes. Through these she was able to develop her skills both personally and professionally.
20
Over a year she successfully completed her ESOL classes and participated in the six week Health & Wellbeing course. She also recruited many new students for the ESOL classes and was able to talk of her experiences whilst being a student to engage her peers. When she completed her ESOL course, she begun to volunteer in the classes alongside the Tutor. This enhanced her English speaking skills further as well as her confidence in supporting students. More importantly the students were able to relate to her better as she wasn’t someone on the outside looking in.
Through her volunteering at BAWC, Hira was able to avail new opportunities for herself. She started an accredited Teaching Assistant course. She says that this has enhanced her life chances and her ability to look for work.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. More users should be given the chance to oversee ESOL, Exercise, Cookery and other individual projects to reinforce their ownership of the project, develop their skills and sustain their involvement.
2. More opportunity should be given for women to develop and lead their own mental and physical health activities within projects. This range from whole programmes to one off sessions.
3. The mental health group work should be expanded and be a priority piece of work moving forward.
4. BAWC should consider designing a wider well-being programme to combine the exercise and group sessions for maximum benefit of users.
5. BAWC should explore the possibility of developing a group of ‘Health Champions’ who can promote the healthy living messages from the project to their peers and encourage more to get involved.
6. BAWC should explore the possibility of running advanced cooking and exercise groups, particularly using volunteers who have been through courses to lead them.
7. The finding that improvements in physical health also impact on people’s emotional health should be shared widely and researchers should be urged to look more at this correlation.
8. The methodology behind the Advice Service should be fully written up and shared as widely as possible as evidence of good practice.
9. BAWC should explore what other activities, environmental and otherwise, could be undertaken to further improve both community and family cohesion. Other beautification projects could be part of this and opportunities such as Volunteers Week at the beginning of June could be utilised for such activities.
10. The potential for other environmental initiatives should be explored and further consultation should be undertaken with local people as to what projects they may like to see undertaken in the future.
11. BAWC should see it as imperative to organise more of its own community activities outside the centre venue for programmes.
12. BAWC should explore additional avenues to work with partner agencies to widen opportunities available to users. A simple directory of opportunities could be
21
produced that would be of great value to potential users and of mutual benefit to all partners.
13. The possibility of producing a searchable on-line directory of opportunities, organised by type, location and when running, should be explored with Bury Third Sector Development Agency.
14. BAWC should continue to look to identify funding to put on ESOL courses but should also consider other approaches to improve English skills, with volunteer led English speaking groups or book reading clubs.
15. Ongoing English speaking peer groups should be established.
16. BAWC should ensure they vet providers for different courses, choosing those with strong feedback from previous users and with a clear focus on outcomes related to improving ability, rather than just knowledge.
17. Volunteering opportunities internal to BAWC and with external agencies should be encouraged. The possibility of a volunteering co-ordinator to support and develop volunteers and help match them with opportunities should be explored.
18. BAWC should use the positive evaluation results in future promotion of their work to potential users and funders.
