Taking things forward: An update from Taking up Sophie's Fight

Through Knowledge is Power, Dundee group, Taking Up Sophie’s Fight have conducted a digital as well as printed survey to gain further understanding and information about accessing mental health services. The research is proving to be useful at informing the group’s wider work going forward, develping a Mental Wealth Academy and working with local agencies to improve how mental wellbeing is supported in the community.

Background

Having formed in 2017 as a result of taking part in the Health Issues in the Community (HIIC) course, this Dundee-based group wanted to use community-led research to explore and work towards a co-ordinated recovery approach to mental health services in the community.

As a result, the group’s Knowledge is Power project aimed to gain further understanding and information about accessing mental health services, raising awareness and improving services by asking people in communities what they feel was needed to improve mental health in their communities.

Taking up the fight

The group decided to carry out a survey to gather the evidence they needed. However, the advent of covid and resultant lockdown and restrictions impacted on the way the survey was developed and delivered. A digital platform was used via a link to the survey using a google form. With printed copies also given out to family and friends of the local activists carrying out the research.

All 152 surveys have been collated and the group is now in the process of completing the report. They have developed links with Dundee Volunteer & Voluntary Action and are being supported to develop the finalised report and showcase workshops at the event (Date to be decided).

The logo for Resolve and Resolve drop in, an offshoot project by Taking Up Sophie’s Fight.

Wider developments

The Resolve and Resolve drop in has produced their own t-shirts.

The research squarely fits with, and is helping to shape, the wider work by Taking Up Sophie’s Fight. For instance they have been busy, focussing on the development and delivery of a weekly Recovery Drop in, in the North East of the City. They have also created their own name for the drop in, (Resolve & Evolve), identity, logo and printed t- shirts to promote development of recovery.

Since the 20th October 2021, Resolve and Evolve has provided a service from 10 – 3pm. This has involved a selection of arts & crafts, games, lunch and focussed group workshop’s as well as inviting the local recovery, advocacy and pathfinder services to the group. The group has worked with other volunteers and services and, to date, has reached up to 12 people from the local community who are early in their recovery journey. Naloxone training has also been delivered.

Taking things forward

Taking Up Sophie’s Fight is planning on showcasing their Knowledge is Power research findings through a workshop with a video for sharing their results.

The research is informing the group’s wider plans going forward. They hope to use the research as a platform to support the Mental Wealth Academy. This project will include peer workers and lead the way forward for mental health recovery using a ‘train the trainers’ approach for training and development of service provision, as well as for self-development and self-care.

Furthermore, the group has had discussions about the new Wellbeing Centre development for Dundee. This is a new city centre, 24-hour service for mental health, and the group welcomes the fact that the provision is to be peer-led. They are looking forward to co-creating a vision in design and environ, with openness, bright lights and log burner, blended with security of staff and volunteers in delivery of service provision.

Taking Up Sophie’s Fight are involving other agencies and beginning to see change in the focus and intent of local service providers. Some of the group are attending meetings and deciding how money is to be spent on local delivery of recovery services. Street Soccer, a local drug agency, the community health team and local community empowerment team are also involved.

Challenging times

The group has found it difficult to get together to focus specifically on different aspects of the research, including developing presentations for workshops and to write the survey report. Some of this has been due to the pressures of day-to-day life and challenges of work, family and volunteering commitments. There have also been delays caused by the need for isolation due to contraction of covid-19.

Positive results

The two main highlights for the group so far are:

The group attended a recovery friendly walk in Perth in September 2021.

Being able to keep connected, including learning new skills, upskilling with use of technology as well as the platform for the survey, and use of Connecting Scotland equipment for people to stay involved and learn new skills.
Being able to meet face to face, having one to one walk and talks and being able to meet and chat over a coffee.

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